All Your Questions Answered

The Experience

What is Northern Lights?

Northern Lights is an outdoor, immersive walkthrough experience that wraps you up in the lights, sights, sounds, and feeling of the holidays with 4 exciting areas.

Where is Northern Lights being held?

We are located just outside of Toronto’s Grand Bizarre on Exhibition Place Grounds. The address is 15 Saskatchewan Road, Toronto, ON, M6K 3C3.

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What are your operating hours?

We open at 5:00pm and close at 9:00pm on most nights, but some nights have extended hours so please make sure to consult your ticket! We will always close 30 minutes after the last available entry time slot. Operating hours are subject to change based on date, visitor traffic, and certain special occasions.

View schedule

How much time does it take to experience all that Northern Lights has to offer?

We would recommend allowing at least 30 minutes to explore all 4 areas and take in all of the incredible holiday experiences we have to offer. Since there are no requirements to leave at a certain time, we invite you to enjoy Northern Lights on your own schedule!

Is the entire event outside?

Yes! You will be invited to explore the joy of Northern Lights around Grand Bizarre’s beautiful outdoor patio, but you are more than welcome to make indoor dinner reservations at Grand Bizarre to enjoy before, during, or after your visit.

Will Northern Lights be open if there is inclement weather?

Even though Canadian winters can be unpredictable, Northern Lights will remain open in almost all weather conditions. In the event of extreme wind or cold conditions, the event may close for safety reasons. Should such an event occur, ticket holders will be contacted by email to reschedule their visit at no additional charge. If you are concerned about the weather, you can add a FLEX-TICKET option at the time of purchase.

View schedule

Are there heated areas?

Yes. There will be some outdoor fires and heating towers available, however we recommend that you dress for the weather on the night of your visit since Northern Lights is completely outdoors.

Will you be selling anything onsite?

Yes! There will be a selection of festive market vendors in addition to a wide selection of food and beverage options available at Northern Lights.

Can I take photos and videos inside the event?

Of course! You are welcome to take and record as many photos and videos as you want. We would also love to see what you capture, and encourage you to share your photos on social media using the hashtag #NorthLightsTO and tag us using the following handles:

@NorthLightsTO

Can I take a picture with Santa?

Santa will be available for photos until December 25, at which point the Grinch will be taking over his workshop.
To meet Santa or the Grinch, please purchase the Santa or Grinch Selfie add-on when prompted in the ticket purchase process. This ticket add-on allows you and your group to pose for one staged selfie either with Santa at his workshop of the Grinch at the North Pole. While you must bring your own camera or phone for this experience, our elves will happily assist by taking shots on your device if you all want to be in the photo!

Which dates are Santa Selfies and the Grinch Selfies available?

Santa Selfies and a visit with Santa are available to purchase during open nights December 1 – December 25. Santa’s holiday work is done on Christmas Day and he gets a much-deserved rest! The Grinch joins us on December 26 – January 7 as his heart has grown three times and the true meaning of Christmas comes through and his strength has grown by ten Grinches plus two! Purchase your Santa Selfie or the Grinch Selfie add-on in advance to secure your spot.

Are Santa or Grinch Selfies included in my ticket?

No. To meet Santa or the Grinch, please purchase the Santa Selfie or Grinch Selfie add-on when prompted in the ticket purchase process. Santa will be in his workshop from December 1 – 25, with the Grinch taking over from December 26 – January 7.

When can I take my picture with Santa or the Grinch?

Your Santa Selfie add-on is valid for the first 30 minutes of your visit to Northern Lights. Since Santa is only in his workshop from 5:00pm-8:00pm, we do not recommend arriving to see him any later than 7:30pm. Arrivals after 7:30pm may not have access to Santa that day.

Are Santa or Grinch Selfies refundable?

Santa Selfie and Grinch Selfie add-ons are non-refundable and cannot be rescheduled unless you purchase the FLEX-TICKET option at time of checkout.

I forgot to purchase a Santa Selfie, Grinch Selfie, or other add-on – can I still buy one?

Of course! You may purchase add-ons after your initial ticket purchase by logging back into the ticketing page and adding them to your purchase. You can also purchase Santa or Grinch Selfies on-site, but we would highly recommend you purchase in advance to secure your spot.Please note that Santa Selfies are available from December 1 – 25, and that Grinch Selfies are available from December 26 – January 7.

How do I donate to The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids)?

A portion of every Northern Lights ticket sold through this site will be donated to The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids). You can also top up your donation when you purchase your ticket. You also have the option to donate directly to SickKids at this link here.

Food And Beverage

Will food and drinks be available at Northern Lights?

Yes! There is a wide selection of food and beverage options available at Northern Lights, including professionally prepared options from the renowned chefs at Grand Bizarre and a full selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages and midway treats for kids of all ages!

Can I bring my own food and drinks into Northern Lights?

No outside food & drinks are allowed inside Northern Lights. Please note that bags will be checked upon entry to ensure the safety of all guests.

The Venue

Is there parking onsite?

There are several City of Toronto Green P lots located only a short distance from Northern Lights around Exhibition Place grounds.
More information on Exhibition Place parking is available here.

Can I get there by public transit?

Yes! Northern Lights is accessible by most forms of public transit including bus, streetcar and GO services. A full list can be found here.

Can I bring my stroller inside Northern Lights?

Absolutely! The majority of our experience is on ground level concrete patio stone and is completely accessible. Please note that strollers are subject to search at the entry gate to ensure the safety of all guests.

Are pets allowed inside Northern Lights?

Yes, you may bring your pet on any day! All pets must be leashed or carried at all times and you must clean up after your pet. Only dogs & cats are permitted.

Is smoking or vaping allowed?

Northern Lights is a non-smoking event. Smoking and vaping are strictly prohibited during your visit.

Will there be washrooms onsite?

Yes, there will be washrooms available onsite, including accessible units.

How can I get to Northern Lights with GO Transit?

Northern Lights is conveniently located only a short walk from Exhibition Station.

Important information from GO Transit: starting Monday, October 31, the elevators at Exhibition GO Station will be out of service while we carry out important upgrades. This means that customers with accessibility needs will not be able to use the pedestrian tunnel connecting the North and South platforms.

Dignity Transportation Shuttle service will be available to transport customers with accessibility needs. Please follow the signs at the station to find the shuttle service location.

You can also request shuttle service in advance by calling GO Transit at 416-869-3200 or 1-888-438-6646 (toll-free). Please note that requests must be made 48 hours in advance of the time of travel.

Elevator upgrades are expected to be complete and back in service by spring 2023. For more information and maps of how to get here, please visit the GO Transit website.

Ticketing

Where can I purchase tickets?

Tickets for Northern Lights are available online or at the gate upon arrival. Tickets will be sold in time slots, which means a limited number of entries will be available per day and per time slot. It is recommended that you purchase tickets online in advance to make sure you get the desired date, time slot, and experience you are looking for.

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Do I have to buy online or can I pay at the door?

While you can purchase tickets onsite, we would highly recommend making your purchase in advance. Please note that for tickets purchased at the door, an additional charge of $5.00 per ticket will be applied.

Why do I need to select a time slot?

Selecting a time slot allows us to guarantee the best experience for everyone by helping control traffic and prevent congestion as you and your party explore Northern Lights.

How much do tickets cost?

Ticket prices vary depending on the experience, the visitor’s age category, and the date and time slot. The rates represent the latest prices for each evening based on visitor traffic. For full details, please visit our ticketing page.

Can I change my ticket date and/or time slot after purchase?

All Northern Lights tickets are final sale, which means you will not be able to change your ticket date or timeslot post-purchase without the FLEX-TICKET add-on. For $5.95 more per ticket ($19.95 for a 4-pack), you will be able to exchange your original ticket for a different date and timeslot. Please note that the FLEX-TICKET option must be added to each ticket during the initial purchase process – no exceptions.

Do I have to print my tickets, or can I just use my phone?

Advance e-tickets to Northern Lights are purchased online and include a unique QR code. You may present this QR code on your phone or on a printout. Please note that the same QR code may also be required for other onsite experiences such as Selfies with Santa. When presenting e-tickets from your mobile device, make sure your device is charged and that your screen brightness is increased to maximum.

Is there a special group rate?

Yes! We have a selection of discounted 4-packs available on our ticketing site, as well as special rates for groups of 20 or more tickets purchased at the same time for the same date and time of entry. Please email groupsales@NorthLightsTO.ca team to book groups of 20 or more.

Can I offer tickets as a gift?

Absolutely! You can purchase an electronic gift card by clicking the button below. Once activated by the recipient, the electronic gift card can only be used for purchases at the online box-office. The Northern Lights electronic gift cannot be used at points of sale inside the Northern Lights event. Please note that physical gift cards are not available, and that it is not possible to purchase tickets as gifts without selecting a specific date and time slot.

Why are ticket prices higher on some weekends and/or holidays?

Dynamically priced tickets allow us to regulate the flow of traffic at Northern Lights and ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone! As a result, our ticket prices reflect the most recent price for each evening based on demand and may be subject to change without prior notice.

If I cannot make it due to an unexpected event, can I use my ticket for another day?

All tickets purchased with a FLEX-TICKET option can be rescheduled once. Please note that the FLEX-TICKET option must be added to each ticket during the initial purchase process – no exceptions.

What happens if I show up early for my timeslot?

Unfortunately you will not be permitted to enter the experience until the time noted on your ticket.

What happens if I show up late for my timeslot?

Not a problem! You will be able to enter Northern Lights up to 30 minutes after your ticketed time slot. Please note that arrivals within 30 minutes or less of closure may not be permitted and will not be able to be rescheduled unless you have already purchased the FLEX-TICKET option.

Do tickets have in-and-out privileges? Can I enter Northern Lights more than once?

While you may only enter the experience once per ticket, the only limitation on how long you stay at Northern Lights are our hours of operation! Please note that once you exit the experience, you will not be able to reenter.