Cavalcade of Lights Toronto 2025: Is It Still Worth Visiting? A Local's Take • Over Here Toronto

Every year, it happens. The first truly cold snap hits Toronto, and you can practically smell the roasted chestnuts in the air. For decades, that chill meant one thing: the Toronto Cavalcade of Lights 2025 was coming.

As someone who has seen this event evolve, I get the question every year: “Is it still worth the hype?” With so many new, flashy holiday markets and pop-ups, does this city hall classic still hold its magic?

I looked into the plan for this year. Here is the honest truth about visiting the Cavalcade of Lights Toronto 2025.

All information in this post is based on official announcements from the City of Toronto for the 2025-2026 season and is accurate as of November 2025. Please check the City of Toronto official website for any last-minute schedule changes or weather-related closures.

What is the Cavalcade of Lights, Anyway?

*Photo via Naomi Hogan (@nayhogan) • Instagram*

First, let us cover the basics. This is not just some random light display. This is the official kickoff to the holiday season for the entire city, presented by Desjardins Financial Group. It is a free event that transforms City Hall into a winter wonderland with over 300,000 lights.

It is the event where they light the giant, spectacular Christmas tree that everyone takes photos of for the next month.

Where is the Cavalcade of Lights held? It happens in the heart of the city at Nathan Phillips Square, right in front of Toronto City Hall (100 Queen St. W).
Is Cavalcade of Lights free? Yes. It is 100 percent free to attend. You will see searches for Cavalcade of lights 2025 tickets price, but the price is zero. You just show up.
What is the Cavalcade of lights date? The full festival runs from its opening night on Saturday, November 29, 2025, until January 7, 2026.
What time does the Festival of Lights start? The opening night celebration runs from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. After that, the lights at this Festival of Lights Nathan Phillips Square are on every single night from dusk until 11 p.m.

The 2025 Opening Night: What is Actually New?

*Photo via Mayor Olivia Chow (@mayoroliviachow) • Instagram*

The opening night on Saturday, November 29, is the main event. This is where you will find the biggest crowds, live performances, and the most energy.

The main draw is the official lighting of the 60-foot Christmas tree, which happens at 6:30 p.m.

But this is a full-blown concert and performance night, not just a simple countdown. The city has booked a fantastic lineup.

Opening Night Don’t-Miss Moments (Nov 29):

6:00 p.m. The party starts with DJ Classic Roots on the main stage.
6:30 p.m. The Big Moment: The countdown and lighting of the official Christmas tree and Nathan Phillips Square.
6:45 p.m. A candlelight concert under the stars.
7:40 p.m. A spectacular figure skating performance on the rink.
8:40 p.m. Electric violinist Dr. Draw performs with a live fire show by NorthFIRE circus.
9:15 p.m. Headliner Tyler Shaw, a Juno Award-nominated artist, takes the main stage.

All night long, there will also be roaming performers like The Candy Cane Carolers, Afro-Brazilian percussion by Maracatu Mar Aberto, and the Klezmer parade band The Horah Machine. You can also find family-friendly Diya decoration workshops and circus performers.

Let’s Talk About the… Cavalcade of Lights Fireworks

This is the most important update I can give you as a local.

If you have not been in a few years, you remember a massive fireworks display. People still search for the Cavalcade of Lights fireworks schedule. Please know this: the big fireworks show no longer happens at Nathan Phillips Square on opening night.

The city’s official New Year’s Eve fireworks now happen on the waterfront.

Instead, the Cavalcade opening night now features incredible live fire performances by groups like the NorthFIRE circus (you can see them with Dr. Draw at 8:40 p.m.). It is a different vibe—more artistic and up-close—but still spectacular.

The Big Question: Is It Still Worth Visiting in 2025?

So, back to the original question. My answer is a solid yes, but it depends on what you want.

You should go on OPENING NIGHT (Nov 29) if:

You love the energy of a massive crowd.
You are a fan of the live performers (like Tyler Shaw).
You have kids who want to see the “moment” the tree lights up.
You want the full festival experience with performers and food trucks.

You should go AFTER opening night if:

You actually want to skate without a one-hour line.
You want to take beautiful photos of the lights without 1,000 people in your shot.
You just want a charming, festive winter evening.

Maybe you remember the chaos from a past visit and are wondering, Cavalcade of Lights is it still worth visiting in January 2020… or, well, in January 2026. My local tip is that visiting on a quiet weeknight in December or early January is the best way to experience it. All the magic, none of the stress.

More Than Just Opening Night: What Else is Happening?

The festival runs for over a month, and there is more to see than just the tree.

Dazzling Art Installations

From November 29 to January 7 (5 p.m. to 11 p.m. daily), you can explore several large-scale, interactive light installations.

We Change Each Other: A thought-provoking piece by Shilpa Gupta about unity and culture, located near the TORONTO Sign.
Lux Array: An interactive light and sound installation that creates photo frames for you to become part of the art.
ECHO: An interactive installation that lets you explore the power of your voice.
Luminescence: An immersive experience inside an illuminated dome.

Free Skating & Special Events

Free Skate Rentals: Courtesy of Desjardins, you can get free skate rentals on Saturdays from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. (Dates: December 6, 13, 20, 27, and January 3).
Menorah Lighting: From December 14 to 22, the City’s official Menorah will be illuminated nightly at approximately 4 p.m.
New Year’s Skating Party: Glide into 2026 on Sunday, January 4, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Hosted by Mayor Olivia Chow, this party features music, free skate rentals, and hot chocolate.

A Local’s Top Tips for Your Visit

1. Getting There (A Local’s Advice)

Seriously. Do not drive on opening night.

TTC: This is your best bet. The Queen subway station dumps you right there. Visit TTC.ca to plan your trip.
GO Transit: A great option if coming from out of the core. Take the train to Union and walk up or take the subway one stop. GO offers One-Day Weekend Passes and Weekday Group Passes.
Road Closures: On opening night (Nov 29), Bay Street will be closed between Albert and Queen, and Queen Street will be closed between Bay and Church from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Parking: There is parking under the Square and nearby (Green P), but it will be full, expensive, and you will be stuck in traffic.

2. Go on a Weeknight

This is my number one tip. Grab a hot chocolate, go on a Tuesday, and have the place (almost) to yourself. You can properly see the art installations and skate freely.

3. Lace-Up

The main event, after all, is skating. The rink is the star of the show from November 30 onward. It is truly iconic. If you are planning to hit the ice, you will want to check out our Ultimate Beginner’s Guide To Skating At Nathan Phillips Square to know all the local tricks.

4. Make it a Staycation

If you are coming from out of town or want a festive night, the Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel is right across the street and offers festive packages.

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