Toronto’s City Hall is once again preparing to kick off the holiday season in style, with the 58th annual Cavalcade of Lights returning this weekend.
Presented by Desjardins Group, Nathan Phillips Square will be lit up with hundreds of thousands of sparkling lights for its opening night, taking place this Saturday November 30 2024.
The celebration is inspired by holiday festivals and cultures around the globe, and you’ll be enchanted by beautiful light installations, hand-crafted illuminated lanterns, art installations, and the official tree-lighting ceremony.
This year’s opening night festivities include the following:
Live Performances
Starting at 5 p.m., attendees can enjoy music and circus acts. The night’s lineup includes Zaynab Wilson MoZayic and Moskitto Bar, alongside holiday choirs and DJ sets.
Tree-Lighting Ceremony
At 6:40 p.m., watch as Toronto’s official Christmas tree and Nathan Phillips Square lights up, marking the start of the holiday season.
Free Ice Skating
Public skating opens at 5 p.m., followed by an awe-inspiring showcase from two-time national pairs medalists Lia Pereira and Trennt Michaud, as well as performances from the North Toronto Skating Club and Toronto Metropolitan University Skating Club. After the showcase (7:15-7:40 p.m.), public skating resumes until 10 p.m.
Standing at an impressive 55 ft tall, crowds are expected to gather to countdown the illumination of the giant white spruce tree, which occurs at 6:30 p.m. on November 25.
If you don’t own skates, you can rent them directly onsite.
Cavalcade of Lights is an entirely free event to attend, so lace up and get ready to experience the magic of the holidays downtown Toronto!
Dates: November 30, 2024 – January 7, 2025
Location: Nathan Phillips Square – 100 Queen St W, Toronto