The Cavalcade of Lights has been brightening up Toronto since 1967. It marks the beginning of the holiday season. The show includes the lighting of a giant Christmas tree in Nathan Phillips Square. The tree is covered with thousands of LED red, silver and white lights. There are live musical performances as well as a spectacular fireworks finale. There is an outdoor ice skating rink in the Square if weather permits.
The Toronto International Film Festival, held annually in Toronto, is the top public film festival in the world. It screens over 300 films from over 60 countries. It is famous for offering a diverse array of films and every year has its share of red carpet glamour, Hollywood galas and the best international cinema produced. Visitors also enjoy Canada's own comedies and other cinema. The films are divided by genre, so visitors can pick according to their mood.
The Festival of India has taken place in Toronto since 1972. It begins with a parade down Yonge Street through the city. The celebrations and shows start in Centre Island and last for two days. The Festival is free to the public and includes a free vegetarian feast at Yonge-Dundas Square and a fantastic arts and culture show. There is also a South Asian Bazaar, a yoga festival and more.
For twelve days The Toronto Fringe Festival draws over 70,000 people who enjoy musicals, comedies, drama, dance, family programs, improve and many other live entertainments. Since 1989, it has been a festival that provides opportunities for artists as well as audiences to enjoy theater. It benefits the theater community at large as well as artist and beginners. Independent artists are welcome to join and innovate. The Fringe Festival is the largest theater and performance festival in Toronto. It offers over 140 productions at over 25 venues. It also has Site Specific productions that take place in unexpected locations throughout the city. The center stage includes eight living gallery spaces with free discussions, forums and cabaret performances.
Sports fans can have a true blast when visiting Toronto
Sports fans can have a true blast when visiting Toronto, as Canada's largest city is home to more than a dozen teams, including four professional franchises. Visitors can enjoy Canada's favorite sport by cheering on the Toronto Maple Leafs of the NHL. The professional ice hockey team plays at the Air Canada Centre, which welcomes more than 18,000 spectators for every game. Basketball lovers can catch great NBA action as the Toronto Raptors also compete at the Air Canada Centre. Tourists can also enjoy America's favorite pastime by watching the Blue Jays play at the Rogers Centre, a unique sporting venue that has a skydome design and includes a retractable roof. To enjoy the world's most popular sport, fans can check out great soccer action as the Toronto Football Club of the MLS plays at the BMO Field.
Overlooking Air Canada Centre and Rogers Centre is the CN Tower, the most famous landmark of Toronto. Rising more than 1,800 feet high, the iconic Canadian National Tower has dominated the skyline of Toronto since the late 1970s. At the tower's multiple observation decks, visitors have the opportunity to enjoy breathtaking 360-degree views of the entire Toronto cityscape and the surrounding suburbs. The visit to the CN Tower can be topped off with a fine dinner at the "sky high" 360 Restaurant.
Regarded as one of the best museums in North America, the Royal Ontario Museum invites visitors to explore diverse exhibitions on natural history and international culture. Dinosaur fossils, animal galleries, ancient artifacts, and sculptures are presented throughout the museum's floor space. To explore Toronto's best collection of fine art, visitors can check out the Art Gallery of Ontario. AGO has an extensive collection of European, Canadian, African, and American artwork including paintings, drawings, printworks, and sculptures. Dedicated completely to displaying ceramics, the Gardiner Museum is a must-visit venue for anyone interested in ceramic crafts.
Animal lovers can get up and close and personal to their favorite creatures at the Toronto Zoo. One of the largest zoos in the world, the Toronto Zoo is home to more than 5,000 animals, which reside in more than a dozen themed sections such as African Savanna, Americas, and Canadian Domain.
The entire family can have lots of fun at Toronto's Exhibition Place, a mixed used complex that hosts fairs and other large indoor and outdoor events. In fact, the BMO Field is located at this major entertainment complex. The grounds of Exhibition Place include multiple indoor arenas, outdoor entertainment venues, statues, monuments, fountains, and other unique structures.