Christmas Lights in Canada’s capital cities 2017

In Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, the annual Christmas Tree Lighting Celebration was held in the plaza of the Confederation Centre of the Art on November 24, the same weekend as the Charlottetown Christmas Parade and Victorian Christmas Weekend. In the presence of His Worship Mayor Clifford Lee, as well as other federal, provincial and municipal elected officials, tens of thousands of lights located on the main tree and surrounding the City of Charlottetown were illuminated to commence the holiday season. Holiday lights and displays will brighten the night sky of Charlottetown until after New Year's Eve celebrations.

In Edmonton, Alberta, on December 7 at 5 p.m., the Premier's Light Up Ceremony will take place at the Alberta Legislature Building, where more than 140,000 lights will be illuminated.

In Fredericton, New Brunswick, on December 1, festivities took place on the front lawn of the Legislative Assembly Building. The Honourable Chris Collins, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, Her Honour Jocelyne Roy Vienneau, Lieutenant Governor of New Brunswick, and other dignitaries were present as 7,500 lights were turned on.

In Halifax Nova Scotia on November 25, a celebration was held at the City Hall Building in the Grand Parade Square, where 7,500 lights were turned on. Entertainment included the Bob the Builder live stage show, a special appearance by Chase from Paw Patrol, musical performance by Donair Supply, a visit from Santa and fireworks.

In Iqaluit, Nunavut, on December 7 at 5 p.m., a celebration will take place at the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut, where 100,000 lights will be turned on.

In Québec City, Quebec, since November, visitors have been delighted by the nightly magical light show in the downtown core. Fir trees on the grounds of the Parliament Building have been decorated with white twinkling lights, while on Cartier Avenue, the installation Lumière sur l'art features 35 giant hanging shades that show scenes by major Québécois artists. During the holiday season, rue du Petit-Champlain, Place-Royale, Place de l'Hôtel-de-Ville and Place D'Youville will sparkle and shine with festive spirit! In addition, 20 heritage buildings are lighting up the nighttime landscape of Quebec's capital, including the Château Frontenac, the Parliament Building, several churches, and the Prince Building. These projects are part of the light plan developed by the Commission de la capitale nationale du Québec.

In Regina, Saskatchewan, on December 7, the official Lighting ceremony will take place at 1 p.m. with Premier Brad Wall bringing greetings and flipping the switch! Members of the Legislative Assembly and Legislative Building staff will be in attendance for lighting ceremony and the St. Gabrielle School Choir will perform. Later in the evening, a Come and Go event for families and the general public will take place in the Legislative Building from 5:30 to 8 p.m. There will be lights, music, magic, balloon art and a visit from Santa! There will be entertainment and activities for the whole family to enjoy. Also, every child will receive a gift bag that includes treats and a special Canada 150 Christmas ornament.

In St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada's most easterly provincial Christmas tree lighting ceremony will take place on December 7 at 6 p.m. at the Confederation Building Complex on Confederation Hill. Approximately 60,000 lights will be illuminated as we bid farewell to Canada 150 in the oldest city in North America.

In Toronto, Ontario, on December 4, a lighting ceremony took place at the Legislative Assembly of Ontario. The Honourable Dave Levac, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, hosted a festive gathering where 6,000 interior and 9,000 exterior lights lit up the Legislative Building. The ceremony began with the First Nations School of Toronto drum circle and featured performances by the very talented choirs from Bur Oak Secondary School and Onoscatopoeia from the University of Toronto.

In Victoria, British Columbia, on November 28, the annual Christmas Lights Across Canada event took place. On the front steps of the Provincial Parliament Buildings, where the large provincial tree was lit up with thousands of lights. With choirs, Reynolds Secondary Carol Band and special guests, it was a festive celebration with complimentary hot cocoa and cookies inside.

In Whitehorse, Yukon, Christmas season officially kicks off on December 9 by lighting up a 50-foot tall tree on Main Street with over 20,000 lights. It's just a fraction of the over 200,000 lights (not to mention the bright lights of the aurora) which brighten up our dark Yukon skies during the winter.

In Winnipeg, Manitoba, on December 1, more than 3,500 lights were turned on ahead of the Annual Legislative Building Open House on December 2. Visitors can enjoy the festive lights throughout the holiday season.

In Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, celebrations begin on December 7 at 5 p.m. in the Great Hall of the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories. From carols by Yellowknife students, to the handmade decorations sent by kindergarteners from across the Northwest Territories, this illumination of show-stopping, sparkling lights will conjure spirit and joy.