The Medium collected a few events, artsy and otherwise, to keep you occupied over the break. Click for a larger size! A plain text version also follows below.
12 TREES OF CHRISTMAS
Hosted by Toronto’s Gardiner Museum, the 12 Trees of Christmas features 12 Christmas trees decorated by some of the city’s top designers. The trees are on display at the museum until December 5, and then donated to various charities to celebrate the spirit of giving. This year marks the project’s 25th anniversary.
ONE OF A KIND CHRISTMAS SHOW
This holiday craft show is as much an art exhibit as a chance to purchase alast few gifts before December 25. The show has all kinds of original, beautiful, and good-humoured artwork, and is on until December 8 at the Direct Energy Centre at Exhibition Place in Toronto. Oh, and don’t forget the free arts and crafts station for children over 8—because no one is ever too old for glitter glue.
BECK FESTIVAL
The Beck Festival is an annual collection of short plays produced independently by Theatre Erindale. The plays are traditionally based on published works or original scripts written by students, and this year’s festival includes a combination of both. You can see the plays for $5 or any amount you wish to pay on December 12 at 7 p.m., December 13 at 9 p.m., and December 14 at 8 p.m. in the MiST Theatre.
LOWE’S CHRISTMAS MARKET
Head downtown to Toronto’s Distillery District for Lowe’s Christmas Market, an event that promotes handcrafted products by local artisans. Enjoy a picturesque evening among historic buildings, have a warm winter treat, and browse the outdoor stalls at this free event, which runs until December 15.
MOVIES
Those who need a break from all the Christmas music, family dinners, and social obligations can escape to the movie theatre and watch The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, the story of a daydreamer who finally takes control of his life and encounters more than a few surprises along the way, or The Wolf of Wall Street, a crime drama about Jordan Belfort, a man involved in a 1990s fraud case on Wall Street. Both films will be released on Christmas Day.
PARFUMERIE
While you’re visiting the Christmas Market, be sure to check out Soulpepper’s Christmas hit Parfumerie, a romantic comedy back for yet another run this season. This lighthearted holiday love story is just the thing after a long day of shopping. Parfumerie plays at the Young Centre for Performing Arts until December 28. Rush tickets for anyone under 21 can be purchased for as little as $5.
CELEBRATION SQUARE NEW YEAR’S EVE
Celebrate the arrival of 2014 at Mississauga’s Celebration Square on December 31, starting at 8 p.m. Enjoy skating, dancing, and music for the whole family as you count down to midnight. Celebration Square is already warming up the season with Christmas tree lighting, a visit from Santa, and hot chocolate served at the C Café’s winter patio.
SECOND CITY
For those with an inner holiday sadist, the Second City, an improv-based sketch comedy venue, presents a series of sketches and songs about every awkward and hilarious Christmas-related event possible, including improvisations for added surprise. The show runs until January 1.
ONCE
The musical Once is sure to put any music lover in the holiday spirit. The winner of eight Tony Awards, with a cast of multitalented live musicians, this production tells a story about growing personal relationships and the power of music. Once plays at the Royal Alexandra Theatre in Toronto until January 5.
DAVID CRONENBERG
This major exhibit at the TIFF Bell Lightbox explores the career of filmmaker David Cronenberg, delving into the theme of evolution both in terms of Cronenberg’s artistic development and in terms of his fascination with the theme of evolution itself. The artifacts, visions, and previously unseen footage are on display until January 19.
