Watch The Total Solar Eclipse in Burlington!
March 19, 2024
On April 8th 2024 the stars are aligning to give Burlington a front row seat to the eclipse of a lifetime. Check-out our guide to experiencing the magic:
Key Facts
Date: April 8th, 2024
Partial Eclipse: 2 PM to 4:30 PM
Full Eclipse: Approximately 3:18 PM
Duration: Approximately 2 minutes.
Safety: Wear ISO 12312-2:2015 when viewing the event to protect you eye from permanent damage (available at Tourism Burlington’s Visitor Desk).
Next total eclipse in Burlington: October 26, 2144
Safety First
Viewing the solar eclipse without proper eyewear can be dangerous. It is important to protect your eyes with ISO 12312-2 international standard to protect while viewing the solar eclipse at all stages. The City of Burington has partnered with the Department of Physics and Astronomy at McMaster University to distribute eclipse glasses for free, while supplies last. To learn more about how to safely view the eclipse, explore McMaster’s viewing guide. The City of Burlington will be handing out eclipse glasses for free on Monday, April 8 at 11 a.m., while supplies last. Solar viewing glasses are also available for free at the Tourism Burlington Visitor Centre, while supplies last.
If driving during the event, remember to keep your headlights on during the full duration of the eclipse to help with visibility. You should also plan for higher than usual traffic as the solar event is expected to attract individuals from across the Greater Toronto Area and abroad to catch a glimpse of the total eclipse.
Avoid the Traffic Jam
The viewing path will cover most corners of Burlington making the safest viewing location your own backyard! If you are travelling to Burlington, it is highly recommended to book your hotels now, to avoid disappointment. You can book your Burlington Hotel here.
Go green and avoid the traffic jam, consider taking Go Transit and Burlington Transit to commute to your viewing location.
The Science behind the Darkness
An additional benefit to booking a hotel stay is getting to explore the pre-eclipse events happening in Burlington and surrounding areas. The Burlington Public Library, will be hosting the McMaster University’s Department of Physics and Astronomy for a family friendly discussion to learn more about the eclipse, while the Royal Botanical Garden is hosting two sold out experiences to help younger ones gain a deeper understanding of this once in a lifetime event in Burlington. For older curious minds, the McMaster’s Faculty of Science will be hosting a series of lecture during the days leading up to the main event.
Where to View the event:
For those looking to view the total eclipse with the broader community, the City of Burlington will be on-site at Spencer Smith Park from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. with Mayor Meed Ward offering remarks at 3:30 p.m. Arrive early to grab your eclipse glasses (while supplies last.) Learn more here.
Weather permitting the eclipse will be visible across Burlington, shorten your commute and take-in the experience from your own backyard or in a nearby parks such as the Windows-on-the-Lake, Burloak Waterfront Park and or your local community park.
No matter where you view, remember to bring you glasses with you, protect your eyes and share your experience with us @TourismBurlington