Victoria Park shines bright with Lighting of the Lights
The City of London began its annual “Lighting of the Lights” event at Victoria Park on Friday evening.
Hundreds came to the downtown core to take part in the holiday festivities including live entertainment and a countdown to the lighting of the entire park.
“The lighting of the lights is a long-standing tradition in London. It’s been going on for 64 years,” said Kristen Pawelec, the city’s director of community development.
“It takes six weeks to put up 75,000 twinkling lights at Victoria Park so it’s a big transformation when the flip is switched.
With 75,000 lights illuminating the park daily from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. and lasting until the end of February, Victoria Park will truly transform into a magical winter wonderland.
Other displays include Santa and his reindeer, the Christmas train and snowmen family. Santa’s mailbox will also be in the park for children who want to mail their wish list to the North Pole.
“It’s a great energy tonight. It’s an exciting night but also it’s a giving time of year when we think of others,” Mayor Josh Morgan said.
“There’s so many families in London who need some help and as those who are fortunate and are able to celebrate Christmas we need to think about those who are struggling this time of year as well,” the mayor added.
People can visit the Holly Jolly Market, located at Covent Garden Market, where Londoners can partake in local food vendors, live music and entertainment, light displays, a hot chocolate station, and fire pits.
The unique indoor/outdoor market will be opened on Friday until 10 p.m., and will be welcoming people for the next three weeks.
In addition, the observation deck at London City Hall will once again reopen for public viewing at the following dates and times:
- Friday, Dec. 2 to Sunday, Dec. 4 from 7 to 11 p.m.
- Thursday, Dec. 8 to Sunday, Dec. 11 from 7 to 11 p.m.
- Thursday, Dec. 15 to Sunday, Dec. 18 from 7 to 11 p.m.
- Thursday, Dec. 22 to Friday, Dec. 23 from 7 to 11 p.m.
- Thursday, Dec. 29 to Friday, Dec. 30 from 7 to 11 p.m.
With files from CTV London’s Ashley Hyshka
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'Anything to win': Trudeau says as Poilievre defends meeting protesters
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is accusing Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre of welcoming 'the support of conspiracy theorists and extremists,' after the Conservative leader was photographed meeting with protesters, which his office has defended.
What is changing about Canada's capital gains tax and how does it impact me?
The federal government's proposed change to capital gains taxation is expected to increase taxes on investments and mainly affect wealthy Canadians and businesses. Here's what you need to know about the move.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
Bank of Canada officials split on when to start cutting interest rates
Members of the Bank of Canada's governing council were split on how long the central bank should wait before it starts cutting interest rates when they met earlier this month.
Pilot reported fire onboard plane carrying fuel, attempted to return to Fairbanks just before crash
One of the two pilots aboard an airplane carrying fuel reported there was a fire on the airplane shortly before it crashed and burned outside Fairbanks, killing both people on board, a federal aviation official said Wednesday.
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Ontario couple among passengers on sinking tour boat in Dominican Republic
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their 'extremely dangerous' experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
7 surveillance videos linked to extortions of South Asian home builders in Edmonton released
The Edmonton Police Service has released a number of surveillance videos related to a series of extortion cases in the city now dubbed 'Project Gaslight.'
Ukraine uses long-range missiles secretly provided by U.S. to hit Russian-held areas, officials say
Ukraine for the first time has begun using long-range ballistic missiles provided secretly by the United States, bombing a Russian military airfield in Crimea last week and Russian forces in another occupied area overnight, American officials said Wednesday.
Manitoba government tables bill to end ban on homegrown recreational cannabis
Manitoba is planning to lift its ban on the home growing of recreational cannabis.