Experience the magic of a holiday performance this season
The National Ballet of Canada | Karolina Kuras
From heartwarming Christmas concerts and shows to the timeless charm of The Nutcracker, celebrate the joy of the holidays with your loved ones at one of Ontario’s seasonal performances.
These shows are very popular, so purchase tickets well in advance.
Greater Toronto Area
The Nutcracker, The National Ballet of Canada
The Nutcracker is an annual tradition that has delighted and captured the imagination of families for generations. It is one of Toronto’s most popular family holiday shows.
This performance is held at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts Theatre.
Dates: December 5–31, 2025
Location: 145 Queen Street West, Toronto
Robin Hood: A Very Merry Family Musical
Canadian Stage’s tradition of holiday pantomime theatre lives on with Robin Hood: A Very Merry Family Musical. Bring the whole family to one of the most anticipated Christmas plays in Toronto—full of lively music, audience interaction and laugh-out-loud humour.
Don’t miss this event at the magnificent Elgin & Winter Garden Theatre.
Dates: November 27, 2025–January 4, 2026
Location: 189 Yonge Street, Toronto
Sing-Along Messiah, Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra and Chamber Choir
Join the sing-along featuring George Frideric Handel, who directs a cast of soloists accompanied by the Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra and Chamber Choir in an interactive performance of his iconic musical composition.
Whether you love to sing your heart out or listen and sway to the music, this Toronto tradition is something the entire family will enjoy.
Get tickets for the show at Toronto’s heritage theatre, Massey Hall.
Date: December 21, 2025
Location: 178 Victoria Street, Toronto
Un-Silent Night, Choir!Choir!Choir!
Sing your favourite Christmas classics in an open-participation performance led by Toronto-based Choir, Choir, Choir. No singing experience is required—just come ready to have fun.
Join one of the many shows across Ontario, including performances in Toronto, London, Burlington, Ottawa and Oakville.
Date: December 20, 2025
Location: Various locations
Various holiday shows, Toronto Symphony Orchestra (TSO)
Enjoy these holiday performances at Roy Thomson Hall:
Home Alone in Concert
Watch the hilarious holiday classic, Home Alone, on the big screen while the TSO performs the score live at this family-friendly event.
Dates: December 4–7, 2025
TSO Holiday Pops
Get into the holiday spirit with a seasonal celebration of festive hits featuring guest conductor Sarah Hicks, joined by vocalist Mikaela Bennett.
Dates: December 10–11, 2025
Messiah
The TSO will accompany the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir and four soloists in a joyous rendition of Handel’s beloved classic.
Dates: December 16–21, 2025
Location: 60 Simcoe Street, Toronto
Christmas Classics, Candlelight Concerts
Performed by a string quartet, Christmas Classics features favourites such as “Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy” and “O Tannenbaum” under the gentle glow of candlelight.
Purchase tickets for this popular show online. Suitable for families with kids over the age of eight.
These performances take place at the Metropolitan Community Church of Toronto.
Date: December 19–20, 2025
Location: 115 Simpson Avenue, Toronto
Ottawa Region
Holly Jolly Jill Barber Christmas
Join Jill Barber and her jazz quartet for an unforgettable evening of beloved Christmas standards at Babs Asper Theatre (National Arts Centre)
Date: November 28, 2025
Location: 1 Elgin Street, Ottawa
Ottawa Jazz Orchestra: Big Band Christmas
Make your holiday season sparkle with this festive performance by the Ottawa Jazz Orchestra’s 16-piece band at Fourth Stage (National Arts Centre). Enjoy Christmas favourites and original pieces accompanied by featured vocalist Diane Nalini.
Dates: December 6, 2025
Location: 1 Elgin Street, Ottawa
The Barra MacNeils: An East Coast Christmas
The Halifax Daily News described the talented MacNeil siblings as “a treasure of the East Coast. " They use a variety of instruments alongside distinctive vocal harmonies to create a truly unique sound for the holiday season.
This show takes place at Meridian Theatres @ Centrepointe.
Date: December 8, 2025
Location: 101 Centrepointe Drive, Nepean
The Nutcracker: A Canadian Tradition, Ballet Jörgen
Set to Tchaikovsky’s familiar score, this twist on The Nutcracker story includes snowflake-filled landscapes, lumberjacks, Mounties and Canadian woodland.
The venue for this performance is Meridian Theatres @ Centrepointe.
Dates: December 12–13, 2025
The Jersey Nights Before Christmas Show
The music of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons, nostalgic hits and Christmas classics will make this an evening of fun for the whole family!
This show takes place at Meridian Theatres @ Centrepointe.
Date: December 19, 2025
Location: 101 Centrepointe Drive, Nepean
Hansel and Gretel Go West
This gingerbread-filled festive panto is fun for the whole family. Experience slapstick humour, toe-tapping songs, and plenty of audience participation, as Hansel and Gretel get a wild west twist.
This show takes place at The Great Canadian Theatre Company
Dates: December 20, 2025–January 4, 2026
Location: 1233 Wellington Street West, Ottawa
Kawarthas and Northumberland
The Brian Barlow Big Band with Justin Bacchus and Kalya Ramu
Following the Port Hope Santa Claus Parade, keep the magic of the season alive by taking your family to a big band holiday concert led by Brian Barlow and his band at Port Hope United Church. Presented in association with Port Hope Jazz, holiday music includes Nutcracker Suite, A Charlie Brown Christmas and more. Refreshments will be available at this event.
Date: November 29, 2025
Location: 34 South Street, Port Hope
Hamilton, Halton and Brant
Handel’s Messiah, Brantford Symphony Orchestra
Brantford Symphony Orchestra is a professional orchestra that has been delivering world-class entertainment for over 60 years, including seasonal specials such as Handel’s Messiah.
This performance takes place at the Sanderson Centre for the Performing Arts.
Date: December 13, 2025
Location: 88 Dalhousie Street, Brantford
Disney’s Frozen, The Broadway Musical
Enjoy a festive performance based on the popular animated movie, Frozen. This is one of the region’s most lively and heartwarming holiday musicals and is suitable for the whole family.
This show takes place at Theatre Aquarius.
Dates: November 19–December 21, 2025
Location: 190 King William Street, Hamilton
Niagara Region
A Christmas Carol, Shaw Festival
Charles Dickens’ classic tale of A Christmas Carol returns to the Shaw Festival. Watch the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge remember what the spirit of the season is all about in this beloved play. Suitable for families with children over six years old.
The show is staged at the Royal George Theatre.
Dates: November 1–December 21, 2025
Location: 85 Queen Street, Niagara-on-the-Lake
Home For the Holidays, Niagara Symphony Orchestra
Home For the Holidays is a popular holiday tradition in the Niagara area.
Celebrate the familiar songs and sounds of the most magical season as Stratford Festival stars Jennifer Rider-Shaw and Robert Markus are accompanied by the region’s esteemed Niagara Symphony Orchestra, alongside the Laura Secord Secondary School Choir.
This show takes place at FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre.
Date: December 13–14, 2025
Location: 250 St. Paul Street, St. Catharines
Huron, Perth, Waterloo and Wellington
Plaid Tidings, Drayton Entertainment
Listen to your favourite holiday songs from a bygone era alongside joyful storytelling focused on hope and the holiday spirit. This performance is brought to you by Drayton Entertainment, one of Canada’s most successful professional theatre companies.
This show takes place at Hildebrand Schoolhouse Theatre.
Dates: November 19–December 28, 2025
Location:, 11 Albert Street West, St. Jacobs
Wonderful World of Christmas Graceland Edition, Drayton Entertainment
Backed by a band, four vocalists and a church choir, award-winning Elvis tribute artist Steve Michaels sings the King’s best holiday offerings.
This show takes place at Hamilton Family Theatre Cambridge.
Date: December 8, 2025
Location: 46 Grand Avenue South, Cambridge
Northeastern Ontario
Christmas Spectacular, Sudbury Symphony Orchestra (SSO)
The SSO proudly launches this holiday season with a new show—Christmas Spectacular. Featuring guest soprano Pamela Teed and narration by Alessandro Costantini, this show includes festive classics and holiday anthems.
This show takes place at Sudbury Secondary School.
Date: December 6, 2025
Location: 154 College Street, Greater Sudbury
Northwest Ontario
Holiday Pops, Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra
Conductor Jeff Christmas (how fitting!) and the Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra deliver a festive celebration featuring Christmas classics, heartwarming traditions and delightful surprises.
This show takes place at Thunder Bay Community Auditorium.
Date: December 20, 2025
Location: 1 Paul Shaffer Drive, Thunder Bay
Whether you are looking for Christmas plays or time-honoured holiday concerts, Ontario has a performance that will brighten your holiday spirit. Book your tickets today.
Last updated: November 14, 2025