First Light 2024 in Toronto

First Light celebrates everything native to Ontario, featuring such traditional craft demonstrations, like corn husk doll making and blacksmithing, and also traditional entertainment, like Franco-Ontarian folksinging, native drum music, and, of course, delicious cooking with tasty samples. Additionally, over 50 artisan, craft, and food vendors are set up at the Brébeuf Event Centre and the indoor museum for the public to enjoy. Vendors offer unique arts and crafts as well as one-of-a-kind handmade items. The festival takes place over three weekends from late November to mid-December. Keep in mind that it's about two hours away from Toronto.

Location

The 17th-century mission of Sainte-Marie among the Hurons serves as the beautiful setting for the celebration. The entire site is lit with 5,000 candles set along the paths, which create a truly fascinating atmosphere, as the main festivities take place after sunset between 5:30 and 9 pm. The public can wander through candlelit historical buildings and picturesque illuminated pathways and warm up with a hot cup of cocoa by the open fire.

Program

Sainte-Marie’s First Light features live family activities, musical performances, indoor and outdoor blacksmithing demonstrations, candlemaking demonstrations, indigenous legends and stories in the longhouse, and live performances from local choirs on Thursdays.

Tickets and Parking

General admission is $15 per person. Children under 5, members of the Canadian Armed Forces, and First Nations, Métis, and Inuit people with valid ID get in for free. Limited parking is available at the site. Additional parking is available at the Midland Walmart, with free shuttles running operating from 5:30 to 9:30 pm.