Toronto is getting its first-ever cinematic drone show this August with a live orchestra performance.
For one stunning night, on Aug. 19, 2025, the skies above Toronto’s Fort York will shine bright and come alive thanks to Illumin Drone Shows and Portal Nine Experiences.
The Origin of Light is a 90-minute immersive concert experience that will take over the skyline and transform it “into a living narrative.” It’s a story that will be told through hundreds of drones, a 15-piece live orchestra, and a live singing performance by Filipina-Canadian artist Arlene Paculan.
And it’s all happening within the historic grounds – a rare experience for guests to enter the area.
“This isn’t just a drone show — it’s a sensory pilgrimage,” says Christian Ilumin, founder of Illumin Drone Shows. “We designed every moment to hit like cinema — to surround you, move you, and leave you changed.”
This cinematic experience tells the story of Lyra, a celestial being rising from silence through darkness and into light.
The drones will dance above the audience through choreographed light and motion, as the Ontario Pops Orchestra under Maestro Carlos Bastidas performs.
“This is a return to wonder,” shares co-creator Lianne Baron of Portal Nine. “It’s a modern myth told through the elements — sky, sound, and story — inside one of Toronto’s most sacred spaces.”
Limited tickets are available and start at $118.16. Each ticket includes:
- Official Origin of Light keepsake
- Complimentary digital program and digital wallpapers
- Artist and Musician meet-n-greet (pre-show + intermission)
- Wander + wonder: enjoy the curated immersive art exhibit open throughout the evening
- Access to food and drinks
This is a rare moment to step inside Fort York’s inner walls and experience a jaw-dropping light show.
This will surely be one of Toronto’s most unforgettable cultural events for the summer. Don’t miss out.
When: Aug. 19, 2025
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Where: Fort York National Historic Site, Toronto
Cost: $118+
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