Movie nights powered differently: Toronto Hydro at Toronto Outdoor Picture Show
Published: July 17, 2026
Summary
- Toronto Hydro is powering select Toronto Outdoor Picture Show (TOPS) screenings at Christie Pits Park using electric and battery solutions
- Events like TOPS bring people together while demonstrating low-emission energy in action
- Supporting local initiatives helps build a more connected, sustainable Toronto
There’s nothing quite like a summer movie night under the stars — and this year, the experience at Toronto Outdoor Picture Show’s Christie Pits Park is being powered a little differently.
As the official Power Partner of Toronto Outdoor Picture Show (TOPS) Toronto Hydro is supporting 11 outdoor movie screenings — from June 26 through August 23, 2026 — using portable battery systems, with an electric vehicle onsite as backup. It’s a quiet, low-emission approach that helps keep the focus where it belongs: on the films and the community gathered to enjoy them.
“We are proud to support the community by powering this year’s Toronto Outdoor Picture Show at Christie Pits fully with electricity,” said Jean-Marc Wilkie, Senior Manager, Customer and Community Partnerships at Toronto Hydro. “Using batteries and onsite power not only makes the experience quieter and more enjoyable for the audience, it also helps TOPS achieve their sustainability goals and reduce the use of gas and diesel.”
Since 2011, TOPS has offered free, accessible outdoor film programming that highlights diverse voices from around the world and close to home, drawing tens of thousands each summer.
A new approach to powering outdoor events
Powering events in park settings has traditionally meant relying on diesel generators.
“Being in an outdoor park venue, it’s very difficult to get electric power hookups,” said Shelby Leimert, Development Manager at TOPS. Through this partnership, that’s changing. Portable batteries, supported by a Ford F-150 Lightning, are replacing generators at Christie Pits.
“We were really excited at the prospect of electric energy sources to power our festival,” Leimert added. “This will reduce noise pollution and emissions and is a great step towards improved sustainability.”
The setup is also designed with flexibility in mind. Portable battery systems can be stacked and expanded to meet different power needs, making this approach adaptable for a wide range of community events.
Portable batteries provide clean, quiet power for TOPS screenings at Christie Pits.
“We hope attendees will have a positive experience with the electric setup and note the difference in comfort and efficiency,” said Omar El Sarraff, asset investment analyst at Toronto Hydro. “Our goal is to educate Torontonians about our efforts to inspire electrification.”
Bringing people together
Moviegoers gather on the Christie Pits hillside ahead of TOPS' opening night screening.
TOPS creates a shared space for Torontonians, from families and friends to film lovers across the city.
Toronto Hydro will also be on site for five screenings throughout the summer, connecting directly with attendees. Keep an eye out for the team, along with giveaways like yo-yos, light bulb stress balls and bike lights.
Supporting events like this reflects Toronto Hydro’s commitment to vibrant, connected communities, alongside its core role of delivering reliable power.
Ready to join in on the fun? Check out the Toronto Outdoor Picture Show schedule to see what’s playing.
Looking ahead
While most people won’t be powering outdoor movie nights, the shift toward cleaner energy applies at every scale, from community events to everyday life.
If you’re heading to Christie Pits this summer, you may not notice what’s powering the screen, but it’s helping make each movie night more enjoyable.
Learn more about how we support communities and explore energy-saving solutions for your home.