Top 5 Places to See Christmas Lights in Ontario

The top 5 places to see Christmas lights in Ontario this year
It’s getting dark a little earlier now that Daylight Savings has ended, and that means Christmas light displays are just around the corner!
Here are some of the top events in southern Ontario:
Cavalcade of Lights
The Cavalcade of Lights is one of the top winter spectacles in Ontario year after year, taking place at Nathan Phillips Square in downtown Toronto. Visit the downtown core on Saturday, November 25th to see the lighting of the six-story tree, which serves as the city’s official holiday tree.
Feel free to stick around if you want to make a night of it, as there will be plenty of live music and entertainment.
Lakeside Festival of Lights
If you live west of Toronto, you may be more interested in checking out the 22nd annual Lakeside Festival of Lights in Burlington. Over 60 holiday-themed exhibits will be on display in Spencer Smith Park, making it a sight to behold for the entire family.
Many of the displays use LED lights, making the event much more environmentally-friendly than some of the other nearby events. The Festival of Lights starts at the beginning of December and ends shortly into the New Year.
Tree lighting in Pickering
If you’re in the Durham area, check out the tree lighting and fireworks taking place in Esplanade Park on Friday, December 1st. This event is perfect for parents with younger children, as they’ll be sure to love the merry-go-round and elf rides that will be available to the public.
If your children are little older, there’s still plenty for them to do, as the event is also offering basketball, soccer, and hockey-themed games. Be sure to bring your appetite, as there will be a number of Canadian-themed food trucks at the event.
While the event is free, organizers are collecting unwrapped gifts and non-perishable food items for those in need, so lend a hand if you can.
Aurora
In York Region, the Christmas tree lighting in Aurora is just a few weeks away. Santa, Mrs. Claus, and Santa’s reindeer will all be making their way from the North Pole to Aurora Town Hall on December 6th bringing with them loads of Christmas spirit.
The Salvation Army will also be there to collect food and toy donations.
The event runs from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm, so be sure to get there early.
Winter Wonderland in Newmarket
Another local option is Winter Wonderland in Newmarket, which features a top-notch light display. Spend the night skating or hop aboard the Tim Horton’s Express Train on weekends and take in the dazzling holiday-themed exhibit.
The event starts at the beginning of December, so plan accordingly!