Dear reader,

A Mariah Carey concert and the city’s first snowfall in the same week? If ever there was a starting gun for the holiday season, there you have it. And Toronto malls, hotels, restaurants and bars are all over it, with festive markets and special menus. It can all be a little overwhelming—especially during a time of year when there’s already too much on our plates, both figuratively and literally. So we’ve gone ahead and ranked a dozen of the city’s best festive food-and-drink events to help you choose where and how to celebrate.

As for me, every year, my partner and I get together with my mom for a little pre-Christmas fun. This weekend, we’ll head downtown for the obligatory viewing of the Hudson Bay windows and Eaton Centre tree. Then, in lieu of presents, we’ll enjoy dinner at Barberian’s Steak House, where we will indulge in way more than the recommended amount of both red meat and red wine (the gift of gout!) before going home to finish the night with a martini (vodka, filthy) and—I’m not ashamed to admit it—a Hallmark movie, maybe two. It’s a tradition I look forward to more than the holidays themselves.

Dig out those ugly sweaters: it’s time to hit up the city’s overly festive events for seasonal snacks and drinks in sometimes-bordering-on-tacky settings. If your idea of getting into the holiday spirit means sipping spiked ’nog out of a Grinch-shaped mug under the gaze of a 10-foot-tall animatronic teddy bear, this list has you covered.

Soul Chocolate recently moved from their teeny storefront at Gerrard and Broadview to a much bigger space on Wagstaff, where customers can enjoy some of the city’s best hot cocoa while watching chocolate-making magic. Click here to see how chocolate chips are born.

Toronto’s coolest new underground supper club might just be Jeudr3di, a pop-up dinner party held in a different location and hosted by a different top chef every time. Here’s a recap of an end-of-summer event that took place on a rooftop and started with a very interesting amuse bouche.

915 Dupont started as an under-the-radar listening lounge to cozy up over a coffee and a game of chess. Now, there’s a full menu of Japense-inspired small plates and boozy drinks, including a curated selection of Japanese whiskey, sake and a whole bunch of highballs.

In the latest issue: our annual ranking of the people whose courage, smarts and clout are changing our city—and the world—as we know it. Plus, the ultimate holiday gift guide, memories of 888 Dupont, a Q&A with prog-rock icon Geddy Lee, and more. Still not receiving Toronto Life at home? Subscribe today.