365 Things to Do in Toronto, Christmas, Toronto, Toronto events, West Queen West

345. City of Craft

December 11, 2011

So despite all of the places, shows, and opportunities we have given you to get your Christmas shopping done, you have yet to start. Tsk, tsk. This is the last time we’ll feature a Christmas shopping event before the big day, so get on top of your Christmas list with City of Craft! Open today from 11am until 5pm, City of Craft is hosted by The Theatre Centre at 1087 Queen Street. For a $2 admission fee you’ll get access to homemade goodies, gifts, and an assortment of lovely and unique items for sale, handmade by the 50 vendors accepted to sell their wares at the Show.

City of Craft

Today is the last day of City of Craft, so don’t delay – get your Christmas shopping started (and finished!) today!

365 Things to Do in Toronto, Christmas, Toronto, Toronto events

344. Family Workshop Series: Family Baking Workshop

December 10, 2011

Teach the kids how to bake the old fashioned way – using a wood-burning stove at Black Creek Pioneer Village! You’ll follow Christmas recipes loved by the pioneers, and of course, you’ll have the opportunity to take home some of the tasty treats you create!

Family Baking Workshop

Pre-registration is required for the Family Baking Workshop; go to www.blackcreek.ca for more information.

 

365 Things to Do in Toronto, Toronto, Toronto events

343. Toronto Motorcycle Show

December 9, 2011

It may not be motorcycle weather at the moment, but what better time to be dreaming about hitting the road with a new bike than now? Whether you’re a serious buyer or just want to browse the latest bikes, gadgets and the latest info in the industry, head to the Toronto Motorcycle Show, lauded as Canada’s premier motorcycle show!

Toronto Motorcycle Show

In previous years, the Show has included training seminars, a “Full Throttle Theatre and Lounge,” a vintage racing display, plenty of prizes to be won, and of course, plenty of bikes to admire (and buy?!)The Toronto Motorcycle Show starts today and continues until the 11th. Tonight is “ladies night” – ladies get in free after 5pm, so head down to the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, and let the dreams of motorcycle begin! Find out more at http://www.torontomotorcycleshow.ca/.

365 Things to Do in Toronto, Toronto, Toronto events, Toronto music

342. Ehnes Plays Tchaikovsky

December 8, 2011

Violinist James Ehnes has been described as “the Jascha Heifetz of our day” by the Globe and Mail; come see what all the fuss is about tonight at Roy Thomson Hall as Ehnes plays Tchaikovsy with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra. Pieces include Polonaise from Eugene Onegin, Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto, and Symphony No. 2 “Little Russian.”

Ehnes Plays Tchaikovsky

For more information and to purchase tickets for tonight’s 8pm performance, go to www.tso.ca.

 

365 Things to Do in Toronto, Toronto, Toronto sports

341. Snowshoeing in High Park

December 7, 2011

With over 5km of trails perfect for a peaceful day of snowshoeing through High Park, what’s keeping you from exploring one of Toronto’s most beautiful city parks? Even if you don’t own snowshoes and aren’t sure that you want to invest in a pair, rentals are available in different areas of the city. A few places to try include:

1. Enduro Sport – $20 for first day + $5 per additional day; credit card required for security deposit. Located at 94 Laird Drive (Leaside).

2. Mountain Equipment Co-op – $12/$15 for first day + $8/$10 per additional day; refundable deposit must be paid at the time of pick up. Located at 400 King Street West.

3. Toronto Adventures – $25 for 2 hours; call 416-536-2067 for pick-up location and more details.

Snowshoeing

 

365 Things to Do in Toronto, Toronto, Toronto events, Toronto sports

340. Toronto Maple Leafs vs. New Jersey Devils

December 6, 2011

Cheer on your Toronto Maple Leafs tonight as they go up against the New Jersey Devils in the first home game of the regular season! Whether or not you’re a hockey fan, there’s no denying that the atmosphere at a Leafs game is electric, and simply must be experienced by every Torontonian!

Toronto Maple Leafs vs. New Jersey Devils

The puck drops tonight at the Air Canada Centre at 7pm. Tickets range in price from $97 to $795. Go to http://mapleleafs.nhl.com/ for more information and to purchase seats for the game.

 

365 Things to Do in Toronto, Christmas, Distillery District, Toronto, Toronto events

339. Toronto Christmas Market

December 5, 2011

Celebrate the traditional sights, scents, and sounds of Christmas at the Toronto Christmas Market! Taking place in the Distillery District, this event captures all of the charm of a European Christmas Market, complete with family friendly entertainment, a ferris wheel, Rudolph’s Reindeer Zoo, Santa and his roaming elves, specialty beer and mulled wine gardens, and the opportunity to purchase unique and locally crafted gifts.

Toronto Christmas Market

In addition to plenty of activities and fantastic shopping opportunities, the Toronto Christmas Market is an excellent time to discover the Distillery District when it is at its most beautifully. A forty foot Christmas tree compete with 18,000 lights and ornaments stands at the centre of it all, while the whole district is transformed by lights and seasonal décor.

The Toronto Christmas Market continues until December 18th. For more information, visit www.torontochristmasmarket.com.

 

365 Things to Do in Toronto, Toronto, Toronto business, Toronto food

338. Warm up with Toronto’s best hot chocolate!

December 4, 2011

Hate winter? Even the most determined winter-despiser loves hot chocolate! Who can resist a cup of steaming melted chocolate on a cold, snowy day?! We wouldn’t suggest you warm up with any hot chocolate though…we suggest you warm up with some of the best hot chocolate in Toronto! Here’s are three fantastic places to grab a delicious cup of drinking chocolate in the city:

1. SOMA Chocolatemaker

Located in the Distillery District, SOMA is one of the few artisan chocolate-makers on the continent that creates chocolate in small batches, right from the cacao bean. The result is fantastic chocolate truffles and incredible drinking chocolate. If you’re looking for something unique, this is the right place. Order Mayan hot chocolate, and it will be made fresh for you on the spot. The mix includes chilies, cinnamon, ginger, orange peel and vanilla, and of course SOMA’s amazing chocolate. Get it served to you in a shot glass for a spicy shot of chocolate you’ll never forget, or have milk added to it for a more classic concoction. SOMA Chocolatemaker is located at 55 Mill Street.

2. Xococava

Pronounced “cho-co-cava” and known for serving up hot chocolate so thick it has been compared to pudding, Xococava is not your typical chocolate shop. Described as “punk rock mad science chocolate,” this shop is known to create some of the most unique truffles around – think chorizo chocolate (yes, as in the meat), and cedar chocolate (yes, as in the tree). Their hot chocolate isn’t quite as out there, but is semisweet and deliciously rich. It can be served “straight up,” with milk or soy milk, or with coffee. Xococava is located at 1560 Yonge Street.

3. Bulldog Coffee

Bulldog Coffee is not a chocolate shop, yet their hot chocolate has won its owner a best barista medal. After all, Ghirardelli chocolate + micro foamed milk = amazing hot chocolate, chocolatier or not! Located at 89 Granby Street (just south of Church & Wellesley Village), Bulldog Coffee offers their traditional, award-winning chocolate as well as the “Blanco Bulldog” – white hot chocolate with a shot of espresso for that perfect sugar/caffeine combo.

Hot Chocolate

 

365 Things to Do in Toronto, Toronto, Toronto events, Toronto museums

337. Maya: Secrets of their Ancient World

December 3, 2011

Discover one of the most amazing civilizations in human history as you explore Maya: Secrets of their Ancient World at the Royal Ontario Museum! You’ll have the opportunity to learn about this advanced Mesoamerican culture, including its rituals, ceremonies, social organization, predictions about the end of the world, and its mysterious 9th century collapse. The Mayans are known for their complex calendar, sophisticated architecture and incredible system of writing, all of which you can explore as you view the nearly 250 artifacts that are part of this impressive exhibit.

Maya: Secrets of their Ancient World

The Royal Ontario Museum is open today from 10am until 5:30pm. Admission is $24 for adults, $21 for students, and $16 for children. For more information on Maya: Secrets of their Ancient World, go to www.rom.on.ca.

 

365 Things to Do in Toronto, Bloor West Village, Christmas, Toronto, Toronto events

336. Start Your Christmas Shopping at 100 Mile Finds

December 2, 2011

Shopping locally is more than a trend; it is becoming a way of life for plenty of Torontonians. Whether you buy local goods because it decreases your carbon footprint, supports local artisans, or simply because the quality of Canadian-made products is top notch, 100 Mile Finds will satisfy your need to purchase local.

100 Mile Finds

Located in Bloor West Village, local artisans show their wares at 100 Mile Finds, where they’re “not interested in big brands or things you can find everywhere in the mall.” The store is all about showcasing gorgeous, unusual and high-quality items made by up-and-coming craftspeople and designers who support their neighbourhoods. The result? Plenty of wonderful, local pieces for you to buy for someone you love, or for yourself!

To shop 100 Mile Finds online, or to learn more about this unique shop in Bloor West Village, go to http://100milefinds.com.