What’s On: Toronto Light Festival
Updated: Oct. 04, 2018
Got a case of the February blues? Try a shot of light therapy. The Toronto Light Festival—on now until March 12, 2017—transforms the Distillery Historic District into an open-air gallery of illuminated art.
See-Worthy: The Toronto Light Festival
After a remarkably dark January (meteorologically speaking), it’s only natural to crave a little light. From now until March 12, you can get your fix at the Distillery Historic District’s Toronto Light Festival.
Boasting 21 light art installations, the festival transforms the historic neighbourhood into one of the largest open-air galleries in Canada.
“We wanted to create something special and something that will lift the collective spirit of the city,” says Mathew Rosenblatt, creator and executive director of the Toronto Light Festival. “We literally want to bring people out of the dark and into the light, to interact with and explore the city in a way they never have before.”
Admission to the Toronto Light Festival is free, although two interactive installations encourage donations to the Yonge Street Mission and the Daily Bread Food Bank.
Check out some of our favourite installations!
Angels of Freedom
This interactive light sculpture at the Toronto Light Festival is more than just a striking photo opp. For every photo posted online with the hashtag #MillStLights, the Distillery Historic District’s Mill Street Brewery will donate $1 to the Daily Bread Food Bank.
Digital Origami Tigers
Originally designed to celebrate Chinese New Year, this dramatic installation has travelled the world since it was unveiled in Sydney, Australia, in 2010.
War of the Worlds, anyone?
“We carefully selected each piece for the festival to appeal to the kid in you,” says event creator Rosenblatt. “The installations are all very accessible, interactive, beautiful, thoughtful and engaging.”
Check out 50 More Ways to Fall in Love With Toronto All Over Again!
In the Loop
Event organizers drew inspiration from Burning Man and the Amsterdam Light Festival—one of the world’s most celebrated light art festivals.
