winter solstice kensington

9 things to do in Toronto today

Today in Toronto is the winter solstice and there are several super cool events to help celebrate the longest day of the year, the main one being Kensington Market's festival of fire and drama. The 27th annual Winter Solstice Parade of Lights and outdoor party is like watching your favourite children's book come to life on the streets, and you won't find a friendlier crowd anywhere in the city.

  • Events you might want to check out
    Date
    About the Event
    Location
    • December 21
      This is the only way to properly usher in winter, with a big light parade and an outdoor party. Red Pepper Spectacle Arts celebrates the 27th annual Kensington Market Winter Solstice Party on the shortest day of the year with a lantern-lit procession through the market and shows from Samba Squad, Shadowland Youth Theatre, Richard Underhill & the Kensington and so much more.
      Kensington Market
    • December 21
      Facilitated by Artists Cheryl L'Hirondelle and Joseph Naytowhow, Light Tipi: yahkskwan mkiwahp, is a community-based art activation that will bring light into the darkest day of the year. Admission is free
      Fort York National Historic Site
    • December 21
      It's the longest night of the year, which means all the more reason to bundle up in the land of fire and ice. Reyka Vodka sponsors this night outside on the Drake Hotel Sky Yard, channeling the epic landscape of Iceland. Kick off the season with complimentary vodka cocktails, DJ IamMiikey and artist Jason Peters' gorgeous light sculptures.
      The Drake Hotel
    • December 21
      Seeing Toronto singer-songwriter Jennifer Castle live is always a good idea. Seeing her at The Horseshoe is basically mandatory if you like good, local music. She was shortlisted for the Polaris Music Prize for her last record, but check out what she has up her sleeve now.
    • December 21
      Improv troupe The Nice Guys create an original, silly version of a famous movie suggested by the audience, with the help of some of the best new comedians in the country.
      The Social Capital Theatre
    • December 21
      Art Metropole likes to celebrate the holidays with egg nog. Like, they really like egg nog. It's basically the art institute's holiday party that doubles as a reception for Wish Lists by Artists - their holiday window display. Local, national and international artists will show you want they really want for Christmas.
      Art Metropole
    • December 21
      Winter Feast started in response to the volume of international students that couldn't go home for the holiday break. It offered an opportunity for OCAD students to come together to share food, stories, drinks, activities, traditions from home - and this year you're invited. They've partnered with Bunz Trading Zone for a secret santa swap, there will be video projections and tunes and a performan…
      OCAD University
    • December 21
      It's a fully-committed Christmas movie that hates Christmas. It's sincerely cutesy and at the same time deeply cynical. It's aimed squarely at kids, but also features several grisly murders (spurring the creation of the PG-13 rating in the process). A cozy went to spend a night at the theatre.
      The Royal Cinema
    • December 21
      The Harvard Seal Documentary Film Club presents Mitchell Kezin's tribute to some of the most enduring holiday songs of all time. Kezin hits the road to uncover the stories behind these grooves, tracking down musicians, DJs, record execs, radio hosts, composers, critics, and collectors to explore the true meaning of the holidays. There's a party after the screening.
      Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema
  • Ongoing events
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Lead photo by

Stephen Gardiner


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