Thursday, Dec. 8
You're a Good Man Charlie Brown - The Musical: Presented by Newmarket High School Musical Theatre, this musical is based on the characters created by cartoonist Charles M. Schulz in his comic strip, Peanuts. The show runs at the NewRoads Performing Arts Centre at 7 p.m. on Dec. 8, 9, 10, and at 2 p.m. on Dec. 10. Tickets are available online.
Friday, Dec. 9
Frozen Fridays: Every week in December, Riverwalk Commons is transformed with a live DJ, outdoor skating, train rides on the Tim Hortons Express, free hot chocolate, an LED Christmas tree light show, and busker performances. The free event is presented by Mercedes Benz Newmarket. It runs every Friday in December from 6 to 8:30 p.m.
You're a Good Man Charlie Brown - The Musical: Presented by Newmarket High School Musical Theatre, this musical is based on the characters created by cartoonist Charles M. Schulz in his comic strip, Peanuts. The show runs at the NewRoads Performing Arts Centre at 7 p.m. on Dec. 8, 9, 10, and at 2 p.m. on Dec. 10. Tickets are available online.
Aurora Christmas Market, Dec. 9 to 11: Check out one of the Top 100 Festivals and Events in Ontario. Aurora's Christmas Market will be filled with good cheer, hands-on virtual workshops and activities, and fantastic seasonal vendors. Friday to Sunday from 5 to 9:30 p.m. (no admittance after 8:45 p.m.) at Aurora Town Park, 49 Wells Street. Free, check online for events and workshop schedules.
Aurora Community Band's Annual Holiday Concert: The Aurora Community Band presents its annual holiday concert: Journeys, music from around the world. The concert will be at Trinity Church Aurora at 8 p.m. on Dec. 9. Tickets are $15 ($10 for seniors and students) and are available at the door or by email [email protected].
Niemi Christmas Market: The Niemi Family Farm's annual Christmas market runs on weekends throughout December. The farm, located at 18463 Highway 48 in Mount Albert, is transformed into Christmas land with bonfires and smores. The Polar Express that takes visitors on a ride to see the animals, Santa in his workshop, and a Christmas market of vendors. Tickets are required and can be booked online. The market is open Dec. 9, 10, 16, 17, 20, 21, and 22.
The Distillery Winter Village: Toronto's popular distillery district is once again welcoming guests to its festive winter village this year. Along with the local shops and restaurants in the area there will also be vendor cabins featuring a number of unique artisans. Tickets are required on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays after 4 p.m. but all other times you can access the village free of charge. The winter village is open until Dec. 31.
Festive Nights at Brooks Farm: Visitors are invited to experience the season of lights at Brooks Farms, at 122 Ashworth Rd., Mount Albert. The festive event features an enchanted forest, holiday displays, live music, a bonfire with marshmallows, holiday characters, a storytime wagon ride, a craft market with local artisans, gifts for the kids, festive foods and Santa. Tickets are required and can be bought online. Festive Nights runs on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays after 5 p.m. to Dec. 18 with two extra nights on Dec. 22 and 23.
Saturday, Dec. 10
You're a Good Man Charlie Brown - The Musical: Presented by Newmarket High School Musical Theatre, this musical is based on the characters created by cartoonist Charles M. Schulz in his comic strip, Peanuts. The show runs at the NewRoads Performing Arts Centre at 7 p.m. on Dec. 8, 9, 10, and at 2 p.m. on Dec. 10. Tickets are available online.
A dramatic reading of A Christmas Carol: The Take Note Vocal Ensemble and St. Paul's Anglican Church are partnering to present Charles Dickens’ classic tale “A Christmas Carol” at 7:30 p.m. Directed by local actor Ken Lloyd and featuring David Simpson, Tristan Claxton, Manon Ens-Lapointe, and Conor Ling, the performance will take the audience through the tale of Ebenezer Scrooge and his late-evening visits from three very unusual uninvited guests. There will be traditional carols and seasonal songs throughout. Tickets are $20 and can be bought by calling 905-853-7285 and pressing 9 (leave a message on our ticket line voicemail) or e-mailing [email protected]. Tickets will also be sold at the door if not sold-out in advance. All proceeds go toward the Newmarket Food Pantry.
The Artisans' Holiday Show and Sale, Dec. 10 and 11: Last-minute shopping for unique gifts on your to do list? If you want to bolster your Holiday spirit,
consider dropping into the Artisans’ Holiday Show and Sale at the Old Town Hall in Newmarket. A total of 13 local artisans will display their wars, including jewellery, ceramics, textiles and more. The show runs Dec. 10 and 11 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. More information at matsujewellery.com.
Aurora Christmas Market, Dec. 9 to 11: Check out one of the Top 100 Festivals and Events in Ontario. Aurora's Christmas Market will be filled with good cheer, hands-on virtual workshops and activities, fantastic seasonal vendors. Friday to Sunday from 5 to 9:30 p.m. (no admittance after 8:45 p.m.) at Aurora Town Park, 49 Wells Street. Free, check online for events and workshop schedules.
Niemi Christmas Market: The Niemi Family Farm's annual Christmas market runs on weekends throughout December. The farm, located at 18463 Highway 48 in Mount Albert, is transformed into Christmas land with bonfires and smores, the Polar Express that takes visitors on a ride to see the animals, Santa in his workshop, and a Christmas market of vendors. Tickets are required and can be booked online. The market is open Dec. 9, 10, 16, 17, 20, 21, and 22.
The Distillery Winter Village: Toronto's popular distillery district is once again welcoming guests to its festive winter village this year. Along with the local shops and restaurants in the area there will also be vendor cabins featuring a number of unique artisans. Tickets are required on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays after 4 p.m. but all other times you can access the village free of charge. The winter village is open to Dec. 31.
Festive Nights at Brooks Farm: Visitors are invited to experience the season of lights at Brooks Farms, at 122 Ashworth Rd., Mount Albert. The festive event features an enchanted forest, holiday displays, live music, a bonfire with marshmallows, holiday characters, a storytime wagon ride, a craft market with local artisans, gifts for the kids, festive foods and Santa. Tickets are required and can be bought online. Festive Nights runs on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays after 5 p.m. to Dec. 18 with two extra nights on Dec. 22 and 23.
Sunday, Dec. 11
Encore! presents Comfort and Joy: The Encore! choir is performing a festive show with accompanist George Vandikas and featuring guest musicians Harrison Vandikas on violin and piano and Kaipa Bharucha on flute. The concert is at the Bethel Community Christian Reformed Church in Newmarket at 3 p.m. Dec. 11. Tickets cost $18 ($15 for students and seniors) and can be reserved by calling 905-722-6535. A limited number of tickets will be available at the door.
Barra MacNeils Live in Newmarket: The Barra MacNeils - An East Coast Christmas is a musical potpourri of traditional MacNeil family favourites gleaned from Christmas ceilidhs, midnight masses and the general festive frolic that accompanies each holiday season. With their captivating vocals, distinctive harmonies and extraordinary musicianship, The Barra MacNeils inject new life and energy into the sights and sounds of Christmas. Tickets can be purchased online or call (905) 953-5122. Two shows at 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. at NewRoads Performing Arts Centre, 505 Pickering Cres.
The Artisans' Holiday Show and Sale, Dec. 10 and 11: Last-minute shopping for unique gifts on your to do list? If you want to bolster your Holiday spirit,
consider dropping into the Artisans’ Holiday Show and Sale at the Old Town Hall in Newmarket. A total of 13 local artisans will display their wars, including jewellery, ceramics, textiles and more. The show runs Dec. 10 and 11 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. More information at matsujewellery.com.
Aurora Christmas Market, Dec. 9 to 11: Check out one of the Top 100 Festivals and Events in Ontario. Aurora's Christmas Market will be filled with good cheer, hands-on virtual workshops and activities, fantastic seasonal vendors. Friday to Sunday from 5 to 9:30 p.m. (no admittance after 8:45 p.m.) at Aurora Town Park, 49 Wells Street. Free, check online for events and workshop schedules.
Niemi Christmas Market: The Niemi Family Farm's annual Christmas market runs on weekends throughout December. The farm, located at 18463 Highway 48 in Mount Albert, is transformed into Christmas land with bonfires and smores, the Polar Express that takes visitors on a ride to see the animals, Santa in his workshop, and a Christmas market of vendors. Tickets are required and can be booked online. The market is open Dec. 9, 10, 16, 17, 20, 21, and 22.
The Distillery Winter Village: Toronto's popular distillery district is once again welcoming guests to its festive winter village this year. Along with the local shops and restaurants in the area there will also be vendor cabins featuring a number of unique artisans. Tickets are required on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays after 4 p.m. but all other times you can access the village free of charge. The winter village is open to Dec. 31.
Festive Nights at Brooks Farm: Visitors are invited to experience the season of lights at Brooks Farms, at 122 Ashworth Rd., Mount Albert. The festive event features an enchanted forest, holiday displays, live music, a bonfire with marshmallows, holiday characters, a storytime wagon ride, a craft market with local artisans, gifts for the kids, festive foods and Santa. Tickets are required and can be bought online. Festive Nights runs on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays after 5 p.m. to Dec. 18 with two extra nights on Dec. 22 and 23.
Coming up:
The Newmarket Voice Festival: The Newmarket Voice Festival will celebrate its 25th anniversary and be held from February 21-25, 2023 with a Concert of the Stars on Friday, March 3rd at 7:30 p.m. at The Old Town Hall in Newmarket! Categories are offered in Musical Theatre, Pop, Classical and Speech Arts for performers of all ages! Professional adjudicators provide written and verbal feedback to each participant. Deadline for entries is January 31, 2023. Find more details online. Many scholarships are available and the adjudicators will also recommend singers and actors for the OMFA Provincial Finals in June in the Niagara region.
Visual and Performing Arts Newmarket Three for the Show concert series: VPAN's 2022-23 concert series at 2 p.m. at the NewRoads Performing Arts Centre in Newmarket features: Sunday, Feb. 26, 2023 (Old Town Hall) Young Artists Showcase; Sunday, March 26, 2023, The Quatuor Despax; Sunday, May 7, 2023, the Drew Jurecka jazz trio. To subscribe by cheque, VPAN subscription form 2022-2023.docx. To subscribe online, visit the website.
Board Gaming: Join local board game enthusiasts every other Friday at Cardinal Press Espresso Bar at 200 Main St. Newmarket at 6 p.m. The games are provided and teachers are available, or you bring your games to teach others. Note from organizers: We don't tend to play a lot of 'traditional' board games such as Monopoly, Clue, Sorry! Let them know what you would like to play when you RSVP and they will bring those games.
English Country Dance: Join the dance at Trinity United Church, 461 Park Ave. at Main Street, Newmarket from 2 to 4 p.m. Beginners welcome; all dances taught; you don't need to bring a partner. Admission by donation; your first class is free. Join the group on the first, third and (when there is one) fifth Saturday of the month.
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