Cavalcade of Lights at Nathan Phillips Square has an impressive 40-year history in Toronto. The event was created in 1967 to showcase Toronto's newly constructed City Hall and Nathan Phillips Square.

This festive event traditionally falls on the final weekend of November to kick-off the holiday season with the official illumination of the Square and giant Christmas tree with 100,000 festive lights.

Since 2002 Cavalcade of Lights has transformed from a one night format to a month-long holiday celebration with the addition of Saturday night skating parties to live music at Nathan Phillips Square's famous outdoor rink.

In 2004, the event expanded to become a city-wide celebration including sparkling energy-efficient LED lighting displays in Toronto neighbourhoods.

This year, under the direction of Canadian designer Brian Gluckstein, the theme of Nathan Phillips Square's Lighting Display is "All That Glitters," an environment of festivity celebrating peace and goodwill for all cultures. The landmark architecture of City Hall and the surrounding structures will be highlighted in the colours of red, white and silver along with the trees throughout the landscape illuminated as if in bloom.