Nuit Blanche 2024 drew crowds in Toronto over the weekend as thousands descended on city streets to take in the 18th edition of the all-night art crawl on Oct. 5-6.
This year’s festival took on the theme of “Bridging the Distance,” focusing on works that explore themes of travel, boundaries and overcoming the expanses — both physical and metaphorical — that divide us.
The 2024 edition of Nuit Blanche featured more than 80 works by local, national and international artists, and while smaller in scale than previous years (Nuit Blanche 2022 featured works from over 150 artists), this year’s festival did not disappoint.
View a photo gallery of Nuit Blanche 2024 highlights here.
Festival-goers were treated to a dense concentration of projects along Toronto’s waterfront, while other areas of the city known as hubs for the festival in previous years, like Nathan Phillips Square, were conspicuously devoid of installations.
Inspired by winding rivers, this Toronto artwork “Lumi” is truly one of a kind #Toronto #nbTO24 @nuitblancheTO pic.twitter.com/uch5gvWENI
— blogTO (@blogTO) October 6, 2024
The most popular stretch this year covered the central waterfront between Sherbourne and Bathurst, where many installations drew long queues.
“Hopes and Fears” features interactive displays (including karaoke with a stranger), helping people conquer their fears #Toronto #nbTO24 @nuitblancheTO pic.twitter.com/n5Ga0tNFUz
— blogTO (@blogTO) October 6, 2024
One popular installation on the waterfront this year was dubbed “We Remembered You, Too.”
Perhaps one of the longest queues of the night saw thousands squeeze in line for the chance to witness this projected installation transforming Paul De Figueiredo and Jonathan Fung’s 1995 “Sundial Folly” sculpture at 25 Queens Quay.
Mama a giant eye behind you!!! “We Remembered You, Too” on the Waterfront is an immersive experience you need to check out #Toronto #nbTO24 @nuitblancheTO pic.twitter.com/cOEXOqbXpD
— blogTO (@blogTO) October 6, 2024
Just north of the central cluster, another highlight of Nuit Blanche 2024 was the “7222 Miles” installation housed below the Gardiner Expressway, illuminating the space with thousands of glowing candles.
“7222 miles” is magical (and the perfect place to take a date) #Toronto #nbTO24 @nuitblancheTO pic.twitter.com/rniHfMu3Z0
— blogTO (@blogTO) October 6, 2024
Crowds also flocked to other clusters of installations beyond the waterfront.
Another popular stop on this year’s art crawl was the absolutely mesmerizing immersive installation, “I Want To Leave This Earth Behind,” hosted at the Design Exchange in the Financial District.
“I Want To Leave This Earth Behind” literally feels like a whole new world #Toronto #nbTO24 @nuitblancheTO pic.twitter.com/ZomNsExNuE
— blogTO (@blogTO) October 6, 2024
Leaning into Toronto’s obsession with raccoons was on full display at “Raccoon Alley” at 401 Richmond Street, where a 14-foot illuminated sculpture of a trash panda named “Conrad” proved a popular stop.
Toronto’s love for raccoons is like no other! #nbTO24 @nuitblancheTO pic.twitter.com/7gpCM1bzMZ
— blogTO (@blogTO) October 6, 2024
View a photo gallery of Nuit Blanche 2024 highlights here.
While this year’s Nuit Blanche has come to an end, a selection of art projects will remain accessible to the public along the waterfront and at Humber Polytechnic Lakeshore Campus until Sunday, October 13.
