Weekend events in Toronto should help put off the ennui you feel as reality bridges with the dreamworld that was your perfect 2015. Laundry's piled up and masses of strange, unwanted foods are spoiling in the fridge, so why not go out to laugh it off at a comedy festival, have a meal while watching live bands, grab free art, or see one of 2014's best Canadian films.

Here are my picks for the top events happening in Toronto January 2-4, 2014.

Feast in the East (January 3, Jam Factory)
A ticket to the first Feast in the East of the year includes a free Dutch dinner by Justin Go, and performances by stellar and spooky Toronto psych acts Doomsquad, Zones, Matrox, and Barbara. The gang are starting the year off right in the east end. All ages.

PARTY & MUSIC

Class of 2015 (January 3, SIlver Dollar)
No need to mope around after the NYE fuss is over - live music fans will have more fun launching 2015 with the New Year's Indie Music Honour Roll series at Silver Dollar. Running weekends from January 3 - 30 catch seven different line ups. Saturday's includes Only Yours, Wax Atlantic, the Holy Gasp, and Fever City.

FILM

Canada's Top Ten (January 2-11, TIFF)
TIFF excites the city each year, but it's our homegrown talent that fills our hearts with pride the most. The nominees for best Canadian picture are Denis Villeneuve's Enemy, Michael Dowse's The F Word, and Xavier Dolan's Mommy. In addition to these major films, the festival will Canadian docs and feature interviews with Naomi Klein, Avi Lewis, and Agent Johnny Utah (you know, Keenu Reeves). DF

ART

Take Home a Piece of Clare Twomey: Piece by Piece (Jan 4, Gardiner Museum)
If you've been admiring Clare Twomey 2,000 piece installation of dainty figurines at the Gardiner, this is your chance to the artists' work home - for free. For the price of admission ($15) this could stand as your best chance to be a fancy art collector on a shoestring budget this year.

THEATRE

Cinderella (Elgin Theatre, until January 4)
You can say this about the annual Ross Petty pantomime - you certainly won't be bored. Questionable taste level and overt corporate sponsorship aside (be ready for commercials at the theatre), Petty has a way of cramming each production chock full of local commentary, sight gags, and the year's pop hits. Check out our review from seasons past. $27-$93 KB

COMEDY

Festival of New Formats (Jan 1-5, Comedy Bar)
This free multi-day festival at Comedy Bar will have you laughing your way into the new year. The shows start on Thursday night and carry on over the weekend to Monday - check out some of the line ups here.

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 Keith Bennie

Photos by Kat Rizza