Kolachinya from Macedonia, Ukrainian pyrizhky, Portuguese bolo rei, Filipino lumpya, Scots shortbread, Chilean alfajores and Polish barsczc. Plus enough cookies to make Santa Claus quake in his boots.

Where do all of these tasty items end up together? At the Christmas Around the World Festival.

The first time, about five years back, we found it by accident. Torontonians, like most urban people, don’t actually spend a lot of time at their local city hall. It’s a place to go for specific things such as licenses, or perhaps to pay a property tax bill or get a marriage license, but the residents of the city just don’t hang out there.

We popped in because we knew there was a bank machine in the main rotunda, and we were low on cash. Who knew that there would be a whole multicultural festival going on inside?

Not many people, apparently, as the Community Folk Art Council of Toronto’s annual Christmas Around the World event appears to be attended primarily by the friends and families of the groups participating.

Which is too bad, because it’s a fantastic two-day event showcasing the traditional Christmas festivities of over 18 different countries. The Community Folk Art Council has been doing this event for 43 years, and also does an Easter event that is very similar, showcasing traditional activities and foods.

Each country has a display that includes a decorated Christmas tree, a table full of traditional holiday foods, and a number of volunteers on hand to explain how that country celebrates Christmas. The displays include a number of items for sale, particularly food items and crafts, and in recent years, we’ve taken to showing up with empty containers so we can easily transport stuff home. In our house, we actually refer to the event as “Cookies Around the World” due to the huge variety of sweets available.

Besides the displays, participating cultural groups take part in the entertainment. A main stage features traditional dances and performances, and watching the gorgeous costumes and swirling skirts while snacking on some spanakopita or Chilean Alfajores (a sandwiched cookie full of dulce du leche) is a great way to spend an afternoon.

The event runs for two days only, on December 1st and 2nd, from noon to 5pm, although the Christmas trees will remain on display in the main rotunda until the new year. Participating countries and groups include: Slovak Republick, Hungary, Serbia, Madeira, Poland, Pioneer Canada, Russia, Philipines, Mexico, Ukraine, Macedonia, Chile, Scotland, Switzerland, Portugal and Colombia. Christmas Around the World is free to attend, and the food and crafts available are all very reasonably priced.

Christmas Around the World
Toronto City Hall Rotunda
100 Queen Street West
December 1st & 2nd, noon - 5pm
free admission