Cavalcade of Lights at Nathan Phillips Square has an impressive 43-year history in Toronto. The event was created in 1967 to showcase Toronto's newly constructed City Hall and Nathan Phillips Square.
This festive event traditionally falls on the final weekend of November to kick-off the holiday season with the official illumination of the Square and giant Christmas tree. The lighting display at Nathan Phillips Square is a 44-year holiday tradition featuring the official Christmas tree and more than 300,000 energy-efficient LED lights that shine from dusk to 11:00 p.m. every night throughout the holiday season (from November 27, 2010 to January 1, 2011).
Since 2002 Cavalcade of Lights has transformed from a one night format to a month-long holiday celebration with the addition of Saturday night skating parties to live music at Nathan Phillips Square's famous outdoor rink.
In 2004, the event expanded to become a city-wide celebration including sparkling energy-efficient LED lighting displays in Toronto neighbourhoods.
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This year, Cavalcade of Lights takes place for one night only. The festivities begin at 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 27, with the lighting of Toronto’s official Christmas tree, a trampoline performance by Haut-Vol, and live musical performances by Divine Brown, Shawn Desman, and Sarah Slean, under the music direction of Wade O. Brown. The concert culminates in a spectacular fireworks display at 8:00 p.m., followed by a skating party "Celebrating 40 Years of the Juno Awards" featuring award winning Canadian music from the past 40 years with DJ Tony Sutherland.
The festivities kicked off on Saturday, November 28 at 7:00pm with the lighting of Toronto’s official Christmas tree, fireworks and live musical performances by Steven Page, Matt Dusk, Keshia Chante, and Fritz Helder & the Phantoms, under the music direction of Adrian Eccleston. Each concert culminates in a spectacular fireworks display at 8:00 p.m., followed by a skating party on the iconic rink with tunes provided by a different guest DJ each week.
The fireworks, free concerts and skating parties continue Saturday nights in December from 7:00 p.m. featuring:
December 5: Jully Black with a Soul/Funk skating party by DJ Jun
December 12: State of Shock (band) with a skating party by Promise DJs spinning the hottest dance music hits
December 19: Faber Drive with an Alternative music skating party by DJ Misty Rock n' Roll
The Cavalcade of Lights has brought the best in Canadian and international talent to perform as part of each year's festivities. Past performers in recent years have included:
2005: Esthero, In Essence, Patrizia Ciofi, Lisa Odjig, DJ Starting from Scratch, Circus Orange and the Arabesque Dance Company.
2006: Joel Plaskett, jacksoul, God Made Me Funky, Stabilo (band), Lindy, Divine Brown, Faith Chorale and Kayte Burgess.
2007: Kim Stockwood, Murray McLauchlan, Nikki Yanofsky, Sarah Slean, Louis Pitre, Jully Black, Suzi McNeil, DJ Alvaro, Tomi Swick, Hayley Sales. DJ Tricky Moreira, The Golden Dogs and In-Flight Safety.
2008: Serena Ryder, the Canadian Tenors, Alex Cuba, Dragonette, DJ Denise Benson, DJ Tony Sutherland, Andrew Craig, Toya Alexis, Zack Werner and the final three Canadian Idol contestants of the season.