Grand Jeté Yourself into the Holiday Season

With the Christmas season fast approaching, dancers, musicians, and actors across the city are honing their talents to entertain and to delight Torontonians of all ages. Here are four Toronto events guaranteed to kickstart your holiday spirit.

The Nutcracker is a perennial favourite of children and parents alike, and the National Ballet of Canada promises to deliver with their presentation of the traditional tale. Choreographer James Kudelka has reshaped the fantastical narrative to bring focus to the anxiety of entering adolescence. Tiny tots will be delighted by the music and magic, while older spectators will also take something away from this revamped Christmas classic. December 11-January 2 at the Four Seasons Centre; 145 Queen Street West.

If ballet isn’t your bag and dialog is your desire, then Soulpepper’s production of A Christmas Carol will get you in the spirit. Adapted and directed by Michael Shamata, this seasonal standard is spiced up by atypical staging. Set in the round, and with minimal props and sets, this production focuses attention on the narrative of this timeless Christmas tale and away from the bells and whistles of the holiday season. December 6-December 30 at the Young Centre for the Performing Arts; 55 Mill Street, Building 49.

Roasted chestnuts

If you want to be brought back in time, back to the baroque period that is, then the Tafelmusik production of Handel’s Messiah is something you shouldn’t miss. Tafelmusik are an award-winning period instrument orchestra and chamber choir. They will be performing the oratorio for spectators from December 15th to December 18th. However, for those audience members who can’t help but mouth the words, there will be a sing-along held on December 19th at Massey Hall. December 15 - December 18 at Trinity-St. Paul's Centre; 427 Bloor Street West. December 19 at Massey Hall for the sing-along; 178 Victoria Street.

Christmas Market

If you decide to go to the Distillery district, make sure to take in Toronto’s first Christmas market! Modelled on old traditional European Christmas markets, the Lowes Toronto Christmas Market has transformed the Distillery into a little bit of Christmas paradise. Expect a forty-foot Christmas tree, vendors in small cottages that sell everything from one-of-a-kind knitwear to scrumptious butter tarts, a Ferris wheel that looks down onto the festivities, choirs, brass ensembles, and open fires to curl up next to with some mulled wine and roast chestnuts. December 3-December 12; 55 Mill Street.