Events December 15 to 28 Toronto Historic Sites

Events December 15 to 28 Toronto Historic Sites

The City of Toronto Historic Sites present several events in December that provide enriching entertainment for all ages while connecting visitors to Toronto’s rich history. Visit www.toronto.ca/museum-events for more information on city history.

COLBORNE LODGE    South end of High Park on Colborne Lodge Drive

Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Holiday Admission:  Adults $7.08, Seniors/Youths $4.42, Children $4.25 (plus tax)

Limited free parking clodge@toronto.ca  416-392-6916

Christmas at Colborne Lodge – Themed Tours

Continues until Friday, January 6, 2016

Tuesdays to Sundays, Noon to 4 p.m. 

December 24 and 31, Noon to 3 p.m.

Closed Mondays, Dec 25, 26 and Jan 1
Warm up by the hearth at Colborne Lodge and take in the sights and aromas of a Victorian Christmas.  Enjoy the natural greenery that decorates the house, toast the season with a glass of hot mulled cider by the wood stove and nibble on special holiday treats. The Lodge is nestled at the south end of High Park.

Holiday admission prices apply. Adults $7.08, Seniors/Youths $4.42, Children $4.25 (plus tax)

Cookie Creations (8 to 12 year olds)

Saturday, December 17, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.

Course Code: 2889795

Children will have fun making homemade cookies and discovering Victorian Christmas traditions and games.  Participants will each go home with their own tin of gingerbread.  Pre-registration and payment required. $22.50 + tax (includes supplies and a dozen cookies to bring home). Pre-register online at toronto.ca/torontofun or call 416-338-4386.

Christmas at the Lodge (5 to 7 year olds)

Sunday, December 18, 9:30-11:30 a.m.

Course Code: 2889970

Kids join in old fashion Christmas fun in the historic home with a morning full of activities, cookie decorating and crafts. Pre-registration and payment required. $17.50 + tax (includes light seasonal refreshments). Pre-register online at toronto.ca/torontofun or call 416-338-4386.

City History

FORT YORK NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE   250 Fort York Blvd.

Hours: Monday to Friday: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Saturday & Sunday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Regular Admission: Adults $7.96, Seniors/Youth $4.87, Children $3.76 (plus tax)

Children 5 years and under are free. Accessible parking at the New Visitor Centre.

Paid parking off Garrison Road or Strachan, north of Fleet Street. fortyork@toronto.ca  416-392-6907

Gingerbread Make and Bake!

Extra fun for Kids at Fort York (ages 4 and up)

December 27 to 31 at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.

While you enjoy a tour of Fort York your kids can join the cooks in the Officers’ Mess kitchen to create traditional gingerbread cookies. In this hands-on workshop, kids will use period cooking utensils and tools to sift flour, crush cinnamon, cloves or allspice, pound sugar and grate nutmeg and ginger as they prepare an 1800’s gingerbread recipe. Samples can be taken home -if they last that long! Workshop is limited to 15 participants. Included with regular admission, sign up in the Museum Store when you arrive.

GIBSON HOUSE MUSEUM   5172 Yonge Street, at Park Home Avenue

Limited free parking on site; nearby paid underground and street level parking.

Hours: Wednesday to Sunday: 1 to 5 p.m., Thursday: 1 to 8 p.m.

Festive Admission: Adults $7.08, Seniors/Youth $4.42, Children $3.76 (plus tax)

gibsonhouse@toronto.ca  416-395-7432

Scottish Holiday Traditions – Themed Tours

Continues until Sunday, January 8

Enjoy the simple and elegant traditions of the Scottish holiday season at Gibson House Museum. Learn how the Gibson family celebrated the season in the nineteenth century and sample some tasty treats by the open hearth. See the Victorian-era home decorated in natural greenery and take a guided tour with our knowledgeable staff.

To the New Year: A Gibson House Hogmanay Dinner

Wednesday, December 28 and Thursday, December 29

6:00 p.m.

Gather at the historic Gibson House for a special evening inspired by the Scottish traditions of Hogmanay. Share a scrumptious dinner with familiar and new friends. Be lulled by the fire and moved by the music. Take an imagined journey through story and drama to a New Year of another time. As the evening closes, come together with staff to welcome our First Footer, celebrate our 2016 season and bring luck and best wishes to Gibson House Museum for 2017. Pre-registration and pre-payment required. Tickets can be purchased online or by phone by calling 416-395-7432.

$60 plus tax per person.

MACKENZIE HOUSE  82 Bond Street

Hours:  Tuesday to Friday, 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.; Saturday & Sunday: 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Holiday Season Admission: Adults: $7.08; Seniors /Youth: $4.42 Children: $3.76  (plus tax) Children (4 and under): Free.

machouse@toronto.ca  416-392-6915

Victorian Christmas Ghost Stories

Sunday, December 18 at 2:15 and 4:15

Victorians loved their ghost stories—even at Christmas time.  Join us and sample a few scary Christmas tales along with some cider warmed on our cook stove. Storytelling at 2:15pm & 4:15pm.  Included with admission to the museum: Adults: $7.08; Seniors /Youth: $4.42 Children: $3.76 (plus tax)

A Victorian Christmas – Themed Tours

Continues until Sunday, January 8

Tuesday to Friday, 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.;

Saturday & Sunday: 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Closed Dec. 25 & 26 and January 1

This festive season take a step back in time to Victorian Toronto and experience the magic of a traditional Christmas in an 1859 row-house.  Escape from the hustle and bustle while you enjoy a sample of mulled cider and a biscuit in the warmth of the historic kitchen. Discover the story of how families celebrated Christmas in 19th century Toronto as you tour the Mackenzie home dressed in greenery for the holidays.

Adults: $7.08; Seniors /Youth: $4.42 Children: $3.76  (plus tax)

During the Victorian Christmas program, until December 24, children are invited to write a letter to Santa Claus during their visit.

Children love writing to Santa Claus to tell him about their Christmas wish lists. Select a card that has been printed on our 1845 printing press, and write a personal message. Drop the wish card into our magic post box for us to mail for you. Included with admission.

Kids’ Crafts

Tuesday, December 27 to Saturday, December 31

Tuesday to Friday, 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.; Saturday: 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Closed Dec. 25 & 26 and January 1.

Bring the family to visit the last home of Toronto’s first mayor, William Lyon Mackenzie, then enjoy some kid time printing in the recreated printshop and making a New Year’s noisemaker!. Adults: $7.08; Seniors /Youth: $4.42 Children: $3.76 (plus tax)

Hogmanay!

Thursday, December 29, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Enjoy an evening of Scottish music and foods at this traditional celebration of the New Year. The decorated house will be illuminated by gas and candlelight. Musicians Gin Lane will perform. Pre-registration and pre-payment are required.

Tickets: $22.50 plus tax. Please call 416-392-6915 for further details.

THE MARKET GALLERY 2nd Floor, South St. Lawrence Market, 95 Front Street East

Hours: Tuesday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Closed Sunday & Monday. Admission by pay-what-you-can donation (suggested donation $2).

Paid parking in the area. 416-392-7604. marketgallery@toronto.ca

Unearthing Toronto’s Oldest Marketplace:

The Archaeology of the North St. Lawrence Market

Continues until March 18, 2017

The North St. Lawrence Market is about to undergo a major rebuild. As part of that process, the citizens of Toronto will have a rare opportunity to look into the City’s past as the building site undergoes a major archaeological dig. The exhibit will use archaeological finds from the site along with historical maps, art works, photographs, and artifacts to tell the story of North America’s longest-running continually operating food market, established 1803. As the dig continues through the fall and winter of 2016/2017 new information will be added to the exhibit showing how historical understanding can change as new research is conducted.

MONTGOMERY’S INN   4709 Dundas Street West at Islington Avenue

Hours: Tuesday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday & Sunday 1 to 5 p.m., Closed Mondays & Holidays.

Tearoom Hours: Sunday, 1 to 4 p.m.

Regular Admission: Adults $6.19, Seniors/Youth $3.54, Children $2.65 (plus tax)

Free parking   montinn@toronto.ca   416-394-8113

Jane Austen Christmas Supper by Firelight

Friday, December 16 – Two sittings

4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

and 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Enjoy the pleasures of the Georgian table during the festive season, supping by candlelight and the comfort of an open fire. There is no more delightful way to savour the traditions of Christmas! Every recipe reconstructed from historical sources, you’ll find a blend of the familiar and the intriguingly different. Join us for the rare opportunity to experience a full historical meal within the walls of one of Toronto’s best-loved heritage sites. Historical clothing is encouraged, but optional. Pre-registration is required, space is limited. Register at www.JaneAustenDancing.ca or phone (416) 578-1031 for details.

SCARBOROUGH MUSEUM   1007 Brimley Road, just north of Lawrence in Thomson Memorial Park

Hours: Wednesday, 12 p.m. to 8 p.m., Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday & Sunday 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Regular admission is pay-what-you-can.  shm@toronto.ca  416-338-8807

Festive Weekends

December – 12 to 4 p.m.  

Tis the season for fun at the museum! Celebrate the festive season with treats and crafts for children of all ages. Admission is Pay What You Can.

Holiday Camp for Kids Aged 5 to 12
December 28 to 30

9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Make 19th-century toys, cook over the open hearth, play games and enjoy lots of outdoor fun!

Pre-register for camp online at www.toronto.ca/torontofun or call 416-338-4FUN (4386).

$114   Course Code: 2875008

Extended Care is available for an extra fee:

Extended Care:

8 to 9 a.m. – $9 (includes all three days)  Course Code: 2781918

4 to 5 p.m. – $9 (includes all three days)  Course Code: 2781919

SPADINA MUSEUM  285 Spadina Road

Hours: Tuesday to Friday, 12 to 4 p.m.  Saturday & Sunday, 12 to 5 p.m.

Holiday Admission: Adults $8.85,Seniors/Youth (13-18 yrs.) $7.08, Children (6-12 yrs.) $5.75 (plus tax), Children (5 and under) Free.

Paid parking next door at Casa Loma
416-392-6910 spadina@toronto.ca 

A Roaring Twenties Christmas – Themed Tours

Continues to January 8, 2017

Tuesday to Friday, 12 to 4 p.m.

Saturday & Sunday, 12 to 5 p.m.

Closed Dec. 25 and Dec. 26

Experience a 1920s Christmas on a guided tour of Spadina.  Holly wreaths, garlands of evergreens and mistletoe festoon the house based on the memories of the Austin family grandchildren.  In the kitchen visitors will enjoy holiday treats made from original recipes and sip mulled cider. Holiday Admission applies

Flashman: A Live 1930s Radio Play – Last Shows today!
Sunday, December 18

Shows at 1 & 3 p.m.

Museum tours: Noon, 2 and 4 p.m.
See a re-created 1930s radio show – commercials included! Enjoy this fast-paced comedy, complete with live music, sound effects and a cast playing multiple roles. During your visit, tour this beautifully restored estate. Kids can try hands-on activities, including cookie decorating in the historic kitchen, and making a secret message decoder – a gimmick used by advertisers in the early days of radio

to send encrypted messages to listeners.

Adults $12, Seniors/Youth $10 and Children $8 (plus tax).

Purchase tickets online.

TODMORDEN MILLS HERITAGE SITE

Bottom of Pottery Road, East of Bayview Avenue, West of Broadview Avenue

Hours: Wednesday to Friday, 12 to 4 p.m. Saturday & Sunday, 12 to 4:30 p.m.

Holiday Admission: Adults $7.08, Seniors/Youth $4.42, Children 6 to12 $3.76 (plus tax)

Children 5 and under free. Free parking   todmorden@toronto.ca    416-396-2819

Christmas in the Valley  – Themed Tours

December weekends & Dec 24-Jan 8 

12 to 4pm (10am to 2pm December 24 & 31)
Closed December 25, 26 and January 1

Experience two different eras of Christmas at Todmorden Mills as we explore the holiday traditions of the 1890s and the 1940s. Tour our two historic houses, decorated for the holidays, sample historic recipes, and create a take-home craft. Adults: $7.08; Youth/Seniors: $4.42; Children: $3.76 (plus tax).

In the Papermill Theatre:

Mainstage Theatre Company presents Jonathan Larson’s Rent

December 16 to 18

For tickets, please call 647-558-1819 or visit www.mainstagetheatre.com.

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Press Contact:    Ilena Aldini-Messina, Museum Services, 416-338-0492, ialdini@toronto.ca