A new interactive festival of lights is coming to light up Toronto

Yonge's Downtown Business Improvement District (DYBIA) will brighten up winter with a dazzling festival of lights featuring interactive installations throughout the neighborhood.

The festival, called Illuminite, runs from March 1 to March 31 and spans six installations throughout downtown Yonge, which are completely free for the public to attend.

The festival will include Sam Hardwick's “SAM Lamp,” a large sit-in or stand-up sculpture that uses seasonal affective disorder (SAD) lamp technology to help alleviate some of the symptoms of the winter blues.

Another version by Megan Cheng, titled “You Were Here,” uses motion-tracking technology to illuminate LED butterflies as they pass by on Yonge Street.

“Digital Drapes” by MattCreative transforms all the windows at HNR Properties 19-21 Dundas Square with colorful LED curtains that can be programmed into different designs.

“Downtown Yonge is more than just high-rises and offices, it's also a cultural corridor,” says Sherrill Diego, Downtown Yonge's Director of Community Area Experience.

“With Illuminite, we invite friends and family, visitors and tourists to come and stay a while and truly experience the heartbeat of Toronto.”

Yonge and Dundas Square will also be home Biolumen x RAW Designs by Radha Chadda, An interactive art experience featuring changing light and sound to ensure downtown Toronto shines all winter long.