The Gardiner Museum's beloved 12 Trees exhibit returns for the holidays

Whoever said the holiday season could only include flashy light displays and festive markets clearly never paid the Gardiner Museums 12 Trees exhibit a visit.

Now in its 27th year, 12 Trees is a beloved holiday tradition in Toronto that features unique installations from Canada’s leading designers and artists where they will have the chance to re-imagine the traditional Christmas tree.

This year’s rendition will focus on light as a potent symbol of hope that many cultures share during the holiday season. Curated by famed Canadian writer and artist Douglas Coupland and Ben Mills of Public Art Management, this year’s exhibition will bring a dynamic, contemporary, and light-filled perspective to the annual 12 Trees tradition.

Visitors can look forward to seeing a disco-ball Christmas tree, a manually-powered holiday tree light show, an animated winter dreamscape, a “tree” comprised of illuminated cubic blocks, and more.

But no visit to the Gardiner Museum over the holiday season is complete without checking out the spectacular 35-foot white spruce Christmas tree on the Museum’s front plaza.

Here are some photos of last year’s trees to help you get into the festive mood.

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12 Trees: Let There Be Light

When: November 17 to January 7
Where: Gardiner Museum, 11 Queen’s Park

See also

• This Toronto snow globe is the most magical holiday window this year (PHOTOS)
• 11 of Toronto's most spectacular holiday markets in 2017
• You can experience a traditional old-fashioned Christmas in Toronto this winter