As the holiday season reaches its peak, the week of December 19 to 25 offers a rich tapestry of pop culture events for Canadians to enjoy. From a long-awaited cinematic sequel to festive literary classics and new music from a rock legend, here are five major highlights to mark on your calendar.
Blockbuster Cinema and Wild Nature Documentaries
The week's biggest event is undoubtedly the theatrical release of Avatar: Fire and Ash on December 19. This marks the third chapter in James Cameron's groundbreaking sci-fi saga. The director, now 71, first conceived the world of Pandora as a teenager, sketching a bioluminescent forest after a vivid dream. The new film continues the story of Jake Sully (Sam Worthington) and Neytiri (Zoe Saldaña) as they lead their family in the battle against human colonization. With Avatar 4 and 5 already slated for 2029 and 2031, Cameron's epic journey is far from over.
Also launching on December 19 is the heartwarming docuseries Born to be Wild on Apple TV. Narrated by Downton Abbey star Hugh Bonneville, this six-part series follows endangered baby animals—including an elephant calf, cheetah cubs, and Iberian lynx kittens—as they are reared by humans with the goal of returning them to the wild. Filmed over several years across three continents, it's a poignant look at global conservation efforts.
New Music and Timeless Holiday Stories
Rock fans have a reason to celebrate as Peter Criss, the original drummer and co-founder of Kiss, releases his first solo album in nearly two decades on December 19. The self-titled record is billed as his "most rock driven solo album ever" and features notable guests like guitarist John 5 and bassist Billy Sheehan. The album includes 10 tracks plus a bonus song, Hard Rock Knockers, and is available on vinyl and CD.
No holiday week would be complete without Dr. Seuss's classic tale of redemption, How the Grinch Stole Christmas!. First published in 1957, the book has sold close to 10 million copies in North America alone. Its enduring message of anti-materialism and community spirit has inspired numerous adaptations. For those looking for a new twist, an official sequel, How the Grinch Lost Christmas!, was published in 2023.
A Week of Diverse Celebrations
The week culminates with Christmas on December 25, but it's bookended by several other meaningful observances. The winter solstice, the shortest day of the year, occurs on December 21. The non-commercial holiday of Festivus, popularized by Seinfeld, is celebrated on December 23. The Jewish festival of Hanukkah concludes on December 22, and Kwanzaa, a celebration of African-American culture, begins on December 26.
This final week of the year offers a perfect blend of spectacle, nostalgia, and communal spirit, inviting everyone to celebrate, in the words of Dr. Seuss, "heart to heart and hand in hand."
