This is a list of concerts we are attending, wishing we could attend, or thinking about attending between December 1 and 7, 2025. For more of what’s happening around Toronto, visit our calendar here.
Toronto Mendelssohn Choir: Festival of Carols
Tuesday, December 2, 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, December 3, 7:30 p.m., Thursday, December 4, 7:30 p.m.
Yorkminster Park Baptist Church, $25+
From all the lovely carolling that happens throughout the city, TMC’s Festival of Carols is a particularly impressive event. With the grandeur of a massive choir supported by piano and organ, if you want a cathedral-reverbrating, floor-shaking, traditional style of carol concert, this is it. Stephanie Martin’s brand new commission, The Treasures, gives the true-bangers program an extra contemporary edge — the arts of our own days are so relevant and important. Come out with friends and family, and be roused and comforted through this amazing group that will sing their hearts out in sync. When they draw in that collective breath under the baton of Jean-Sébastien Vallée, you will know that you are in a place filled with magic. Info here.
Confluence Concerts: Winter Songs
Wednesday, December 3, 7:30 p.m., Thursday, December 4, 7:30 p.m.,
Heliconian Hall, 35 Hazelton Ave., $30, student/arts worker tickets available
In the middle of huge blockbuster programs, the Confluence Concert returns to the tiny space of the Heliconian Hall. Keeping up with the true chamber music fashion, a selected few musicians will take you though the various temperaments of winter songs, from bright, to dark desolation, to all-encompassing warmth. As Artistic Associate Andrew Downing has been spending his fall in the faraway land of Latvia, perhaps he will bring a tale or two with a Baltic magic. Always a lovely series to attend — especially now, if you are seeking quiet, intimate joy away from the noise and bustle of tinsel, LED lights, and Christmas insanity. Info here.
Pax Christi Chorale: Christmas Through the Ages
Wednesday, December 3, 7:30 p.m.
Eglinton St. George’s United Church, 35 Lytton Blvd., choose your price: $40/20/10
If you are hankering for that brass band and choir combo for the holidays, this is it. Weston Silver Band, now in their 104th season, is a fantastic band. Currently included in the top 200 brass bands worldwide by the 4barsrest World Rankings (the most visited brass band site worldwide) — the first Canadian band to make the list — they will surely be bringing the jollity and that special warmth of the brass band Christmas tradition. Along with Pax, who are renowned for their commitment to excellence and love for community events, the event signals a great mid-week break, to gather with friends and family. With the thoughtful choose-your-price model, if you know little ones in a school band or a choir, why not bring them for this great opportunity to share what it means to sing and play with others, and for themselves and the community? Info here.
Toronto Symphony Orchestra: Home Alone in Concert
Thursday, December 4, 7:30 p.m., Friday, December 5, 7:30 p.m., Saturday, December 6, 2 p.m. and 6 p.m., Sunday, December 7, 2 p.m.
Roy Thomson Hall, $57+
Kate McCallister: Did I Turn off the Coffee?….No, that’s not it. Peter McCallister: Well, what else could we be forgetting? Ah, Kevin. Kevin. Kevin. Kevin. Since 1990, Home Alone, with adorable Kevin played by Macaulay Culkin, became an instant Christmas classic. A true cultural icon for Americans and Canadians — and across the world — spreading and reminding us of the ideal North American lifestyle dreams of the 90s, Home Alone resurfaces every year with Mariah Carey and Wham! on the side. No words are required for this classic; come and join another piece of John William’s magic with full orchestra and lovely choir. But get your tickets quick — even with five performances, tickets are going fast, fast, fast. And “Keep the change, ya filthy animal.” Info here.
Gentleschi Baroque: Harmony Is in Our Hands
Saturday, December 6, 2 p.m.
St. Thomas Anglican Church (Toronto) 383 Huron St., $50, or pay-what-you-wish
St. Thomas, nestled in a tiny, secretive spot in the Annex, is quickly becoming a major music venue — a lovely phenomenon — and for this week, Gentleschi Baroque, with Hélène Brunet, soprano, is in the house with a wonderful Baroque program in support of the YWCA of Toronto. Drawing from hidden gems of the Baroque era along with the typical big guns such as Handel — the music of Élisabeth Claude Jacquet de La Guerre, the mysterious Mrs Philharmonica, (an English composer who wrote under this pseudonym), Isabella Leonardo, an Italian nun of 17th century — will fill the space. Come and hear this rarely played music, and be amazed that such gems are still here, in our time, to be gently discovered and loved. Read our Interview with co-artistic directors Julia Wedman and Cristina Prats Costa here. Info here.
Continuum Contemporary Music: Pine Trees and Blue Sky
Saturday, December 6, 8 p.m.
St. George’s Grange Park Church, 30 Stephanie St.., $10+
If your teeth are hurting from the sweetness of the season (it can be a bit much, can’t it?) this is the antidote that will cure you! The young, brilliant Roan Ma took the helm of this project as Artistic Producer, and she has curated a lovely evening of contemporary music, including a violin concerto by Marcos Balter, a brand new piece for violin and harp by the Canadian composer Jessica Ackerley. Haotian Yu’s Ritual IIIb, created through Continuum’s Hatch 2019 mentorship program, along with the music of Toshi Hosokawa and Anna Höstman, fills out the evening. While many indulge in the seasonal pleasures, if you prefer some challenges and beauty of our own time and language, do come out as Ma’s ambitious program comes alive. Read our Interview with Roan Ma here. Info here.
Royal Conservatory of Music: New Orleans Jazz Orchestra: A Crescent City Christmas
Saturday, December 6, 8 p.m.
Koerner Hall
That special New Orleans jazz magic is in town for this Saturday. Not just keeping up the tradition, but also continuing to evolve the New Orleans style since 2002, the Artistic Director Adonis Rose and the band will bring the great swing style to the cold, frigid winter night of Toronto. So familiar yet so difficult to pinpoint, the subtle and beautifully distinctive styles played by real masters in person, is a rare opportunity for many of us in town. And jazz, like all music, is not a bygone, museum-replica; it lives through the time, and morphs along with us. So do come out, and keep your ears open to this mastery of New Orleans style — and let your body feel that groove. Oh, so excellent. Info here.
TO Live: A Charlie Brown Christmas — Live at the Symphony!
Saturday, December 6, 4 p.m. and 8 p.m., Sunday, December 7, 1 p.m.
Meridian Hall, $54.50+
Truly one of the bests, A Charlie Brown Christmas, a TV special from way back in 1965, is a touching story, complete with the droopy Charlie Brown Christmas Tree, lots of small bickering, and the hope and joy of embracing the imperfection. With unforgettable music by Vince Guaraldi, TO Live brings this lovely story to life, with live orchestra and live actors, and an animated backdrop. Geared to please even the itty audience members from age 5 and up, the 75-min joyride is a great way to adjust ourselves in the face of the glam of the fast, loud consumerism of the monstrous side of the holidays. Come with that little ‘sad’ tree in your heart, and be okay with the imperfection and struggle, as joy may thrive among us despite all that! The Sunday performance will be an audio-described performance, and the amazing therapy dogs from the One Health Partners will be there for the pre-show for Sunday, to greet everyone with two feet. Info here.
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