Toronto’s official Christmas tree lighting ceremony will return to Nathan Philips Square on Saturday, November 25th and will feature mesmerizing light installations, and show-stopping performances.
The 57th annual Cavalcade of Lights presented by Desjardins Financial Group will run until January 7th, 2024. Nathan Phillips Square will shimmer with mesmerizing light displays and festive décor which highlights light festivals and cultural celebrations around the world.
The event kicks off with an opening night celebration from 3 to 11 p.m. on Saturday, November 25, featuring the Christmas tree lighting at 6:30 p.m.
The festivities include a variety of performances across multiple stages:
- The Main Stage will feature a blend of cultural music and dance, including performances by the Toronto Chinese Orchestra, Polky with Polish folk music, Jewish music by Horah Machine, and R&B, soul, and jazz by Zaki Ibrahim.
- A unique mix of Taiwanese Jia-Jiang folk rituals and Western street dance by T.S.D Crew will be showcased in collaboration with LunarFest GTA.
- The Circle Stage will host diverse acts ranging from hoop dancing by River Christie-White to Celtic tunes by Alana & Leigh Cline, Iranian music by the Canadian Golha Orchestra, and the Counter Measure Holiday Singers. Special fire performances by Hoop You and stilt-walking by Hala on Stilts will add to the event’s charm.
Public skating sessions will be available at the Skating Rink, interspersed with skating showcases by Team Trinity featuring 2022 Olympian and two-time National Champion Madeline Schizas.
Roving performances throughout the event include Trash Panda Brass, Caribbean Steel drumming by Kenn Lewis, and Portuguese songs by Banda do Senhor Cristo Santo of Toronto.
This year’s light installations will feature elements from a variety of holiday traditions associated with light, lanterns and fire including:
- The ECHO, south of the Main Stage, is an interactive installation allowing participants to explore the power of their voices.
- The Lunar Lanterns of Indigenous Lights around the Circle Stage will display stories of family, nature, and hope by Indigenous artists.
- Peace & Love Lanterns, hand-crafted by over 50 artisans from Zigong, China, will be exhibited at the City Hall Main Entrance.
- Decorative banners inspired by various cultures and light festivals will be displayed in partnership with MuseArts.
Like last year, there will not be any fireworks.
2023 Cavalcade of Lights – Event Information
What: Experience the magic of the holiday season with Cavalcade of Lights at Nathan Phillips Square. This year, the festivities will transform City Hall and its surroundings into a dazzling wonderland.
When:
November 25 to January 7, 2024
Opening Night:
Saturday, November 25, 2023 | 3 to 11 p.m., The Christmas tree-lighting takes place at 6:30 p.m.
Main Stage
3 p.m. Welcome & blessing by Indigenous Elder Cat Criger
3:30 p.m. Toronto Chinese Orchestra
4:30 p.m. Polish folk music by Polky
5:30 p.m. Freylekh (joyous) Jewish music by Horah Machine
6:30 p.m. Lighting of the Christmas tree & Nathan Phillips Square
7 p.m. R&B, soul & jazz music by Zaki Ibrahim
9 & 10 p.m. Taiwanese Jia-Jiang folk rituals with western street dance by T.S.D Crew , in partnership with LunarFest GTA
Circle Stage
3:10 p.m. Hoop dancing by River Christie-White
4 p.m. Celtic tunes by Alana & Leigh Cline
6 p.m. Music by Drives the Common Man
7 p.m. Fire performance by Hoop You with music by Zaki Ibrahim
8:30 p.m. Iranian music by Canadian Golha Orchestra
9:30 p.m. Counter Measure Holiday Singers
10:50 p.m. Hitmen Drumline
Skating Rink
Programming presented by Desjardins Financial Group
10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Public skating
5 p.m. Skating showcase by Team Trinity with 2022 Olympian & two-time National Champion Madeline Schizas
5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Public skating
8 p.m. Skating showcase by Team Trinity with 2022 Olympian & two-time National Champion Madeline Schizas
8:30 to 11 p.m. Public Skating
Roving Performances
3:10, 4:30 & 5:30 p.m. Trash Panda Brass
4 & 5:30 p.m. Caribbean Steel drumming by Kenn Lewis on the south lawn
9:30 p.m. Fire performance by the Hoop You Trio on Queen St.
5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Stilt-walking by Hala on Stilts
6 & 7 p.m. Portuguese songs by Banda do Senhor Cristo Santo of Toronto, in partnership with The Santa Claus Parade
9 & 10:30 p.m. Hitmen Drumline
DJ Skate Party: Saturday, December 2
5 to 8 p.m. at the Nathan Phillips Square Rink
Skate to the beats of Canadian-Tamil artist Lady Pista .
How Much: Free
Where: Nathan Phillips Square, 100 Queen St W, Toronto
Road closures for both vehicles and pedestrian traffic will be in effect from 1:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. as follows:
- Queen Street West from Yonge Street to University Avenue. Local traffic only from between York Street and University Avenue
- Bay Street from Dundas Street West to Richmond Street. Local traffic only from Dundas Street West to Albert Street
- Albert Street local traffic only between James Street and Bay Street
- York Street local traffic only between Richmond Street West and Queen Street West
- Hagerman Street from Elizabeth Street to Bay Street
- Elizabeth Street full closure between Foster Place and Hagerman Street
Parking will be suspended the full length of Chestnut Street and Armoury Street.