Holiday light festivals in Ontario 2024
Winter Festival of Lights | Niagara Falls Tourism
From the illumination of Niagara Falls to stunning Christmas light displays and downtown tree lighting ceremonies, all corners of Ontario shine bright at these annual light festivals.
Celebrate the holiday cheer in a winter road trip, weekend getaway or evening visit to one of these magical destinations.
Book in advance for ticketed events, as many sell out fast. Visit Festivals and Events Ontario to discover even more seasonal fun in Ontario.
Greater Toronto Area (GTA)
Cavalcade of Lights at Nathan Phillips Square
Each holiday season, Nathan Phillips Square in downtown Toronto transforms into a winter wonderland with spectacular light installations, a DJ-music ice skating party, ice sculptures, live entertainment and a decorated Christmas tree.
Book a downtown Toronto hotel to serve as your home base as you enjoy this free event and explore the city.
When: November 30, 2024–January 7, 2025
Where: 100 Queen Street West, Toronto
Casa Loma Holiday Lights Tour
Marvel at the elaborate holiday light displays on a self-guided evening tour through the gardens and tunnels of Casa Loma. Enjoy live music performances and kid-friendly events in Santa’s castle workshop.
Combine your visit with Christmas at the Castle daytime programming. Purchase tickets for both events in advance online.
When: Select dates in December 2024 and during the first week of January 2025
Where: 1 Austin Terrace, Toronto
Illumi: A dazzling world of lights
Experience a marvellous light, sound and multimedia show with 15 uniquely themed universes of magical installations created from millions of brilliant lights.
Ticket prices vary depending on date, time and category. Plan on one to two hours to fully appreciate the event.
When: October 2024 to the first week of January 2025
Where: 7174 Derry Crest Drive, Mississauga
Village of Yorkville Holiday Magic
Each year, this little park in the heart of Toronto’s downtown Yorkville neighbourhood is transformed with a spectacular, one-of-a-kind holiday light display.
When: the kick-off lighting event takes place at the end of November; the free light display continues until the end of the year
Where: Cumberland and Bellair Street, Toronto
Journey into Enchantment
Drive along an enchanting two-kilometre route featuring over two million custom, interactive 2D and 3D Christmas and holiday-themed light displays of your favourite characters, a sparkling, drive-through tunnel, accompanying seasonal music and Santa Claus himself.
This event will be held at two locations: Dixie Mall in Mississauga and the Ajax Casino in Ajax.
When: select days, November 22, 2024–January 1, 2025
Where: 1250 South Service Road, Mississauga
When: select days, November 16, 2024–January 1, 2025
Ottawa Region
Magic of Lights in Ottawa
Follow the drive-through route in Wesley Clover Parks just southeast of downtown Ottawa to a festive wonderland featuring thousands of mesmerizing lights, holiday scenes and characters.
Tickets are per car or vehicle.
When: November 11, 2024–January 4, 2025
Where: 411 Corkstown Road, Ottawa
Christmas Lights Across Canada
Just when we thought Ottawa couldn’t get any prettier, thousands of lights sparkle, shine and reflect off the winter landscape of our nation’s capital illuminating historic sites, parks and streets. Take in the enchanting display, including the free multimedia show on Parliament Hill.
Find the perfect place to stay and add this free event to a festive getaway in Canada’s capital.
When: December 2024 to the first week of January 2025
Where: downtown Ottawa
Southeastern Ontario
Brockville River of Lights
Enjoy a free drive-through tour of Blockhouse Island Parkway, lit with twinkling and floodlights during the holiday season. Tune your car radio to 88.1 FM for contemporary and classic festive music accompanying the dazzling seasonal light display.
When: November 30, 2024–January 6, 2025
Where: Blockhouse Island Parkway at the base of Market Street West at Water Street, Brockville
Alight at Night at Upper Canada Village
Over one million lights adorn the heritage buildings, trees and fences at this scenic living-history site, eastern Ontario’s largest light show. Wander the recreated 1866 pioneer village, enjoy festive Christmas music and treat yourself to a delicious BeaverTail pastry.
Tickets are available exclusively online.
When: Select dates from November 29, 2024–January 4, 2024
Niagara Region
Niagara Falls Winter Festival of Lights
Niagara Falls’ beloved winter tradition of spectacular light displays returns for another season.
With over three million twinkling lights along the Niagara Parkway alone, an enchanting winter fireworks series, a full calendar of entertainment and the opportunity to get a photo with Santa, it’s no wonder that the Christmas lights in Niagara Falls are Canada’s largest free light festival.
Warm up with a hot chocolate and enjoy a self-guided holiday light tour. Book an overnight stay in one of Niagara’s accommodations overlooking the falls for a getaway to remember.
When: November 16, 2024–January 5, 2025
Where: Downtown Niagara Falls
Safari Lights
Experience a thrilling three-kilometre drive-through adventure with twinkling light tunnels, motion lights, whimsical animal displays and more at Safari Niagara.
Purchase tickets online.
When: November 21–December 30, 2024 (closed December 24 and 25)
York, Durham and Headwaters
Canada’s Wonderland WinterFest
The magic of the holiday returns to Canada’s largest theme park.
Canada’s Wonderland continues to thrill and delight through the season as it transforms into WinterFest, an enchanting experience with spectacular holiday lights, Christmas trees, themed entertainment, ice skating opportunities, food and more.
Purchase tickets at the gate or online.
When: select dates, November 16, 2024–January 4, 2025
Where: 1 Canada’s Wonderland Drive, Vaughan
Christmas in the Park
For over 30 years, Kay Cee Gardens has been transformed into a magical outdoor wonderland with lights, displays, entertainment and treats during Christmas in the Park.
The Optimist Club of Orangeville organizes this free event.
When: December 1–31, 2024
Hamilton, Halton and Brant
Winter Wonders at Royal Botanical Gardens
Revel in the magic of nature and light as you stroll along the 1.5 kilometre pathway in the Royal Botanical Garden's Hendrie Park and experience a tapestry of brilliant festive lights and holiday art installments under the stars.
During the day, explore Hendrie Park on a holiday train ride aboard the RBG Express.
Pre-registration is required for this ticketed event.
When: late November 2024–early January 2025
Where: 680 Plains Road West, Burlington
Burlington Festival of Lights
Burlington’s Spencer Smith Park, on the shores of Lake Ontario, will sparkle and shine this holiday season with magical-themed displays during the 29th Festival of Lights.
Wander through the park with friends and family, including your four-legged family member, as this free event is dog-friendly.
When: November 29, 2024–January 8, 2025
Southwestern Ontario
Holiday Lights Heritage Nights in LaSalle
Each year, the town of LaSalle hosts the much-anticipated Holiday Lights Heritage Nights event.
This holiday-themed outdoor walk-through festival features amazing light and ornamental displays, a massive Christmas tree, a holiday market, food, drinks and entertainment.
This free event occurs at the LaSalle Civic Centre just south of Windsor.
When: November 22, 2024–January 5, 2025
Where: 5950 Malden Road, LaSalle
Bright Lights Windsor
The return of Bright Lights Windsor in Jackson Park is bigger and brighter.
Immerse yourself in seasonally themed zones or sit back and relax in cozy chairs by the fire. Highlights at the free event include LED Chair Swing, interactive lights, singing tree lights and more.
When: November 29, 2024–January 7, 2025
Where: 125 Tecumseh Road East, Windsor
Simcoe Christmas Panorama River of Lights
Once again, one of the oldest light festivals in Ontario returns to transform Simcoe’s downtown in and around Wellington Park into a winter wonderland with themed displays, thousands of lights and hundreds of beautifully decorated trees.
Enjoy the view from a horse-drawn trolley on select weekends, visit the Christmas market and warm up with a hot chocolate.
Bonnie Drive will be closed to vehicles during this free event.
When: December 2024
Where: 50 Bonnie Drive, Simcoe
Huron, Perth, Waterloo and Wellington
Bingemans Gift of Lights & Jingle Bell Rock
One of the region’s longest drive-through holiday light attractions features two tunnels and over 300 animated and static sparkling light installations.
Tune into Gift of Lights Radio at 100.1 FM as you cruise past the delightful displays and enjoy the show from the warmth and comfort of your vehicle. The magic continues on a Jingle Bell Rock walking tour of large light displays.
Tickets must be purchased in advance online.
When: November 22, 2024–January 4, 2025
Where: 25 Bingemans Centre Drive, Kitchener
Winter Ice and Lights during Cambridge Winterfest
Winterfest is a beloved tradition in and around Cambridge featuring several unique events, including Winter Ice and Lights.
Enjoy magical light displays and installations during this free event held in Central Park in Preston, just north of downtown Cambridge.
When: November 15, 2024–January 1, 2025
Where: 515 King Street East, Preston
Lights on Stratford Winter Festival of Lights
Once again, downtown Stratford transforms with enchanting interactive light displays and art installations designed to rekindle the joy of the season. This year’s theme is “reimagine.”
Come for the lights and stay for the bites. One of Ontario’s most prominent theatre, cultural and arts destinations is also home to inviting accommodations, unique shopping, gorgeous galleries and notably diverse food and drink experiences.
When: December 19, 2024–January 19, 2025
Where: downtown Stratford
Goderich Festival of Lights Celebration
Perched on the shores of Lake Huron, the town of Goderich is pretty in every season, but the lights of the Holiday season add an extra sparkle and glow.
The free Festival of Lights proceeds the Santa Claus Parade with a seasonal concert at the Courthouse Performance Stage.
When: November 16, 2024
Where: Courthouse Square, Goderich
Bruce, Grey and Simcoe
Holiday Magic at Blue Mountain Village
Blue Mountain Village is once again wrapped in one million lights, garlands and bows with magic around every corner.
Follow the Interactive Light Trail through the village and around the Mill Pond. Enjoy fireworks over the pond on Saturday nights, plus weekend holiday music, a Snowdome Garden, seasonal entertainment and even visits from Santa on a horse-drawn sleigh.
When: November 18, 2024–January 7, 2025
Where: 156 Jozo Weider Boulevard, The Blue Mountains
Owen Sound Festival of Northern Lights
Owen Sound’s harbour, riverbanks, downtown and Harrison Park will be decorated with hundreds of displays and over 25 kilometres of lights, serving as a colourful backdrop for seasonal concerts, craft shows and horse-drawn carriage rides.
Special entertainment and fireworks are planned on the opening night of this free event.
When: November 16, 2024–early January 2025
Where: Downtown Owen Sound
First Light at Sainte-Marie among the Hurons
First Light in Midland is celebrating 24 years of holiday magic.
Enjoy a full lineup of activities, entertainment and performers, all amidst the spectacular glow of thousands of candles lighting up pathways around the historic 17th-century mission site. Browse the holiday craft market and enjoy special treats from the cookhouse.
Purchase tickets online in advance.
When: November 21–24, 28–30, December 1, 5–8, 2024
Where: 16164 Highway 12 East, Midland
Magic of Lights near Barrie
Magic of Lights is a two-kilometre-long drive-through holiday light display featuring over two million LED lights.
See the sparkling Holiday Barbie™ display, the supersized Bigfoot® Monster Truck and life-sized dinosaurs of Prehistoric Christmas.
This event takes place at Springwater Provincial Park, just outside of Barrie. Purchase tickets online or at the gate for each vehicle.
When: November 15, 2024–January 4, 2025
Where: 1331 ON-26, Barrie
Muskoka, Parry Sound and Algonquin Park
Bracebridge Festival of Lights
Downtown Bracebridge sparkles with holiday cheer during the annual Festival of Lights.
The free event features an array of family-friendly activities, including shopping, entertainment, a Santa Claus parade and lots of twinkling lights.
When: November 22, 29–December 7, 2024
Where: Downtown Bracebridge
Related content
Festive holiday markets in Ontario 2024
All aboard Ontario’s holiday and Santa train rides 2024
Holiday events at Ontario’s heritage buildings
Last updated: February 24, 2025