The top 5 winter music festivals in Toronto for 2015

Winter music festivals in Toronto won't be quite as chilly as previous years, what with outdoor Brrrrr Fest not returning to Echo Beach, but that might be for the best. Live music is best kept as an indoor affair during the frozen months, especially since this summer looks like it will be flooded with outdoor festivals. While it's great to see Toronto's annual fests return, extra points go to Toronto's newest winter music series, which will bridge concerts with delicious food.

Here are my picks for the top winter music festivals in Toronto this year.

Class of 2015 (January 3-30, Silver Dollar)

No need to mope around after the NYE fuss is over - starting this weekend live music fans will have more fun launching 2015 with the New Year's Indie Music Honour Roll series at Silver Dollar. On weekends in January catch seven different line ups including Pet Sun, CROSSS, Mimico, Pistol George Warren, New Fries, CHOBO, and Bile Sister. Check out the line ups here.

Eat and Greet the Band (Starts January 24, Various Venues)

Dinner and a show? Collective Concerts and Rose & Son's is kicking off a series of pre-show dinners where fans will have the chance to mingle and munch with their favourite musical acts. The first event happening Saturday January 24 at the Phoenix will feature a menu from Big Crow tailored to the tastes of Canadian alt-country trio, Elliott Brood. LI

Long Winter (Monthly, Great Hall)

It definitely is a long winter (this annual series typically starts up in fall and stretches a bit into spring), but you wouldn't know it was freezing outside at these sweatboxes. When they're not programming events at the AGO with First Thursday, find this monthly series at Great Hall as music, art, installations, performance, and more collide into one carnivalesque night of local fun. The next session is January 9.

Winterfolk Music Festival (February 13-15, The Danforth)

Winterfolk's 13th will give Toronto's down home music fans the chance to see 150 urban, blues, rock, jazz, country, folk and roots music artists performing on multiple stages in the Danforth and Broadview area. Get a preview of the performers on their website.

Wavelength 15 (February 13-15, TBA)

Get in the know with Toronto's weird scene at Wavelength. For the first time ever the fest will stretch across multiple venues as it celebrates its 15th year with a theme of Past, Present and Future. The line up is TBA, but expect some local favourites and a lot of up and coming talent. If you can't wait, check out their Class of 2014 show at Silver Dollar.

Did we miss any exciting winter music festivals? Let us know in the comments.

Contributions by Liora Ipsum

Photo of TOPS at Wavelength 14 by Matt Forsythe

by Aubrey Jax via blogTO