Everyone loves great fireworks, and Christmas is all about lighting up the neighborhood — so why not combine the two?
That’s the thinking behind Toronto’s annual Cavalcade of Lights Festival, celebrating its 42nd year and culminating in four nights of opulent explosions in City Hall’s Nathan Phillips Square. Starting on November 29 with a tree-lighting ceremony, then continuing for three Saturdays (December 6, 13 and 20), celebrations in Toronto’s downtown focal point include public skating on the square’s photogenic frozen pool and hours of live music.
Each night culminates with extraordinary fireworks. From the base to the top of City Hall, lights spin, erupt and cascade, all choreographed to music. At one point, a row of yellow lights drapes the front of the multi-story building, reflected in the windows like a bright waterfall.
In addition to the festivities at the urban core, approximately 19 neighborhoods across Toronto participate by stringing up light displays: Picture tiny bulbs over Greektown’s fountain in Alexander the Great Park; a larger-than-life glowing orange tiger marking the entrance to Little Korea; and eye-popping radiance emanating from Toronto’s iconic Chinatown. All displays use energy-efficient LED lights.
There’s a bus tour that takes participants from one neighborhood to another, and if you don’t want to brave the Canadian cold, the best sheltered view of the downtown fireworks is from a room at the Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel across from City Hall.