Christmas Lights Across Canada: Hundreds of Thousands of Holiday Lights Will Sparkle from Coast to Coast to Coast

GATINEAU, QC, Nov. 26, 2013 /CNW/ - The Honourable Shelly Glover, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, today announced details for the 29^th edition of the Christmas Lights Across Canada program.

"I invite all Canadians to take part in this holiday tradition and enjoy the celebration in Ottawa or in one of the cities across Canada," said Minister Glover. "This holiday season, let us all take the time to appreciate our family and friends, and be thankful for the privilege of living in this wonderful country."

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 region:

In Canada's Capital Region, thousands will gather on Parliament Hill at 6 p.m. on December 5, 2013, for an evening of free festivities. Minister Glover will be joined by special guests and dignitaries to officially switch on the lights around 6:30 p.m. Residents and visitors are invited to join the celebration and enjoy free BeaverTails® pastries and hot chocolate. More than 350,000 lights will illuminate Parliament Hill and many prominent landmarks along Confederation Boulevard in the heart of the Capital Region. The light displays will brighten the Capital every evening from 4:30 p.m. to 2 a.m. until January 7, 2014.

In Iqaluit, Nunavut, a celebration will take place at 5 p.m. on December 5, 2013, at the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut. The illumination of 4,000 lights is scheduled for 5:15 p.m. Festivities include face painting and music.

In Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, celebrations will take place at 5 p.m. on December 5, 2013. The Honourable Jackie Jacobson, Speaker, will be present in the Great Hall of the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories to witness the illumination of 12,000 lights at 5:20 p.m. Entertainment will be provided by the Range Lake North School Choir and the École Sir John Franklin Jazz Band.

In Whitehorse, Yukon, 10,000 lights will adorn the Yukon's Main Administration Building, where a Celebration of Music will take place from December 2 to 6, 2013. Performances by more than a dozen school choirs and big bands will take place as part of the celebrations.

In Victoria, British Columbia, festivities will be held on the front steps of the Provincial Parliament Buildings at 5 p.m. on November 28, 2013. The Honourable Linda Reid, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, Norm Letnick, Parliamentary Secretary to the Premier, and Carole James, Member of the Legislative Assembly for Victoria-Beacon Hill, will be on hand when 3,000 lights are turned on. The James Bay Community School Choir, St. Andrew's Regional High School Choir, SingYourJoy Young Adult Chorus, and Reynolds Secondary School Carol Band will perform.

In Edmonton, Alberta, a lighting ceremony will take place on December 5, 2013, at the Alberta Legislature Building. More than 125,000 lights will be illuminated at 5:45 p.m. in the presence of the Honourable Alison Redford, Premier of Alberta, and the Honourable Gene Zwozdesky, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta. The University of Alberta Mixed Chorus will perform.

In Regina, Saskatchewan, a celebration will be held from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. on December 5, 2013. The event starts with the official illumination ceremony in the rotunda of the Saskatchewan Legislative Building in the presence of the Honourable Dan D'Autremont, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly. Free entertainment and activities are planned for the whole family to enjoy. The Dickens Yuletide Singers and school choirs will fill the building with the sound of holiday music. Activities include face painting, crafts and magic, and Santa has promised to stop by for a visit.

In Winnipeg, Manitoba, more than 3,200 lights will be turned on during a special ceremony at the Legislative Building at 5 p.m. on December 6, 2013. Visitors can enjoy the lights throughout the holiday season.

In Toronto, Ontario, a lighting ceremony will take place at the Legislative Assembly of Ontario at 6 p.m. on December 2, 2013. The Honourable Dave Levac, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, will participate in a festive gathering where more than 5,000 interior and more than 4,000 exterior lights will be turned on at 6:30 p.m. The nationally celebrated Agincourt Madrigal Singers (Agincourt Collegiate Institute) will perform.

In Québec City, Quebec, more than 20 heritage buildings—including the Château Frontenac, the Parliament Building, the historic Notre-Dame-des-Victoires Church and the Grand Théâtre de Québec—will be illuminated beginning December 1, 2013, to the delight of visitors passing through the capital for celebrations and activities held during the Québec City Lights Festival. The lighting displays can also be enjoyed during the Quebec Winter Carnival under a lighting plan developed by the Commission de la capitale nationale du Québec.

In Fredericton, New Brunswick, festivities will take place on the front lawn of the Legislative Assembly Building on November 29, 2013. The Honourable Dale Graham, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, the Honourable Troy Lifford, Minister of Justice, and Brian Gallant, Leader of the Official Opposition, will be present as 7,500 lights are turned on. Entertainment will be provided by the Elm City Echoes and the second-grade choir from École des Bâtisseurs.

In Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, a celebration was held in the plaza of the Confederation Centre of the Arts on November 22, 2013. More than 4,000 lights were turned on in the presence of the Honourable Carolyn Bertram, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly. Musical entertainment was provided by the Confederation Centre Children's Choir.

New Year's Eve will be a time of extra special celebration on Prince Edward Island as Canadians usher in 2014, the 150^th anniversary of the meetings of the Fathers of Confederation in Charlottetown. Province House will be the backdrop for hours of family entertainment, refreshments, buskers, horse and carriage rides, pyrotechnics, and more, adding to the festive scene on December 31.

In Halifax, Nova Scotia, a celebration was held on Saturday, November 23, 2013, at the City Hall Building in the Grand Parade, where 7,500 lights were turned on. Entertainment included the live stage show Harry & His Bucket Full of Dinosaurs, musical act Big Fish, a visit from Santa, and fireworks.

In St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, a ceremony will take place at 6:15 p.m. on December 5, 2013, at the East Block of the Confederation Building. Approximately 60,000 lights will be illuminated at 6:45 p.m. The festivities will include performances by the Royal Newfoundland Regiment Band and the Roncalli Elementary School Choir.

SOURCE: Canadian Heritage

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For more information (media only), please contact:

Marisa Monnin
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage 
and Official Languages
819-997-7788

Media Relations
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(This news release is available on the Internet at www.canadianheritage.gc.ca under Newsroom.)