This is a list of concerts we are attending, wishing we could attend, or thinking about attending between December 15 and 21, 2025. For more of what’s happening around Toronto, visit our calendar here.
Toronto Symphony Orchestra: Messiah
Tuesday, December 16, Wednesday, December 17, Friday, December 19, Saturday, December 20: 7:30 p.m., Sunday, December 21, 3 p.m.
Roy Thomson Hall, $60+
Just before Christmas, this is the apex of the annual Messiah maelstrom in the city. Toronto Symphony starts their 5-days long Messiah run with the mighty Toronto Mendelssohn Choir at the Roy Thomson this Tuesday evening. Featuring a mix of seasoned and young, bright soloists — Lauren Snouffer, Susan Platts, Anthony León, and Gerald Finley — the conductor Michael Francis will take the audience through the beginning of the nativity to death of Christ, masterfully set by Handel in three parts. It is amazing that so much of Handel’s Messiah has become a staunch mainstream icon, yet it is also equally amazing how the rest of the Messiah is still left for in-depth exploration — as these lesser known numbers still carry much drama and charisma. Come and give the work a worthy, patient listening, and experience the narrative in its full glory. Info here.
Hannaford Street Silver Band: Merry & Bright
Tuesday, December 16, 7:30 p.m.
Yorkminster Park Baptist Church, $51.75
A chance to experience the brass band in its full glory in jubilant Christmas holiday music with special guests. Alex Hetherington — a true Torontonian, a familiar face from her Faculty of Music, University of Toronto days, then as a member of the COC Ensemble, and recently as Siebel in COC’s fall production of Faust — is the featured soloist, and the 60+ member-strong Orpheus Choir of Toronto will be joining the stage. Running since 1983, the Hannaford Street Silver Band has been an important part of Toronto’s musical fabric — especially with the Hannaford Youth program — a dedicated place for young musicians to come together beyond the four walls of their usual school band life. Bring your families and friends, especially the young’uns in the band program, and share the beautiful brass band tradition through the all-time seasonal favourites, plus one: a brand-new commission by Haitian composer Christopher Ducasse. Info here.
Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra: Handel: Messiah
Thursday, December 18, Friday, December 19, Saturday, December 20, all shows at 7:30 p.m.
Koerner Hall, $50+
Tafel orchestra and chamber choir with Ivars Taurins takes to Koerner Hall with four amazing soloists — Stephanie True, Krisztina Szabó, Nicholas Scott, and Jonathan Woody. Much tighter and compact in comparison to the full-modern orchestra format, Tafel’s Messiah is steeped in performance practice, a lookback on historical techniques, instruments, and styles. If you wonder what Handel might’ve heard, this is the rendition to check out. In 2024, all three shows sold out, and it will likely sell out again this year. Go and join the crowd, and enjoy that particular energy of a true full-house, which has become a rarity since the pandemic — there’s something very special in the air with such enthusiasm. If you miss the boat by clicking a just tad bit too late, there’s an option of joining Tafel at the Massey, with a Sing-along on 21st — but hurry, as this also sells out every year. Info here.
Array Productions: Playscape Emporium: Theatrics
Thursday, December 18, 7:30 p.m.
Array Space, 155 Walnut Ave., $25/Pay What You Want
A concert that will cut through the thick fog of Hallmark holidays, nativities, and all things seasonal. Duo Cichorium brings the theme of theatrics to the intimate Array Space. The centrepiece, Fall of the Empire (2007) by Frederic Rzewski, is made of a prologue and seven short acts, blending texts from various sources from Thomas Jefferson, Charles Dickens, Mother Goose, Bill Buchanan/Hegel, Mark Twain, and Rzewski himself. The piece is a mashup of all things performance — different characters, instrument playing, speaking, use of space and staging, and its focus on all things that were true issues in 2007, and sadly, are still issues today — democracy, capitalism, and the ever-tight precarious balance of international relations with eyes on winning — bring the pure music out of itself, and into a larger context. Before you turn to the next selection muttering something about politics, let’s refocus on the fact that a discourse literally means ‘running about’, and that without unexpected things, we will never see beyond our own selves. A new work by Domenic Clarke, Adore, for viola, two percussionists, and electronics, and Toronto Saxophone Quintet with Trevor Flemings playing Raymond Luedeke’s Garbage Delight, promises much to discover. Info here.
Massey Hall: CHOIR! CHOIR! CHOIR! Un-Silent Night: An Epic Holiday Singalong
Saturday, December 20, 2 p.m., and 8 p.m.
Massey Hall, $53+
Am I an audience member or a performer? What is to listen — to others, or to self, or to sing? Does it matter? CCC brings their signature holiday singalong to Massey once again, and the promised energy is BIG. All voices welcomed, no experience required — this is your chance to truly join in the fun at your own leisure, as the mix of classics and seasonal pops will ring thunderously in Massey. The amazing CCC will teach you what to sing, so no worries there, and such a completely open invitation is rare. It’s such a different thing to consume art, versus creating artistic experiences. Somehow, the word Art became so distant from most people’s daily lives, it is now quite difficult to define what it means; thanks to clever capitalistic marketing ploys promising artistic experiences, from buying a potted plant, to getting your eyelashes done, anything feels like it can be art. And suppose that is still true, as it is impossible to disprove. However, a community sing-along, especially with strangers where one can build new bonds, share that moment without reservation, and sing out to 11 — there is no doubt this is art. Yes. Mass artmaking. So, grab friends and family, frenemies and strangers, and head down to Massey for a truly good time. Info here.
Royal Conservatory of Music: VOCES8
Sunday, December 21, 3 p.m. (Sold out), 7 p.m.
Koerner Hall, $65+
One of the best chamber ensembles in the world, VOCES8 returns to Koerner. The afternoon show sold out a long ago, but this is your lucky day — they’ve added a second show. Bringing everything from the Renaissance classics — Orlando di Lasso, Arvo Pärt, Byrd and Sweelinck — to contemporary — Sally Beamish and J. Fred Coots & Haven Gillespie — this is the concert to experience the magic of a capella human voices. Get your ticket and experience amazing blend, technical finesse, and that sheen of pure intonation. Info here.
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- CRITIC’S PICKS | Classical Music Events You Absolutely Need To See This Week: December 15 – December 21 - December 15, 2025
- CRITIC’S PICKS | Classical Music Events You Absolutely Need To See This Week: December 8 – December 14 - December 8, 2025
- CRITIC’S PICKS | Classical Music Events You Absolutely Need To See This Week: December 1 – December 7 - December 1, 2025
