Toronto's waterfront is getting a 100 metre long hallway of lights

Update: As of January 14, a Stay at Home order is in effect for all of Ontario. This means you must stay at home and only go out for necessities including getting food, going to work, and getting exercise. Learn more about Ontario’s Stay at Home order here. In response to the recent stay-at-home order issued by the Government of Ontario, Harbourfront Centre and the Waterfront BIA will no longer promote the illuminated public art installed on Harbourfront Centre’s site.

Though this winter may seem a bit gloomy, as part of a new set of outdoor exhibits, a massive corridor of lights, more than 100 metres long, is expected to light up the night sky starting this Friday.

As part of Harbourfront Centre and The Waterfront BIA’s outdoor winter celebration of arts and culture, two new exhibits will be launching on Friday, including the Festival of Cool and Northern Ontario Diaries.

From January 15 to February 7, guests will be able to immerse themselves through the Festival of Cool, with a Nothern Ontario experience with the help of audio, light and technology, created by Rob Jensen, Warren Trezevant and Creos.

What is set to stand out is the Sonic Runway, a corridor of lights more than 100 metres long that brings sound waves to life.

The other piece, the Iceberg, turns “a monumental sculpture into a living instrument,” which signifies a journey from glacial calving to open water migration to eventual melting.

Waterfront BIA

Through “Northern Ontario Diaries,” guests will go through an audio experience, allowing the audience to explore the waterfront area while listening to stories told by artists about regions and communities from the Canadian Shield.

Those who go through the experience will immerse themselves into northern life and have the chance to enjoy pit-stops along the way.

“Amid a second wave that has urged increased restrictions across the province, many Torontonians are looking for safe ways to get outdoors, get active and explore the city to help combat the effects this lockdown could have on mental health, in addition to the drain of shorter, darker winter days,” said a representative of the event in an email to Daily Hive.

“Site Alive | Winter Edition is designed to showcase an immersive world of sights, sounds and ideas. Programming is curated to be a safe, family-friendly experience, with lots of open space for guests to spread out and enjoy the great outdoors responsibly throughout the colder season.”

Festival of Cool and Northern Ontario Diaries.

When: January 15 to February 7, 2021

Where: Toronto’s Waterfront – 370 Queens Quay West

Note: While local parks have reopened, Toronto remains in lockdown, and Toronto Public Health is reminding individuals to monitor their health for signs and symptoms of COVID-19. And if you’re not feeling well, they recommend staying home at this time. If you decide to go out, maintain the six-feet physical distancing guidelines and wear a mask.