Toronto's Cavalcade of Lights illuminates Nathan Phillips Square
The City of Toronto has kicked off the start of the holiday season as its Cavalcade of Lights display got underway Saturday at Nathan Phillips Square.
The event was marked by the first lighting of the City’s 58-foot Christmas tree at 5:15 p.m. as well as a DJ skating party, and live entertainment.
Guests experienced tunnels made from thousands of energy-efficient bulbs or glowing ice sculptures in an enchanted forest all while beams of light animated City Hall.
Performances at this year’s event included one by Montreal-based Le Patin Libre, featuring national ice-skating champions and world bronze medalists Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier. A Bollywood dance by Kanushree Jain and a lantern installation by Muse Arts was also featured.
Nathan Phillips Square is home to one of 38 locations open to skaters looking to get some ice time in the city as of today, weather permitting. The remaining 13 outdoor rinks will open on Dec. 4.
There are some road closures in effect as a result of Saturday’s event, including:
- Bay St. from Dundas St. to Queen St. W.
- James St. from Queen St. to Albert St.
- Albert St. from James St. to Bay St.
- Elizabeth St. from Foster Pl. to Hagerman St.
- Hagerman St. from Elizabeth St. to Bay St.
The event was developed with guidance from Toronto Public health. As such, the city recommended that guests keep a two metre distance from people they don’t live with as much as possible.
“Provincial regulations require mask wearing at outdoor events when physical distancing is not possible. If you are sick or have cold or flu-like symptoms, please stay at home and seek testing,” the city said in a news release.
The month-long event runs until January 2.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Live updates as Stormy Daniels testifies at Trump hush money trial
Adult film star Stormy Daniels will take the stand a second time Thursday as former U.S. president Donald Trump’s hush money case continues in Manhattan. Follow live updates here.
NEW Why these immigrants to Canada say they're thinking about leaving, or have already moved on
For some immigrants, their dreams of permanently settling in Canada have taken an unexpected twist.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
NEW Capital gains tax change 'shortsighted' and 'sows division' business groups tell Freeland
Forging ahead with increasing Canada's capital gains inclusion rate 'sows division,' and is a 'shortsighted' way to improve the deficit, business groups are warning Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland.
Ontario man frustrated after $3,500 paving job leaves driveway in shambles
An Ontario man considering having his driveway paved received a quote from a company for $7,000, but then, another paver in the neighbourhood knocked on his door and offered half that rate.
RateMDs violates privacy of health professionals, class-action lawsuit claims
A lawsuit against RateMDs has been given the go-ahead by a B.C. Supreme Court judge who found the claim that the website violates the privacy rights of medical professionals is not 'bound to fail.'
Defence attacks Stormy Daniels' credibility as she returns to the stand in Trump's hush money trial
Stormy Daniels will return to the witness stand Thursday in Donald Trump's hush money trial as the defence tries to undermine the credibility of the porn actor's salacious testimony about their alleged sexual encounter and the money she was paid to keep quiet.
With contactless screening tech, this Toronto startup hopes to catch breast cancer early — and save lives
Amid evidence of rising breast cancer rates among young women in Canada, one Toronto startup is offering a contactless and radiation-free device that can help doctors identify suspicious changes in breast tissue. The company, Linda Lifetech, says this can lead to earlier detection of breast cancer.
Tornadoes tear through southeastern U.S. as storms leave 3 dead
Forecasters warned a wave of dangerous storms in the U.S. could wash over parts of the South early Thursday, a day after severe weather with damaging tornadoes and large hail killed at least three people in the region.