You're like, really pretty

 

Location: Distillery District

Date photo taken: 19 June 2023

Over the last few years, bit by bit, the nighttime city has been getting brighter and more colourful thanks to a proliferation of neon-style LED signs. Once a more rarified being, neon signs used to be a beacon for those looking for the it place to be, but the new technology makes them decidedly more attainable and as a result, much more common. Now you're as likely to see one at your local coffee shop or ice cream parlour as you are at the latest hot spot. This one is outside Miss J Lash Lounge in the Distillery.

Playing Tiger, Sittin' Dragon

 

Location: Gristmill Lane, Distillery District

Date photo taken: 7 July 2022

This large, vaguely human-shaped block is one of 13 arrayed in a line down Gristmill Lane in the Distillery right now as part of 6IX Art Outdoors. Each statue provides a canvas for a Canadian artist to share something of their personal identity and their culture. This particular one features a family portrait by Yen Linh Thai, who represents her family members through their zodiac animals. The exhibit is part of the Lavazza IncluCity Festival which runs until July 17.

Delivery with heart

Location: Distillery District

Date photo taken: 25 January 2021

Meet Geoffrey, your adorable zero emission local delivery robot. I've seen these cute little boxes roaming the sidewalks of the Distillery District, Corktown and the Canary District. With the help of real-life but remote pilots, who also handle communications, these mobile lock boxes currently pick up orders at twelve partner restaurants. Delivery fees currently range from $2.99 to $5.99.

Toronto Light Festival 2020 - Sydmonaut

Location: Distillery District
Date photo taken: 12 February 2020

Back for its fourth year, the Toronto Light Festival has once again brought light and colour to the darkest months of winter. The Distillery District is hosting installations from 13 different artists representing 5 countries. Some, such as the Cloud Swings, are interactive. Others like the Sydmonauts are just there to discover. Designed by Amigo & Amigo from Australia, there are 9 astronauts in total scattered around the site.

The Light Festival is free to attend and continues to March 1.

What's this?

Location: Distillery District
Date photo taken: 7 June 2019

Three huge, glowing white forms, humanoid but alien, have landed in the Distillery District. We are all encouraged to interact with them. One is even called Poke, but only gently please. These figures are part of a larger art project known as Fantastic Planet, the creation of Amanda Parer and Parer Studios, the ones responsible for the huge bunnies that intruded upon Brookfield Place back in 2016. The inspiration for the project was the stop motion film of the same name from 1973. Toronto isn't the only city these figures will be visiting. Over the summer they will also make appearances in Bilbao, Central Queensland and L.A. They'll be hanging out in the Distillery until July 31.

Toronto Light Fest - 2019

Location: Distillery District

Date photo taken: 21 January 2019

If you check out the website for the Toronto Light Fest, you'll discover that, in their opinion, winter sucks. They aspire to "create a positive, magical urban world that people of all ages and backgrounds will enjoy and look forward to." I certainly do. While I don't think winter sucks, there is no denying it's dark a lot of the time. I love patio lights and holiday lights and now for the next fews months I can enjoy the lights in the Distillery. I took this picture on a Monday night, when the temperature was -13C and felt much colder, but it meant that I got to stand in this structure - I dub it the aurora igloo even though its actual name is Enunciation - all alone, for as long as I wanted. It was cold, sure, but it was also very calming. 

Toronto Light Fest

Location: Distillery District
Date photo taken: 23 January 2018

The Toronto Light Fest is back for its second year. From now until March 4th the Distillery District is home to over 30 light art installations. Some, like this one, have a message. Others are pure fancy. Like the candy-coloured pyramid made from gummy bears. Or the circle of birds that fly with you while you run. Picking a favourite seems silly, but if I had to, it would probably be the giant dandelion puffs transformed by coloured lights into a fireworks display.

Digital Origami Tiger

Location: Toronto Light Fest, Distillery District
Date photo taken: 27 January 2016

This glowing cat figure is one of two that makes up the installation Digital Origami Tigers, currently on display at the Toronto Light Fest in the Distillery. Originally created by LAVA to celebrate the Chinese Year of the Tiger in 2010 and displayed at the Custom House in Sydney, Australia, the cats were later adopted by the World Wildlife Fund to help in their campaign to raise awareness of the plight of these endangered animals. Instructions for making your own origami tiger can be downloaded from the WWF website.

The Toronto Light Fest is a free festival that brings over 20 light-based works from local and international artists to the Distillery District. It runs until March 12.

Naughty or Nice

Location: Toronto Christmas Market, Distillery District

Date photo taken: 28 November 2015

The Toronto Christmas Market in the Distillery is in full swing and people are flocking to it once again. For those who have visited in previous years, you will notice some familiar elements, such as this lit sign on the Pure Spirits Patio, but have no fear, there are still plenty of new and fun elements. A forest of pink trees? Check! The market continues until December 22.

Fire Pump

Location: Distillery District
Date photo taken: 1 November 2015

If you plan to visit the Toronto Christmas Market in the Distillery District this year, do yourself a favour and download the self-guided walking tour of the site's Victorian Industrial Heritage before you go. Hunting out the artifacts and plaques noted in the guide will take you inside many of the buildings you might not otherwise visit, giving you lots of opportunities to escape the crowds and warm up a little. This fire pump is part of a larger display relating to firefighting on the site.

Heart of the Distillery

Location: Just south of the south east corner of Parliament and Mill Streets

Date photo taken: 19 August 2015

Sitting in almost the same spot that Koilos once stood, this grand heart now greets visitors to the Distillery District. It was originally installed in 2014 to welcome visitors to the Toronto Christmas Market. At that time, it was adorned with a large sprig of mistletoe, which has long since been removed. The press releases described "Under the Mistletoe" as a 14 x 12 foot sculpture of hot rolled steel inviting "lovers to walk inside the sculpture's arch". With the festive foliage gone, it continues to be a hot photo stop.

Distillery District Christmas Tree

Location: Distillery District
Date photo taken: 23 December 2015

The Toronto Christmas Market in the Distillery may be over for another year, but many of the decorations, including the stunning Christmas tree, are still place. This massive tree is kept securely in place by a substantial metal and concrete base, a permanent fixture which extends over four feet into the ground and which most of the year sits quietly hidden, covered over by bricks.

Happy Holidays!!