Trip to the heart of Ontario, anyone? Toronto is Canada's largest city, home to the Eaton Centre, The Toronto Maple Leafs, this year's G20 Summit and the Cavalcade of Lights.

The festival is in its 44th year, and features the annual lighting of Toronto's official Christmas tree on Saturday November 27 at 7 p.m., as well as Nathan Phillips Square. Natasha Emery has been working on the Cavalcade of Lights for 10 years, and said her favourite part is "right when the trees get lit and the Square first gets lit. It's just magic. I think the confetti falling from the sky helps, and the big firework boom helps, but there's something magical about just looking at the tree and how beautiful it is."

Following the lights display will be a giant fireworks show, an outdoor concert in the square and a skating party. The concert will feature artists like Divine Brown, Shawn Desman and Sarah Slean. Most importantly, the performance is free. Skating in the square will also cost you nothing, unless you need to rent a pair of skates, which can be done at Nathan Phillips Square.

Although Toronto may make London look like a stroll in the country on a regular work day, downtown can be a beautiful place to be around the holidays. "There's an energy in the air, where all of a sudden everyone is happy," Emery explained. "Gone are the rushing crowds off to work, running for their train. People slow down."

The skating party is something new for the old tradition, celebrating 40 years of the Juno awards, Emery explained. "Next year in March we're getting the Junos back here, so we wanted to do a special tribute to Canadian musicians." The Haut-Vol trampoline performance will also be a part of the show, something that hasn't been incorporated in past years.

From one starving student to another, downtown events like the Cavalcade of Lights are well worth taking advantage of, especially if you're already from the GTA. For out-of-towners, the Sheraton Hotel has a package available for $195 a night to stay across from Nathan Phillips Square, where you will be able to see fireworks and lights from outside your window.

While staying downtown, you might as well make an entire weekend of the event. There's plenty to do, like shopping at the Eaton Centre, stopping by the CN Tower or visiting other light displays at Dundas Square, the waterfront or Yorkdale. Something I have always enjoyed passing during the holiday season is The Bay's decorated windows on Queen Street, just a five-minute walk from Nathan Phillips Square.

The holiday season may have snuck up on us again, but there's no way to get the Christmas spirit flowing like the lighting of Canada's largest community's Christmas tree. So hop on the Greyhound, ride the Via Rail or hitch a ride to Union station, because Toronto's Cavalcade of Lights may be just what you need to get the season started right.

For more information visit www.toronto.ca/special_events/cavalcade_lights/2010/.