TORONTO

Larger Theatres (Professional)

Cinderella (panto) by Matt Murray. A panto version of the well-known fairy tale. Runs Dec 5, 2026, to Jan 3, 2027. Winter Garden Theatre, 189 Yonge St, www.canadianstage.com.

Cirque Alice (circus) by Simon Painter & Tim Lawson. The story of Alice in Wonderland told through circus acts. Runs Jan 12 to Jan 24. CAA Ed Mirvish Theatre, 244 Victoria St, www.mirvish.com.

Dirty Dancing: The Musical (musical) by Eleanor Bergstein. A musical version of the 1987 movie about a young woman who falls in love with a dance instructor. Runs Nov 24, 2026, to Jan 10, 2027. CAA Ed Mirvish Theatre, 244 Victoria St, www.mirvish.com.

Goblin:Christmas Carol (musical) by Spontaneous Theatre. Three goblins try to stage Dickens’s classic. Runs Dec 12, 2026, to Jan 10, 2027. CAA Theatre, 651 Yonge St, www.mirvish.com.

The Mousetrap (drama) by Agatha Christie. Seven strangers are trapped in a secluded guesthouse when a police sergeant announces one of them is a killer. Runs Jan 30 to Mar 28. Royal Alexandra Theatre, www.mirvish.com.

Prima Facie (drama) by Suzie Miller. A female lawyer who specializes in defending men accused of sexual assault changes her views after a traumatic event. Runs Jan 21 to Feb 7. CAA Theatre, 651 Yonge St, www.mirvish.com.

13 Going on 30 (musical) by Alan Zachary & Michael Weiner. A 13-year-old wakes up on her birthday and has magically turned 30. Runs Dec 1, 2026, to Jan 24, 2027. Princess of Wales Theatre, www.mirvish.com.

Tell Tale Harbour (musical) A small fishing community in Atlantic Canada tries to lure a full-time doctor to stay. Runs Dec 22, 2026, to Jan 24, 2027. Royal Alexandra Theatre, www.mirvish.com.

The Turn of the Screw (opera) by Benjamin Britten. A governess tries to protect two children from the influence of mlicious ghosts. In English with English surtitles. Runs Jan 23 to Feb 17. Four Seasons Centre, www.coc.ca.

'Twas the Night Before… (circus) by Cirque du Soleil. A circus show inspired by the well-known poem by Clement Clarke Moore. Runs Dec 10, 2026, to Jan 2, 2027. Meridian Hall, 1 Front St East, tolive.com.

Smaller Theatres (Professional)

The Fifth Step (comedy) by David Ireland. James is Luka’s AA sponsor but then a power struggle between them ensues.. Runs Jan 17 to Feb 7. Tarragon Theatre, tarragontheatre.com.

The Frogs (musical) by Stephen Sondheim. An updated musical version of Aristophanes comedy about Dionysus’ trip to Hades to find George Bernard Shaw. Runs Jan 30 to Feb 21. The Theatre Centre, 1115 Queen St West, www.tift.ca.

A German Life (drama) by Christopher Hampton. A play based on the life and testimony of Joseph Goebbles 103-year-old secretary. Runs Jan 12 to Feb 7. Crow’s Theatre, 345 Carlaw Ave, www.crowstheatre.com.

Glory! (dance) by Emma Beech et al. A look at the political and aesthetic contradictions of the ’70s. Runs Jan 20 to Jan 24. Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, buddiesinbadtimes.com.

Madame Minister (comedy) by Branislav Nušić. A 1929 comedy about a woman whose vanity grows when she hears her husband might be made a government minister. Runs Jan 14 to Jan 29. The Theatre Centre, 1115 Queen St West, www.tift.ca.

100% Real Human (comedy) by The Second City. No AI — just people making people laugh. Opened Oct 6, 2026, booking to Feb 28, 2027. The Second City, 110 Harbour St, www.secondcity.com.

Paganini (operetta) by Franz Lehár. In Lucca, the famous violinist falls in love with Napoleon’s sister. Runs Dec 29, 30, 2026, Jan 2 & 3, 2027. Jane Mallett Theatre, www.torontooperetta.com.

The Rez Sisters (drama) by Tomson Highway. Seven Ojibway women plan to go to the world’s biggest bingo in Toronto. Runs Jan 23 to Feb 21. Young Centre, www.soulpepper.ca.

Sex in the ’80s (comedy) by Kate Hennig. Two accomplished architects who haven’t seen each other since the ’80s meet on the eve of a high-stakes competition. Runs Jan 16 to Feb 7. Berkeley Street Theatre, www.canadianstage.com.

The Unauthorized Hallmark-ish Parody Musical (musical) by Tim Drucker et al. City executive Holly returns to her quirky home town and reunites with an old flame. Runs Nov 28, 2026, to Jan 3, 2027. Meridian Arts Centre, 5040 Yonge St, hallmarkish.com. ★★★☆☆

Smaller Theatres (Student and Community)

Gibson & Sons (comedy) by Kristen Da Silva. Harry leads a lonely life in his father’s funeral parlour until his mail-order bride arrives. Runs Jan 8 to Jan 30. [community] The Village Playhouse, 2190E Bloor St West, villageplayers.net.

Jane Eyre (comedy) by Erin Shields. A satiric adaptation of the famed novel by Charlotte Brontë. [community] Runs Jan 20 to Jan 31. Alumnae Theatre, 70 Berkeley St, alumnaetheatre.com.

New Magic Valley Fun Town (comedy) by Daniel MacIvor. Dougie looks forward to his reunion with his high school buddy, but secrets are revealed. Runs Jan 8 to Jan 23. [community] Scarborough Village Theatre, theatrescarborough.godaddysites.com.

Princess Ida (operetta) by Arthur Sullivan & WS Gilbert. Ida, though wed in infancy to a prince, has founded a women’s university from which all men are barred. Runs Jan 29 to Feb 7. [community] St. Anne's Parish Hall, 651 Dufferin St, www.stannesmads.ca.

BURLINGTON

The 70 Mile Yard Sale (comedy) by Justin Shaw. Shaw tells the story of travelling to a gigantic yard sale in PEI to retrieve a lost family heirloom. Runs Jan 31 only. Burligton PAC, burlingtonpac.ca.

Swan Lake (ballet) by Marius Petipa & Lev Ivanov. The United European Ballet Company presents the classic ballet of a woman cursed to be a woman by day and a swan by night. Runs Jan 26 only. Burlington PAC, classicalarts.net.

GUELPH

Dogs Do Magic (magic) by Aaron Matthews. Circus-style stunts, comedy and grand illusions featuring the talents of rescue dogs. Runs Jan 2 only. River Run Centre, dogsdomagic.com.

Swan Lake (ballet) by Bengt Jörgen. A version of the well-know ballet set in Cape Breton. Runs Jan 10 only. River Run Centre, www.jorgendance.ca.

HAMILTON

All’s Well (comedy) by Erin Shields. Three mysterious strangers offer to cure the chronic pain of an actress who once had a promising career. Runs Jan 27 to Feb 13. Theatre Aquarius, theatreaquarius.org.

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (musical) by Andrew Lloyd Webber & Tim Rice. A musical based on the biblical story of Joseph and his brothers. Runs Nov 18, 2026, to Jan 3, 2027. Theatre Aquarius, theatreaquarius.org.

LONDON

cicadas (drama) by David Yee & Chris Thornborrow. A couple is drawn to a peculiar house despite its extremely wet basement, bugs and an ominous voice. Runs Jan 18 to Feb 6. Grand Theatre, www.grandtheatre.com.

The Soaps (comedy) by Rebecca Northan and Kevin Kruchkywich. Northan and Kruchkywich improvise an entire  six-episode soap opera set in London, Ont. Runs Jan 21 to Jan 30. Grand Theatre, www.grandtheatre.com.

MARKHAM

Magic Rocks! (magic) by Leon Etienne. A family-friendly show of grand illusions, sleight of hand and hilarious comedy. Runs Jan 23 only. Flato Markham Theatre, flatomarkhamtheatre.ca.

MISSISSAUGA

Snow White (ballet) by Genrikh Mayorov. The United European Ballet Company presents a ballet version of the well-known fairy tale. Runs Jan 29 only. Living Arts Centre, classicalarts.net.

NIAGARA FALLS

Niagara Magic Live (magic) by Greg Frewin. Large-scale illusions performed by Greg Frewin. Booking to Dec 30, 2027. Greg Frewin Theatre, 905-356-0777, www.gregfrewintheatre.com.

Piff the Magic Dragon (magic) John van der Put. Comedian and magician Piff performs with chihuahua Mr. Piffles. Runs Jan 21 to Jan 24. Fallsview Casino, fallsviewcasinoresort.com.

OTTAWA/GATINEAU

Confessions d’un enfant du siècle dernier (drama) by Michel Tremblay. Conversations of five facets of a young man in search of himself. In French. Runs Jan 22 to Jan 23. Salle Odyssée, Gatineau, www.maisondelaculture.ca.

The Diviners (drama) by Trish Cooper & Sam Vint. A Métis writer and his settler wife navigate identity. Runs Jan 12 to Jan 23. National Arts Centre, Ottawa, nac‑cna.ca.

Entre histoires et illusions (magic) by Alain Choquette. Stories of the great magicians of the past combined with their greatest illusions. In French. Runs Jan 29 only. Salle Odyssée, Gatineau, www.maisondelaculture.ca.

Le Fantôme dans la machine (drama) by Fanny Britt. The team of a reality TV show has arranged a reunion between Rousse and her brother — except she thinks he died in a fire. In French. Runs Jan 21 only. Shenkman Arts Centre, Ottawa, shenkmanarts.ca.

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (comedy) by Joseph Robinette. A stage version of one of C.S. Lewis’s Narnia novels. Runs Dec 18, 2026, to Jan 2, 2027. The Gladstone, Ottawa, thegladstone.ca.

Ottawa Suite (comedy) by John Cook. The beloved film performed as a live radio play. Runs Jan 21 to Jan 23. The Gladstone, Ottawa, thegladstone.ca.

The Sound of Music (musical) by Rodgers & Hammerstein. A novice leaves the convent to be nanny to seven children. Runs Dec 29, 2026, to Jan 3, 2027. National Arts Centre, Ottawa, nac‑cna.ca.

Tout ça. (dance/drama) by Étienne Lou.  A troubled teen breaks into the world of urban dance. In French. Runs Jan 28 to Jan 30. National Arts Centre, Ottawa, nac‑cna.ca.

Yoann Bourgeois & Patrick Watson (dance) by Yoann Bourgeois & Patrick Watson. A gravity-defying production that blends dance, live music, theatre and circus. Runs Jan 14 to Jan 15. National Arts Centre, Ottawa, nac‑cna.ca.

ST. CATHARINES

Songs & Stories (performance) by Mark Lalama & Ian Thomas. The two singer/songwritiers tell stories of their lives interspersed with their favourite songs. Runs Jan 9 only. FirstOntario PAC, www.firstontariopac.ca.

ST. JACOBS

Snow White and the Seven Tenors (panto) by Caroline Smith. Snow White meets seven tenors who help her find her voice and topple the evil Queen. Runs Nov 19, 2026, to Jan 10, 2027. St Jacobs Country Playhouse, www.draytonentertainment.com.

ON TOUR IN ONTARIO

Cinderella (ballet) by Michael Art. The United European Ballet Company presents the ballet version of the well-known fairy tale. classicalarts.net

• Jan 21: Capitol Theatre, Chatham

• Jan 23: Meridian Theatres @ CentrePointe, Nepean

• Jan 27: Grand Theatre, Kingston

• Jan 28: Brockville Arts Centre, Brockville