Christmas Lights Across Canada

Summary: Once again this year, the National Capital Commission (NCC) presents its annual Christmas Lights Across Canada program.

Once again this year, the National Capital Commission (NCC) presents its annual Christmas Lights Across Canada program. In early December, festive lighting ceremonies are scheduled to take place in provincial and territorial capitals across Canada – as well as on Parliament Hill – and hundreds of thousands of lights will sparkle across the country.

Here’s what Canadians can look forward to in their regions:

In Canada’s Capital Region, the illumination of the 25th edition of Christmas Lights Across Canada is set to coincide with the arrival of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Torch Relay in the heart of the Capital. Residents and visitors are invited to join the celebration for this historic moment. Thousands will gather on Parliament Hill on December 12, 2009 at 5:30 pm for an evening of free festivities, including free hot chocolate and BeaverTails® pastries from 5 pm to 8 pm. The evening culminates with the arrival of the Olympic Torch and the illumination of the Christmas lights at 7 pm. The event will be broadcast live on Rogers Television.
Close to 300,000 lights, including 200,000 LED Christmas Lights, will illuminate Parliament Hill and many prominent landmarks located along Confederation Boulevard, Canada’s discovery route circling the heart of the Capital Region. The light displays will brighten the Capital every evening, from 4:30 pm to 2 am, until January 7, 2010.

In Iqaluit, Nunavut, a celebration will take place at 5 pm on December 4, 2009 at the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut. Illumination of 3,000 lights is scheduled for 5:10 pm in the presence of Premier Eva Aariak. Festivities include face painting, entertainment by the Arqsarniit School Choir, and a visit from Santa.

In Whitehorse, Yukon, 10,000 lights will adorn the Yukon’s Main Administration Building where a Celebration of Music will take place from November 30 to
December 7, 2009. As part of the celebrations, performances by more than a dozen choirs and bands will take place from noon to 1 pm.

In Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, celebrations will take place on December 3, 2009, from 5:15 pm to 6:30 pm. Deputy Speaker Mr. David Krutko will be present at the Great Hall of the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories to witness the illumination of 8,500 lights at 5:35 pm. Entertainment will be provided by Sir John Band and Santa will pay a special visit.

In Victoria, British Columbia, festivities will be held on the front steps of the Provincial Parliament Buildings on December 8, 2009, from 4:30 pm to 5:30 pm. The Honourable Gordon Campbell, Premier of British Columbia, the Honourable Bill Barisoff, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, and Carole James, Leader of the Official Opposition, will be on hand when 5, 300 lights are turned on at 5:00 pm. The South Park Elementary Senior Choir and the Glenlyon Norfolk Secondary Choir will perform.

In Edmonton, Alberta, a lighting ceremony will take place on December 3, 2009 at 4 pm at the Legislature Building. More than 120,000 LED lights will be illuminated at 4:45 pm in the presence of the Honourable Ed Stelmach, Premier of Alberta, and the Honourable Ken Kowalski, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly. The University of Alberta Mixed Chorus will provide musical entertainment.

In Regina, Saskatchewan, a ceremony will be held at the Legislative Building on December 3, 2009 in the presence of the Honourable Brad Wall, Premier of Saskatchewan. Close to 4,000 lights will be turned on at 6:55 pm. Festivities include face painting and craft workshops for children, entertainment by local choirs, and an outdoor program featuring reindeer pulling Santa’s sleigh.

In Winnipeg, Manitoba, a special ceremony will be held at 5 pm on December 4, 2009 at the Legislative Building when more than 3,200 lights will be turned on. The lighting ceremony is traditionally part of festivities organized in conjunction with the annual Santa Claus parade.

In Toronto, Ontario, a lighting ceremony will take place at the Legislative Assembly of Ontario on December 7, 2009, at 6:30 pm. The Honourable Steve Peters, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, will participate in a festive gathering where 7,000 interior and exterior lights will be turned on at 6:55 pm. The Canadian Children’s Opera Chorus will perform.

In Quebec City, Québec, on poursuit une nouvelle tradition lancée en 2007 avec un gigantesque sapin de Noël. Saluant cette année les 475 ans de Gaspé, ce sapin, orné de près de 6 000 ampoules, égayera la place de l’Assemblée-Nationale à compter du 3 décembre. Plusieurs lieux et bâtiments patrimoniaux à travers la ville, y compris le Château Frontenac, l’hôtel du Parlement, le cap Diamant et la magnifique église Notre-Dame-des-Victoires, seront ouverts pour les nombreux visiteurs de passage dans la capitale pour les fêtes ou, plus tard, pour le Carnaval d’hiver de Québec.

In Fredericton, New Brunswick, festivities will begin at 7 pm on the front lawn of the Legislative Assembly Building on December 4, 2009. The Honourable Graydon Nicholas, Lieutenant-Governor of New Brunswick, will be present as 6,500 lights are turned on. Entertainment will be provided by the Nashwaaksis Middle School Joint and Concert choirs and The Golden Club Singers.

In Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, a celebration was held on November 29, 2009, at Province House National Historic Site of Canada. The Honourable Richard Brown, Minister of Environment, Energy and Forestry, and Clifford Lee, Mayor of Charlottetown, were present when more than 5,000 lights were turned on at 7 pm. Musical entertainment was provided by the Confederation Centre Children’s Choir, Kim Hendricks and Father Christmas.

In Halifax, Nova Scotia, a celebration was held on Saturday, November 28, 2009 at the City Hall Building in the Grand Parade. Mayor Peter Kelly was present when more than 13, 000 lights were turned on at 7 pm. Musical entertainment was provided by the Good on Ya Band, Shauntay Grant, and the Halifax Boys' Honour Choir.

In St.John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, a ceremony will take place at 6:15 pm on December 10, 2009 at the East Block of the Confederation Building. In the presence of Deputy Premier and Natural Resources Minister Kathy Dunderdale, approximately 60,000 LED lights will be illuminated at 6:45 pm. The festivities will include performances by the Royal Newfoundland Regiment Band and the Zara Vocal Group.

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