More Lights, More Fun, More Ways to Celebrate the Season!

OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Nov. 19, 2015) - Department of Canadian Heritage

Bundle up, grab your family and friends, and prepare to be dazzled by the 31^st edition of Christmas Lights Across Canada. On Wednesday, December 2, 2015, head to Parliament Hill for 7:00 p.m. and join the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Canadian Heritage, for this year's Illumination Ceremony.

The ceremony will feature a pyrotechnics show, a performance by Canadian singer Measha Brueggergosman and the launch of an all new multimedia projection show. Hundreds of thousands of multicoloured lights will also be switched on-including at a new location on Mackenzie Avenue.

Lights will shine in Canada's Capital Region from December 2, 2015, to January 7, 2016. During this period, the Parliament Buildings will come to life every evening thanks to the new magical winter lightscapes multimedia show that will be projected onto the Peace Tower and Centre Block.

Quick Facts

• The Illumination Ceremony will air holiday wishes from all 13 provincial and territorial premiers on a giant video screen. Lights will also shine during this period on the legislature buildings in several provincial and territorial capitals, creating a luminous link with the nation's capital.
• The multimedia projection show combines digital technology with the architectural splendour of the Parliament Buildings.
• Guests at the ceremony can enjoy free BeaverTails^® pastries and hot chocolate, while supplies last.
• Christmas Lights Across Canada was launched in 1985 to kick off the holiday season in the National Capital and to highlight landmarks along Confederation Boulevard-including Parliament Hill, national museums, monuments and other prominent institutions.
• Manulife is the exclusive sponsor of Christmas Lights Across Canada.

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.@CdnHeritage invites you to the 31^st Illumination Ceremony for Christmas Lights Across Canada. (95 characters)

Quotes

"Add some sparkle and joy to your day and experience the bigger and brighter Christmas Lights Across Canada on Parliament Hill. The lights are a powerful symbol of the Canadian values of peace, respect, diversity and confidence in the future. What a great way to get ready for the holidays!"

-The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Canadian Heritage

"Manulife is proud to sponsor this great Canadian tradition. Christmas Lights Across Canada has delighted countless Canadians for many years and helped start each New Year on a bright note."

-Peter Wilkinson, Senior Vice President, Manulife

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Christmas Lights Across Canada 2016

The Christmas Lights Across Canada program, launched in 1985, was created to highlight landmarks and sites along Confederation Boulevard, including Parliament Hill, national museums, monuments, embassies and other prominent institutions. The program also aims to make the Capital more vibrant during the winter months and kick off the holiday season in Canada's Capital Region.

Every year, as part of Christmas Lights Across Canada, each province and territory decorates its capital city and holds its own lighting ceremony to contribute to this nationwide effort. Thousands upon thousands of multicoloured holiday lights illuminate the country from coast to coast to coast, symbolically linking Canadians together.

In Canada's Capital Region, hundreds of thousands of dazzling holiday lights will brighten Confederation Boulevard, Canada's ceremonial route circling the heart of the Capital. Confederation Boulevard includes Wellington Street, Mackenzie Street, Elgin Street and Sussex Drive in downtown Ottawa, as well as Laurier Street in Gatineau and the Alexandra Bridge.

The 31^st edition of Christmas Lights Across Canada will kick off with an official illumination ceremony on Parliament Hill, as is tradition. The ceremony will take place at 7 p.m. on December 2, 2015. Thousands will gather for this annual event that includes a pyrotechnics show, a performance by Canadian singer Measha Brueggergosman and the launch of an all new multimedia projection show. Those in attendance will also be able to indulge in some favourite winter treats: BeaverTails^® pastries and hot chocolate (free, while supplies last).

Manulife has been the official sponsor of Christmas Lights Across Canada since 2011 and has confirmed the renewal of its sponsorship until 2015-16.

Visit ChristmasLights.gc.ca for more details.