There are plenty of laughs to be had in theatre this week. With Soulpepper’s Impulse Festival beginning December 12 along with a number of other hysterical holiday themed improv and comedy opening this week, you’re bound to find something to defeat the winter blahs and tickle your funny bone.

Christmas at Choke-Poke Toys Impulse Festival and Soulpepper present a 55-hour improvised soap opera marathon w/ Colin Mochrie, Linda Kash and guest troupes. Opens Dec 13 and runs to Dec 15, from Fri 3 pm to Sun 10 pm. Pwyc donation to Gilda’s Club Greater Toronto. Young Centre for the Performing Arts, 50 Tank House Lane. 416-866-8666, soulpepper.ca/impulse.

Impulse Festival (Soulpepper/The National Theatre of the World). Improvisational troupes from around the world perform and present workshops. Dec 12-15, see website for schedule. $20, stu $15, workshops extra. Young Centre for the Performing Arts, 50 Tank House Lane. soulpepper.ca.

Poinsettia The Bad Dog Repertory Players present unscripted comedy about unexpected connections w/ Jess Bryson, Kyle Dooley and others. Opens Nov 27 and runs to Dec 18, Wed Wednesdays 9:30 pm. $12, stu $10. Comedy Bar, 945 Bloor W. 416-551-6540, baddogtheatre.com.

Special Constables (Circlesnake Productions). This improvised action-comedy features the TTC Transit Police taking on a Metropass counterfeiting ring. Opens Dec 5 and runs to Dec 21, Wed-Sun 8 pm, mat Sat 2 pm. $20. The Storefront Theatre, 955 Bloor W. circlesnake.com.

A Very Chris-terical Christmas Cabaret (Chris Tsujiuchi). Anthony Rinaldi, Stacey Maroske, Tsujiuchi and others keep the yuletide gay in this seasonal cabaret. Dec 14-15, Sat-Sun 8 pm. $15-$20. Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, 12 Alexander. 416-975-8555, buddiesinbadtimes.com.