Editor's Note: Be sure to check out our listings for holiday sales, shows and events published on Fridays.
Friday, Dec. 6
Frozen Fridays, Dec. 6, 13 and 20: Town of Newmarket's Frozen Fridays return with outdoor skating, hot chocolate and more from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at Riverwalk Commons.
Saturday, Dec. 7
Holiday Night of Lights, Dec. 7 to Jan. 4: A display of 1.5 million LED lights is coming to Upper Canada Mall parking lot in Newmarket. Holiday Night of Lights will offer a walk-thru trail with festive activities, carnival rides and more. The event will run from 5 to 10 p.m. with bookings available at nightoflights.ca.
Pop-Up Wedding Dress Sale: Pop-up bridal sale includes only new wedding dresses and accessories like veils, belts and tiaras at up to 80 per cent off MSRP. Over 600 designer wedding gowns from size 2-28 priced between $399 to $1,299 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (last admittance at 3 p.m.) at Newmarket Legion, Srigley Street.All sales are final, no returns or exchanges. Admission free, early access VIP ticket $50.
Amnesty International Canada Write for Rights: Drop-in event to Write for Rights in Aurora/Newmarket from 10 a.m. to noon at Trinity Anglican Church, 79 Victoria St., Aurora. Use your pen to protect human rights activists around the world. All materials supplied. No experience is necessary. Light refreshments will be provided. RSVP here.
Newmarket ComiCon: Vendors selling comic books, toys, video games, sports cards, jewelry and pretty much anything geeky cool, with special guest Michael Chan, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Optimist Youth Centre, 55 Forhan Ave., Newmarket. Admission $5 adults, children 12 and under are free, online (free comic book at door) and at the door, VIP $20.
York Region 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.
Discover Scuba Diving: This is not a certification but a fun 'try it out' session with a PADI professional to see what it is like to breathe underwater and have some fun. Part 1 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. at Adventure Sports Newmarket Inc., 350 Harry Walker Pkwy N, unit 3 to meet with your instructor for a training session and to get fitted for scuba gear. Part 2 4 to 5 p.m. meet your instructor at the pool at Stronach Aurora Recreation Complex to go diving. $75 per person or a group of four for $250. Limited space, first come first served.
The Toronto Welsh Male Voice Choir Christmas Concert: GranAurora presents the Toronto Welsh Male Voice Choir at Bethel Community Church, 333 Davis Dr., Newmarket at 3 p.m. (market place opens at 2 p.m.) Tickets $30 at ticketscene.ca or call Pat Parker 905-715 2570, email [email protected]. All proceeds go to the Stephen Lewis Foundation Grandmothers to Grandmothers Campaign.
Aurora Cultural Centre Exhibition Walk and Talks: Enjoy an afternoon of interactive exhibition talks in two exhibitions: Seven Masters and Congruent (by definitions). This event is all ages, family friendly and free. 3:15 to 4 p.m: Seven Masters (Homeroom Galleries, Level 1) Join Samantha Jones, gallery manager, for a curator tour of exhibited pieces from the Georgina Centre for Arts and Culture’s permanent collection, including works by: Albert Chiarandini, Helen Lucas, Travis Shilling, and more. 4:15 to 5 p.m: Congruent (by definitions) (Great Hall Gallery, Level 2) Join Adora Lau, gallery assistant, in walking conversation with select artists from Congruent (by definitions) to learn about their selected works, as well as the curatorial decisions of the exhibition.
York Chamber Ensemble presents Winter: Immerse yourself in the holiday spirit with the York Chamber Ensemble, led by Maestro Michael Berec, in a concert that combines classical masterpieces with festive cheer. Vivaldi’s Winter from The Four Seasons will transport you to a snowy landscape, vividly depicting shivering winds, chattering teeth, and the cozy warmth of a fireside retreat. Showcasing his mastery of the horn, Chris Buchner performs Mozart’s Horn Concerto No. 3, a piece filled with elegance, playful energy, and the familiar echoes of hunting calls. To complete the festive atmosphere, the ensemble presents a selection of seasonal holiday music, ensuring a magical and heartwarming evening for all at St. Paul’s Anglican Church, 227 Church St., Newmarket at 7:30 p.m. Tickets $30, $20.
York Symphony Orchestra presents Romantic Masters: York Symphony Orchestra performs Brahms Piano Concerto No 1 with Naomi Wong & Bruckner Symphony No. 4 at Trinity Anglican Church, Aurora. Tickets $30, $25, $20 online or at door.
Rockstar Music Holiday Concert: Students take centre stage at the Theatre Aurora concert from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. atv 150 Henderson Dr. Tickets $25 in advance or $30 at the door.
Sunday, Dec. 8
Carols by Candlelight: Aurora United Church presents Carols by Candlelight at 4 and 7:30 p.m. at Trinity Anglican Church at 79 Victoria St., Aurora. Free will donation with refreshments to follow each concert.
Coming up:
The Barra MacNeils - An East Coast Christmas, Sunday, Dec. 15: The show 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. At NewRoads Performing Arts Centre, Newmarket, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets $72.
Aurora Community Band's British Invasion, Sunday, Dec. 15: Join the Aurora Community Band for an afternoon of exciting music inspired by Britain. Music will include songs from The Beatles, Jesus Christ Superstar, Queen, James Bond as well as band classics by Gustav Holst, Edward Elgar and R. Vaughan Williams at 3:30 p.m. at Aurora Town Square Performance Hall. Tickets $18.50.
The Little Purrr-maid, Sunday, Dec. 22: The Very Useful Theatre Company and Panto Players present an interactive pantomime featuring fun for the whole family. Jackie English, former TVO host and actor in The Magic School Bus and Jackie’s School of Dance — has put together a stellar cast for a new pantomine. Jackie returns as the Cheshire Cat in The Little Purrr-maid along with the Pantos Players as your favourite sea creatures for the family friendly shows from 3 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. at Old Town Hall, 460 Botsford St., Newmarket. Tickets $15 to $20, family packages $60.
Campbell, Fagan and Park Trio, Friday, Jan. 17: Aurora Cultural Centre presents “Campbell, Fagan, Park Trio at Aurora Town Square Performance Hall at 7:30 p.m. Trio includes, James Campbell (clarinet), Leslie Fagan (soprano) and Angela Park (piano).Tickets $40.
Barefoot in the Park, Jan. 16 to 25: Newmarket Stage Company presents Neil Simon's Barefoot In The Park at Old Town Hall. Tickets, $20, at box office 289-500-2114 from noon to 5 p.m.
The Melville Boys, Jan. 24 to Feb. 1: Theatre Aurora presents Norm Foster's The Melville Boys at Factory Theatre, 150 Henderson Dr., Aurora. Tickets $25, $23 senior (65+), $10 student online or 905-727-3669.
All My Sons, Jan. 24 to Feb. 8: Curtain Club Theatre presents the Arthur Miller drama All My Sons at Curtain Club, 400 Newkirk Rd., Richmond Hill. Tickets $24
at 905-773-3434.