Bloor-Yorkville Holiday Magic 2023 featuring Matt Dusk!
We’re thrilled to invite you to our annual Holiday Magic concert and lighting ceremony, featuring Canadian Jazz crooner, Matt Dusk! Join us at the Big Rock, in the Village of Yorkville Park as we kick off the season with a fabulous lighting display and live performances by two Canadian artists. Taking place on Saturday, November 25th from 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM, this is a free event, open to guests of all ages.
Toronto Performance by Matt Dusk
This year, we’re excited to announce that five-time JUNO Award-winning songwriter Matt Dusk will take the stage to sing holiday classics including “Let it Snow”, “Jingle Bells”, and “White Christmas.” Matt Dusk is one of Canada’s most beloved male vocalists, forging a career in music that has resulted in fourteen critically acclaimed studio albums and sold over one million albums worldwide. Matt is best known for his three number-one radio hits: “All About Me”, “Back in Town”, and “Good News.”
Barbra Lica and Matt Dusk Perform Together
Toronto’s Barbra Lica to Open the Show
Kicking off the event will be Juno-nominated, Toronto-based singer-songwriter and producer, Barbra lica. Barbra is a seasoned act within the Canadian and American club and festival circuits, performing everywhere from New York City’s legendary Birdland to Toronto’s prestigious Koerner Hall. Barbra Lica and Matt Dusk will also come together on stage to perform their new single “Rocking Rudolf,” treating guests to a duet.
Official Lighting Ceremony with Host Keshia Chanté
Our host for this year is Award-winning singer and TV Host, Keshia Chanté , who will be helping us countdown and launch our annual “Flick the Switch” lighting ceremony, which sees the Village of Yorkville Park transform for the holidays.
Our enchanting “tunnel” is a beautiful space to stop, take photos, and get in the festive spirit. A walk through the park takes you through a variety of different displays to explore, from snowflakes to the “light fountain,” making for a magical night out. Additionally, we’ll have 138 lit trees along Bloor Street, transforming the entire street into a magical display, along with our Urban Campfire Benches, which will be lit up in festive red and green. The lighting will remain until the end of December, brightening the area throughout the winter.
Our Charitable Partner: CANFAR
Holiday Magic is proudly in support of CANFAR (The Canadian Foundation for AIDS Research). Over the past three decades, CANFAR has invested more than $26 million in grants to support HIV/AIDS research projects that have led to tremendous breakthroughs in HIV prevention, testing, access to treatment and stigma prevention.
Guests at Holiday Magic can donate to CANFAR by visiting the BY-BIA on-site tent. We will have a “tap to donate” machine set up at our tent, for ease of donation. We will also have on-site vendors offering popcorn, candy floss, and tea with a suggestion of a donation to CANFAR.
Traditional Carolers in Bloor-Yorkville
The fun doesn’t stop after our Holiday Magic kick off party. Throughout December, you can find traditional strolling carolers dressed in Victorian-era costumes with Yuletide sound. Each quartet features an Alto, Soprano, Tenor and Bass vocalist.
The confirmed programming schedule for carolers includes:
● Saturday, December 2nd and Sunday December 3rd from 1pm – 4pm
● Friday, December 8th from 12pm – 3pm, Saturday December 9th and Sunday
December 10th from 1pm – 4pm
● Friday, December 15th from 12pm – 3pm, Saturday December 16th and Sunday
September 17th from 1pm – 4pm
● Friday, December 22nd from 12pm – 3pm, and Saturday, December 23rd from 1pm – 4pm
Parking in Bloor-Yorkville and Transit Directions
Whether you plan to drive, take transit, bike, or walk to the neighbourhood, can review our Bloor-Yorkville parking information here, as well as directions to the neighbourhood.
Browse our list of bars and restaurants to plan your post-show night out! For more information you can visit the official Holiday Magic website here and watch last year’s event video here.