Christmas carols, music and Winter Solstice celebration set for this weekend in East Toronto

Music and carols are on the agenda for this weekend, the last one in December before Christmas Day. This weekend also marks the arrival of the Winter Solstice.

On Saturday, Dec. 20, Beach United Church will host Strings & Pipes: A Christmas Jazz Concert for Organ and Guitar.

Featuring father-and-son duo Christopher and Simon Dawes, the concert will usher in the Christmas season with a program featuring jazz duets on the guitar and organ based on well-known holiday favourities. The concert begins at 4:30 p.m.

The performance is pay-what-you-can at the door, with a suggested minimum of $15. Beach United Church is located at 140 Wineva Ave. For more information, please go to https://beachunitedchurch.com/2025/11/strings-pipes-a-christmas-jazz-concert-for-organ-and-guitar/

Also on Saturday, local musician and composer Mark Battenberg will present his The Spirit of the Longest Night: Concert for the Winter Solstice at Danforth Mennonite Church.

Battenberg will be joined by Shakuhachi flute master Debbie Danbrook at the concert which starts at 7:30 p.m. Danforth Mennonite Church is located at 2174 Danforth Ave.

The concert is in honour of the Winter Solstice set for this Sunday; when we experience the longest night and shortest day as the season changes from fall to winter. After the Winter Solstice, the days slowly begin to get longer and brighter.

Admission is $20 or pay-what-you-can. Those attending are also asked to bring a donation of a non-perishable food item for a local food bank. However, everyone is welcome to attend and enjoy the gift of music and community.

For more information, please go online to https://www.markbattenbergcreations.com/

On the afternoon of Sunday, Dec. 21, Kingston Road United Church will be hosting a Community Carol Sing-Along.

Everyone is invited to attend the free event and enjoy some seasonal festive fun.

The sing-along will take place from 2 to 4 p.m. in the church, 975 Kingston Rd.

Prior to the carol singing in the church, there will be home-baked goods and crafts for sale starting at 1:30 p.m.

For more information on the event, please visit Kingston Road United Church’s website at https://www.kruc.ca/