Family Events at Christmas in Toronto

It’s so easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of the Christmas season: looking for the perfect holiday gifts, decorating the tree and getting your house ready to entertain family and friends. Make sure you include some fun things to do with the family in your Christmas calendar. After all, the best part about the Christmas holidays is spending time with family. Take some time out to enjoy these family events at Christmas in Toronto.

Nathan Phillips Square Tree Lighting 2017

Come down for the Christmas tree lighting at the 50th Cavalcade of Lights at Nathan Phillips Square on Saturday, November 25, 2017. This event is one of the most popular family events at Christmas in Toronto. Enjoy a sing-a-long at 7 p.m., the lighting of the Christmas tree at 7:25 p.m., and live musical performances to be announced at 7:35 p.m. A DJ will spin tunes for the outdoor skating party from 9:40 p.m. to 10: 30 p.m. Nathan Phillips Square will be lit up every night from dusk until 11 p.m. until December 31, 2017.

A Christmas Carol at Soulpepper Theatre

Take the family to see Soulpepper Theatre‘s glorious production of Charles Dickens’s A Christmas Carol during the holiday season. The Christmas classic is performed from December 7-24, 2017 (no performances on Mondays) at the Baillie Theatre. Recommended for ages 8+. Tickets are $95, $80, $62, $37 and $32 and can be purchased online.

ELF The Musical at Princess of Wales Theatre

ELF The Musical will be performed at the Princess of Wales Theatre in Toronto from November 21-26, 2017. This charming Christmas story tells the tale of Buddy, a young orphan child who mistakenly crawls into Santa’s bag of gifts and is transported back to the North Pole. Tickets are $69, $89, $99, $115, $150 and can be purchased online.

Toronto Christmas Market at the Distillery District 2017

Another wildly popular choice of family events at Christmas in Toronto is the European-style Toronto Christmas Market at the Distillery District from Thursday, Nov. 16 to Saturday, Dec. 23, 2017. Look for unique Christmas crafts and gifts at the outdoor vendors market. Some of the vendors this year include Yo Sox, Schnitzel-Haus, Eat My Shortbread, Polar Piece Fleece Clothing, rawkoko natural soap, Winterbourne Alpaca, Wafel Bar, The Dutch Shop, Petite Thuet, Wooden Wonders, French Candian Poutine and Stocking Stuffers. Enjoy holiday-themed shows, roaming Victorian carolers, children’s choirs, fairy tale maze, a Ferris wheel, Santa’s elves workshop and Rudolph’s Reindeer Zoo. Opening night (Thurs., Nov. 16) will feature the lighting of the 52-foot white spruce Christmas tree, as well as live musical performances. Pet photos with Santa are available Tuesdays from 2 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Stop for refreshments at the beer and wine garden. Enjoy complimentary samples at The Cabin by Campbell’s. Toronto Christmas Market hours are Tuesday to Thursday 12 p.m. to 9 p.m., Friday 12 p.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. This year, admission to the market is free if you attend Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday or on Friday (up until 5 p.m.) The admission fee after 5 p.m. on Friday and on Saturday and Sunday is $6.

It’s A Wonderful Life: A Life Radio Play at Lower Ossington Theatre

If you are looking for traditional family events at Christmas in Toronto, this Christmas classic sold out on its 2015 and 2016 runs. Frank Capra’s holiday story finds desperate George Bailey about to commit suicide when an angel-in-waiting intervenes and shows him how his life has positively affected others. This Christmas classic is being performed at Lower Ossington Theatre (The LOT) as a live 1940s radio broadcast! Performances take place Dec. 1-3, 8-10, 15-17, 22-24, and 29-30, 2017. The Lower Ossington Theatre, 100 Ossington Avenue. Tickets are $54.99 and $64.99 and can be purchased online.

Magical Winterland Nights at Casa Loma

Explore Magical Winterland Nights at Casa Loma with the family from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Walk through the glittering lighting display in the gardens, watch illusionist Professor Wick’s holiday magic show, as well as performances by Soli and Rob and Circus Jon. Plus special appearances by Paw Patrol. Kids can visit Santa in his workshop, visit with holiday mascots, sing along with live carollers, and watch live wood carving. Refreshments include chilli, s’mores and hot cocoa. Casa Loma will be hosting a toy drop off for the CP24 CHUM Christmas Wish. One dollar from each adult admission during December will be donated to the program. Admission is Children (4-13) $17; Youth (14-17) $22; Adult $27; Seniors (60+) $22. Dates for 2017 to be announced.

Holiday Greeting Card Workshop for Families

If you are looking for creative family events at Christmas in Toronto, sign up for the Holiday Greeting Card Workshop for Families at Todmorden Mills. Learn about the origins of holiday greeting cards including pop ups and collages while you create holiday cards. The workshop takes place on Sat., Nov. 25, 2017 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. This workshop is suitable for children 6 years and older. Tickets are Child $10, Adult $15 and can be purchased online. Call 416-396-2819 or email todmorden@toronto.ca for more information. Todmorden Mills is located at 67 Pottery Road.

A Christmas Carol at Elgin Theatre

Ross Petty’s production of Charles Dickens’s A Christmas Carol will be performed at the Elgin Theatre in Toronto from Nov. 24, 2017 to Dec. 31, 2017. Tickets for this family musical are $64 and $27 and can be purchased online.