Nathan Phillips Square
Located in front of City Hall, Nathan Phillips Square is an events landmark in the centre of the city. During the summer the square is in motion daily, with people watching concerts and dance performances, viewing art at outdoor exhibitions, shopping for fresh produce at the farmers' market one afternoon a week, attending weekly childrens' events or sitting mesmerized by the fountain, eating lunch. The Peace Garden is a small green haven in the square, ideal for quiet contemplation or reading. In the winter months, the reflecting pool becomes a skating rink, with skates available for rental.
Much of the Christmas season’s magic is thanks to all the glittering, colourful lights twinkling on buildings, homes and trees throughout Toronto neighbourhoods. Here’s a guide to some of the best places to see festive lights this holiday season.
University Avenue
University Avenue, the grandest and widest street in downtown Toronto, comes alive in December, with festive lights decorating tress and shrubs along the eight-lane boulevard. Old stalwart buildings on the southern part of the avenue (like the Canada Life Building, the American embassy, Osgoode Hall, and the Ontario courthouses), and “hospital row” to the north, become the backdrop of a dazzling display.
Yonge to Elm Street, Yonge-Dundas Square
Elm Street, which is two streets north of Dundas and west of Yonge, is definitely worth a short westerly diversion. At College Street, walk south on Yonge, where you’ll encounter 22 trees lit by blue, white, and golden lights. The street, which houses several fine dining restaurants and cozy bars in Victorian renos, becomes a pretty Winter Wonderland at night with trees decorated to form a canopy of white Christmas lights. Continue south along Yonge Street to Yonge-Dundas Square and you’ll be mesmerized by the towering 40 ft. sculptural Christmas tree dressed in 52,000 blue and white lights. Walk a few steps south and duck inside the Eaton Centre via the entrance just south of Sears, and admire the blinding Swarovski tree sprouting from the centre of the mall.
