Music

When: Wed., Dec. 6
Where: The Velvet Underground, 508 Queen St. W.
Genre: Dance / Electronic
Why you should go: Australian electro-pop duo Confidence Man return to Toronto for a party like no other. The duo describe their live shows as “all the fun without any faff,” and you can expect to see high-octane dance moves, champagne bottles being popped and stunning visual effects.

When: Wed., Dec. 6
Where: History, 1663 Queen St. E.
Genre: R&B
Why you should go: After supporting Canadian rapper NAV at his arena show earlier this year, Bryson Tiller is back in Toronto for a headlining show at History. The artist will showcase his versatility on stage with everything from Christmas songs to R&B/pop and trap music.

When: Thurs., Dec. 7
Where: The Garrison, 1197 Dundas St. W.
Genre: Rock
Why you should go: The 2010 Polaris prize-winning Montreal art-rockers returned from a 12-year hiatus in September with the album Dans la seconde. In support of this new release, the French-language band will come to Toronto as their only tour date outside of Quebec.

When: Thurs., Dec. 7
Where: Massey Hall, 178 Victoria St.
Why you should go: Canadian Rock icon and top Blue Jays fan Geddy Lee comes to Massey Hall in support of his memoir, My Effin’ Life. The Rush frontman takes fans on a trip down memory lane as he talks about everything from his YYZ childhood to his legendary music career. There will be a Q&A.

When: Thurs, Dec. 7- Sat., Dec. 9
Where: Roy Thomson Hall, 60 Simcoe St.
Genre: Classical
Why you should go: Home Alone is a favourite Christmas movie, so this year, watch it with a live score. This year, there will be four screenings of the Macauley Culkin-led classic at Roy Thomson Hall as the Toronto Symphony Orchestra perform John Williams’s score live with the movie.

When: Sat., Dec. 9
Where: Lee’s Place, 529 Bloor St. W.
Genre: Alternative rock
Why you should go: From John Wick to rhythm stick for this homecoming show for Toronto’s bass-playing Keanu Reeves as his band Dogstar come to Lee’s Place in support of their third studio album, Somewhere Between the Power Lines and Palm Trees. Great chance to see an A-lister up close but also to see great live music from the ’90s alt-rock band.

When:  Sat., Dec. 9
Where: Koerner Hall, 273 Bloor St. W.
Genre: Jazz
Why you should go: Oscar nominee and seven-time Grammy Award-winning trumpeter/composer Terence Blanchard returns to Toronto for a spellbinding night as he is joined by the double Grammy Award-winning Turtle Island Quartet to perform the music of Wayne Shorter along with original work.

When: Mon., Dec. 11
Where: Scotiabank Arena, 40 Bay St.
Genre: Rap, R&B
Why you should go: Toronto gets two of the hottest names in music as Doja Cat, with opener Ice Spice, will support her new album Scarlet with a huge night of rap and R&B. The setlist is dominated by songs from Scarlet and features incredible choreography, visual effects and crowd control from an artist at the top of her game.

When: Wed., Dec. 13 – Thurs., Dec 14
Where: Massey Hall, 178 Victoria S.
Genre: Roots
Why you should go: Beloved Canadian roots rockers Blue Rodeo return to one of their favourite venues for two nights to celebrate their groundbreaking 1993 album, Five Days In July. Melissa McClelland from Whitehorse joins them to sing the Sarah McLachlan parts among others.

When: Wed., Dec. 13
Where: History, 1663 Queen St. E.
Genre: R&B
Why you should go: Toronto’s Roy Woods returns to his hometown as part of his extensive North American tour. The OVO Sound signee will treat his fans to a show to remember with songs from his new album, Mixed Emotions, and other seductive R&B tracks in his back catalogue.

When: Wed., Dec.13
Where: The Horseshoe Tavern, 370 Queen St. W.
Genre: Alt-rock
Why you should go: Canadian indie supergroup, featuring Moe Berg (The Pursuit of Happiness), Chris Murphy (Sloan), Craig Northey (Odds) and Steven Page (Barenaked Ladies) unites to perform Canadian Top 10 Hits from 1969-1975 from their awesome album Explosive Hits Vol. 1, including songs by The Guess Who, Joni Mitchell, Paul Anka, The Poppy Family, April Wine and more. And they’ll each play their own hits too!

When: Thurs., Dec. 14
Where: The Drake Hotel, 1150 Queen St. W.
Genre: Dance / Electric
Why you should go: Kenya Grace has had quite the 2023. Her latest single, Strangers, has propelled her to fame as the British artist hit No.1 in the U.K. charts and hit the top of the Billboard Dance/Electronic Songs chart, the first track entirely produced and performed by a woman to ever do so. Riding the wave of success, Grace will bring her tour to The Drake Hotel so fans can catch a glimpse of a future star in the making.

When: Sat., Dec. 16
Where: Bovine Sex Club, 542 Queen St. W.
Genre: Punk rock
Why you should go: Vintage Toronto punk rockers, Stark Naked and the Fleshtones are joined by The Screwed for a punk rock/new wave holiday show. A rare chance to see these one-time Toronto club mainstays.

When: Thurs., Dec. 23
Where: The Cameron House, 408 Queen St. W.
Genre: Pop
Why you should go: Toronto-based singer-songwriter David Celia, described by CBC Radio 2 as “one of Toronto’s best guitar players,” heads to The Cameron House for a homecoming show.

When: Thurs., Dec. 28 & Fri., Dec. 29
Where: Scotiabank Arena, 410 Bay St.
Genre: Rap
Why you should go: In support of the critically acclaimed album Utopia, Travis Scott brings his Circus Maximus tour to Toronto for two nights of hedonism just before the new year. Expect high-octane energy, innovative set designs and plenty of mosh pits.

When: Thurs., Jan. 11 & Fri., Jan. 12
Where: Scotiabank Arena, 40 Bay St.
Genre: Pop
Why you should go: After delaying her original tour because of nasty health issues, The Queen of Pop brings The Celebration Tour, featuring four decades of greatest hits, to the Arena. Through a night of provocative fun, Madonna takes the audience on a journey through her legendary career in what will be the perfect cure to the January blues.

When: Tue., Jan. 30
Where: The Axis Club Theatre, 722 College St.
Genre: Pop-punk
Why you should go: With Olivia Rodrigo’s success, among others, pop-punk is in a new golden era and one of the bands at the forefront of this revival is the American trio MEET ME @ THE ALTAR. The band bring their Say It To My Face tour to town to perform tracks from their most recent album, Past // Present // Future, and continue to fly the flag for the resurgent genre.

When:  Fri., Feb. 9 & Sat., Feb. 10
Where: Danforth Music Hall, 147 Danforth Ave.
Genre:  Americana, Rock
Why you should go:  Lead singer and guitarist for the rocking R&Bers Alabama Shakes, Brittany Howard heads out on a solo headlining tour. Fans can expect solo material, including new track What Now, as well as covers of classic tracks by Jackie Wilson and Funkadelic, which have become a staple of her live performances in recent years.