Festivals and Events

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.

On the longest night of the year, thousands of people walk together through the lantern lit streets of Kensington Market in a community celebration of light returning after darkness, now in its 37th year. The parade is on Monday, December 21, 2026, with related solstice events from December 12 to 21. It takes place on public streets and is open to everyone; check the organiser's page for the start time and route.

The Italian Cultural Institute of Toronto presents Migrantes, a concert by Italian musicians Mauro Sigura and Andrea Manzoni at the Aga Khan Museum. Friday, November 20, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. Admission is free, but registration is required; the reservation link will be posted on the institute's event page.

More than 100 exhibitors fill the Grand Hall and salons of the Canadian Museum of History with handmade gifts, holiday décor, woodwork, jewellery, gourmet foods and works by Indigenous artisans. Open November 26 and 27, 2026 from 11 am to 8 pm, and November 28 and 29 from 9 am to 5 pm. Admission to the market is free and no ticket is needed, with a free coat check.

A festive winter village at Lansdowne Park with more than 60 local vendors, twinkling lights, live entertainment, holiday treats and Santa's Village. It runs on weekends from November 20 to December 20, 2026: Fridays 5 to 10 pm, Saturdays 10 am to 10 pm and Sundays 10 am to 8 pm. Entry is free; food, drinks and shopping are extra.

Abenaki artist Diane Obomsawin, a pioneer of underground comics in Québec and an award winning animation filmmaker, screens several of her animated films and explains how her dreams shape her creative process. Part of the 15th Salon du livre des Premières Nations with Kwahiatonhk!. Saturday November 21, 2026 at 2 PM, about one hour, in French, for teens and adults. Free; reservation required.

Émile Gauthier and Sébastien Lévesque of Distorsion, the podcast about strange stories of the digital age, explain how they research their podcast, TV series and books, talk about their new project on conspiracy theories and share unheard anecdotes. Friday November 20, 2026 at 7 PM, about 75 minutes, in French, for teens and adults. Free; reservation required.

Actress, host and director Bianca Gervais (Format familial, Les moments parfaits, MixMania: 20 ans plus tard) shares the big steps of her career, the challenges she faced and what she learned along the way. Sunday November 15, 2026 at 2 PM, about one hour, for teens and adults. Free; reservation required on the library website.

Meet Sébastien Diaz, the TV host, director and producer behind Formule Diaz, L'Effet Wow and Format Familial, in a conversation hosted by journalist Tifa Bourjouane with Radio-Canada, followed by questions from the audience. Saturday November 14, 2026 at 2 PM, about one hour, for all ages. Free; reservation required on the library website.

The National Capital Commission opens its free Urbanism Lab season with a panel on the stories that shape the capital's identity, from Bytown's origins to today, touching on heritage, public art and cultural memory. Wednesday Nov 25, 2026: doors at 11:30 AM, panel 12:00 to 1:00 PM, then questions until 1:30 PM, at the Royal Canadian Geographical Society building. Free, registration required because space is limited.