Lighting the Way to the Holidays From Coast to Coast to Coast

GATINEAU, QUEBEC--(Marketwired - Nov. 27, 2015) - Department of Canadian Heritage

It may be getting cold outside, but the sparkle of Christmas Lights Across Canada will add cheer and warmth to the holiday season. The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Canadian Heritage, invites Canadians all across the country to take part in the festive lighting ceremonies scheduled to take place in provincial and territorial capitals across Canada, as well as on Parliament Hill, in the coming days.

Don't miss these magical illumination events in your region:

• In Canada's Capital Region, December 2; the holiday season in the Capital will be brighter than ever this year. Christmas Lights Across Canada has more lights in more locations-and, for the first time, a magical multimedia projection show on Parliament Hill until January 7. Join Minister Joly for free Beavertails^® and hot chocolate, a live performance by Measha Brueggergosman and an amazing pyrotechnic show at the Illumination Ceremony at 7:00 p.m.
• In Iqaluit, Nunavut, December 3; a celebration will take place at the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut, where the illumination of 100,000 lights is scheduled for 5:15 p.m. Festivities include face painting and music.
• In Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, December 3; celebrations will take place at 5:00 p.m. Join us in the Great Hall of the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories to witness the illumination of 12,000 lights and enjoy music from the Sir John Franklin High School Band and N.J. Macpherson School Choir.
• In Whitehorse, Yukon, December 4; 10,000 lights will adorn the Government of Yukon's Administration Building, where a Celebration of Music will take place that includes daily performances by Whitehorse Community Choir, The Big Band, and school choirs and bands.
• In Victoria, British Columbia, December 3; The Honourable Linda Reid, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, will host the annual Christmas Lights Across Canada event at 7:00 p.m. on the front steps of the Provincial Parliament Buildings, where the large provincial tree will be light up with over 3,000 lights. With children's choirs, Reynolds Secondary Carol Band and special guests, it's set to be a festive celebration with complimentary hot cocoa and cookies inside.
• In Edmonton, Alberta, December 3; a lighting ceremony will take place at the Alberta Legislature Building,. where more than 125,000 lights will be illuminated at 4:45 p.m. in the presence of the Honourable Rachel Notley, Premier of Alberta, and the Honourable Bob Wanner, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta. The University of Alberta Mixed Chorus will perform.
• In Regina, Saskatchewan, December 3; an indoor celebration will be held from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. 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. Prairie Gold Chorus and a school choir 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. There will be hot chocolate and cookies for everyone!
• In Winnipeg, Manitoba, December 5; more than 3,200 lights will be turned on during a special ceremony at the Legislative Building at 5:00 p.m. Visitors can enjoy the lights throughout the holiday season.
• In Toronto, Ontario, December 7; a lighting ceremony will take place at the Legislative Assembly of Ontario at 6:15 p.m. The Honourable Dave Levac, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, will host a festive gathering where more than 5,000 interior and more than 3,000 exterior lights will be turned on at 6:45 p.m. The nationally celebrated University of Toronto's Hart House Jazz Choir Onoscatopoeia will perform.
• In Québec City, Quebec; during the holiday season, trees illuminated in white will adorn the gardens of the Parliament Building. On Cartier Avenue, the installation Lumière sur l'art features 35 giant hanging shades that show scenes by major Québécois artists. In addition, 20 heritage buildings are lighting up the nighttime landscape of Quebec's capital, including the Château Frontenac, the Parliament Building, several churches, the Musée national des beaux-arts, and the Prince Building. These projects are part of the light plan developed by the Commission de la capitale nationale du Québec.
• In Fredericton, New Brunswick, December 4; festivities will take place on the front lawn of the Legislative Assembly Building at 7:00 p.m. The Honourable Chris Collins, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, Her Honour Jocelyne Roy Vienneau, Lieutenant Governor of New Brunswick, and other dignitaries will be present as 7,500 lights are turned on. Entertainment will be provided by Elm City Echoes and Garden Creek School boys' choir.
• In Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, November 20; the annual Christmas Tree Lighting Celebration was held in the plaza of the Confederation Centre of the Arts. In the presence of His Worship Mayor Clifford Lee, as well as other federal, provincial and municipal elected officials, tens of thousands of lights on the main tree and surrounding displays at Province House National Historic Site were illuminated to begin the holiday season. Holiday lights and displays will brighten the night sky of Charlottetown until after New Year's Eve celebrations.
• In Halifax, Nova Scotia, November 28; a celebration will be held at the City Hall Building in the Grand Parade, where 7,500 lights will be turned on at approximately 6:00 p.m. Entertainment will include the Puss in Boots live stage show, musical act Big Fish, a visit from Santa and fireworks.
• In St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, December 3; a ceremony will take place at 6:15 p.m. 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 Beachy Cove Elementary School Choir.

Quote

"As the holiday season approaches, we want to get together with family and friends! What better way to welcome winter than to take in the amazing light shows that each premier has arranged for us to enjoy from coast to coast to coast. I thank all of our provinces and territories for joining the party and encourage all Canadians to take part!"

-The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Canadian Heritage

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