How To Celebrate Thanksgiving In Toronto

The ‘turducken’, or ‘three-bird roast’, is rumored to have gained its fame back in 1989 when John Madden, NFL commentator, expressed his love for the dish; but this multi-stuffed bird has been seen at feasts since the times of the Romans. The more technical term for the process is better left unnamed, but this meat-lover’s dream involves stuffing a de-boned chicken with sausage, which is then stuffed into a de-boned duck, which is then (wait for it) stuffed into a turkey. This is all roasted together to make one big sweet meat pie. Do yourself a favor, and accept the challenge: you won’t regret it. Needs tips? Find them here.

A wise man (RIP Johnny Carson) once said, ‘Thanksgiving is an emotional time. People travel thousands of miles to be with people they see only once a year. And then discover once a year is way too often.’ Well said, Johnny, well said. Whether you agree with the former Tonight Show host or not, Friendsgiving has become a new trend that many have begun to pick up – it could be an escape from your crazy family, or just another excuse to host a muy bueno fiesta with all of the other special people in your life. If you’re a first-timer, don’t forget to follow these rules any Friendsgiving planner should know. Looking for tricks and tips? We’ve got you covered.

While local food banks and shelters require donations and volunteers throughout the year, the holiday season is an especially demanding time. Embrace the true spirit of thanks by giving back. Here is a round-up of organizations that can always use your support:

Food banks:

Food Banks Canada; Daily Bread; North York Harvest; Fort York Food Bank; Veg Food Bank; The Stop; Toronto Vegetarian Food Bank

Shelters:

YWCA Toronto; Covenant House Toronto; Youth Without Shelter; Ernestine’s; Red Door Shelter

With fall-inspired flavours seeping into brews (and we don’t just mean pumpkin-spiced), beer tasting has just been taken to another level. Here’s a few of our faves:

Muskoka Harvest Ale: a dry-hopped ale with a rich, malty flavor.

Amsterdam Brewery’s Autumn Hop: hoppity, hop. A tad bitter, but with a fresh, crisp finish.

Barley Days Brewery’s Yuletide Cherry Porter: malty, hoppy, cherry perfection (unfiltered brew).

Black Oak Nutcracker Porter: full-bodied with flavors of cinnamon (and Christmas).

Wellington Brewery’s Frost Quake: Bourbon Barrel-Aged Barley Wine goes like BOOM. Toffee, biscuit, and vanilla; beware, this baby stands at a whopping 9.8% alc/vol. There’s also the Yuletide Barley Wine, another fan favorite.

Railway City Hoptoberfest: hops with an amber-lager style. Think: caramelized pears and butterscotch candy.

Nickel Brook Brewing Co. Maple Porter: what dreams are made of – a sweet and malty combination.

Great Lakes Brewery’s Pumpkin Ale: pumpkin, cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, and allspice. Hello, autumn.

There are some Thanksgiving classics. We suggest any (or all) of the following:

Pieces of April: a pre-Tom Cruise Katie Holmes attempts to make dinner, despite precarious family dynamics – and an inability to cook.

Planes, Trains, and Automobiles: what more could you want from a film than Steve Martin and the late, great, Canadian John Candy?

A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving: ultimate classic.

Addams Family Values: a young Christina Ricci as Wednesday Addams in the Thanksgiving play scene: enough said.

The Ice Storm: set on Thanksgiving weekend of 1973, The Ice Storm explores the lives of a Connecticut family, where appearances are deceiving, and familial dysfunction is at an all-time high. Watch, and be comforted by the fact your family is actually quite normal in comparison.

Ensure you’re well-stocked for a pumpkin carving contest with a trip to the pumpkin patch. We highly recommend getting lost in the corn maze at Downey’s Farm, but the Greater Toronto Area has no shortage of pumpkin patches to visit.

It’s time to give thanks, and what better way than with a delicious apple pie. Who doesn’t love apple pie? Need some direction? Here’s a recipe to get you started. Fancy picking those apples yourself? Even better. There’s no shortage of apple picking orchards around the GTA. Alternatively, head to any of your local farmers’ markets.

It’s that time of year again. The leaves begin to change colour, there’s a chill in the air, and everyone’s losing their minds over pumpkin spice lattes. Luckily for us, fall-themed treats don’t just come in coffee form. Toronto has upped their dessert game, and you can find deliciousness all over the city.

Toronto’s bars have long-embraced concocting creative cocktails, and you’ll find no shortage of autumnal inspired libations. Using flavours and ingredients that reflect the fall season, look for drinks made with warm bourbons, cinnamon, nutmeg, pumpkin and pear.

Embrace your inner lumberjack: put on your finest flannel shirt and Levi’s jeans, and get prepared to do some real life axe-throwing. That’s right – taking it back to the early settlers and pioneers, BATL gives attendees the chance to feel transported to another era – if only turkeys were the designated targets, the experience would be much more real. If it doesn’t get any better, you can BYOB (fridge included) and have yourself a party. Don’t forget to book online in advance; or, if you’re a pro, join a league. Open from 12-8 p.m. daily.

Various locations throughout Ontario.

Kitchener, ON

This nine-day festival filled with beers and brats galore isn’t one to be missed. Said to be the largest on this continent, the Bavarian celebration is nothing short of what you would imagine goes down in Munich: food, music, dancing, lederhosen, and lots and lots of beer.

Various locations throughout Kitchener and Waterloo. Check the website for more details.