The 16.75-metre (55-foot) tree arrived at Nathan Phillips Square from Baldwin, Ont. Saturday morning.
“A crew of up to seven people will install the tree for about eight hours. The tree will take three days to set up before it can be decorated with more than 300,000 energy-efficient lights and 500 ornaments,” city staff wrote in a Saturday news release.
The city says crews will begin decorating the tree on Nov. 15.
“The arrival of the city’s official Christmas tree in Nathan Phillips Square has always been a landmark event marking the start of the festive season. I hope Torontonians enjoy the festivities at Nathan Phillips Square throughout December and into the New Year,” Mayor John Tory said in a statement.
An official tree lighting will be held Nov. 26 to kick off the 56th annual Cavalcade of Lights, presented by Desjardins Financial Group.
On the opening day of the festival, family-friendly programming will begin at 3 p.m. and will last until 11:00 p.m., with a tree and plaza lighting ceremony beginning at 8:30 p.m.
Opening day will also include food vendors, live performances and an ice skating show by Toronto’s Trinity Synchronized skating team and Canadian Olympic gold medalist figure skater Gabrielle Daleman.
“This year, the event draws inspiration from light festivals and cultural celebrations around the world and incorporates elements from a variety of holiday traditions related to light, lantern and fire for new lighting installations,” the city wrote.
The Cavalcade of Lights will run until January 7.
The tree will remain on display through the holiday season and then be recycled into mulch for tree planting in the spring, the city says.
The Holiday Fair in the Square will also be held in Nathan Phillips Square from December 2nd to 23rd. The fair will include an artisan market, a North Pole activation and a midway holiday with rides and games.
