Toronto Santa Speedo Run 2018

The Village of Yorkville always knows how to welcome the holiday season - with a cold run along the mink mile. This is the 12th annual charity run since organizer Matt Freeman, pictured above, started the run in 2005. This year's Toronto Santa Speedo Run (#tssr18) is on Saturday, December 15, 2018.

Santa is coming to see the runners

Participants started gathering in Hemingway's Restaurant at 142 Cumberland Street before noon and many pickup a pair of speedo swimming suits on site if they don't own one yet, t-shirts are also on sale for $25. Runners are asked to raise $250 towards the Toronto Hospital for Sick Kids.

The Streakin' Speedsters contingent was back in force

A few stretches to warm-up

Then the 2018 Santa Speedo Run began

Running on Bloor Street in the Mink Mile

See more of the run after the jump in my massive photo gallery.

Rockwood Parade of Lights

Farm vehicles were decorated in their finest for the annual Farmers Santa Claus Parade of Lights on Thursday, December 13, 2018. Beginning at 7pm the parade leaves Fifth Line (County Road 27) in Rockwood and turns onto Highway 7 towards Guelph, then turns on Guelph Line (Fourth Line). For people driving through the area, they close off Highway 7 between Guelph Line and Eramosa-Milton Townline. It was a little foggy but you could still see the lights when the tractors got close.

From the Parade's website; "This time of year Santa is said to be busy in his workshop making toys for good little girls and boys!! But in Rockwood, Santa already has his toys made, and shopping done. His soybeans and corn are harvested, and now he's trying to figure out just what he and Mrs. Claus should do to their combine for the "big" night. Yes! This is a Farmer's Santa!! With his fall farm work under control, Mr. and Mrs. Claus will soon be decorating their combine with Christmas lights and other seasonal decorations to be ready for Rockwood's FARMERS' Santa Claus PARADE OF LIGHTS. The parade is always held on the second Thursday in December. This will be the twentieth time that Santa and the local farmers have presented their FARMERS' PARADE OF LIGHTS. "The first year was very informal and spontaneous. A group of local farmers decided to dress up their farm equipment for the Christmas season and ride through the village streets as a holiday gesture of goodwill to their non-farming neighbours," reports Mr. Santa Claus."

Traffic is a snarled in the area before and long after the parade as people park hundreds of cars along all roads near the route. Get there early because the people lineup four or five deep along the streets to catch the vehicles going by.

Cars along Highway 7

See more of the parade after the jump.

Berczy Park lights

Presents abound as the Christmas lights in Berczy Park are lit up again and Toronto's downtown premier destination for thirsty dogs welcomes the holiday season. The arch of presents is a portal into visitors enter, but never leave.

The doggies have scarves on now to keep them warm in winter

Toronto Fan Holiday Comicon 2018

It's only one day but it is a jolly good time when Santa brings some Christmas cosplay. The comicon is on at the south building of the Metro Toronto Convention Centre Saturday, December 8th.

Entrance to the Fan Holiday comicon was only $10 at the door and the theme was definitely Christmas, with lights and hats suitable for St Nick and his many elves, with a few reindeer antlers thrown in for good measure. You could also pose with Santa Claus, see talented artists, or walk the cosplay red carpet in addition to the vendors selling comics, anime and thousands of collector items.

See more cosplay after the jump.

Lot No. 40 and the New Old Fashioned Night Market

The Canadian whiskey distiller is presenting a Toronto night market at the Longboat Hall in the Great Hall on December 7-8, 2018. "Lot No.40 Canadian whisky is thrilled to launch The New Old Fashioned Night Market series, celebrating the re-invention and discovery of classic artforms by local artists. The project will feature digital content, highlighting artists who put "new twists on classics."

You can find more information, including an RSVP to the free to attend event at https://www.torontograndprixtourist.com/p/news-provided-by-cnw.html#ixzz5Yrt5Fy9G . The night market runs from 7pm to 12pm each night and will feature installations by Hatecopy and Castor Design as well as the band Dwayne Gretzky.

Holiday Fair in the Square

Santa Claus joins in the fun down at Toronto City Hall during the annual holiday fair in Nathan Phillips Square. Amusement rides, vendors, food trucks and entertainment will keep you busy from December 1 to 23, 2018 (closed Mondays). Plus you can see the Western Hemisphere's largest Lego Mural on display.

The fair hours are Tuesday to Thursday from 4-9pm, Friday to Sunday from 12-10pm and closing on December 23rd at 6pm. And outdoor ice skating is still on at the square as well.

Panorama of the Fair in the Square

From the Fair's website; "In the heart of Toronto at Nathan Phillips Square, the Holiday Fair in the Square runs December 1st – 23rd. Combining the charm and elegance of a Christmas market with the excitement and allure of a thriving winter carnival, Fair in the Square is a new favourite Toronto holiday tradition. Whether you’re shopping for that unique, perfect gift, taking the family out for an afternoon of skating, rides and games, stopping by for a quick lunch and some seasonal treats, or enjoying an evening drink at the Jackson Triggs Wine Bar, Holiday Fair in the Square has festive fun for everyone!"

Fort York Frost Fair 2018

Look into Toronto's history during the free Frost Fair at historic Fort York on Saturday, December 1 from 10am to 5pm.

From the Fort's website; "Have some holiday fun with the whole family at historic Fort York. Shop for unique gifts made by local artisans, including jewellery, heritage-inspired reproductions and holiday greenery. Enjoy military and musical demonstrations alongside children's drill sessions, games, crafts and dress-up. Print your own Frost Fair souvenir on a Mackenzie House press. Visit our Volunteer Historic Cooks to sample period recipes and stop by the Heritage Café for lunch."

There will be musket firing and drill demonstrations at 11:30, 1:30 and 3:30 by the 10th Royal Veteran Battalion.

A little platoon of Kids' Drill working with the toy guns

Brainfreeze Toronto Polar Bear Dip

Cherry Beach is the place to be for the second annual polar bear dip for youth mental health with jack.org.

"Join us on December 1st for our Second Annual Brainfreeze, now in three Cities (Montreal, Vancouver, and Toronto). It's energizing, exciting, and Instagrammable from tide in to tide out. People of all ages gather in subzero temperatures and voluntarily jump in freezing water. If you're looking to #DoSomething for youth mental health, this is a blissful way to do it."

See more of the dip after the jump.

CP Holiday Train in Toronto

Canadian Pacific Railways has two Christmas season holiday trains running through Canada and the United States bringing joy and musical entertainment to the stops throughout both countries. Each train car is covered in bright LEDs displaying Christmas scenes and the concert is held in one of the cars near the middle of the train.

Pulling into the station

"The U.S. Train departs Montreal on November 25 travelling south with stops in Quebec, New York and Southern Ontario before continuing it's journey through the U.S. and into southern Saskatchewan for its final stop in Weyburn, Saskatchewan on Dec. 16. The Canadian Train departs Montreal on November 27 travelling west through Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, and British Columbia for it's final show of the 2018 CP Holiday Train tour in Port Coquitlam on December 18."

The concert car

Attendance at the train stops are free and local food banks are there to accept donations for the less fortunate during the holiday season. On Thursday, November 29 the train pulled into the Lambton Yard Office at 750 Runnymede Road at 8:15pm with the half hour concert starting at 8:30pm featuring Terri Clark, Sierra Noble and Kelly Prescott.

See more of the light show after the jump.