12 places to see spectacular holiday light displays near Toronto this year

Every winter, Toronto gets covered in Christmas lights and transforms into a dazzling winter wonderland for all to see.

From a massive light tunnel at the historic Distillery District to Canada’s largest festival of lights, there’s an incredible light display to visit almost everywhere you look.

This holiday season, get bundled up and get ready to “ooh” and “ahh” at these mesmerizing landmarks and attractions in and around Toronto.

Toronto Christmas Market Tunnel

The Toronto Christmas market is already one of the best events in the city, and somehow they’ve managed to make it even better. For the second year in a row, the market will feature a 100-foot long light tunnel among its many attractions.

When: Now until December 23 (closed on Mondays)
Where: The Distillery District
Admission: The market is free on weekdays and $6 on weekends

Gift of Lights

A post shared by Patrick McCormack (@patrickjmccormack) on Nov 17, 2016 at 3:56pm PST

If you don’t mind a bit of a drive (two hours to be exact), Kitchener is home to an incredible drive-thru Christmas light tunnel that’s definitely a sight to see. The Gift of Lights display is the largest drive-thru holiday light display in Southwestern Ontario and stretches over a course of more than two kilometres. This year’s brilliant spectacle will feature more than 30 static and animated displays – from reindeers, sleighs, elves and, of course, Santa.

When: Now until January 5
Where: 425 Bingemans Centre Drive, Kitchener
Admission: Available online at $15 for cars in advance or $20 at the gate

Yorkville Village Holiday Magic

A post shared by Bloor-Yorkville (@blooryorkville) on Dec 20, 2016 at 11:06am PST

Toronto’s Yorkville Village lights up each holiday season with its annual Holiday Magic event. If you’re shopping in the area, we highly recommend checking out the beautifully lit Christmas tree and taking in the incredible glittering light displays and festive decorations that line the streets.

When: Now until through till December 31
Where: Village of Yorkville Park, 115 Cumberland Street
Admission: Free

Light Up the Beach

Now in its 11th year, Light Up the Beach features more than 80,000 twinkling Christmas lights along the Toronto Beaches boardwalk to support The Michael Garron Hospital Foundation. The light display is truly a sight to see and a holiday tradition that every Torontonian should enjoy.

When: November 30 until mid-February
Where: At the foot of Leuty Avenue, The Beach, Toronto
Admission: Free

Alight at Night 2018

A post shared by Upper Canada Village (@uppercanadavill) on Dec 25, 2016 at 9:39am PST

Upper Canada Village will be transformed into a winter wonderland this holiday season as it becomes adorned with over one million twinkling lights to become Ontario’s largest outdoor light festival, Alight at Night. From the enchantment of horse-drawn wagons to a life-size toy train, this holiday road trip will take you to a magical place.

When: Select days from November 30 to January 5
Where: Upper Canada Village
Admission: From $11.95, children under five are free

Cavalcade of Lights at Nathan Phillips Square

A post shared by Tej (@mking91) on Nov 27, 2016 at 8:50pm PST

The 52nd annual Cavalcade of Lights will take over Nathan Phillip’s Square this season and will feature the city’s 60-foot Christmas tree and a number of incredible light displays. The tree will glitter with more than 525,000 lights and 700 individual ornaments and will light up Nathan Phillips Square through to New Year’s Eve.

When: November 24 to December 31
Where: Nathan Phillips Square, 100 Queen Street West
Admission: Free

The Winter Festival of Lights in Niagara Falls

The annual Winter Festival of Lights stretches over eight kilometres in Niagara and will run through to the end of January. Attracting over one million visitors annually, this incredible spectacle is Canada’s largest lights festival. Just imagine a breathtaking, colourful scene with millions of sparkling lights and animated displays that extends to Dufferin Islands.

When: Now until the end of January
Where: Niagara Falls
Admission: Free

CP Holiday Train Toronto

A post shared by CP Holiday Train (@cpholidaytrain) on Dec 12, 2016 at 7:08pm PST

The 20th edition of the Canadian Pacific Holiday Train will travel across Canada this holiday season and arrive in Toronto on Thursday, November 29. What truly makes this event special is that it’s only available to see for one night and all proceeds will go towards helping local food banks. So, come for the beautifully-lit train and stay for the incredible show – all in the name of the community.

When: November 29, 8:15 pm
Where: 750 Runnymede Road, in front of CP Lambton Yard office
Price: Free! Bring non-perishable donations to support your local food bank

Yonge-Dundas Square

A post shared by Neha Mishra (@neha.mtl) on Nov 24, 2016 at 10:10am PST

Every holiday season, Yonge-Dundas Square gets into the festive spirit by lighting its massive Christmas tree. In addition to the square’s 40-foot tree, which glows with more than 52,000 LED lights, there will also be a number of 3D illuminated polar bears and other unique holiday lighting installations on display.

When: Now through December
Where: Yonge-Dundas Square, 1 Dundas Street East
Admission: Free

Festival of Lights Markham

A post shared by Nutrilawn York (@york_nutrilawn) on Nov 5, 2016 at 2:27pm PDT

For those living near Markham, the Main Street will light up this year for its annual Festival of Lights. Come and get into the holiday spirit as you take in the light display from a horse and buggy ride, followed by a visit to the city’s beautiful Christmas tree.

When: November 23 through December
Where: Markham Main Street
Admission: Free

Burlington Festival of Lights

A post shared by Eva (@amemoment) on Dec 23, 2016 at 3:29pm PST

The Burlington Festival of Lights is the city’s longest-running festival, which lights up the waterfront from dusk to dawn over the holiday season. Now in its 23rd year, the festival will feature 60 festive displays that can be viewed up close or from the warmth of your car.

When: November 30 until January 8
Where: Spencer Smith Park, Burlington, Ontario
Admission: Free

Simcoe Christmas Panorama

A post shared by emu (@emmma_kat) on Jan 3, 2017 at 3:26pm PST

Although this is a bit of a trek from Toronto, it’s perfect for those wanting to go on a festive road trip. Each year, Simcoe puts on an incredible light display called Christmas Panorama that features over 60 dazzling light displays. The spectacle shimmers with thousands of lights transforming the downtown parks into a winter wonderland, attracting visitors from across the province and the US.

When: December 1 to January 6, 5:30 pm to 11 pm
Where: Wellington Park, 50 Bonnie Drive, Simcoe
Admission: Free

See also

• Casa Loma is transforming into a winter wonderland next month (PHOTOS)
• This is what the first day of the Toronto Christmas Market looked like (PHOTOS)
• Toronto is getting a new holiday Ferris wheel this month