What better way to salute the longest night than to throw a celebration with parades, lanterns and fire breathing? Well humans have been celebrating the solstice for over 12,000 years and it involved a few monoliths and wild parties. Toronto brings that party into the Kensington Market during the December 21st Winter Solstice. Unfortunately it will be one of the coldest nights of the year with temps below -15 degrees Celsius and with significant wind gusts that are going to drive up the wind chill values - dress very warmly people. A glorious sun person shines up the night during the 2023 Solstice celebrations in the photo at top.
Previous years events in the neighbourhood included lantern making and the burning of a large paper mache structures in Alexandra Park that were lit on fire by the fire breathers while giant puppets were marched through the streets and bands played tunes that filled the streets with melodies. In 2023 the construction work in the park precluded the terminal gathering of the crowds that marched from Kensington Market, down along Dundas Street and into the park - so no burning structure. Hopefully the parade and the burning structure/fire finale will return in 2024.
Celebrating the return of light with a festival in the Kensington began in 1988 and continues in 2024, now the 35th annual festival, starting at the intersection of Augusta Avenue and Oxford Street at 6pm on the 21st. Enjoy the street performances and community involvement in the dark of night as the event continues until 10pm with road closures beginning at 5pm.
See previous Solstice Celebrations at the following links.
Put your hands in the air like you just don't care because the peak of summer is coming, finally we can see what it is like to live in the caribbean as the hot sun warms all your cold bits. Some of the best festivals and events in Toronto can be enjoyed during the kids summer vacation. We got some world class auto racing with the Ontario Honda Dealers Indy Toronto 2025 and the latest edition of the Toronto Caribbean Carnival.
Canada Day 2024 Tue, Jul 1. Celebrations in Nathan Phillips Square.
Happy New Year! The action will be along the waterfront for the December 31st, 2024 New Year's Eve celebrations - including live performances, activities and of course fireworks. From the City, "On Tuesday, December 31, the City will host a 10-minute fireworks display synchronized to music, lighting up Toronto’s inner harbour at midnight. As one of the largest shows in Canada, it will offer stunning views for residents and visitors alike. The event will be livestreamed for those celebrating remotely, see above (Tune in at 11:45pm). Pedestrians are encouraged to use York Street, Jarvis Street, Spadina Avenue and Bay Street to access any of the seven waterfront viewing areas for spectacular views of the fireworks display."
Mayor Olivia Chow said, “New Year’s Eve is a time to come together as a community and celebrate the hope and possibilities of the year ahead. Whether you’re joining us in person at the waterfront or watching the spectacular fireworks from home, I invite everyone to experience the magic of this unforgettable night as we welcome 2025 together.”
There are a number of designated viewing areas; Toronto Music Garden, 476 Queens Quay W., Sherbourne Common, 61 Dockside Dr., Sugar Beach Park, 11 Dockside Dr., HTO Park, 339 Queens Quay W., HTO Park West, 375 Queens Quay W., Harbour Square Park, 25 Queens Quay W. and Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queens Quay W.
Info from the City of Toronto's media release: New Year’s Eve programming
The City’s New Year’s Eve celebrations will also feature pop-up performances from 10 p.m. onwards at various locations across Toronto’s waterfront including:
- Sherbourne Common, 61 Dockside Dr. - Toronto Music Garden, 476 Queens Quay W.
Performances include DJ sets by Traxx & Feels collective at Bathurst Quay Common and participatory dance sessions at Sherbourne Common, co-produced with The Dance Together Festival, where the public is invited to join in and dance. INCIRQUE Pop-Up circus performers will entertain audiences at various waterfront locations, while a curated selection of short films from the National Film Board of Canada will be projected on the east side of the Canada Malting Silos, visible from the Toronto Music Garden. The festivities will culminate in a countdown celebration at 11:45 p.m., led by Mayor Olivia Chow and renowned drag entertainer Sanjina DaBish Queen.
Travel and road closures
Riding public transit is strongly recommended for New Year’s Eve celebrations. Free service is available on the TTC, GO Transit and UP Express from 7 p.m. on Tuesday, December 31, 2024, to 8 a.m. on Wednesday, January 1, 2025. All customers should tap at fare kiosks as usual but will not be charged during the free service period.
Learn more about what to expect when taking public transit:
- TTC: Subway services will run until 3 a.m., with the last trains leaving Union Station at approximately 2:30 a.m. Overnight buses and streetcar service continue until 8 a.m. For schedules and departures, visit the TTC webpage.
- GO Transit & UP Express: Free service is offered. Details and schedules are available on the GO Transit website.
To prevent overcrowding at Union Station following the fireworks, starting at midnight, all TTC customers will be redirected to the east side exterior entrance. Accessible entry will be maintained on Bay Street and through the Bay Promenade inside the station. TTC riders are encouraged to consider using alternate stations, such as King, Queen, St. Andrew and Osgoode, to avoid crowds at Union Station.
The following road closures are in effect on New Year’s Eve:
- Eastbound traffic on Queens Quay West from 10 p.m. on Tuesday, December 31 to 1 a.m. on Wednesday, January 1, 2025
- Bay Street from Front Street to Queens Quay West from 10 p.m. on Tuesday, December 31 to 1 a.m. on Wednesday, January 1, 2025.
- York Street from Front Street to Queens Quay West from 10 p.m. on Tuesday, December 31 to 1 a.m. on Wednesday, January 1, 2025.
This street festival is Toronto's welcome to winter and they invite you to "ignite the longest darkest night" on Saturday, December 21, 2024.
Taking place from 6-10pm the 35th annual festival to honour the winter solstice includes lanterns, large puppets and a little bit of fire. The even5 starts at 6pm at the intersection of Augusta Ave and Oxford Street.
Last year's celebration did not have a parade or the fire finale in Alexandra Park due to construction work in the park, however that was completed in August of this year so hopefully the fire finale is back.
Walking in Toronto's Kringlewood brings the Christmas season to life and makes you want to watch a few Christmas classics after your visit. The tall, inflatable Santa Claus displays wave slightly in the breeze, like they are waving to you. It really is a great place to visit if you are feeling festive.
The neighbourhood is beautiful, a variety of lovely homes with Christmas lights, and in the front yard a giant Claus, and another next door and so on, really an army of Chris Kringles lining Inglewood Drive, just east of Mount Pleasant.
We went out for a birthday dinner at King Taps in Toronto's First Canadian Place and on the second floor I found a neon art outline of a face, a familiar face for those that seek out graffiti in alleyways of the city. This white neon face was designed by, or based on, the work of Anser Mysterious Date. His work can be found in my post from 2013 here.
I found out that this was Anser's first neon piece.
A small winter carnival in downtown Toronto as Winter Glow takes place from Dec 5-22, 2024 in Sankofa Square (Yonge-Dundas Square) in the run up to Christmas. You can take a ride on a 45 foot Ferris Wheel or other amusement rides or see the tall Santa Claus made from Shein boxes (from Dec 5-8).
"Experience the magic of the holiday season at Sankofa Square with Winter Glow. This festive event brings dazzling lights, carnival rides, games, and entertainment to the heart of Toronto. Enjoy dazzling lights, carnival rides, midway games, and live entertainment. Free admission, with ride tickets available for purchase. Experience the holiday spirit with Winter Glow."
Hours Monday to Friday: 4pm to 10pm Saturday & Sunday: noon to 10pm Ride Tickets (each ride is one ticket) $6 for a single ticket $20 for 4 tickets ($5 per ticket) $37 for 8 tickets ($4.63 per ticket)
Winter is when you dream of getting out on the open road, thinking of the wind on the open road cooling down the heat of summer and also dreaming of getting your new ride. It is almost the time for the first motorcycle show of the year so get ready to check out Toronto's 2025 motorcycle shows.
North American International Motorcycle SUPERSHOW will be at the Toronto International Centre Jan 3-5. "If you’re into motorcycles and the lifestyle, then this is the show for you! As soon as you step foot on the show floor, you’ll be blown away with the incredible roster of exhibitors and the feature events taking place around the show. Browse this enormous show and you’ll find new and used motorcycles, Aftermarket Parts and Accessories, Rider Apparel and Helmets, Performance Equipment, Trailers, Travel Destinations, Custom Bike Builders, and a full range of Fashions.. You can also enjoy live bands, special guests, custom bikes, and much more!"
Dirt Bike Show 2025 Feb 8-9 at the International Centre from Saturday 8 to Sunday 9 February 2025
The Toronto Motorcycle and Powersport Show at the Enercare Centre in Exhibition Place this February 14-16. "Canada’s premier powersports events, The Motorcycle and Powersport Shows are back and set to deliver plenty of excitement, fun, information, and new discoveries for riders of all styles, ages, and experience levels. On road and off-road riders, future riders, and lovers of the motorcycle and quad lifestyle will be able to check out some of the most anticipated models for 2025 including the latest electric vehicles. There is no other show in the country with this level of brand representation."
And think of the four wheeling Toronto Motorama Custom Car and Motorsports Expo coming March 7-9. "The promoters of the Motorama Custom Car & Motorsports Expo are pleased to announce that the 2025 edition of Canada’s biggest and best automotive and racing enthusiast show will take place March 7, 8 & 9, 2025 at The International Centre, across from Toronto’s Pearson Airport. The show will be special for several reasons, including the fact that is the 10th anniversary of the first Toronto Motorama show, which was held in March 2015. As well, the 2025 edition of Motorama will mark the 50th anniversary of ‘Dizzy’ Dean Murray’s first ‘Motion’ show, in 1975, on the same March Break weekend at The International Centre."
The Boat Show returns to the International Centre for the second annual show, March 27-30. "Set sail to The Boat Show at the International Centre! Dive into the latest boating innovations, marvel at live demos on our indoor lake, and dock effortlessly with free parking."
The Spring Toronto Motorcycle Supershow March 29-30. "The SPRING Toronto Motorcycle SUPERSHOW taking place at the International Centre has many ways to join in the experience. To Be a part of the show you can enter to take part in the International Spring Cup Bike Builders Competition, Join the SWAP in the SUPERSWAP in hall 2, Sell your motorcycle in the USED BIKE MARKET, or Park it on the Red Carpet in the Red Carpet Vintage Motorcycle Exhibit."
There is only one Port Dover motorcycle Friday the 13th rally in 2025 - You can hit the road and join thousands of bikers on June 13 in the Lake Erie shoreline municipality.
Toronto International Snowmobile, ATV and Powersports Show (Fri to Sun, October TBD) at the International Centre. "If you’re into snowmobiles, ATVS and an all around Powersports enthusiast, this is the show for you! As soon as you step foot on the show floor, you’ll be blown away with the incredible roster of exhibitors and the feature events taking place around the show. The enormous Outdoors Event Centre with Live test drives and Freestyle Shows featuring snowmobiles, ATVs, motocross and street bikes. You’ll find huge Manufacturer Displays showcasing all of the new snowmobile and ATV line-ups. This show has more corporate manufacturer displays than any other snowmobile and/or ATV show across North America. All of the new machines under one roof, over one weekend, you can’t miss it! We guarantee it will be worth the drive to get here."
The lights and decorations of Christmas season means it's time to get out on the cold winter days and explore some of the special attractions that make the holidays special. I went out again to Illumi nearby in Mississauga (pictured here) and it was even better than before and don't forget about the Cavalcade of Lights down at Toronto City Hall and note that there will be no Christmas Windows at the Queen Street Hudson's Bay.
Brookfield Place on Bay Street Christmas Decorations
Casa Loma holiday installations
Holiday Magic at Bloor-Yorkville
The Junction's Window Wonderland
Cavalcade of Lights
Other exceptional places to visit include Kringlewood on Inglewood Drive at St. Clair Avenue East and the DeSario Family Festival Of Lights on Benjamin Boake Trail.Dec 2-Jan 6/24 5:00-11:00pm.
Christmas with the dinosaurs (seems legit)
See more of the light installations after the jump.
