Toronto Spring Festival (Spark the Lunar New Year)

Toronto Spring Festival turns Nathan Phillips Square in Toronto into an open-air Lunar New Year party, with drums, red lanterns and a crowd bundled up against the February cold. It takes over the plaza in front of Toronto City Hall for a weekend of lion dances, food and fireworks. The 2027 festival runs Friday to Sunday, February 5 to 7, 2027.

What to expect

Also called Spark the Lunar New Year, the festival is organized by Spark Media, founded by festival director Blur Wu. 2027 will be its third edition, after a first outing on Saturday, January 25, 2025. The 2027 schedule posted by organizers includes:

• Dragon and lion dances on ice at 3, 5 and 7 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday
• Main stage variety shows, a DJ and a countdown
• A market (to be confirmed) from 2:30 p.m.
• Ice shows, plus a Couture on Ice fashion show on Sunday
• Fireworks at 9 p.m.

Earlier editions also had food trucks and a Hanfu (traditional Han Chinese clothing) try-on booth. The 2025 edition was billed as the first Chinese New Year fireworks at City Hall, so pack a warm hat and a reason to look up.

Good to know

• Dates: Friday to Sunday, February 5 to 7, 2027. Organizers list 2 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Saturday and 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Sunday; Friday’s program has not been posted yet
• Admission: free outdoor events; optional VIP heated tents (1:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday and Sunday) are sold separately
• Venue: Nathan Phillips Square, 100 Queen Street West, Toronto, ON
• Organizer: Toronto Spring Festival / Spark Media
• Transit: TTC Line 1 to Queen Station (walk west on Queen St) or Osgoode Station (walk east), or the 501 Queen streetcar to Osgoode/Queen

Frequently Asked Questions

When is Toronto Spring Festival in 2027?

February 5 to 7, 2027, at Nathan Phillips Square. Saturday runs 2 p.m. to 11 p.m. and Sunday 2 p.m. to 9 p.m., per the organizer’s schedule.

Is Toronto Spring Festival free?

Yes. The outdoor program is free. Optional VIP heated tent experiences are offered for an extra charge.

What time are the fireworks at Toronto Spring Festival 2027?

The organizer’s schedule lists fireworks at 9 p.m.

What happens at Toronto Spring Festival?

Dragon and lion dances on ice, ice shows, main stage variety shows, a DJ, a market and fireworks at Nathan Phillips Square.

Source: Toronto Spring Festival – official site (checked Nov 2, 2026), TTC – Take the TTC to Lunar New Year events across the city (2026), Destination Toronto – Lunar New Year in Toronto (Jan 28, 2026)

How Do I Get to Nathan Phillips Square?

Nathan Phillips Square is at 100 Queen Street West, Toronto, ON. Transit: TTC Line 1 to Queen Station (walk west on Queen St) or Osgoode Station (walk east); or the 501 Queen streetcar to Osgoode/Queen (per TTC). Use the directions and parking links on this page to plan your trip from where you are.