Nicholas Dromard, Keith Hines, Hayden Milanes and Drew Seeley in Jersey Boys.
Toronto Christmas Market
There's always a certain Dickensian charm to the cobble-stoned, gas-lamp-lit Distillery Historic District, but the holiday season amps up the vibe. In addition to the Christmas lights and carol singing, the shopping experience is augmented by music acts – the Grammy-nominated Measha Brueggergosman headlines Sunday (6:30 p.m.) – and if you need a break, the Soulpepper production of A Christmas Carol is selling Scrooge through Dec. 27 at the Young Centre. To Dec. 21. Free. 55 Mill St., torontochristmasmarket.com.
July Talk
"My guns and ammunition/ do very different things." The bluesy alt-rock quintet July Talk is led by Peter Dreimanis and Leah Fay, a dynamic duo who contrast visually and vocally. The band's eponymous debut album was issued in 2012, but the local act exploded this summer, largely on the strength of its stout, charismatic live energy. Two sold-out shows attest to the growing magnetism. Dec. 20, 7 p.m. $25. Phoenix, 410 Sherbourne St., unionevents.com; Dec. 21, 9 p.m. $30. Tattoo, 567 Queen St. W., ticketmaster.ca.
A Chorus Christmas: Ceremonial Splendour
The mighty-mite voiced Toronto Children's Chorus is joined by the acting legend Gordon Pinsent, whose august tones will be used to narrate John Rutter's Brother Heinrich's Christmas, a droll, music-set fable involving the voices of angels, an oboe solo and a helpful donkey who may or may not bray for a miracle. Carols will happen as well, with audience participation welcome. Dec. 20, 2 p.m. $35.50 to $45.50. Roy Thomson Hall, 60 Simcoe St., 416-872-4255 or masseyhall.com.
Art Spiegelman's Co-Mix: A Retrospective
They are rarely shown due to their fragility, but original manuscripts of Art Spiegelman's Pulitizer Prize-winning graphic novel Maus, which recounts his parents' life in Nazi-occupied Poland, are part of an exhibition on the work of New York comics artist. On the same floor is Out of the Fatherland, a 14-panel photorealist display by Toronto's Nina Bunjevac, whose graphic memoir Fatherland deals with a bomb-making father and a fractured former Yugoslavia. Dec. 20 to March 15, $11 to $19.50. AGO, 317 Dundas St. W., 416-979-6648 or ago.net.
Jersey Boys
The snazzy jukebox musical from Des McAnuff that tells the rags to Rag Doll history of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons is back in town once again. The production is hit-heavy – Sherry, Big Girls Don't Cry, Walk Like a Man, My Eyes Adored You, Oh What a Night and Can't Take My Eyes Off You are part of the harmony-happy score – but it is the sharp, inventive staging that is almost too good to be true. To Jan. 4. $25 to $130. Ed Mirvish Theatre, 244 Victoria St., 416-872-1212 or mirvish.com.
Brad Wheeler