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Toronto Events

Three Outdoor Carol Events in Dec. 2012 in Eastern Toronto

Choose one or more nearly-free outdoor Christmas caroling events in eastern Toronto in early December 2012.

(Updated Nov. 24, 2014): Or “Enjoy Christmas Carols Outdoors in Toronto for 2014“. (Updated Nov. 30, 2013): I found some new and some returning events: see “2013 Outdoor Christmas Caroling in Toronto and Mississauga“.

Singing Christmas carols is a terrific family activity during the Yule season. These three events also answer the question, “Where can my kids see Santa Claus other than in a shopping mall in Toronto”?

Where to go Christmas Caroling in Toronto?

"Outdoor Carolling at Night" image by The Wu's Photo Land
“Outdoor Carolling at Night” image by The Wu’s Photo Land

I easily found three answers to the question, “Where to go Christmas caroling in Toronto?”: Kew Gardens, Sunnybrook Park or Glen Stewart Park.

The secret is to know both “when” and “exactly where“.

Christmas Carols in Kew Gardens in Toronto

On Saturday Dec. 1st, 2012, head for the Alex Christie Bandshell in Kew Gardens. If you arrive by 5pm, you will see the lighting of the Christmas Tree as well as a visit by Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus. Sing Christmas carols along with the rest of the crowd.

This is a nearly-free event, but the Beaches Lions’ Club appreciates donations of “Loonies for the Lions”.

The festivities end by 7pm, so this is a very family-friendly event. Actually, all Christmas festivals befriend children as well as adults.

Kew Gardens is on Queen St. East, roughly midway between Woodbine Ave. and Main Street. It’s best to take TTC; either the 501 Queen Streetcar or a bus south from the Woodbine or Main stations on the Bloor-Danforth line.

My one concern for your family is that this event covers suppertime, but I’m sure that Toronto’s restaurants in the Beach neighbourhood would welcome you that evening.

Christmas Carols in the Pines by Brentcliffe Road

The Northlea United Church at 125 Brentcliffe Road will host a one-hour session of Christmas carolling on Sunday Dec. 9, 2012 from 7 to 8pm. The Salvation Army will provide the band, but participants should bring their own flashlights.

Here is my direction for drivers from the far east of Toronto. Drive west along Eglinton, from Don Mills and past Leslie. Eventually the next right turn is north onto Brentcliffe which curves west and north as it goes past the church.Brentcliffe eventually connects to Glenvale Blvd.; turn left and drive west to connect to Bayview Ave.

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The park is on the north border of the church. Santa Claus has asked a Boy Scout troop to provide hot chocolate. There’s no word about making donations, but I’d be prepared to help the Salvation Army with some coins, since it is the Yuletide season.

Caroling in Glen Stewart Park

Head back to the Upper Eastern Beach on Tuesday Dec. 11, 2012 and sing carols in Glen Stewart Park from 7:30pm for an hour.

Once again the Salvation Army, a local United Church, Boy Scouts and Santa Claus join forces to sing sweetly in a Toronto park.

Glen Stewart Park is south of Kingston Road, between Glen Manor Drive and Beech Ave. but extends south to touch Queen St. East. I’d start from Queen Street and head north, since the venue is “south of the bridge”.

This is definitely a nearly-free event, as the Salvation Army will receive a collection.

My Thought about Christmas Caroling

I can’t imagine a Christmas without singing carols, largely because my church always ensures we have ample opportunity. Those of you who attend a church regularly, or just during the Advent season, might enjoy the extra atmosphere from singing outdoors.

For those who don’t follow the Christian faith, it’s still an enjoyable passtime to sing Yuletide songs. Some Christians bemoan “Xmas presents”, the frantic rush to buy Christmas presents, and the way the visit by Santa Claus with his reindeer has supplanted the birth of Jesus in popular culture. Nonetheless, many cultures celebrate the winter solstice; if you’re from a different faith or culture, you might consider this to be an educational opportunity to meet some neighbours.

Besides, I recently wrote “Must Toronto Ask When is Diwali in 2012?” and, last year, “A Quick Introduction to Kwanzaa Holiday Entertaining“. If you have more suggestions on religious festivals celebrated in Toronto during the winter, please let me know.

Reference (added Nov. 26, 2012): Beach Metro News, Nov. 20, 2012 print edition, Community Events notices page.

(Updated Dec. 9, 2012): Check Roots Canada‘s outdoor wear for women or men to prepare for any outdoor winter activities in Toronto. At the time of writing, the women’s Tremblant Down Sweater is 30% off; so is the men’s Delirium Insulator Jacket.

As a possible follow-up to Christmas caroling, you might search for “Christmas books for children” at Barnes and Noble or at Chapters Indigo. “The Night before Christmas” and “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” are classics.

Looking for More Annual Toronto Events?

Check the “annual events” or “Toronto events” categories toward the end of the left-hand menu for other fascinating, free or frugal annual events in Toronto.

Disclaimer: DeHaan Services has no relationship to the organizer(s); I am not reimbursed for writing this article. However, DeHaan Services does write web site or advertising copy for clients. Our skills are demonstrated in online articles in Decoded Science and other online sites. That’s why DeHaan Services highlight these online articles on this blog page.

Annual Events, Toronto Events

Tips on the 2012 Santa Claus Parade Route in Toronto

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The 2012 Santa Claus Parade is an incredibly popular annual winter tradition in Toronto. Here is what you need to know to make the most of this Toronto winter event: the date, time, route and extra tips.

(Added Nov. 9, 2013): After you’ve read the “Obvious and Subtle Tips…” section below, you will want to learn what’s new from my “Toronto Santa Claus Parade 2013 and Holly Jolly Fun Run“.

Quick Facts about the 2012 Santa Claus Parade in Toronto

"2009 Santa Claus Parade in Toronto" image by c'est la Viva
“2009 Santa Claus Parade in Toronto” image by c’est la Viva

Here are the bare minimum facts you need to find and enjoy the 2012 Toronto Santa Claus Parade.

Date and Time of the 2012 Santa Claus Parade

The date of the 2012 Toronto Santa Claus Parade is Sunday, November 18, 2012.

The start time for the parade is 12:30pm, just after noon. Be sure to claim your place along the parade route before that time.

The Route of the 2012 Toronto Santa Claus Parade

The Santa Claus parade route for 2012 begins at Christie Pits. They march east along Bloor, past Bathurst and Spadina.

The parade turns south from Bloor onto Queen’s Park Circle. (Avenue Road is to the north). They are slated to follow the eastern half of the circle, which would go against the usual flow of traffic.

The Santa Claus parade continues south on University Avenue, past College, Dundas and Queen. They turn east onto Wellington St.,  crossing Yonge and Church streets to finish on Front Street at the St. Lawrence Market.

The Toronto Santa Claus Parade and the 2012 Grey Cup

By special arrangement for 2012 only, the Santa Claus Parade in Toronto will include representatives from the 100th Grey Cup Festival. Those good folk should include “cheerleaders” and “alumni”. Read my quick introduction to all the “Free Events for the 2012 Grey Cup Festival in Toronto” if you want to make it a week of Grey Cup 2012 activities.

Obvious and Subtle Tips to Enjoy Toronto’s 2012 Santa Claus Parade

Let’s consider the obvious hints first.

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Wear comfortable shoes or boots; you should expect to stand for quite a while.

Don’t even think about driving downtown for Toronto’s Santa Claus parade. It’s obvious from the route that several major streets will be closed, and others will be cut due to the parade. In fact, don’t drive downtown for any other reason on that Sunday. If you absolutely must drive: skip church this Sunday morning; park in a “Green P” lot; have lunch early at a family restaurant in downtown Toronto; and plan to wait a while after the parade before driving home.

The obvious alternative to driving is to take the TTC subway to your destination. Almost all the intersections noted above, along the parade route, have subway stations. I wouldn’t count on the east-west streetcars, such as 506 Carlton (along Gerrard and College) or 501 Queen, to be able to stay on schedule from around the noon hour.

We’ve covered the blindingly obvious; now let’s be a bit more subtle.

The Toronto Santa Claus parade is always a major attraction. You want to find your curbside location early enough so your children can stand and watch. The alternative is to “take a row” farther back and hoist your youngster on your back.

Scout out the neighbourhood for a fast food restaurant or other location with a public washroom. Someone in your family will probably appreciate it. The Eaton Centre is one possibility; so are the many fast-food franchise restaurants on the main streets. Personally, I’d look down a cross-street. For example, while there is a Tim Horton’s on University near Edward St. (north of Dundas St.), the Druxy’s Deli is just a bit east along Edward St. If the Druxy’s is open Sunday afternoon, it would be less crowded than Tim’s.

The official Toronto Santa Claus Parade web site offers more hints, including “how to keep your children amused before the parade” and “where is a wheelchair accessible viewing location?”. (Activity books or, may I add, cell phone games provide amusement. Front Street’s Berczy Park is the location they recommend for the physically challenged).

Looking for More Annual Toronto Events?

If you miss the main downtown 2012 Santa Claus Parade in Toronto other areas may provide alternatives. I will let you know if I find some; or leave me a comment!

Check the “annual events” or “Toronto events” categories toward the end of the left-hand menu.

Disclaimer: DeHaan Services has no relationship to the organizer(s); I am not reimbursed for writing this article. However, DeHaan Services does write web site or advertising copy for clients. Our skills are demonstrated in online articles in Decoded Science, and other web sites. That’s why DeHaan Services highlight these online articles on this blog page.

Annual Events, Online Articles, Toronto Events

2012 Quilt Auction at the Black Creek Pioneer Village Relief Sale

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The annual MCC Relief Sale at Toronto’s Black Creek Pioneer Village always includes a quilt auction.

Are there other reasons to visit this MCC quilt auction on Sept. 15, 2012?

(Updated Aug. 11, 2014): Please see my 2014 article, “Two Quilt Events at Black Creek Pioneer Village in Toronto” for the updates, including an August quilt show and sale organized by a completely different organization. (Added this note on Sept. 1, 2013): In 2013, this annual autumn event in Toronto will add the title “Toronto Mennonite Festival” to its description. Visit us Sat. Sept. 21, 2013 at 10am.

What is an “MCC Relief Sale”?

Log Cabin with Heart Quilt (89 x 102 inches) for auction at the 2012 Black Creek Pioneer Village Relief Sale
Log Cabin with Heart Quilt (89 x 102 inches) for auction at the 2012 Black Creek Pioneer Village Relief Sale

Mennonite Central Committee, “MCC“, is a service organization whose primary aim is to help people in the developing world who need clean water, education about farming, and emergency relief after natural disasters. The original goal of MCC was to provide emergency “relief”, and one way for Mennonite farmers to raise funds was by selling farm produce. That is the origin of the term “Relief Sale”.

This “Relief Sale” at Black Creek Pioneer Village particularly supports MCC Ontario, which also works with Ontario’s aboriginal people as well as Canadians and immigrants living in poverty.

As a Mennonite organization with roots in the Anabaptist tradition of Christianity, MCC is committed to embodying the message of peace and non-violence.

Why Auction Quilts at the Black Creek Pioneer Village 2012 Relief Sale?

Mennonite women have a long heritage of making quilts by hand. Originally those quilts served practical needs: use scraps of material, and keep people warm through cold winter nights.

Now these quilts are modern heirlooms, decorating bedrooms or upstairs hallways with their beauty and artisanship.

One tradition is to “drop” one final stitch, so the quilt’s maker cannot boast of perfection…which she otherwise might have achieved!

Some quilts are made by a group of women from one church, who gather for a quilting bee as an act of charity…and a chance to visit with friends.

Why Visit the 2012 Relief Sale at Black Creek Pioneer Village in Toronto?

The reasons to visit are:

  1. Enjoy the ready-to-eat food as a picnic in the village square.
  2. Bring home a boxed fruit pie to enjoy later.
  3. Bid on a decorative hand-crafted quilt.
  4. Listen to live music, mainly gospel and country.
  5. Tour Toronto’s Black Creek Pioneer Village, exploring its buildings and gardens and learning about the lives of our early settlers.
  6. Support MCC’s charitable efforts in Toronto, in Ontario and around the world.

When and Where is the Black Creek Pioneer Village 2012 Relief Sale?

The Black Creek Pioneer Village 2012 Relief Sale will be held on Saturday Sept. 15, 2012.

  • Black Creek Pioneer Village opens its doors at 10am.
  • The 2012 MCC Relief Sale includes boxed fruit pies, apple fritters or rosettes for breakfast; Sloppy Joes (meat or vegetarian), sausage and sauerkraut or… Well, Mennonites like to eat and assume everyone else does, from the opening through the early afternoon.
  • The Quilt Auction starts at noon. You will want to preview and eat and register before the bidding begins.
  • Generally the sale winds down by 2pm or so. Some vendors run out of food by this time.

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Black Creek Pioneer Village itself is a working village based on the lives of early settlers in Ontario, or “Upper Canada” as it was then known. Admission to the Village allows you to wander about, exploring the homes, shops and workshops.

Black Creek Pioneer Village is in Toronto off Steeles Avenue, adjacent to the York University campus. Turn south one stop-light east of Jane Street. Take the TTC using the Steeles 60 West bus from the University subway line or the Jane 35 bus from the Bloor subway line.

Wear comfortable walking shoes and dress for the weather.

Learn More about the MCC Black Creek Pioneer Village Relief Sale

I’d written about this MCC Relief Sale last year, in “The 2011 MCC Quilt Auction and Relief Sale Event at Black Creek Pioneer Village“, especially discussing MCC and how the money is used.

The official web site for Toronto Mennonite Festival, also known as the MCC Black Creek Pioneer Village has pictures of many of the quilts up for auction; lots more background information; and links to the official Black Creek Pioneer Village web site.

Black Creek Pioneer Village is owned and operated by the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority. It does charge admission to cover its costs which are separate from the MCC Relief Sale 2012.

Looking for More Annual Toronto Events?

Check the “annual events” or “Toronto events” categories toward the end of the left-hand menu.

Disclaimer: DeHaan Services is not reimbursed for writing this article. However, in 2012 I am serving on the board of the MCC Black Creek Pioneer Village Relief Sale charitable organization, and would be pleased to sell you a Sloppy Joe in the village square.