COMMUNITY | Kensington Market Winter Solstice Parade
Tonight in one of TO's most beloved and culture-laden zones, Kensington Market, an annual Winter Solstice parade will take place. This is a community event that welcomes all, and has been an annual tradition since 1987. This is a friendly and warm way to celebrate the year's longest night, and the official beginning of winter. What is being described as a "lantern-lit procession" will wind its way through the streets of Kensington Market, and music from Samba Squad, Maracatu Mar Aberto, Native Men's Residence, and many others will also be part of the experience. Everyone is invited to participate and get "hands on" with this: costumes, percussion instruments, noisemakers, and lanterns are all encouraged.
Kensington Market (Oxford & Augusta Avenue) 6PM

MUSIC | Sloan & Ohbijou at Fucked Up's "Christmas Benefit #2"
Now this is what rock is all about - changing the world! 'Hippie talk' to be sure, but the built in benevolence of the Xmas season sure brings it out! This is the second night of a two-night all ages run at The Great Hall, with some great bands working hard to benefit Barriere Lake Legal Defense Fund & COUNTERfit Harm Reduction Services. Last night's lineup had an interesting flavour, and tonight we have power-pop songsmiths Sloan headlining, with the folky Ohbijou and The Rural Alberta Advantage along in earnest, with Bonjay along for the ride as well. Should be good!
The Great Hall (1087 Queen Street West) 7PM $20

CULTURE | A Horables Chanukkah Party!
Chanukkah is the "festival of light" in the Jewish tradition, and it lasts eight days to commemorate the miracle of a single day's supply of oil lasting for said duration in the Second Temple of Jerusalem. Each night, a candle is light on the menorah, a special candelabra, and tonight marks the second night of the holiday. How fitting then, that this evening at the Gladstone, it's a full out Chanukkah party! Complete with latkes, and some great Askhenaz Klezmer tuneage courtesy of The Horables and Gypsy Jive. One might wonder if Manishewitz will be available at the bar. Pop by and find out!
Melody Bar - Gladstone Hotel (1214 Queen Street West) 9PM PWYC

FUNDRAISER | Krissy's 2nd Annual Bovine Christmas Charity Show
Krissy is such a do-gooder for putting together a night of fundraising, alcohol consumption, and rock 'n' roll! It is indeed difficult to find people who can put together a mean cocktail and devise ways of helping those less fortunate. Perhaps it's the Holiday season? This really is the time of the year for giving, and that sure makes this event a hard one to resist - a no cover evening of music, laughs, and drinks at The Bovine! With all incoming dollars being redirected to the Salvation Army, this event is a good choice, especially for those who are fans of this venue and its particular vibe that sets it apart from other TO haunts. Musical entertainment includes: Cactus Vella, Glenn Brody, Brooklyn Fletcher, Chuck Cole, and comedy from Andrew Fox.
Bovine Sex Club (542 Queen Street West) 8:30PM

OTHER EVENTS ON OUR RADAR

• Lily Frost + By Divine Right + Mike Johnson + The Debonairs
• Free Favourites at Four presents Qimmit: A Clash of Two Truths
• The Crush Project presents Not So Soft

Have an event you'd like to plug? Submit your own listing to the blogTO Toronto events calendar or contact us directly.

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Photo by mikepop2ca in the blogTO Flickr pool