Nuit Blanche 2022 Survival Guide
Nuit Blanche is a magical night of the year when the city of Toronto comes alive with pop-up art installations, exhibits and performances. Starting at sundown and continuing through the wee hours of the morning until sunrise, locals and visitors alike are welcomed to experience the unique artistic programming that makes Nuit Blanche special. The nighttime setting and thought provoking experiences make this a perfect date night!
But let’s be real for a moment, this year, Nuit Blanche has over 150 pieces of art programmed and walking around Toronto at night can be a harrowing experience if you don’t know where you’re going. Well don’t worry, we got you! We’re providing you with a Nuit Blanche 2022 Survival Guide: Date Night Edition. Keep reading for must-see pieces of art, what to pack, and a list of cafes and bars to hit up on your night out.
What to Pack: Your Survival Kit
Is it just me, or is it always raining on Nuit Blanche? Fingers crossed we have great weather this year but it’s essential to prepare for anything! Here’s what you need in your pack:
Layers: grab a sweater, jacket, and a hat!
Umbrella
Light snack: granola bars are always a great idea
Water bottle
Phone charger
Mints or gum: be prepared for when the romantic mood strikes
Must-See Interactive Exhibits
Some of the best programming at Nuit Blanche are the pieces with the interactive elements. Exhibits that are immersive and engaging make for great date-night material. If you’re a new couple it gives you something to do together and makes for thoughtful conversation afterwards. If you’re in a long term relationship it sparks excitement and creates more memories! Here are our top picks for interactive Nuit Blanche 2022 exhibits in the downtown area.
The Dinner Table by Nike Onile
100 Yonge St
Partake in a colourful celebration and create art history with the Dinner Table.
“Amid the fast-paced environment of our bustling metropolis, a wondrous street-long all-white dinner table set in the middle of the street will be our canvas. Participants are invited to shower the table with coloured (non-toxic, biodegradable) dust in a dynamic celebration that will mark the many gatherings sacrificed over the last two years.”
An Occupation by Amrita Hepi
8 Queen St West
Get your karaoke on and lend your voice to this piece.
“An Occupation is part sculpture, part performance -- we will be inviting participants to soundtrack the work with Karaoke songs about labour, work and occupation (think Rhianna's work or Dolly Parton’s 9 to 5) set against the backdrop of Toronto’s financial district.”
Saputiit – Fish Weir Skate Plaza by Mark Igloliorte
Yonge-Dundas Square
Yonge-Dundas as a skatepark? Yes please!
“Saputiit – Fish Weir Skate Plaza is the transformation of Yonge-Dundas Square into an Indigenous space for local skateboarders to land their flip, manual and grind tricks. The sculptural installation, inspired by Inuit stone arrangements in the arctic landscape where fish are spawning in rivers, will channel the flow of skater’s movement throughout the night. Audiences will be invited to reintroduce virtual arctic char to the weir with augmented reality (AR) on their mobile devices.”
Best Places to Take Photos
One of the cool things about Nuit Blanche is seeing massive eye-catching installations across the city. These unique pieces of art just beg to have their photo taken! Check out our recommendations for some of the best exhibits to stop and take a photo with.
“This multimedia installation draws inspiration from an abstracted version of connected tree roots visualized through large colourful plexiglass and mirrors with an accompanying soundscape.”
Colborne St & Yonge St
“A digitally cut-out drawing rendered with graphic film will wrap the entire corner of the glass walls of the building, which symbolizes unity as a flaring cascade of white and iridescent colours form different shapes and lines, responding to the light, while blurring the spatial boundaries of the building.”
Yonge St & Adelaide St E.
“The installation is an exploration of pace. Colours travel around the screens at a slow and purposeful speed. There is a beautiful restraint in the movement that encourages viewers to come together and take a second to appreciate this moment of clarity.”
50 Queen St W
“Aesthetically echoing the configuration of a loom, sheer ribbon weaves around a scaffolding structure. Acting like a fragmented projection surface, the ribbon dissects and displays projections across various depths of field.”
19 Trinity St
Essential Pit Stops
Nuit Blanche is an all night party -- you’re definitely going to need a few places to stop and refuel. We’ve mapped out some of the best pit stops in the downtown area that are perfect for your Nuit adventure. Whether you need a hot drink to warm up, a boozy beverage (or canna-gummy!), or some good eats -- we got you!
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Twilight Cafe - Open till 2am
252 Victoria St
Robo Cafe - Open 24/7
36 Church St.
Starbucks - Open till 10pm
4 King St West
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Za Cafe Pizzeria - Open till 12am
372 Bay St.
Chef’s Hall - Open till 10pm
111 Richmond St. West
CRAFT Beer Market - Open till 2am
1 Adelaide St. East
Fran’s Restaurant and Bar - Open 24/7
20 College St.
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Nuit Blanche Phone Charging Station
Yonge St. & Queen St.
Enjoy your night of art!
You’re all set to take on a full night of Nuit Blanche! Use this handy map to guide you through the night.
We’ve pinned all of the highlights listed above so they are easier to find. Have fun and make lots of memories.
For more date night ideas and fun things to do in Toronto sign up for weekly curated experiences: https://app.tandemexperiences.com/join-beta