The top events in Toronto this winter should add some excitement to your brand new Pug Puppies calendar (not that it needs it). Look forward to a huge art installation at Union Station, a merging of fine dining and indie music, and festivals for film fans, fringe theatre lovers, and geeks. If you didn't know about the Pug Puppies calendar, sorry for spoiling the surprise.

Here are my picks for winter's can't-miss events in Toronto.

See also: 50 things to do this winter in Toronto 2015

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

Next Stage Theatre Fest (January 7 - 18)
The Toronto Fringe's annual Next Stage fest is a must-hit for indie (/punk?) theatre fans, as is the beer tent. Tickets and schedule are available via Next's website.

Villa Toronto (January 16-23, Union Station)
Co-organized by Raster Gallery in Warsaw and Art Metropole, over 20 contemporary art galleries will take over Union Station for Villa Toronto, a major contemporary art festival that's previously been held in Tokyo and Reykjavik. Concerts and other events will run in conjunction with the fest. Read more here. DF

Toronto Design Offsite Festival (January 19-25)
Each winter, design installations and unusual prototypes get rolled into public spaces for Design Offsite. This year's fest features screenings, panels, window installations, and more; check out the festival's site for the growing lineup. A highlight each year is the Gladstone's Come Up to My Room exhibit, which gives designers free rein on the hotel's rooms on the second and third floor. DF

Eat and Greet the Band (Starts January 24)
Dinner and a show? Collective Concerts and Rose & Son's is kicking off a series of pre-show dinners where fans will have the chance to mingle and munch with their favourite musical acts. The first event happening Saturday January 24 at the Phoenix will feature a menu from Big Crow tailored to the tastes of Canadian alt-country trio, Elliott Brood. LI

Winterlicious (January 30 - February 12)
The prolific prix-fixe festival returns at restaurants citywide. 2015's menus have been released by the City of Toronto. Over 200 restaurants are participating, including Spice Route on King who plan to recreate an Asian street market. LI

Roundhouse Winter Craft Beer Festival (January 31, Steam Whistle Brewery)
The second annual Winter Craft Beer Festival hosted by Steam Whistle Brewery returns to the Roundhouse Park from 11am to 5pm. Over 20 breweries and 5 food trucks have already confirmed they'll be in attendance, and the first 500 people through the gates will get a 2015 festival toque. Tickets are on sale now for $20 (+$5 at the gate). LI

Winterfolk Music Festival (February 13-15, The Danforth)
Winterfolk's 13th will give Toronto's down home music fans the chance to see 150 urban, blues, rock, jazz, country, folk and roots music artists performing on multiple stages in the Danforth and Broadview area. Performers are TBA.

Wavelength 15 (February 13-15)
Get in the know with Toronto's weird scene at Wavelength. For the first time ever the fest will stretch across multiple venues as it celebrates its 15th year with a theme of Past, Present and Future. The line up is TBA, but expect some local favourites and a lot of up and coming talent. If you can't wait, check out Class of 2014 at Silver Dollar.

ComicCon (March 20-22, Metro Toronto Convention Centre)
Hobby Star's Toronto Comicon is baby brother to Fan Expo, but it's one of the year's biggest fan events. The schedule is TBA, but eager geeks should expect entertainment, vendors, speakers, and much more.

What did I miss? Leave the winter events you're most looking forward to in the comments.

Contributions by Derek Flack, Liora Ipsum