Most live events have been postponed or adapted to virtual offerings in 2021.
Toronto follows public health measures enacted by the Ontario government to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Check the event website for the most up-to-date information. The content below is from past years of this event.
Kick off the holiday season with the lighting of Toronto’s official Christmas tree at this annual celebration.
Toronto quite literally lights up during the Cavalcade of Lights
Launch the holiday season in style!
This festive event, a Toronto tradition for over 50 years, features the illumination of Toronto’s official 30-foot (18-metre) Christmas tree, performances by some of Canada’s top musical talent, a brilliant fireworks show and a DJ skating party – all in the heart of the city at Nathan Phillips Square.
The 2019 event features:
Main Stage Schedule
A pre-show skating Party with DJ Mel Boogie, 6:30 p.m. Spinning hip hop, and funk classics, this award-winning DJ has been a pioneer of Canadian hip hop and has opened for Lauryn Hill, Busta Rhymes, Major Lazer, and more.
Elder Garry Sault takes the stage for a Traditional welcome acknowledging the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation at 7:20 pm.
Riit, 7:30 p.m. A new artist in the electropop world from Nunavut with Inuktitut lyrics and rhythmic vocals.
Lighting of the Tree, 8:10 pm. The first lighting of Toronto’s Official Christmas Tree.
Lemon Bucket Orkestra, 8:35 pm. An immersive brass band experience, combining guerrilla-folk, punk, and Balkan-folk, in an exciting genre-bending phenomenon.
Fireworks display, 9:30 p.m.
9:35 pm – Skating Party with DJ Mel Boogie:
Circus Arts
Les Oiseaux (The Birds), 6:30, 7:45 & 9:45. A spectacular performance by les Chasseurs with life-like wooden bird Puppets.
The Queen, 8:20, 9:00 & 10:10. A mesmerizing journey with eccentric characters swaying high above the ground by Creation In Vivo.
Don’t worry if you miss the kick-off event, the 525,000 lights and beautiful 60-foot Christmas tree will be twinkling away every evening all through the holiday season.
