Hundreds of Thousands of Lights Will Illuminate Canada's Capital Region on December 5 during Christmas Lights Across Canada
News release
OTTAWA, November 15, 2018
The 34th edition of Christmas Lights Across Canada will launch on Wednesday, December 5, with a dazzling illumination ceremony at 7 p.m. on Parliament Hill.
The festivities will include performances by talented artists Ariane Moffatt and Josée Bourgeois. The show will also feature the colourful Winter Landscapes multimedia show and a pyrotechnics display. Hundreds of thousands of Christmas lights will be lit up and shine in the heart of Canada's Capital Region.
Those who gather on Parliament Hill for this annual celebration will be invited to enjoy free BeaverTails® pastries and hot chocolate, while supplies last.
Manulife is the exclusive sponsor for Christmas Lights Across Canada.
"Year after year, thousands of Canadians gather on Parliament Hill to enjoy the official illumination ceremony that kicks off Christmas Lights Across Canada. This December 5th, I invite everyone to take part in this event that has marked the start of the holiday season in Canada's Capital Region for more than 30 years."
—The Honourable Pablo Rodriguez, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Multiculturalism
"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, Regulatory & Public Affairs, Manulife
Quick facts
Visitors are encouraged to arrive early on Parliament Hill so they can enjoy a free BeaverTails® pastry and hot chocolate, courtesy of BeaverTails® and Enbridge Gas Distribution, while supplies last.
During the illumination ceremony, social media content creators from every province and territory will share their holiday greetings in their own way, on giant screens.
Canadians across the country who are unable to attend the illumination ceremony can watch a live broadcast of the evening's festivities on the Canadian Heritage Facebook page and YouTube channel, as well as on the Rogers TV network.
Canada's Capital Region will be illuminated with Christmas lights from December 5 to January 7.
Combining bold digital technology with the architectural splendour of the Centre Block of Parliament, the Winter Lightscapes multimedia show will play on a 14-minute loop every night from 5:30 p.m. to 11 p.m., from December 6 to January 7.
On December 31, the multimedia show will run until 11:59 p.m. At midnight, a short pyrotechnics display will herald the New Year.
