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
Bodies recovered in Mexico likely 2 Australians, 1 American who went missing: officials
Three bodies recovered in an area of Baja California are likely to be those of the two Australians and an American who went missing last weekend during a camping and surfing trip, the state prosecutor’s office said Saturday.
Maple Leafs eliminated from NHL playoffs with Game 7 OT loss to Bruins
Sheldon Keefe told his players hockey history would remember them one way or another.
Amid climate change warnings, Canadians lukewarm on electric vehicles
Amid scientists' warnings that nations need to transition away from fossil fuels to limit climate change, Canadians are still lukewarm on electric vehicles, according to a study conducted by Nanos Research for CTV News.
What a judge's gag order on Trump means in his hush money case
A gag order bars Trump from commenting publicly on witnesses, jurors and some others connected to the matter. The New York judge already has found that Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee for president, repeatedly violated the order, fined him US$9,000 and warning that jail could follow if he doesn't comply.
No proof man lied to brother about number of kittens born in litter, B.C. tribunal rules
A man was denied a $5,000 payout from his brother after a B.C. tribunal dismissed his claim disputing how many kittens were born in a litter.
Pro-Palestinian protesters at USC comply with school order to leave their encampment
Protesters left a pro-Palestinian encampment at the University of Southern California early Sunday after they were surrounded by police and told they could face arrest if they didn’t go.
Israel says Hamas attacks a crossing point into Gaza, wounding 10 Israelis and forcing its closure
Hamas militants on Sunday attacked Israel's main crossing point for delivering humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip, reportedly wounding several Israelis and prompting Israel to close the terminal.
Trudeau 'absolutely' best person to lead the Liberals in next election: LeBlanc says
Cabinet minister Dominic LeBlanc insists he's not planning a leadership campaign to head the Liberal party, should current leader and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau resign, seemingly quashing rumours he's planning to make a move for his boss' job.
Bombarded with spam texts? Stats show the problem is getting worse in Canada
In particular, messages that involve phishing — an attack where a scammer tries to trick the recipient into clicking a malicious link, downloading malware or sharing sensitive information — are on the rise.