Weekend events in Toronto will be overwhelming if you're into hitting winter markets and craft shows, so you might want to opt out all together and sip a glass of champagne while browsing vintage gifts for yourself, or getting rowdy in the pit at a holiday punk show.

Here are my picks for the top events happening in Toronto December 5-7, 2014.

Union Station Holiday Market (Until December 7, Union Station)
Pretty self explanatory: local vendors have packed Union Station to sell tiny hand crafted treasures that they made in their free time. No judgement, I do odd stuff in my free time too. Check out our slideshow here. 65 Front St West.

PARTY & MUSIC

Telephone Explosion Xmas Party (December 5, S.H.I.B.G.B.S)
Toronto record label Telephone Explosion invites you to "come get sloppy" at their annual punk X-mas party. This year's line-up includes the Soupcans, Teenanger, and LIDS, an 'old/new' band featuring Brian from Holy Fuck, Doug from The Cons, and Alex from Metz. Merch will be discounted in the spirit of the season, tickets are $10, and it's all ages.

Jason Collett's Basement Revue (December 5, 12, 26, The Dakota)
Collett's annual Basement Revue shows promise an element of surprise, as you don't know who will be performing out of the star-studded contact list of locals on his phone. From punk to choral, find more holiday concerts here.

Promise German Sparkle Party (December 5, Atlantis)
It's hard to explain what this imported German party concept is, but it's loosely based around the quirky video for this silly techno pop song, and basically just an excuse to wear strange costumes. For this edition, Promise are bringing in Dutch tech house DJ Miss Melera, alongside their usual roster of local heroes. 10pm, $30. For more dance parties, click here. BB

ART

Girls Art League Art Auction Fundraiser (December 6, OCAD)
Worthy cause Girls Art League has some big names and up and comers on their auction block: Shary Boyle, Rob Macinnis, Jess Riva Cooper, Sarah Bodri, Brette Gabel, Diana Lynn Vandermeulen, Benjamin Oakley, Alicia Nauta, Erica Beyea, Julia Dickens, the amazing Beth Frey and more have contributed.

Beware of the Beast (Until December 20, Narwhal)
Jamiyla Lowe's Beware of the Beast is a special take on snakes and ladders, and here a group of artists take inspiration from the history of games. No longer in the Junction, the gallery is now just east of Roncesvalles on Dundas West.

FILM

Free Japanese Movies (December 7-9, Bloor Cinema)
Toronto's Japan Foundation teams up with the Consulate-General of Japan on Sunday to present free programming focused on the youth of Japan. Films include 'Til the Break of Dawn, Kids Police, and a movie I watched on a plane once and fell in love with, the adorable Akko-chan: The Movie.

Human Rights Film Festival (December 5-7, TIFF)
December isn't as film fest-addicted as November, what with all the sprees of Christmas nostalgia on TV, but the Jayu's 3rd Annual Human Rights Film Festival should get you in a charitable spirit. The theme is pretty timely: "persecution, women, and children." Check out the schedule here.

SHOPPING & LIFESTYLE

Bit Bazaar Winter Market (December 6, Bento Miso)
The nerdiest market in Toronto is back! Check it out for the indie games, stay for the geeky shopping. And the geeks. Meow. Bento Miso Collaborative Workspace.

Koffler Couture: Designer Vintage Sale (December 7-8, Koffler Gallery)
Want to wear Chanel home to the trailer park? Me too. Koffler Gallery at Artscape Youngplace wants to set you up with vintage designer duds for cheap. Pro tip: chant Versace over and over until spending $50 on the VIP showing and free champagne starts to seem cool.

BOOKS

TCAF Pop Up (Toronto Reference Library)
Hark the cel shaded angels sing, local shop The Beguiling is teaming up with the Toronto Reference Library for a holiday pop up for the indie comic book fans on your list. What's that, you don't have a list? Pull your socks up, slacker. The pop up is going to stick around in the new year, too - read more here.

THEATRE

A Christmas Carol (Until December 27, Soulpepper - Young Centre)
Soulpepper presents Michael Shamata's adaptation of Charles Dickens' classic story, bringing to life fated visits from the ghosts of present, past, and future. The correction of Ebenezer Scrooge is a well-known story, teaching us that, during the holidays and in general, to give is always better than to receive. KB

For more events this weekend click on over to our Events section. Have an event you'd like to plug? Submit it for free using this form.

Contributions by Benjamin Boles, Keith Bennie
Photo by