If you love art, and Toronto, and cool, free events AND being out all night with tons of other people appreciating all of the above, then you have to check out Scotiabank Nuit Blanche. On October 1, from sunset to sunrise, the city is absolutely transformed into something magical. It's just one night, and it's all night long. And it's completely free.
This is the sixth year that Nuit Blanche has taken place in Toronto. It's one of those events that when you go once, you can't wait to go again, and you tell everyone how cool it is and how they have to go. All-night art taking over the streets is really something special. There are contemporary art installations and exhibits in places you'd expect to find them, like museums and galleries, and in places you wouldn't, like alleys and streetcars.
There are more than 130 destinations and the city is separated into zones, with each zone showcasing a mix of exhibition projects and independent projects. There are rest areas, info centres and places to buy snacks in each zone. Zone A is located at Yonge and Wellesley Streets (on Yonge Street north of Wellesley Street, Wellesley subway stop) Zone B is at Yonge-Dundas Square (South-East corner of Yonge Street and Dundas Street East, Dundas subway stop) and Zone C is at Yonge Street & King Street (on Yonge Street south of King Street, King subway stop.
It's a good idea to have a plan when setting out to explore Nuit Blanche so you can see as much as possible. There is a Night Navigator App for both the iPhone and Blackberry that you can download for free which offers maps, give you the location of the closest exhibits to where you are, and provide you with details about the different projects. The app will also find you the all-night subway stops that are closest to you, and give a direct link the the personal Nuit Blanche planner, "My Night."
Yes, certain parts of public transit will be running all night long. There is a car-free zone along Yonge Street, between Front and Bloor, which makes it easier to get around and view exhibits. You might even want to consider using your bike, as this is a great way to zip around and see as much as possible. Toronto now has a public bike system — BIXI — and for $5 you get unlimited trips all night long of 30 minutes or less.
Follow Nuit Blanche updates at @sbnuitblancheTO, or check out the Nuit Blanche website for more information and tips on getting around the event.
Rosalie Scott - Rosalie Scott is a business owner who loves to write about all the awesome things to do in the city of Toronto.
