Upcoming Christmas and the Toronto Cavalcade of Lights

Fall colours will soon fall to the ground and cooler winter temperatures will start to hit Toronto and the city has started the long process of putting up Christmas decorations. The annual Cavalcade of Lights taking place at city hall requires a lot of prep to get the lights and giant Christmas tree installed. Already the reflecting pond is drained and two manlifts are preparing the arches for lights. The tree lighting ceremony and Cavalcade of Lights opening is expected on November 30, 2024 to be held in Nathan Phillips Square.

Setting up for Cavalcade of Lights

The Toronto Eaton Centre is installing their large herd of decorative deer statues and the extremely tall Christmas tree near the fountain looks like it is in place and covered up with a red curtain.

Over at Commerce Court the aluminum, illuminated Christmas trees have been placed at the King Street entrance as well as back in the courtyard where the elephants roam.

See more Christmas pictures after the jump.

Spirit Garden and Toronto City Hall in the Fall

Toronto is adding a Spirit Garden onto the west side of Nathan Phillips Square and it is shaping up nicely, especially as Fall colours are taking over the city hall property. The new park is dedicated to stepping closer to the Indigenous communities in a Call to Action with a highly visible space featuring and sharing the traditions of the Original Peoples.

From the City of Toronto, "The Spirit Garden also incorporates diverse elements that represent First Nations, Inuit and Métis cultures, such as a Teaching Lodge, an amphitheatre, a Three Sisters seasonal garden, a Two Row Wampum walkway and more. The 20,650-square-foot garden serves as a space for contemplation, gatherings and spiritual ceremonies, open to all people seeking connection and understanding."

Featured art works and artists include a giant turtle sculpture in a reflecting pool, a wall with the names of 18 former residential schools in Ontario, a shiny 36-fool, stainless steel canoe, an Inuksuk symbol of guidance, etched Three Sisters artwork and a Teaching Lodge.

See more of city hall in autumn after the jump.

Happy Halloween 2024

It's the spookiest night of the year in Toronto as Halloween comes once again on October 31st. Some homes and even neighbourhoods do it well and dress up their yards in skeletons, witches and warlocks. I found this scary sight in the Beach area of Toronto. There is even one street with a line of 12-foot tall ghosts - you can find it on Essex Street between Ossington and Shaw streets.

Distillery Winter Village 2024 starts November 13

Opening day brings Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony in the historic Distillery District with the Winter Village continuing until January 5, 2025. During the weekends approaching the Christmas holidays this Toronto neighbourhood fills up fast so you need to buy tickets for entrance from Thursday to Sunday, and on opening day (available online only).

From the Village's website, "Running daily from Wednesday, November 13 to Sunday, January 5 this internationally celebrated event invites visitors to embrace the timeless romance of the holidays, stroll the historic cobblestone streets under a canopy of lights, meet Santa and his Elves, and bask in the glow of the breathtaking 55-foot-tall silver fir Christmas tree designed by Christian Dior Parfums, all while enjoying the tastiest festive food and drink." Also "With Taylor Swift’s Toronto leg of the Eras Tour coinciding with the return of The Distillery Winter Village, visitors can participate in a 'Swiftie Holiday Hunt’ to win specially-crafted friendship bracelets. For more festive cheer and Taylor-inspired fun, Taylor Swift-themed cookies and friendship bracelets will be available for purchase as well. This exclusive experience will only be available while Taylor is in town, running until November 24th."

Santa Claus himself will visit the village to flip the switch, lighting up the 55-foot-tall Christmas tree on November 13 at 6:00 p.m. Other activities and attractions at the district include the Distillery’s Aurora Borealis, wonderland light projections, a photo op sleigh, Santa's Village and Elves, a North Pole post, festive performances and winter cabins.

Toronto International Snowmobile, ATV & Powersports Show 2024

I can confidently predict snow in the GTA sometime in the future, possibly the near future, but certainly in the future, so what can you do to capture the excitement of fresh fallen snow? Take a look at the sleds at the WORLDS Largest Snowmobile, ATV & Powersports Show on from October 25 to 27, 2024 at the International Centre. Shannon Gosselin of the #144 Gosselin Racing ski-doo driver is at the show signing autographs for fans (pictured at top).

These drag racing snow machines are quite the machines

There will be plenty to see at the show including exciting freestyle and stunt shows along with driver training, live test drives, free kids test track, parts, swaps and clothing. Presented by Co-operators and AMSOIL the 37th annual Toronto International Snowmobile, ATV & Powersports Show returns to the halls of the centre where you can also enjoy free parking. The Freestyle events are in Hall 4 so grab a seat on the two large bleachers and enjoy the high flying action.

The weekend schedule for the Ultimax Freestyle Show

This is the biggest machine at the show

@jmhcet High flying stunts performed by professionals at the #TorontoInternational #SnowmobileATVpowersportsshow 2024. #Toronto #Motorcycle #snowmobile ♬ You May Be Right - Billy Joel

Watch some incredible freestyle and stunt performances the whole weekend. As per the show's website, "Yes LIVE FREESTYLE SHOWS are included with your show admission. Catch the Ultimax Belts LIVE INDOOR Freestyle Shows in the INDOOR Events Hall, with unbelievable performances from top athletes performing mind defying tricks all-weekend. More great news released, the Factory Yamaha Stunt Riders, TWIN STUNTS will perform live."

Show Hours; Friday, October 25: 1 pm-9 pm, Saturday, October 26: 10 am – 7 pm and Sunday, October 27: 10 am – 5 pm. Ticket prices are Adult: $25.00 · Senior (aged 65 and over): $20.00 · Youth (aged 10 to 15): $15.00 · Children under age 10 - FREE.

Island Paradise Dominican Republic

This is our third time in the Caribbean heaven on the island paradise of the Dominican Republic. We are working our way around the island from Puerta Plata to Punta Cana and now down to La Romana with the stellar resort called Bahia Principe Luxury Bouganville. DR is toasty warm, beautiful beaches and inexpensive as a fall getaway.

So far this resort is perfection in the hot tropical sun. Great resort, excellent food and service and fun entertainment, yesterday we watched a night time circus.

We went ATV and dune buggy riding yesterday and can recommend the excursion (Crazy Wheels) but would strongly suggest using goggles and and a bandana to keep the dust at bay, sunglasses alone do not cut it.

Our next excursion is a tour of La Romana and we are looking forward to Wednesday.

Pretty badlands in Caledon

The hills that were wild and free, then fenced and barred from visitation, now the exposed soil can be visited, if you have the money. Known as the Caledon or Cheltenham Badlands, the site is along Olde Base Line Road (1739) northwest of Toronto and the cost of entry is per car. A 90 minute visit during the week (dusk to dawn) is $10 while a weekend or holiday visit is $20 and reservations are required.

What makes the hill special is that livestock stripped the hills cover and left the dirt exposed. The dirt was then eroded by the rain and left a spiderweb of small gullies and rounded mounds, or hummocks, of reddish brown clay, streaked with grey shale - all of it is Queenston Shale.

It's beautiful on the Bruce Trail heading towards the badlands

@jmhcet Fall in the #gta is better when you are at the #cheltenhambadlands in #caledon. #badlands #erosion #fall #autumn ♬ sonido original - sing this song - power_ballads&more

I bought a ticket for a weekday because weekends in Autumn are way too busy. And this was the first time I kept off the road (250m) and took the Bruce Trail route (320m) in through the forest and up to the viewing stand. The trail is a bit up and a bit down and in rain will become a little slippery, so be careful.

Interesting photos of Toronto

Bright lights and an amazing roster of events keep the social life in the big city of Toronto hopping year round. While most art installations are temporary, sometimes they make a big impact to the scenery and I wish they could have remained in place. Other things, like buildings, are here one day and gone the next and often you don't realize that you are taking photos of history.

The Gardiner is in the midst of a multi-year refurb project and the York-Bay-Yonge off ramp was demolished.

Winner every time at the balloon popping game at the CNE. Even though it has a permanent home the annual exhibition has to be torn down and setup again every year.

The spaceship bathroom structure named the Oculus Pavilion along the Humber trail

The cube houses are supposed to be demolished soon as the site is redeveloped

Toronto's favourite bath toy, the giant rubber ducky along the waterfront in 2023

Getting ready for the annual Toronto Carnival celebrations

Of men and monsters in the historic Distillery District

Some fire breathing during the annual Winter Solstice celebration and parade in Kensington Market. The event is held December 21st.

Toronto's bike share seems to be doing well. These bikes are piling up around King Street

MLB Toronto Blue Jays mascot ACE waves a flag on the field. Better luck next year Blue Jays!

The impressive space inside Brookfield Place is often host to some great art installations

It could be a ghost keeping an eye on pedestrians in the historic Distillery District but it's part of the Fantastic Planet art installation

Union Station is a hub for transportations and also for events and art installations - Like Humanity, above

A light festival in Toronto

Some passenger swans from the waters at the Toronto Island park

Golden Zanzibar club interesting facade and title board announces major events with tie ins to the girls

Man those old banks new how to build some impressive looking structures along Yonge Street