Guide to Toronto Nuit Blanche 2024

When is Nuit Blanche 2024

The 18th annual edition of Nuit Blanche Toronto will occur throughout the night of October 5 and into the morning of October 6, 2024.

Key exhibition areas for this year’s Nuit Blanche are held across Toronto.

Getting to Nuit Blanche

Travel by public transit

The majority of Nuit Blanche art exhibits are in downtown Toronto.

Use GO Transit to get to Union Station and Toronto’s public transit, the TTC, to get around the city. Subway, streetcars and trains provided overnight service throughout this event.

Travel by car

If you’re driving, plan ahead as several roads will be closed in preparation for Nuit Blanche.

Parking spaces in Toronto require payment. Find more information on parking lots in downtown Toronto.

In addition to downtown Toronto, Nuit Blanche has expanded in the past to include Scarborough, Etobicoke and North York locations.

2024 Nuit Blanche theme and highlights

Each year, artists are encouraged to create and submit works that speak to a different theme.

This year’s theme is Bridging Distance.

Artists will explore the multifaceted ways we experience and understand distance in various innovative ways, from traditional art to contemporary installations and augmented reality exhibits.

Where to eat 

There’s so much amazing art to see during Nuit Blanche; getting to it all will take time.

You’ll likely want to grab something to eat and drink along the way. Fortunately, there are some great places to stop by for a bite, even during the late-night hours, such as:

Coffee shops

Need caffeine to stay awake? Popular coffee shop chains such as Tim Hortons and McDonald’s McCafe can be found in almost every neighbourhood in Toronto and some locations are open 24/7. These shops feature menu items like coffee, doughnuts, sandwiches and other quick and affordable snacks.

7West Cafe

For a heartier meal, 7West Cafe near the Bloor and Yonge Street intersection is open 24/7 and serves all-day-breakfast, salads, sandwiches and pasta.

Location: 7 Charles Street West, Toronto

Fran’s Restaurant

This popular diner, just a short walk from the Eaton Centre, is part of a chain that opened in Toronto over 80 years ago and has fed thousands of people over the years, including famous pianist Glenn Gould. It provides 24-hour service with a wide range of breakfast foods, such as scrambled eggs, waffles, pancakes and scones.

Location: 200 Victoria Street, Toronto

The Perfect Chinese Restaurant

If you’re visiting the Nuit Blanche exhibits in Scarborough, The Perfect Chinese Restaurant is, as its name suggests, the perfect place to eat. Open 24 hours, its menu features popular Chinese dishes like congee, spring rolls, dumpling, noodles and fried rice.

Location: 4386 Sheppard Avenue East, Toronto

Nuit Blanche event centres

If you need to take a break or stop for a minor emergency, several event centres in the city offer access to maps, food vendors, washrooms and first-aid services provided by Toronto Paramedic Services during the event.

Check the City of Toronto website closer to October 5 for the exact locations of the event centres.

Visitor tips

Whether you take public transit or drive, you’ll be doing a lot of walking to see all the art. Here are a few tips on preparing for your night out at Nuit Blanche:

• Wear comfortable shoes. The last thing you want is aching feet.
• Dress for the weather. Fall weather in Ontario can be unpredictable. Check the weather forecast in advance, wear an extra layer of warm clothing for the cooler nighttime temperatures and bring an umbrella in case of rain.
• Save a map of the exhibits on your phone or keep a list of all their locations on hand. This will help you plan your trip to Nuit Blanche, as you’ll know the best route for visiting all the exhibits you want to see. It’s also a great resource to have with you if you’re unfamiliar with the city.

Stay connected

Keep up with all the conversations about Nuit Blanche on social media by tracking #nbTO24 on Instagram and X platform (formally Twitter).