Festivals and Events

Students of The Glenn Gould School perform Poèmes en Musique in the Canadian Opera Company's Free Concert Series. Friday, November 20, 2026, at noon in the Richard Bradshaw Amphitheatre at the Four Seasons Centre. Free; registering in advance is recommended, and unclaimed spots go to a standby line 15 minutes before the start.

The Canadian Opera Company's Free Concert Series pops up at Todmorden Mills Heritage Site with the award winning treble ensemble Cantala Choir, celebrating the beauty of winter. Enjoy the festive light display on the museum grounds before the show. Thursday, November 19, 2026, at 7 p.m.; free drop in event, no registration needed.

Soprano Gabrielle Turgeon, Grand Prize winner of the 2025 OSM Competition, sings with pianist Rachael Kerr in the Canadian Opera Company's Free Concert Series. Friday, November 13, 2026, at noon in the Richard Bradshaw Amphitheatre. Free; registering in advance is recommended, and unclaimed spots go to a standby line 15 minutes before the start.

Free lunchtime organ recitals every Tuesday at 1 p.m. at the Cathedral Church of St. James on King Street East, from November 10 to December 22, 2026, including Music for Advent on December 1 and Vierne's Fifth Symphony on December 8. Admission is always free and no tickets are needed.

Cabbagetown's holiday street celebration, with a family fun zone at Carlton and Parliament serving hot apple cider and hot cocoa, live music, an ornament crafts table, Instax photos with Santa at 250 Carlton Street and a text based treasure hunt through local shops. Saturday, December 5, 2026, from noon to 4 p.m. Free to attend; more activities will be announced on the BIA's page.

NeighbourLink's outdoor Christmas market at Mel Lastman Square with more than 50 artisan vendors, live music, kids' activities, a Santa photo op, a 25 foot tree lighting at 6:30 p.m. and a community sing along from 7 to 8 p.m. Saturday, November 28, 2026, from 2 to 8 p.m. There is no cost to attend: choose the free ticket when you RSVP, and donations to the North York food banks are welcome but optional.

UPtown Yonge's annual tree lighting ceremony at St. Clement's Parkette, just north of Yonge and Eglinton, with holiday music, carolers, hot chocolate, cookies and a visit from Santa and the Ice Queen. Friday, November 20, 2026. Free to attend; bring a food or toy donation for the drive if you can.

Leslieville celebrates the 20th Wanderlust along Queen Street East, from Jimmie Simpson Park to Vancouver Avenue, with shop promotions, a live DJ and hot cider at Queen and Pape, and Santa's Village in Leslie Grove Park with trackless train rides, fire pits and a tree lighting at sunset. Saturday, November 21, 2026, from noon to 6 p.m. Free to attend.

Rosedale Main Street kicks off the holiday season with its annual Cavalcade of Lights, an afternoon and evening of festive activities for all ages along Yonge Street between Woodlawn Avenue and Crescent Road. Saturday, November 14, 2026, from 2 to 8 p.m. Free to attend; check the BIA's events page for the full program.

The east end's own Santa Claus parade rolls through the Beaches on Sunday, November 15, 2026, at 1 p.m. It starts at Victoria Park Avenue and Kingston Road and ends at Community Centre 55 on Main Street for a post parade celebration. Free to watch from the sidewalk; arrive early for a good spot.

The York University Gospel Choir performs Roots and Rhythms as part of the Canadian Opera Company's Free Concert Series. Tuesday, January 19, 2027, at noon in the Richard Bradshaw Amphitheatre at the Four Seasons Centre. Free; registering in advance is recommended, and unclaimed spots go to a standby line 15 minutes before the start.

JUNO Award winning pianist Hilario Durán plays a solo concert of jazz standards, Afro Cuban jazz, traditional Cuban music and his own compositions, part of the Canadian Opera Company's Free Concert Series. Friday, January 8, 2027, at noon in the Richard Bradshaw Amphitheatre. Free; registering in advance is recommended, and unclaimed spots go to a standby line 15 minutes before the start.