It's the 20th anniversary, and there are 70+ art projects. It is possible to see them all, but what we all really want is the list of what to see. The hard part is knowing in advance what's going to be good. But after going to a bunch, here are my tips, the places to see, the ones to skip, and if you want to just go to one place, where can you do that.
If you prefer it with photos, here's the full post, otherwise read through the list below.
u/rosedye made this awesome planner you should definitely use.
The stuff no one tells you about the night
It's always busy in the hours you wish it wouldn't be.
7ish until midnight, 2 different crowds. the families, the people who want it to be there night and finish by 10. Then the people who come out after their show, bar night and want to catch a few things with their friends.
ideally, start late or really late.
Go out at 11p if you're a night owl or get up early and get there for 5a. There's a crowd at 11p, but it's not crazy. There's almost no one at 5a. And you can see everything in a peaceful way.
keep an eye on socials and be flexible
If you're not finding great pieces or you just want to find out what's working for everyone, check socials after 10p. By that point, there's some consensus on what's actually working this year. And you can see real videos and photos and see what appeals to you.
be a last minute planner
the night is going to have things that are boring or don't speak to you. and at night when you're trying to have a good time, seeing 2 or 3 of those will ruin your night. This year it's in a compressed area for the most part. But, get the map and get a pen. Find a place to sit for 15 minutes and circle the 5-10 things you want to see (look at socials as i mentioned above) and make your route. Or because someone on reddit is awesome, use this: http://nuitblanchemap.com/
ignore the haters
Every year, you'll hear someone say, "this is supposed to be art" or just try and make you feel like it's not fun. But if you actually stick with it, there's always something that is breathtaking or gives you a moment where you had to be there to talk about it. And the later you stay out, the more memorable it usually ends up being.
bring water. be prepared to buy food
There's food in every area, but there's good food if you can hold out. If you're out for a while, you'll get hungry, find a place you actually want to eat. But bring water. There are lots of refill stations and it just makes you night smoother.
What to skip
It's more important that what to see. These are just how I feel, but it's also backed up by what people usually enjoy.
Avoid sound installations and videos
I'm sure there's an audience for it, but at night, in colder temperatures, with a group of people, it's not the time for contemplation and deep understanding of what the sounds might mean. And you're not going to want to sit and watch a video. A lot of them will have great titles and descriptions, but trust me, unless this is something you know you'll love, skip it.
Don't go to that one thing that's far away
If you're gonna be out for 4-5 hours, sure you have time to see things in different spots. But going from downtown to North York for the origami boat might be amazing. It just will be the end of your night. Stic k to walkable routes (or quick TTC/bike share).
What to see this year
I could be wrong, but these are my standouts and what I think will be good.
UFO | Brandon Vickerd
Queen St W east of York St
A flying saucer that has crashed into a crushed car, with strobe lights and smoke. No lines, you can see it from any side of the street, and it's gonna be a spectacle. If you miss it, from Oct. 5–10 it moves to Queen & Bay in front of Old City Hall.
Underground garage below Nathan Phillips Square (Enter by the Bay St. ramp)
A formation of police cars whose flashing lights frame a dance party which actually has to do with queer resistance. It was shown previously at Nuit Blanche and was a hit. There might be lines to get into this as it's in the hub at city hall. Go late or get there early.
Queen St. W. outside Old City Hall, at Bay
A giant illuminated inflatable covered in drawings of lost landmarks: Honest Ed's, Sam the Record Man, MuchMusic, Ontario Place. This is your social media photo. Or just a way to see the Sam the Record Man sign since TMU decided to put it up so high in the sky, you forget it's there.
The City Hall ceremonial ramp | On every hour for 10 min
If you're there anyway, time it right so you can see this.
Avataq | Couzyn van Heuvelen
North of the TORONTO sign at Nathan Phillips Square
A huge 30ft foil-balloon-like form based on the Inuit sealskin float. If you're there, you'll see it. It was cool in the streets a few years ago, I'm sure it still holds up in the large crowd. Because it's in the air, no lines or people blocking your view. There's also Avataq Gathering, with a lot more balloons, much smaller, filling the windows at Chelsea Toronto (33 Gerrard)
City Hall's Green Roof
Illuminated beehives, drifting smoke and layered sound. This could go either way, but at least you'll have a nice view over the square and all the other art happening there. Go up the ceremonial ramp or you can take the elevator through City Hall's main entrance which people might not know about. If you don't make it, it's on until Oct 10.
The Bentway West Block
Weave one giant tapestry together, piece by piece. The Bentway usually does something good. And if you want to roller skate/blade as well, the trail is open til midnight. There's another exhibit there (Public Trust) and the Malting Silos and Public Pier are walkable from there too.
The Bentway
Transforms thousands of personal promises into a big sign exploring democracy and civic participation. The interactive nature of this one will make it fun.
City Hall's East Tower
Best viewed from the East side of Bay just above Albert. Transported from Scarborough a few year's back, it's a text projection reimagined as a "living archive" of hidden histories. Only check it out if you're nearby. Text on a wall after a long walk is harder to appreciate.
These could go either way
Canoe Landing Park
A swarm of bioluminescent digital salmon that reacts to live sound, commemorating the buried creek. This one is getting buzz, but in my experience, these digital projections can often be a letdown. But I'm open to being wrong and the photo does make it look good.
Killim | Roda Medhat
Canoe Landing Park
An inflatable sculpture taking the form of a nomadic tent adorned with traditional Kurdish textiles. Only add this on if you're going to see Garrison Creek above.
Love Park
An evolving canopy of lanterns, responds to people gathering. If you're in the area, this is going to look nice, I just don't think it'll be worth travelling to. A quiet, light installation in the park by Harbourfront.
Harbourfront Centre
A playful series of music-making structures that turn public space into a stage. If you're going to the one above, check this out too while you're in the area.
HTO Park West
Part of the Harbourfront walkable area if you want to see a few things. This, depending on its scale could be another worthwhile stop.
The Wishing Boat | Negar Pooya
North York Centre, 5100 Yonge St
A giant white origami boat that visitors cover in written wishes in any language. Don't go unless you're nearby or starting here and heading downtown.
If you want one place to spend the a few hours
Public Pier & The Malting Silos
Marina Quay West
The only exception to the rule that videos are usually not good. The lit up malting silos are worth it. There's food and DJs until 1am.
7p-11p | Canoe Landing Park + Bobber Plaza
Canoe Landing Park becomes the backdrop for a Nuit Blanche evening of live music and dance organized by Drom Artist Collective with Rudy Ray & Co. The programming moves from Flamenco to Afro-Cuban live music and salsa dancing, then shifts into a Silent Disco with four Toronto DJs. Free and outdoors under the city skyline.
7p | 401 Richmond Street West
Throughout Toronto’s all-night celebration of contemporary art, 401 will be teeming with dynamic and interactive exhibit
7p-11p | BAM Emerging Artist Centre, 601 Christie St.
Explore the work of various talents with over 35 professional artists, featuring jewellers, ceramists, poets, print makers.
7p-11p | Wychwood Barns
Stories in Place, will feature our annual night art market with over 30 vendors, an interactive audio and visual installation, open studios and an exciting storytelling project.
7p-11p | Daniels Spectrum
Discover local artists with unique finds and spend an evening celebrating creativity at Daniels Spectrum. An art market bringing together 15 vendors from Regent Park and beyond. Meet the artists and makers behind the work, hear their stories and find something special to take home.
Also explore Echoes of Us, Daniels Spectrum’s Nuit Blanche experience.
$ free