TORONTO

Larger Theatres (Professional)

Come From Away (musical) by by Irene Sankoff and David Hein. On September 11th, 2001, 38 planes with 6579 passengers are stranded in Gander, Newfoundland. Runs Sep 22, 2024, to Mar 2, 2025. Royal Alexandra Theatre,  1-800-461-3333, www.mirvish.com. ★★★★★

Into the Woods (musical) by Stephen Sondheim. Characters from various fairy tales find themselves in a magic woods. Runs Dec 28 to Dec 31. Koerner Hall, www.rcmusic.com.

The Lion King (musical) by Elton John et al. The stage version of the 1994 Disney animated film. Previews from Nov 2, 2024, booking to Apr 27, 2025. Princess of Wales Theatre, 651 Yonge St, 1-800-461-3333, www.mirvish.com.

Moulin Rouge! The Musical (musical) by John Logan. A stage version of the spectacular Baz Luhrmann movie musical. Runs Nov 19, 2024 to Jan 12, 2025. CAA Ed Mirvish Theatre, 1-800-461-3333, www.mirvish.com.

The Nutcracker (ballet) by James Kudelka to music by Tchaikovsky. A boy and girl find a magic world under the Christmas tree. Runs Dec 6 to Dec 31. Four Seasons Centre, national.ballet.ca.

Titanique (musical) by Marla Mindelle et al. A musical about Rose and Jack and Céline Dion. Runs Dec 5, 2024 to Jan 12, 2025. CAA Ed Mirvish Theatre,  1-800-461-3333, www.mirvish.com.

The Wizard of Oz (panto) by Matt Murray. Dorothy and her companions navigate the strange landscapes of Oz. Runs Dec 6, 2024 to Jan 5, 2025. Elgin Theatre, www.canadianstage.com.

Smaller Theatres (Professional)

Alligator Pie (children) by the ensemble. The 2024 Soulpepper Academy ensemble presents stories by Dennis Lee. Runs Dec 11, 2025, to Jan 5, 2025. Young Centre, www.soulpepper.ca.

The Bidding War (comedy) by Michael Ross Albert. What happens when Toronto’s last affordable house is for sale? Runs Nov 12 to Dec 15. Streetcar Crowsnest, www.crowstheatre.com.

Big Stuff (comedy) by Matt Baram & Naomi Snieckus. A look at the sentimental power of objects. Runs Nov 12 to Dec 8. Streetcar Crowsnest, www.crowstheatre.com.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (musical) by Marc Shaiman & Scott Wittman. A musical adaptation of the well-known book by Roald Dahl. For ages 6+. Runs Nov 12 to Dec 30. Young People’s Theatre, www.youngpeoplestheatre.org.

Cinderella in Muddy York (pupptery) by Ann & David Powell. The well-known fairy-tale is relocted to Toronto in the 19th century. Runs Dec 21 to Dec 28. Puppetmongers Studio, 3 Jersey Ave, https://puppetmongers.com.

Countess Maritza (operetta) by Imre Kálmán. The wealthy Countess Maritza’s engagement is a fiction to keep suitors away but then a man she likes turns up. Runs Dec 29 & Jan 3 and 4. Jane Mallett Theatre, www.torontooperetta.com.

Craze (comedy) by Rouvan Silogix & Rafeh Mahmud. Two couples shelter from a storm for a late night drinking session. Runs Nov 19 to Dec 15. Tarragon Theatre, tarragontheatre.com.

It Sees You When You’re Sleeping (comedy) by Phil Rickaby. Susan receives an elf doll for Christmas that unleashes a malevolent force into her life. Runs Dec 19 to Dec 22. Red Sandcastle Theatre, 922 Queen St East, eldritchtheatre.ca.

The Master Plan (comedy) by Michael Healey. Google decides to build an ideal city in Toronto. Runs Nov 24 to Dec 29. Young Centre, www.soulpepper.ca.

Naughty, Nice & Undecided (comedy) by The Second City. Songs, scenes and characters about the holidays in a “nice” version for families and a “naughty” version for the late night crowd. Runs Nov 19 to Dec 31. The Second City, 1 York St, www.secondcity.com.

Smaller Theatres (Student and Community)

The Emperor’s New Clothes (panto) by Lina M. Blue & Johnny Blue. An emperor is sold clothing so special that it is invisible. Runs Dec 6 to Dec 21. [community] Scarborough Village Theatre, theatrescarborough.com.

Munschstock! (children) by James Simon et al. Stories by Robert Munsch told with song and dance. Runs Nov 27 to Dec 7. [student] Young Centre, www.youngcentre.ca.

BANCROFT

A Christmas Carol (drama). Another stage adaptation of the favourite tale by Charles Dickens. Runs Dec 11 to Dec 21. Bancroft Village Playhouse, www.tweedandcompany.com.

BARRIE

Madame Minister (comedy) by Charlotte Corbeil-Coleman. A woman is treated poorly until she becomes the wife of a Cabinet Minister. Runs Nov 28 to Dec 7. Stevenson Heritage Mansion, www.tift.ca.

BOBCAYGEON

Aladdin (panto) by Sarah Quick. A panto version of tales from 1001 Nights. Runs Dec 4 to Dec 15. Globus Theatre, globustheatre.com.

BRAMPTON

Swan Lake (ballet) by Andrei Litvinov. The State Ballet Theatre of Ukraine performs this ballet classic. Runs Dec 8 only. Rose Theatre, tickets.brampton.ca.

CAMBRIDGE

White Christmas (musical) by Irving Berlin. Two showbiz buddies try to help a struggling inn-keeper in Vermont. Runs Dec 4 to Dec 29. Hamilton Family Theatre, 1-855-372-9866, www.draytonentertainment.com.

COLLINGWOOD

Alice in Wonderland: The Panto (panto) by Anne Raciunas. A panto version of the Lewis Carroll children’s book. Runs Dec 11 to Dec 21. Simcoe Street Theatre, theatrecollingwood.ca.

HAMILTON

A Christmas Story: The Musical (musical) by Benj Pasek & Justin Paul. A musical based on favourite 1983 movie. Runs Dec 4 to Dec 21. Theatre Aquarius, theatreaquarius.org.

KINGSTON

The Nutcracker (ballet) by Andrei Litvinov. The State Ballet Theatre of Ukraine performs this holiday favourite. Runs Dec 5 to Dec 6. Grand Theatre, www.kingstongrand.ca.

KITCHENER/WATERLOO

Swan Lake (ballet) by Andrei Litvinov. The State Ballet Theatre of Ukraine performs this ballet classic. Runs Dec 7 only. Centre in the Square, Kitchener, centreinthesquare.com.

LONDON

The Sound of Music (musical) by Richard Rodgers & Oscar Hammerstein II. A novice becomes the governess of seven children. Runs Nov 22 to Dec 29. Grand Theatre, www.grandtheatre.com.

MISSISSAUGA

The Nutcracker (ballet). The State Ballet Theatre of Ukraine presents the holiday fovourite. Runs Dec 1 only. Living Arts Centre, www.mississauga.ca.

MORRISBURG

Miracle on 34th Street (comedy) by Mountain Community Theatre. A department store Santa Claus claims to be the real Santa Claus. Runs Nov 29, runs to Dec 15. Upper Canada Playhouse, uppercanadaplayhouse.com.

NIAGARA FALLS

Canadiana (revue). A celebration of Canadian music through the years. Runs May 28, 2024, booking to Dec 19, 2024. Greg Frewin Theatre, 905-356-0777, gregfrewintheatre.com.

Evolution (magic) by Greg Frewin. New large-scale illusions by Greg Frewin. Runs Oct 13, 2022, booking to Jan 4, 2025. Greg Frewin Theatre, 905-356-0777, gregfrewintheatre.com.

NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE

THE SHAW FESTIVAL:

The plays run in repertory from Apr 6 to Dec 22 in Niagara-on-the-Lake, two hours south from Toronto. For tickets and information phone 1-800-511-7429 or visit the website at www.shawfest.com.

At the Festival Theatre

My Fair Lady (musical) by Frederick Loewe & Alan Jay Lerner. The famous musical version of GB Shaw’s Pygmalion. Runs May 25 to Dec 22. ★★★☆☆

At the Royal George Theatre

A Christmas Carol (drama) by Tim Carroll. Another stage version of the famous story by Chalres Dickens. Previews from Nov 8, opened Nov 16, runs to Dec 22.

OAKVILLE

Big Fish (musical) by Andrew Lippa. Will looks to untangle the extraordinary yarns spun about his family’s history. Runs Dec 3 to Dec 10. [student] Studio Theatre, Sheridan College, www.sheridancollege.ca.

Mystery Show (musical) by ???. A presentation of a Tony-award winning musical set in a bygone era. Runs Dec 5 to Dec 11. [student] Macdonald-Heaslip Hall, 1430 Trafalgar Rd, www.sheridancollege.ca.

ORANGEVILLE

Sleeping Beauty… A Fairy’s Tale (panto) by Debbie Collins & David Nairn. The authors take a well-known story, fracture it and put a topsy-turvy spin on it. Runs Nov 28 to Dec 21. Theatre Orangeville, www.theatreorangeville.ca.

OSHAWA

The Adventures of Robin Hood in the 6ix (panto) by Zac Mansfield. Six actors play 100 characters in this comic retelling of the familiar story. Runs Dec 18, 2024 to Jan 5, 2025. Regent Theatre, regenttheatre.ca.

OTTAWA/GATINEAU

The Awakening (cabaret) by Frayne McCarthy. A woman seaches for her identity through dialogue and song. Runs Dec 18 to Dec 21. The Gladstone, www.thegladstone.ca.

Bear Grease (musical) by Crystle Lightning & Henry Andrade. An Indigenized version of the well-known musical. Runs Nov Dec 10 to Dec 14. National Arts Centre, nac-cna.ca.

Cispersonnages en quête d’auteurice (comedy) by Catherine Bourgeois. Professional actors with disabilities struggle to find an idea for a future play. In French with English surtitles. Runs Dec 5 to Dec 7. National Arts Centre, nac-cna.ca.

Le Cristal du temps (comedy). Père Nicolas Noël tells marveillous stories through word and song. In French. Runs Dec 1 only. Salle Odyssée, Gatineau, www.maisondelaculture.ca.

On the Farce Day of Christmas (comedy) by Ken Levine. Wendy has her ex pose as her husband for the family Christmas dinner. Runs Dec 4 to Dec 21. [community] Ottawa Little Theatre, www.ottawalittletheatre.com.

FLOP! An Improvised Musical (musical) by Ron Pederson & Alan Kliffer. After the creative team abandons them, the performers scramble to create a new musical. Runs Dec 10 to Dec 22. Great Canadian Theatre Company, www.gctc.ca.

Madame Pylinska et le secret de Chopin (comedy) by Eric-Emmanuel Schmitt. An eccentric piano teacher introduces a young man to the music of Chopin. In French. Runs Dec 1 only. Salle Odyssée, Gatineau, www.maisondelaculture.ca.

MJ the Musical (musical) by Lynn Nottage. A musical centred on the making of Michael Jackson’s 1992 Dangerous World tour. Runs Dec 31, 2024, to Jan 5, 2025. National Arts Centre, nac-cna.ca.

Les Musiciens de l’orage (children) by Marianne Marceau & Maxime Robin. Harold tries to discover how the weather is created. In French. For ages 5+. Runs Dec 14 to Dec 15. National Arts Centre, nac-cna.ca.

The Nutcracker (ballet) by Fernand Nault. Les Grands Ballets Canadiens present the holiday favourite. Runs Dec 5 to Dec 8. National Arts Centre, nac-cna.ca.

O Christmas Tea (comedy) by Aaron Malkin & Alastair Knowles. Catastrophe strikes James and Jamesy’s Christmas tea party when the world is flooded. Runs Dec 21 to Dec 22. Meridian Theatres @ Centrepointe, meridiancentrepointe.com. ★★★★★

Oh Canada Eh?! (revue). Archtypal Canadian characters sing over 70 songs from all-Canadian artists. Booking to Dec 26, 2024. Oh Canada Eh?!, 330 Kent St, ohcanadaehottawa.com.

Santa Clöz (La Comédie Musicale) (musical) by David Christensen & Luke Holloway. On Christmas Eve after a 1000 years of work, Santa decides to retire. In French. Runs Dec 21 to Dec 29. Théâtre de l'Île, Gatineau, calendrier.gatineau.cloud.

A Very Merry Mystery (comedy). What could one of Santa’s elves have in common with an event planner and a disgraced TV host? Runs Nov 22 to Dec 20. Oh Canada Eh?!, 330 Kent St, ohcanadaehottawa.com.

PETERBOROUGH

The Verandah Society: Up to Snow Good (comedy) by Megan Murphy & Kate Suhr. A combination of humorous storytelling, foot-tapping music and surpise guests. Runs Dec 11 to Dec 15. Peterborough Theatre Guild, www.4thlinetheatre.on.ca.

PORT COLBORNE

Cinderella - The Panto (panto) by Ken MacDougall. A panto version of the favourite fairy tale. Runs Dec 12 to Dec 15. Roselawn Theatre, lighthousetheatre.com.

PORT DOVER

Cinderella - The Panto (panto) by Ken MacDougall. A panto version of the favourite fairy tale. Runs Nov 28 to Dec 8. Lighthouse Festival Theatre, lighthousetheatre.com.

PORT HOPE

Rapunzel: A Merry (Hairy) Holiday Panto (panto) by Carly Heffernan. A twisted take on the story of some very, very long hair. Runs Nov 22 to Dec 23. Capitol Theatre, capitoltheatre.com.

ST. CATHARINES

A Niagara Christmas Carol (drama) by Jamie Williams. Charles Dinkens's famous story relocated to St. Catharines during the Welland Canal build. Runs Dec 6 at the St. Catharines Museum and Welland Canals Centre; Dec 7 to Dec 8 at the Mandeville Theatre, Ridley College, fosterfestival.com.

One Man Star Wars (comedy) by Charles Ross. Ross enacts the entire first Star Wars Trilogy. Runs Dec 28 only. FirstOntario PAC, firstontariopac.ca.

ST. JACOBS

A Christmas Carol: The Panto (panto) by Caroline Smith. A panto version of the famous story by Charles Dickens. Runs Nov 28, 2024, to Jan 5, 2025. St. Jacobs Country Playhouse, 1-855-372-9866, www.draytonentertainment.com.

Merry & Bright (revue) by David Rogers. Holiday music, inspiring songs, Broadway anthems along with stories and humorous anecdotes. Runs Nov 12, 2024 to Jan 1, 2025. Hildebrand Schoolhouse Theatre, 1-855-372-9866, www.draytonentertainment.com.

STIRLING

Cinderella Stuck in Hallmark (panto). Cinderella, a big city girl with big city dreams, is stuck in a small town with her stepmother and stepsisters. Nov 22 to Dec 31. Stirling Festival Theatre, www.stirlingfestivaltheatre.com.

SUDBURY

Oliver! (musical) by Lionel Bart. A musical version of Charles Dickens’s novel Oliver Twist. Runs Nov 21 to Dec 15. Sudbury Theatre Centre, yestheatre.com.

THUNDER BAY

Elf - The Musical (musical) by Matthew Sklar & Chad Beguelin. A lost boy, raised as an elf at the North Pole, wants to find his real father. Runs Nov 28 to Dec 21. Magnus Theatre, magnustheatre.com.

TWEED

A Christmas Carol (drama). Another stage adaptation of the favourite tale by Charles Dickens. Runs Dec 4 to Dec 7. Marble Arts Centre, www.tweedandcompany.com.

ON TOUR IN ONTARIO

O Christmas Tea (comedy) by Aaron Malkin & Alastair Knowles. Catastrophe strikes James and Jamesy’s Christmas tea party when the world is flooded. ochristmastea.com. ★★★★★

• Dec 1: FirstOntario PAC, St. Catharines

• Dec 17: Brockville Arts Centre, Brockville

• Dec 18: Grand Theatre, Kingston

• Dec 19: Aultsville Theatre, Cornwall

• Dec 20: Shenkman Arts Centre, Orléans

• Dec 21-22: Meridian Theatre at Centrepointe, Ottawa

• Dec 27: Regent Theatre, Oshawa

• Dec 28: Theatre Aquarius, Hamilton

• Dec 29: Oakville Centre, Oakville

• Dec 30: Sanderson Centre, Brantford

Champions of Magic (magic). An all-new show featuring thilling and mind-bending illusions by four magicians. championsofmagic.co.uk.

• Dec 4-5: Thunder Bay Community Auditorium, Thunder Bay

• Dec 7: GFL Memorial Gardens, Sault Ste. Marie

• Dec 8: Sudbury Community Arena, Sudbury

Christmas in Space (circus). Acrobatic extraterrestrials discover the meaning of Christmas and the holiday season. christmasinspace.com.

• Dec 12: Pickering Casino Resort, Pickering

• Dec 13: Casino Rama, Rama

• Dec 14: Caesars Windsor, Windsor

The Nutcracker (ballet) by Bengt Jörgen. The holiday ballet in sets inspired by the Group of Seven. www.jorgendance.ca.

• Dec 5: Stephen Leacock Theatre, Keswick

• Dec 7: FirstOntario Concert Hall, Hamilton

• Dec 11: Showplace Performance Centre, Peterborough

• Dec 13-14: Centrepointe Theatre, Ottawa

• Dec 17: Rose Theatre, Brampton

• Dec 19-20: River Run Centre, Guelph

• Dec 22: Centennial Hall, London

• Dec 28: Centre in the Square, Kitchener

• Dec 30-31: Flato Markham Theatre, Markham