Where to See the Best Holiday and Christmas Lights in Toronto

We’re now well into the holiday season and if you’re feeling just a little stressed, we get you. We also have a gentle suggestion on a fun, easy and often free way to fill your family with the holiday spirit while taking a few moments to just breath and destress: Go for a drive and check out some lovely and festive holiday and Christmas lights in Toronto.

While we recommended a few light-astic events in our round of of activities in December in Toronto, including Casa Loma’s Holiday Lights show , the Nights of Lights walk-through experience and the A Journey Into Enchantment drive-through event, there are several other spots your family can check out if you want to take in some stunning lights. Below we highlight nearly a dozen other addresses in and around Toronto that your family can easily access, mostly at no cost. Please note that a few of these suggestions are private homes, located in residential neighbourhoods. Please be respectful when visiting these sites and make sure you’re not blocking vehicle or foot traffic.

Where to See the Best Holiday and Christmas Lights in Toronto

Bloor Yorkville Holiday Magic
115 Cumberland St., Toronto

It only makes sense that one of the city’s poshest neighbourhoods is also home to an impressive lights display. Here you’ll find thousands of tasteful displays that are brightening up the Village of Yorkville Park and the surrounding area. There’s even a lit-up tunnel that’s just begging to be added to your Instagram feed.

Crescent Road in Mississauga

Residents of Mississauga know that one of the quickest and easiest ways to immerse your family in some holiday cheer is to venture out to this street in the city’s Lorne Park neighbourhood. Many of the houses along this road go all out with lights, inflatables, and other seasonal décor that would make even Clark Griswold jealous. Watch this video from 2022 to get a sense of what your family might see. Checking out the houses is free, but you’re encouraged to bring a donation for the food bank.

Cavalcade of Lights
100 Queen St. W., Toronto

Eaton Centre Tree Light and Snow Show
220 Yonge St., Toronto

See two displays of Christmas lights in Toronto in just one trip downtown. At City Hall, your family can “bask in the glow of thousands of energy-efficient bulbs” while checking out light arrangements “inspired by international lantern, fire and light festivals and winter solstice celebrations.” Your family can also enjoy the Nathan Phillips Square skating rink, where you can bring your skates or rent them.

Need more lights (and some warmth)? Then head over to the Eaton Centre and marvel in the festiveness of its 114-foot-tall Christmas tree and other seasonal décor including indoor snow. The snow falls as part of a short show that occurs hourly, on the half hour, from 12:30 pm until 7:30pm except on the weekends when the last show is at 7:00 pm. Both events are free to attend.

De Sario Family Festival of Lights
165 Benjamin Boake Trail, Toronto

Featuring an impressive 50,000 plus lights, this single family easily captures the titles of most festive house in North York. (Seriously, you’ll see this house’s “glow” long before you get to it.) The lights are lit from around 5:00 pm to 11:00 pm each night from now until January 6 and a special event is planned this year for Saturday, December 23, from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm. Watch the family’s Instagram page for more details!

Decorate Brenyon Way
226 & 228 Brenyon Way, Toronto

A pair of Scarborough neighbours with a shared love of the holidays have been going all out with their front lawn décor since 2010. Click on the link above to see shots and video from this year’s Christmas display, which as always includes giant inflatables and thousands of lights in all kinds of colours and patterns (there’s even an impress wall of lights). The bulbs are lit from sunset until 10:00 pm to 10:45 pm.

Holiday Fair in the Square
Mel Lastman Square, 5100 Yonge St., Toronto

Let’s be honest, while you might want to check out some Christmas lights in Toronto, your young child might need a bit more stimulation. The Holiday Fair in the Square should put a smile on both of your faces. You’ll find plenty of pretty lights and even a fireside lounge for you while your child will enjoy carnival rides and a trip to see Santa’s cabin. The fair wraps up on December 23 and is free to access but note that there are lots of treats to buy here and of course the rides and games are extra.

Holiday Trees at the High Park
1873 Bloor St. W., Toronto

The city’s best-known park gets into the festive spirit by decorating some of its trees with twinkling lights, including around 30 trees located in and nearby the High Park Zoo (and yes, some of the zoo’s animals are out and on display). Thanks to the mild weather we’re having this December, a trip to see these lights pairs nicely with an outing to High Park’s amazing castle- style playground. The lights will be up until January 1 and while they are free to enjoy, you’re encouraged to bring some spare change to donate to the park’s expansion plans.

Illumii
7174 Derrycrest Dr., Mississauga

Light displays don’t get much more impressive than Illumi. Here your family will be dazzled by over 20 million LED bulbs, many of which have been arranged into festive (and giant) characters and scenes. Particularly stunning is the Tree of Light, which stands 47 meters tall! Ilumi is a completely outdoors walk-through experience that covers around 10 football fields of land and takes 60 to 90 minutes to complete so dress warmly and comfortably (it’s also stroller friendly). Food trucks are available on-site to help warm you up. The holiday displays will be up until January 7. Tickets start as low as $15 and pricing varies by date and time.

Kringlewood
Inglewood Dr. between St. Clair E. Ave. and Rosedale Heights, Toronto

Technically this isn’t a light display but it’s just so cute that we must include it. For the past decade, many of the residents of Moore Park’s Inglewood Drive have been erecting giant inflatable Santa Clauses on their lawns, a sight that’s sure to put smiles on your family’s faces. It’s free to check out Kringlewood but you’re encouraged to bring a donation for the Daily Bread Food Bank.

Savage Christmas Light Show
1 Fletcher Pl., Toronto

For the past six years, this Etobicoke home has been bringing the Christmas cheer—and raising money for SickKids through donations—with an impressive light show that’s sync to music. Every few minutes the show, which features 75,000 LED lights, plays out to Mariah Carey’s seasonal classic “All I Want for Christmas Is You,” which you can hear from your car when you tune into 89.3 FM. Catch it from now until January 6, from 5:30 pm to 10:00 pm.