Lumière: The Art of Light in Toronto 2025

In the half of Ontario Place that isn't a future private spa there is a park with a number of light installations that are interesting enough in the daytime to spark a visit. I am sure they look even better at night (From Dusk to 11:00 PM nightly, weekends included).

Lux Array

The Lumiere installation map

From the Ontario Place website, "Experience the enchantment of Lumière: The Art of Light, a free outdoor light exhibition that will transform Trillium Park at Ontario Place into a mesmerizing display of light-based art from March 10 to April 4, 2025. Featuring 14 bold and imaginative installations by talented Ontario-based artists across diverse disciplines, Lumière brings the theme of “Neon Dreams: Light and Colour” to life. Whether you’re seeking inspiration, sparking curiosity, or simply embracing wonder, Lumière invites you to discover the magic of light and art. Bonfires: Cozy up at the Trillium Park fire pit every Friday and Saturday, 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM. During March Break, bonfires will light up nightly! (weather permitting)."

Nostalgia Mechanica

Golden Eye

See more of the art after the jump.

Winter Stations art installations at Woodbine Beach until March 30

Toronto's only reason to go on the sandy beach in mid-winter continues from Family Day (Feb 17) until the end of March (Mar 30), 2025 at Woodbine Beach. The free public exhibition features six temporary works of art, or art-like, things. 'Slice of Sun' is shown in the photo at top.

Inside Slice. Slice of Sun by Cláudia Franco, Mariam Daudali, Tom Byrom (Portugal)

Winter Stations is an annual, single-stage international design competition that places the art around, or adjacent to the lifeguard towers along Kew and Woodbine beaches. While the beaches are busy during the summer, it is nice that the works bring people to the beach in the cold of winter. For 2025 the theme is Dawn, explained as follows.

From the Winter Stations website, "Dawn marks the beginning of a new era for Winter Stations as it steps into its 11th year, symbolizing a fresh chapter in its creative journey. Just as the first light of morning breaks through the darkness, the exhibition will explore the moments of profound change that redefine and shape our existence, highlighting the delicate process of shedding old layers to emerge as something new. Dawn represents the shift from night to day, and this year, designers are invited to explore how Winter Stations can evolve, and to consider the future of the exhibition and its relationship with the public and the environment. "

Parade by Jesse Beus (USA)

Peak by University of Waterloo School of Architecture and the Department of Architectural Engineering (Canada)

See more of Winter Stations after the jump.

Toronto Motorama Custom Car & Motorsports Expo 2025

Canada's biggest, baddest indoor car show is back in town for the annual eBay Motors Toronto Motorama Custom Car & Motorsports Expo. The auto enthusiast and motorsports show is in the International Centre from March 7 to 9, 2025. A model from last year's show is posted at top, now let's see the 2025 show.

The NASCAR Canada Series trophy and racecar

It's all automotive during the show with custom cars, hot rods, tuners, race cars, trucks along with some truly impressive vehicles like the NHRA Top Fuel Dragster, two Batmobile inspired cars, joined by two dozen car clubs plus some celebrities like Chip Foose and the Rust Bros.

Rust Bros Avery "Wildman" Shoaf and Mike Hall at their Q&A

This truly is a massive show and the lineups to get into Motorama are challenging to get into the parking. Don't forget about the nearby GO Station parking lot off of Derry Road, go through the tunnels and into the International Centre.

Chip Foose signs autographs for a long line of fans

From the show, "Saturday & Sunday, meet Chip Foose the star of the legendary TV show Overhaulin’ and one of the industry’s most talented, respected and beloved designer/builders. All three days, it’s the Rust Bros 2.0 at Motorama! The stars of their own YouTube channels and TV’s Rust Valley Restorers, Mike Hall and Avery Shoaf are coming back to cause more chaos. Last year, they drove through a prairie blizzard, from BC. This year, Mike is taking the train to Toronto!"

You can also tour the halls of the Centre for Straight Axle Madness and their drag cars, visit the Gulf Race Fuels Racing Zone presented by Stoneridge with over 80 race cars on display, discover Spring Fever with modified cars and the tuner lifestyle or see Truck-O-Rama on display with all types of trucks.

Some of the pinup contestants 

The 'Backroom' will feature the old school lifestyle along with vintage cars and pinup girls. The Miss Motorama Pinup Pageant which takes place Saturday, March 8 at 1:30pm in Hall 3.

Some of the special events happening over the weekend are Fast Eddie Speedwear Night of Champions, Past Grand Champions, the Hagerty Awards with the Motorama Grand Champion crowned Sunday and watch the Meguiar's Stage for celebrity Q&A sessions, award presentations and the ever popular panel discussions.

Show Info:

Toronto International Centre 

Fri, March 7 (10 am - 8 pm)

Sat, March 8 (10 am - 8 pm)

Sun, March 9 (10 am - 5 pm)

Adults $25 | Seniors (65+) $20 | Youth (7-15) $17 | Children (0-6) Free

See more of the cars after the jump.

Win tickets to the Boat Show 2025 at the International Centre

Update: Patrick R has won the tickets. Congrats Patrick and thanks for entering the contest.

Toronto is blessed to sit along the beautiful body of water currently known as Lake Ontario (I don't think its been changed by that guy yet) and if you don't have a boat, how can you possibly live life to the fullest? Probably, like most of us, you would just dream of the boat life or you could see the watercraft at the Boat Show at the International Centre, Hall 2 from March 27 to 30, 2025. If you would like a chance to win a set of tickets to the show, good for one day's entrance for two people, then shoot me an email (jmhcet@gmail.com) or comment on this post. Good luck to everyone.

From the show, "The Boat Show at the International Centre is an immersive boating and marine-related showcase. Visitors will have the unique opportunity to explore a wide array of watercraft, from sleek luxury to high-performance to family-orientated vessels. There will also be family-friendly pontoons, water fun, and fishing. Whether you dream of conquering the waves or skimming the calm waters, this event has everything waiting for you."

Some of the highlights of the show include some boat manufacturers that you will only see at this show (Robalo, Frauscher, Alukin, Nimbus, Centurion, Supreme Nautique, Chris Craft, Chaparral, and Sea Ray) and witness some new model unveilings, spectacular exhibitions of technology, products and services and look for some exclusive boat show offers.

Show Info:

Where: International Centre
6900 Airport Road, Mississauga

Date and hours: 

Thursday, March 27, 2025, 01:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Friday, March 28th, 2025, 11:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Saturday, March 29th, 2025, 10:00 am – 7:00 pm
Sunday, March 30th, 2025, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm

Admission:
Seniors 65 years & Older: $17.00
Adults $20.00
Youths 6-12: $15.00
Kids under 10: Free
Parking is free at the International Centre

Win tickets to the Spring Toronto Motorcycle & Powersports Supershow 2025

Update: The tickets have been won by Jay L. Thanks to all that have entered the giveaway.

Toronto is heading into the sweet spot of winter, the springy part of winter and what better way to celebrate the upcoming warmer weather than to pick out your new motorcycle, or new to you motorcycle. And where can you see plenty of new models along with some previously owned bikes and accessories? At the Spring Toronto Motorcycle & Powersports Supershow, naturally, which will run March 29 and 30, 2025 in Hall 1 of the International Centre. If you would like a chance to win a set of tickets to the show, good for one day's entrance for two people, then shoot me an email (jmhcet@gmail.com) or comment on this post. Good luck to everyone.

In addition to finding used bikes you could even sell your bike at the show, then you could check out the new bike market with 2025 models in dealer displays including Ducati motorcycles. Other features include a Super Swap where you can find that perfect part that you have been searching for, a red-carpet vintage motorcycle exhibit, representation from motorcycle clubs with planned rides and rallies and also the much anticipated International Spring Cup Bike Builders Competition (winners announced on Sunday).

Show info:

DATE: Saturday, March 29, 2025, 10:00 pm – 7:00 pm Sunday, March 30, 2025, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm WHERE: International Centre 6900 Airport Road, Mississauga 

ADMISSION: Seniors 65 years & Older: $15.00 Adults $20.00 Youths 10-15: $10.00 Kids under 10 Free 

FREE PARKING

Toronto Catstravaganza

Exhibition Place will be the temporary home to fuzzy cats who probably don't care that you are coming just to watch them, but you know you can't keep away during the two day Catstravaganza happening Saturday to Sunday, March 1-2, 2025 from 10am to 4pm each day. The show will happen in the Queen Elizabeth Building (180 Princes' Boulevard) right beside BMO Field. Coverage by Ann and James.

From their website,"Experience the Toronto Catstravaganza® ! You’ll find an International Cat Competition where Pedigrees and Moggies compete for the ultimate prizes of Best Kitten, Best Junior, Best Cat, Best Neuter and Best Household Pet. Discover all there is to know about your feline friends by taking a seat in one of our judging rings, where International Judges will present their “Best in Show” and explain everything there is to know about your favorite breeds and moggies."

See more of the cat show after the jump.

Toronto Raptors at Scotiabank Arena and boos for the US

WE THE NORTH came out to a Toronto Raptors game at Scotiabank Arena and as the opening preparations were underway we listened to the start of the United States' national anthem, where first one long boo rang out and then many in the crowd joined in. It was tentative at first, it's not like Canadians to protest like this, especially against someone we thought was a friend and partner but has since turned against our country to the north with threats and tariffs, just as the US has against Mexico with further threats against Greenland and Panama. And as the United States of America continues their plan to dismantle choice, equality and who knows what else, the world stands in shock and dismay for what the future holds, along with the choices a lot of countries will make in the wake of these attacks.

Heading to the Raptors vs LA Clippers game Feb 2, 2025

A Raptors art installation at the entrance along Raptors Way

Flames and fireworks illuminate the arena

Watching the athletes warming up, with the Raptors' mascot, surprisingly called Raptor, and the unfolding of the giant WE THE NORTH flag as it is propelled along the lower level by fans, makes for a great opening act. At certain times we were also treated to tiny little dancers called the T-dots, Raptors cheerleaders, teams helping out on in the aisles and giving out shirts and also a fun event called the baby run!

The Raptors did win on February 2nd, 115 to 108, so at least we got that going for us.

The individual signs spell out RAPS WIN

GO CANADA!

Road Trip Ottawa: Skating on the Rideau Canal

Winter in Ottawa should mean skating on the Rideau Canal and in 2025 we got lucky as there was enough ice to open the famous canal, just in time for the annual Winterlude, after two disappointing years in 2023 (not opened) and for only 10 days in 2024. Ottawa tells us that the rink is the largest natural ice rink in the world with an amazing 7.8km rink reaching from downtown Ottawa to Dows Lake. An average of 19,000 skaters a day take to the canal so we decided on an evening, mid-week skate to avoid the crowds. You can rent skates on site if you didn't bring yours, they are $33 for two hours of rental ($50 deposit required), also available for rental are sleighs and ice trikes.

The start of the Rideau Canal Skate Trail

The start of the trail, or 0.0km, is located near the war memorial and in the initial section you can find the famous Beaver Tails and other vendors, a warming/change station and a bathroom. Further up the canal you can find more of the same, including outdoor fire pits at the 1.4km. There are plenty of access points and a few benches along the route and four rest areas. We talked to one lady that says it takes about an hour to skate the whole route.

You can't skate on the locks section near the Ottawa River

Ottawa's winter festival, Winterlude, runs from January 31 to February 17, 2025 with a number of attractions and entertainment throughout the city and into Gatineau, Quebec. Near to the canal downtown you can find Lumen Eira at Confederation Park which has a number of luminous art and audio installations.

Lumen Eira at Confederation Park

We stayed at a hotel in the downtown (Business Inn) and were able to walk around without having to drive, or take public transit or taxis. Some of the highlights of the trip, besides the canal skating, were visiting the current home of the Canadian Senate, having cocktails in the Fairmont Château Laurier, warming up by the eternal flame on Parliament Hill while viewing the cranes and construction walls as the Centre Block and Senate is currently undergoing multi-year expansions, renovations as well as tunnel construction.

The eternal flame on Parliament Hill

See more of our Ottawa trip after the jump.