The shortest day and longest night is here as the winter solstice comes to the Northern Hemisphere on Wednesday, December 21 (at 4:47pm). In Toronto we celebrate hope and new beginnings with the 33rd annual Kensington Market Winter Solstice festival taking place today between 6 and 9:30pm and includes the Fire Finale!
My Youtube video of the parade and Fire Finale can be found here.
The parade gathers at Augusta and Oxford. Dec 21, 2023
Kensington Market, self-described as Toronto's most vibrant and diverse neighbourhood, is bounded by the streets of College, Dundas, Bathurst and Spadina. The parade begins assembly early in the evening and is centered around Augusta Avenue and Oxford Street where the roped off intersection comes alive with an indigenous opening ceremony, paper mache characters, musical bands and exciting fire breathing performances. In the crowds people will be carrying lanterns to light the way, while others will be carrying large paper mache figures on poles waiting for the parade to start around 7pm.
The majestic bird waits for the flames for the fire finale 2023. It is a Phoenix
Schedule from
Red Pepper Spectacle Arts"All are welcome to the 33rd Annual Kensington Market Winter Solstice, on Wednesday December 21st. We are returning to our live, in-person Parade and Fire Finale.
6:00pm Parade Assembly, at the intersection of Augusta Ave and Oxford St.
6:30pm First Light Opening
7:00pm Parade Kick Off
Dress warmly, with glowing adornment and bring a noisemaker to bring in the return to light.
Handmade Solstice Lanterns will be available for sale from 3:00pm - 6:00pm, on Augusta Ave north of Oxford St. Look for the Solstice Lantern Tent.
See you in the parade!"
The parade continues down Augusta Avenue, turns west on Dundas Street West and enters Alexandra Park and ends at the baseball diamond. The diamond is roped off and in the centre will be the large paper mache art installation that will be lit on fire and burned to ashes while fire performers twirl and dance as they put on a great show. The night is truly spectacular. The Phoenix is lit on fire at 8:15pm.
The Phoenix is engulfed in flames
You can see some photos of past Winter Solstice festivals on the following posts:
See more of the 2022 Winter Solstice after the jump.