Toronto Cavalcade of Lights 2025

Holiday season is fast approaching and Toronto starts celebrating with the Cavalcade of Lights festival down in Nathan Phillips Square from November 29 to January 7. Opening night celebrations run from 6 to 11 pm Saturday the 29th and the Christmas tree will be lit up at 6:30pm.

The City of Toronto says it, "will kick off its annual Cavalcade of Lights, presented by Desjardins Group, with an opening night celebration of music, light and community. The festival runs until Wednesday, January 7, 2026, transforming the heart of Toronto into a dazzling winter wonderland throughout the holiday season."

Highlights include:

- A countdown to the lighting of Toronto’s official Christmas tree
- A candlelight concert under the stars produced by Fever
- A spectacular skating show on the Nathan Phillips Square’s rink
- A special Indigenous performance by DJ Classic Roots
- Family-friendly activities including Diya decoration workshops
- A headline performance by acclaimed Canadian recording artist Tyler Shaw
- Interactive light and sound installations"

There will be four art installations in the square; We Change Each Other, Lux Array, ECHO and Luminescence.

See the City's opening night schedule and more photos after the jump.

Rodeos and the last day of the 2025 Toronto Royal Fair

Ten days of the 2025 Royal Agricultural Winter Fair and Royal Horse Show comes to an end on Sunday, November 16 in Exhibition Place. And it ends with a bang as two Rodeos take place beginning with the Royal Rodeo Qualifier at 11am followed by the Royal Rodeo Finals at 2:00 pm, both presented by the Ontario Ford Dealers. Celebrity Amber Marshall, star of the CBC show Heartland, will guest emcee the Rodeos. Tickets to the Royal Horse Show include entrance to the Winter Fair, or you can upgrade your Winter Fair tickets to attend the Royal Horse Show.

There is also plenty of events taking place throughout the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair taking place in the Animal Theatre, the Royal Paddock, the Semex Ring of Excellence, the Small Animal Pavilion, the Royal Petting Farm, the Ag-Tivity Stage and the Farm and Play Zone. Watch performances on the OLG Entertainment Stage, visit the paddocks, the Dairy Education Centre and take in talks on the Growth Hub Stage. Santa Claus will also be on site to meet the kids!

The Rodeo competitions will see cowpokes of both sexes taking part in exciting riding events such as Saddle & Bareback Bronc Riding, Pole Bending & Barrel Racing, Bull Riding with the Matinee Final Show also including The Canadian Cowgirls. The Bull Riding requires cowboys to stay mounted to the two thousand pound animal for eight seconds.

Ontario Agriculture is giving out free samples, previous samples included carrots

Fun things to do in #Toronto in Jan and Feb 2026

You don't want to stick to home through the grey doldrums of winter, especially after Christmas has come and gone, so Toronto is putting on a lot of events and invites everyone to take in some shows, exhibitions and maybe a few festivals.

Polar Bear Dip at Sunnyside Beach. Thursday, Jan 1. Noon at Sunnyside Beach. 'Do the Dip'. See photo at top.

Record Breaker World Record Cold Plunge at Woodbine Beach Thursday, Jan 1 at 1pm.

North American International Motorcycle Supershow Fri to Sun, Jan 9-11 at the International Centre.

Canada's Bridal Show Fri to Sun, Jan 16-18.

The Franchise Expo Sat to Sun, Jan 17-18. 
Toronto No Pants Subway Ride Sun, Jan ? UNCONFIRMED, probably a no go. Meet at 3pm at Eaton Centre Dundas Street entrance, 3:20pm head out on the rails. 

Toronto International Boat Show Sat to Sun, Jan 17-25.

Interior Design Show IDS2026 Thurs to Sun, Jan 22-25.

DesignTO Fri, Jan 23 - Sun, Feb 1.

Toronto Maple Leafs outdoor practice Mon, Jan TBD. At Mimico's Prince of Wales Rink. The skate festival will run Jan TBD with chances to meet the players.

Toronto Golf and Travel Show presented by Golf Town Fri to Sat, Jan 30-31.

Winterlicious Fri, Jan 30 to Thurs, Feb 12. "Savour every bite"

Lumiere The Art of Light in Ontario Place Trillium Park. Through Feb and Mar from dusk to 11pm.

Harbourfront Centre Kuumba Feb 2026. A celebration of Black Culture.

Raptors Fan Day Sun, Feb 1 at Scotiabank Arena from noon till 2pm.

OCAD U Black History Month Digital Exhibition Thurs to Thurs, Feb TBD. On the screens of Yonge-Dundas Square.

Toronto NHL Fan Fair Thurs to Sun, Feb TBD at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, south building.
Hey, it's Groundhog Day on Mon, Feb 2. Groundhogs can't be stopped! Don't forget about Wiarton Willie!

Spring Fish and Boat Show Fri to Sun, Feb 6-8.

Sweet City Fest Fri to Sun, Feb TBD in the Stackt Market.

Black Film Festival Wed to Mon, Feb 11-16.

Winterfolk Festival Thurs to Sun, Feb 12-15.

Canadian International AutoShow Fri to Sun, Feb 13-22.

Happy Valentine's Day Sat, Feb 14. Hugs and kisses everyone.

Toronto Erotic Arts and Craft Fair Sat, Feb 14. Free admission at the Parkdale Hall.

Toronto Spring Fireworks Festival Celebration - Sat to Mon, Feb 14-16. Lunar New Year Celebrations including fireworks  at Nathan Phillips Square.

Motorcycle Show Toronto Fri to Sun, Feb 20-22. Down in Exhibition Place.

ILLUMINITE 2026: Making Connections Feb TBD. Downtown Yonge area.

Toronto Coldest Day of the Year Ride Sat, Feb TBD. Meet at 10:30am at Perth Avenue Parkette.

Beaches Winter Stations Design Competition Displays start Mon, Feb 16 till March 30.

Toronto Chinatown Lunar New Year Celebrations Sat to Sun, Feb 21-22. Lunar New Year is Saturday and it's the Year of the Horse. 2026
Outdoor Adventure and Travel Show Fri to Sun, Feb 20-22.

Roundhouse Winter Craft Beer Festival Sat, Feb 21. Brought to you by Steam Whistle and the Toronto Railway Museum.

Toronto Spring Camping and RV Show Thurs to Sun, Feb 26 to March 1 at the International Centre.

Toronto Catstravaganza Sat, Feb 28. Exhibition Place.

Moved into March....

Toronto International Bicycle Show Fri to Sun, Mar TBD.
Toronto Sportsmen's Show Thurs to Sun, Mar 19-22.

The New Boat Show at the International Centre Thurs to Sun, Mar TBD.

Over a Century of Champions at the Toronto Royal Winter Fair

Every day over the ten days of the Toronto Royal Agricultural Winter Fair and Royal Horse Show you can find an amazing amount of events and attractions to discover. The Royal takes place from November 7 to 16, 2025 at Enercare Centre in Exhibition Place and head over to their website to look at the extensive schedules and get a couple of tickets to the RAWF and the Royal Horse Show. Royal hours are Sun and Mon 9am to 6pm and Tues to Sat from 9am to 8pm with some performances running beyond these times. 

From the Royal, "This November discover, learn and celebrate over ‘A Century of Champions’! Today The Royal has grown to be the largest indoor agricultural and equestrian event in the world. The Royal Horse Show is one of the world’s finest equestrian spectacles and attracts athletes from across the planet. A win at The Royal means something, regardless of whether you’re pickling, jamming, raising beef or driving six-horse hitches. Every year, 300,000 people come to The Fair to celebrate the very best food, livestock and horsemanship this country has to offer."

It was a busy weekday at the Royal as dozens of buses brought in about 4,000 students to explore animals and agricultural, many probably for the first time. The petting farm and the farm and play zone were very popular for the school children.

Mid-week has many activities ready to experience on Wednesday, November 12 with three horse shows including two free shows (8am morning and 1pm afternoon matinee) and a paid evening performance beginning at 7pm. Entertainment on the OLG Stage has Kristin Nicholls (11:00 AM, 12:30 PM), Craig McRae (2:00 PM, 3:30 PM) and Matthew Runaway Duo 5:00 PM. On Wednesday's schedule is also the following.

From the Fair, "It’s full throttle fun this Wednesday at The Royal! Santa has made his grand entrance, the barns are bustling with some of Canada’s finest livestock, and the show ring is heating up for a night of world-class horsepower. Whether you’re here for the SuperDogs, to cheer on the jumpers, or to shop your way through the Holiday Market with a butter tart in hand, there’s magic around every corner today. Let’s get into it."

Chef's Table Cooking Classes Presented by Milk with Rafael Covarrubias at 3pm.
SuperDogs Shows will be in the Ring of Excellence at 10am, 12 noon, 2pm and 5pm.
9am to 4pm watch the Royal Canadian Horseshoeing Classic.

Bee23 Natural Beauty

Ontario Ford Dealers have a large display of vehicles and a contest spin wheel

There were a couple of large LONGINES timepieces around the building, they are the official timekeeper of the Royal

You can also visit the Royal Petting Farm, see the Butter Sculptures and so much more. Also following is Wednesday's Royal Horse Show events.

Wednesday November 12 2025 Royal Horse Schedule
Morning - Free Performance
Roadster Pony, Junior Exhibitor 8:00 AM
Percheron Cart 8:10 9 Candian Owned Hackney Pony 8:20
Clydesdale Cart 8:30
Hackney or Harness Pony, Junior Exhibitor 8:40
Course Build 8:55
Combined Hunter 9:15
Combined Hunter Stake 10:15
Combined Hunter National Championship 11:10
Rainer Lange-Mechlen Trophy
Killer Tom Award Course Build & Walk 11:15
CET Medal National Finals - Flat & Gymnastic, Presented by Running Fox Equestrian 11:50
End of Performance 1:00 PM

Afternoon – Free Performance
Percheron Two Horse Team 1:30
Roadster Pony, Open 1:40
Clydesdale Unicorn 1:50
Pair or Tandem, Driving 2:00
Hackney Pony Open 2:10
Royal Classic Cart class 2:25
Course Build & Walk 2:40
FEI 5* International Welcome 3:15
Course Adjustment & Walk 4:15
Ride Every Stride Junior/Amateur 1.30m Final 4:35
Junior/Amateur 1.30m National Championship 5:30
End of Performance 5:35 PM

Daniel Bluman of Israel took third riding Rebelline de Kwakenbeek in the International Strength & Speed Welcome at Toronto’s CSI5*-W Royal Horse Show.

Photo by Ben Radvanyi Photography

Nov 12, 2025 from Jump Media, "Canadian Olympian Erynn Ballard of Tottenham, ON, opened international show jumping competition at the Royal Horse Show in winning fashion by riding Let’s Fly to victory in the $45,000 International Strength & Speed Welcome on Wednesday, November 12, at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in Toronto, ON.

The first competition of the CSI5*-W division, which denotes the highest level of show jumping sport also offering a FEI World Cup™ qualifying grand prix, saw riders competing over a one-round “power and speed” track set by course designer Olaf Petersen, Jr. of Germany. Riders navigated eight fences and, if they left all of them in place, immediately advanced to the speed portion of the course."

Evening - Paid Performance
Belgian Six Horse Hitch 7:00 PM
Harness Pony, Open 7:20
Green Meadows 7:35
Freedman Award 7:50
Special Feature - The Parade of Hounds 7:55
Road Horse to Bike Canadian Championship 8:05
Featured Entertainment - Sylvia Zerbini Liberte 8:15
Intermission & Course Build 8:35
McKee Family International 5* Jumping Challenge 9:05
End of Performance 10:00 PM

See more photos after the jump.

Gay Lea Butter Sculpting Showdown area

Farm and Play Zone had a mechanical bull riding station

Some big pumpkins were on display

Toronto Cavalcade of Lights 2025 coming Nov 29

As November is brightened by the recent snowfall we need to remember that winter sucks and we need fun to forget about the cold, so the Cavalcade of Lights is returning to Nathan Phillips Square beginning Saturday, November 29. The fest is presented by Desjardins Group and will run to January 7, 2026. Photo at top supplied by City of Toronto.

From the City, "This year’s Cavalcade of Lights embraces the theme of illumination, cross-cultural celebration and winter activity, highlighting Toronto’s diversity through music, dance, skating, visual arts and site animation. The festival will once again feature Toronto’s official Christmas tree and more than 300,000 energy-efficient LED lights, illuminating Nathan Phillips Square nightly from dusk until 11 p.m. The Christmas tree will arrive on Wednesday, November 12 marking the start of the holiday season."

Opening night will be crowded and feature a lot of activities and attractions such as a countdown to the lighting of Toronto’s official Christmas tree, a candlelight concert under the stars, a skating show, indigenous performances, family friend activities, performance by Tyler Shaw and interactive light and sound installations.

Desjardins has also sponsored free skate rentals every Saturday (Dec 6 to Jan 3) from 4-10pm.

Residents can also enjoy the annual New Year’s Skating Party on Sunday, January 4, 2026, from 1 to 5 p.m., "hosted by Mayor Olivia Chow and Members of Council. Skating parties will take place at McCowan District Park, North Toronto Memorial Community Centre, Colonel Samuel Smith Park and Nathan Phillips Square, featuring free skate rentals, hot chocolate, local DJs and winter activities for all ages."