December is the Toronto Symphony Orchestra’s festive season. In 2026 the TSO’s holiday programme at Roy Thomson Hall centres on two events: a Celtic-flavoured Holiday Pops and its annual performance of Handel’s Messiah.
TSO holiday concerts 2026
| Concert | Dates | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| Holiday Pops: A Celtic Celebration | December 9 and 10, 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. | Roy Thomson Hall |
| Messiah | December 15, 16, 18, 19 at 7:30 p.m.; December 20 at 3 p.m. | Roy Thomson Hall |
Holiday Pops: A Celtic Celebration
This year’s Holiday Pops brings East Coast fiddle to Roy Thomson Hall. Cape Breton fiddler Natalie MacMaster and Donnell Leahy join the orchestra with the MacMaster Leahy family for an afternoon or evening of holiday favourites and Celtic music, conducted by Lucas Waldin.
- Dates: Wednesday, December 9 and Thursday, December 10, 2026
- Times: 2 p.m. matinee and 7:30 p.m. evening on both days
Best for: families and anyone who likes their Christmas music with a lot of energy. The matinees are a good choice with kids or older relatives.
Messiah
The TSO’s Messiah, with the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir, conductor Ivor Bolton and soloists Louise Alder, Deepa Johnny, Paul Appleby and Joshua Hopkins, runs from December 15 to 20. See our full Messiah in Toronto guide, which also covers Tafelmusik’s Messiah and the Sing-Along Messiah.
Which TSO holiday concert should you choose?
| If you want… | Choose |
|---|---|
| A fun, high-energy outing with kids | Holiday Pops (2 p.m. matinee) |
| A grand choral tradition | Messiah |
| A night out with a movie favourite | Film-with-orchestra concerts, when programmed |
| A shorter, more relaxed afternoon | Any weekday matinee |
Tickets and seating
- Book early: the most popular December dates sell out, especially weekend Messiah performances.
- Best value: the upper levels at Roy Thomson Hall have good sound and lower prices.
- Discounts: the TSO has offered discounted tickets for younger concertgoers through its youth programmes. Check the TSO’s website for current offers.
- Accessibility: Roy Thomson Hall has accessible seating; book it directly with the box office.
Getting to Roy Thomson Hall
Roy Thomson Hall is at King Street West and Simcoe Street, connected to St. Andrew station (Line 1) through the PATH. The King streetcar stops right outside. Arrive 30 to 45 minutes early on busy December nights for coat check and security lines.
Make a night of it
The Entertainment District around the hall is full of restaurants that offer pre-theatre menus. After the show, walk a few minutes to Nathan Phillips Square to see the city tree and the Cavalcade of Lights display. More ideas: Christmas dining in Toronto.
TSO holiday concerts: FAQ
How long is the Holiday Pops concert? Usually around two hours including intermission. Check the TSO’s event page for exact running times.
Is Messiah suitable for kids? Older children who enjoy classical music will be fine; it’s long, so younger kids may prefer Holiday Pops.
Other holiday music in Toronto
The TSO isn’t the only orchestra in town at Christmas. Tafelmusik performs Baroque music on period instruments, community choirs fill churches across the city, and candlelit concerts pop up in historic venues. See Christmas choir concerts, candlelight concerts and free Christmas concerts.
Tips
- Book matinees early; they’re popular with families and seniors.
- Roy Thomson Hall is a short walk from St. Andrew Station (Line 1) and Union Station.
- Combine it with dinner and lights. Nathan Phillips Square and the Cavalcade of Lights are 10 minutes’ walk north.
More concerts at Roy Thomson Hall and beyond
The Toronto Children’s Chorus also performs its holiday concert at Roy Thomson Hall on December 13 at 2 p.m. For more, see Christmas choir concerts in Toronto, candlelight Christmas concerts and the full list of Christmas shows in Toronto.
