Take your ugly Christmas sweater on a waterfront cruise and dork it up alongside fellow sweater aficionados and DJs at this weekend’s WinterFest party, or pretend it’s the ’70s with an ABBA cover band that’s toured the world and performed with Mamma Mia, plus watch a bunch of free Christmas movies. It’s all happening in Toronto, December 18-20.
ABBAMANIA
https://tickets.ticketwise.ca/event/abbamania
Kick it old skool and impress your friends with your immaculate knowledge of the lyrics to Mamma Mia for ABBAMANIA’s one-night show at the Randolph Theatre. The group performed twice with the Mamma Mia cast.
When to go: Friday, 7:30 pm
Where at? Randolph Theatre, 736 Bathurst
Tickets: starting at $30
WinterFest on Toronto’s Wafterfront
http://www.waterfrontbia.com/events.asp?opt=winter
Like any low-budget cruise, the WinterFest Ugly Christmas Sweater Cocktail Cruise will be chock full of badly dressed people who really just came for the buffet. There’s a bad Santa booth (photobooth?), DJ party, grub and a costume contest. WinterFest runs all weekend and the cruise is just part of the highly nerdy festival – there’s a pet photo shoot with Santa and a beaver tail eating contest, plus crafts, a dog skills show and a capella carolling.
When to go: Friday, Saturday and Sunday, various times
Where at? various locations, check website for details
Tickets: many events are free, cruise tickets start at $40
The Feed Holiday Pop-Up Shop by Foodies
https://www.facebook.com/events/179824689031447/
Load up with holiday baking, like bars and macarons, plus hot chocolate at this pop-up event in support of Lifeline Syria’s refugee support organization. 50% of proceeds from food sales go to Lifeline Syria, including from their Christmas box of 10 pastries, selling for $22.50. The goodies on sale are thanks to some snazzy chefs, like Rebecca Wahab, baker and owner of Jolie Macarons. Also, catch a live opening performance by Andrew Forde and Blueprint Cinematic and $10 from the $20 entry ticket also goes to Lifeline Syria
When to go: opening performance on Friday, 7:30 pm, pop-up event runs Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 11 am-8 pm
Where at? 12 Ossington
Tickets: admission is free, live performance is $20
Free holiday movies by Bloor Hot Docs Cinema
Watch some of the best Christmas movies for free this weekend, thanks to Bloor Hot Docs Cinema. They’re screening films like Elf, The Muppets A Christmas Carol, Gremlins and Love Actually.
When to go: Saturday and Sunday, various times
Where at? 506 Bloor W
Tickets: admission is free, please bring a healthy food donation or cash donation for The Stop Community Food Centre