Events in toronto: Weekend events in Toronto December 16-18 2016

Weekend events in Toronto are here to keep you fully distracted from the fact that winter is back with a vengeance. There's a symphony under the sea, several fantastic concerts, an army of holiday markets, and a few dance parties to really heat things up.

Here are my picks for the top events this weekend in Toronto.

Events you might want to check out:

High Power: Holiday Presence (December 17 @ Miss Thing's)
For the past eight months, this party has slowly been building as one of the safest, sweatiest and coolest new dance parties by women, primarily women of colour.
Saturday Morning All You Can Eat Cereal Cartoon Party (December 17 @ The Royal Cinema)
Complete with a smorgasbord of delicious sugary cereals (and yes, they have non-dairy too!), you’ll see both faves and obscurities spanning the 40s through the 80s, all punctuated with vintage commercials and PSAs.
Holy Fuck (December 17 @ Lee's Palace)
This is the loudest show this weekend and a must-see punk fest starring Holy Fuck and friends New Fries and Absolutely Free. Doors open at 8 p.m. and get your tickets in advance if you can, it will most likely sell out.
DJ Skate Nights: Opening Night (December 17 @ Harbourfront Centre)
Singer, producer, songwriter Katie Stelmanis Austra is known for her late night, techno DJ sets. This week, she combines her love of dance music with her classical and jazz roots for an eclectic, sonically diverse set at the first free skate night by the lake.
Love For Oakland (December 16 @ Double Double Land)
It's an understatement to say that the tragedy at Oakland's Ghost Ship has rocked DIY communities everywhere. One hundred per cent of all door and bar profits are going to the YouCaring fund set up by the Gray Area Foundation for the Arts.
Amateur Strip Night Judged By Drag Queens: Holiday Edition (December 16 @ The Beaver)
Shows begin at midnight and there are five acts, an intermission and another five act after and the winners will get prize money.
Love in the Name Of (December 16 @ The Great Hall)
Loving In The Name Of is back, doing a last minute, sneaky show before the end of the year. Lowell Sostomi on the 1s & 2s with a bunch of surprise singers from great bands.
Course Of Time LXVII (December 16 @ Drake Underground)
It's the Course of Time holiday fam jam! Squirt DJs, Peach and Charlton spin with graphics and Visuals by Phil Armson from the UK.
Weirdo (December 16 @ Blyss Nightclub)
Grab your broom and fly to Weirdo, the Village's newest party bringing you witchy vibes and alternative music. Let out your weirdest self and rock to beats by DJ Aeryn Pfaff and DJ Margot Keith with midnight drag performances by Helena Poison and Beardra Bidness.
Dutty Reggae Dancehall (December 16 @ Rivoli)
The monthly sweat-fest returns with DJs Choppa Chop and Paul E Lopes! This one will make you feel tropical inside and out for the ultimate winter dance floor escape.
Jucy Fruit (December 17 @ Holy Oak)
Squeeze the final few drops out of 2016 with a night of disco and boogie. DJ Phillippe spins the non-hits and there will be pineapple cocktails. It's $5 all night.
Blowup 22nd Anniversary Christmas ball Reunion Thing (December 17 @ Velvet Underground)
Legendary 90s Britpop and mod dance club Blowup is back for its 22nd annual Christmas dance party reunion thing. Expect British indie, Britpop and mod classics all night long with all the best Blowup DJs returning to rock the dance floor.
Yeezy Taught Me - A Night of Kanye (December 18 @ The Drake Hotel)
Kanye may have cancelled his tour and is chumming up with Trump, but fans aren't mad. They want to feel it all on the dance floor. A portion of the proceeds will go to CAMH - Centre for Addiction and Mental Health.
Foggy Hogtown Boys Christmas Show (December 16 @ Silver Dollar)
This holiday bluegrass throwdown features The Foggy Hogtown Boys and guests Justin Rutledge, Alex Pangman and Drunk Fiddling Santa.
Symphony of the Sea (December 16 @ Ripley's Aquarium of Canada)
This pitch perfect evening features musical performances by the awe-inspiring Toronto Concert Orchestra. They will be performing your favourite holiday classics during three 45-minute sets throughout the evening starting at 7 p.m.
illScarlett, Stereo Kid (December 16 @ Horseshoe Tavern)
illScarlett and Stereo Kid take over the Horseshoe for one very loud and intimate night. It's a rare opportunity to see these guys up close and personal.
Dillinger Escape Plan (December 16 @ The Opera House)
Dillinger Escape Plan play alongside Dead Tired and Dorian Gray at The Opera House. It's a triple bill of riff-roaring fun with doors opening at 8 p.m.
Cold Cave DJ set (December 16 @ Velvet Underground)
Stay warm with a rare DJ set from L.A.'s prince of darkwave, noise and synthpop surrounded by one of the best sound systems in the city.
One LUV Benefit Concert (December 17 @ Mod Club Theatre)
Sandy Duperval and dancer, choreographer, artistic director and producer Hollywood Jade join forces for a night of non-stop entertainment and soul for a great cause. This event will help feed over 200 homeless people from LGBTQ community; bring together some LGBTQ performers and allies; create a safe space for individuals in need of a warm meal, companionship and shelter on Christmas and donate warm clothes to individuals in need during the cold holiday season.
She Wants Revenge (December 17 @ The Phoenix Concert Theatre)
She Wants Revenge celebrate their 10 year anniversary performing their debut album front to back! Raw Fabrics and Nicki's Wives will also be there to support.
That Choir Carols (December 18 @ St. Andrew's Church)
That Choir, with special guests the Wexford Collegiate School for the Arts Chamber Choir, present a magical night of your favourite carols and holiday music with works by Eriks Esenvalds, Ola Gjeilo, Morten Lauridsen, Mel Thorme and Barbara Streisand.
Roy Woods (December 18 @ Mod Club Theatre)
Catch the OVO-signed, Brampton-born rapper, singer and songwriter as he performs material off of his Walking at Dawn EP which includes tracks with Drake and Wiz Khalifa.
Sing-Along Messiah (December 18 @ Massey Hall)
Grab a score and join more than 2,700 enthusiastic voices for the 30th anniversary of Toronto’s annual Hallelujah event.
Stay Warm 2016 (December 18 @ The Danforth Music Hall)
Night two of the Stay Warm music event includes performances from Protest The Hero, The Flatliners, A Wilhelm Scream, Cyclamen, River Oaks and Sparrows.
A Very Metal/Punk X-Mas Mixtape Massacre (December 16 @ The Royal Cinema)
The Royal has stitched together a demented mash-up riff-fest of the most glorious seasonally appropriate punk/metal video clips, battered and bruised with plenty of nutmeg-and-rum soaked holiday cheer!
Home Alone Quote-Along (December 16 @ Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema)
This special quote-along screening starts at 9:30 p.m. Bring a donation of rice or dried beans in support of The Stop and you'll give you a prop bag full of goodies!
Drunken Cinema presents: Silent Night Deadly Night (December 16 @ The Steady)
Drunken Cinema hosts a special killer Santa-themed movie drinking game for 1984s controversial Silent Night Deadly Night. There'll be popcorn, a themed cocktail and prizes to give away.
Elf (December 17 @ Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema)
This is part of the absolutely free Hot Docs Holiday Classics series. Head inside the warm and cozy theatre to watch this ridiculous new holiday classic on the big screen with friends. They'll be accepting dried beans and rice donations.
Screen Queens Presents Home Alone (December 18 @ The Royal Cinema)
Join the one and only drag queen extraordinaire Allysin Chaynes for a cinematic journey through your favourite holiday movie and experience this family-friendly film like you never have before.
Let it Snow (December 16-18 @ Artscape Youngplace, Toronto)
This craft fair and exhibit brings together talented local artisans from across Toronto. Admission is free and there's coat check and free apple cider.
Crown Flora Holiday Market 2016 (December 17 @ crown flora studio)
Local makers gather in Parkdale to spread and sell holiday cheer. Vendors include Alvole, Bad Seed Company, Bake Shoppe, Crywolf, Top Drawer Canada and loads more.
Holiday Zine and Maker Fair (December 17 @ Xpace Cultural Centre)
Local vendors will be selling zines, comics, prints, t-shirts, tote bags, jewelry, crafts and other handmade goodies. There will be music, snacks and good vibes, and it's free to attend.
Meet Your Maker Sunday (December 18 @ Elephant In The Attic)
The Elephant in the Attic hosts a day of winter magic with free live music featuring Ada Dahli and Marlon Chaplin. They will have Safehouse Coffee and treats as well as local Toronto maker and artists.
Toronto Vegan Winter Market (December 18 @ The Great Hall Toronto)
The Toronto Vegan Winter Market is an indoor holiday market in the iconic Great Hall. There will fun activities for the kids while you do your last minute holiday shopping from a hand-picked selection of some of the best small, local businesses.
Christmas Marketplace (December 17 @ Saint Stephens in the Field)
The Toronto Etsy Street Team is hosting its third annual Christmas market at the historic St. Stephens in the Field Church near Kensington Market. The show features over 30 vendors.
Pop up workshop with Esie Mensah (December 18 @ Joy of Dance Centre)
Esie Mensah is one of the city's most exciting and talented choreographers, so when she does a pop-up dance workshop, attendance is pretty much mandatory. Her Afrofusion class will be at 5:30 p.m. and her heels class is at 6:45 p.m. Not only is this a lot of fun, it's an amazing workout. In the spirit of the holidays and giving back, she's asking people to bring new articles of clothing or personal care items.
Evergreen's Winter Village (December 10 - February 28 @ Evergreen Brick Works)
A major highlight of this holiday market at the Brick Works is the huge winter street food market. Admission is free and everything is local.
Distillery District Christmas market (November 18 - December 22 @ The Distillery Historic District)
Finish off your Christmas shopping while sipping on mulled wine and listening to carollers in the Distillery District. The price of weekend tickets went up this year to $6 and there's also a new fast pass ticket option for $20.
Holiday Fair in Nathan Phillips Square (December 8-23 @ Nathan Phillips Square)
The Christmas market at Nathan Phillips Square gives the Distillery District a run for its money. This event, inspired by European Christmas markets, features artisans, food vendors and rides.
Magical Winterland Nights (December 7 - January 4 @ Casa Loma)
Casa Loma has been transformed into a magical, twinkling wonderland. Wander through the dazzling light display in the gardens and around the castle. Head inside to warm up and see the 10 stunning trees decorated by celebrity designers. Adult tickets start at $27, kids get in for $17.