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
BREAKING Alice Munro, Nobel literature winner revered as short story master, dead at 92
Nobel laureate Alice Munro, the Canadian literary giant who became one of the world's most esteemed contemporary authors and one of history's most honoured short story writers, has died at age 92.
Latest updates on air quality alerts, and when the smoke may reach Ontario and Quebec
Wildfires have led Environment Canada to issue air quality advisories for parts of B.C., Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and the Northwest Territories, as forecasters warn the smoke could drift farther east.
Are these Canada's best restaurants? Annual top 100 list revealed
The annual list of Canada's top restaurants in the country was just released and here are the places that made the 2024 cut.
Attack on prison van in France kills 2 officers, inmate escapes
Armed assailants killed two French prison officers and seriously wounded three others in an attack on a convoy in Normandy on Tuesday and an inmate escaped, officials said.
Steal a car, lose your driver's licence for 10 years under new Ontario proposal
Repeat car thieves may face lengthy licence bans under proposed changes to Ontario’s Highway Traffic Act.
$1.6B parts plant for Honda electric vehicle batteries coming to Niagara Region
A Japanese company has announced it will build an approximately $1.6-billion plant in Ontario's Niagara Region that will make a key electric vehicle battery component as part of Honda's supply chain in the province.
B.C. brings in law on name changes on day that child killer's new identity revealed
The BC NDP have tabled legislation aimed at stopping people who have committed certain heinous acts from changing their names.
Manitoba premier to visit areas impacted by wildfire
Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew will get a close-up look at the devastation from a large wildfire burning in northern Manitoba Tuesday.
Significant police presence as Israeli flag flies at Ottawa City Hall
The Israeli flag is flying at Ottawa City Hall today to mark the country's national day, with plans to hold a private ceremony to mark Israel's Independence Day. There is a significant police presence at City Hall, including security barriers outside the main doors.