Victoria's Lights of Wonder returns to Centennial Square
Victoria’s Centennial Square is a hub of activity as workers create what will be a dazzling light display for tens of thousands of Victorians to enjoy in time for Christmas.
The Lights of Wonder holiday celebration will once again illuminate the square starting Dec. 16.
Crews are assembling a variety of structures shaped like trees, arches, a crown and even a replica of the gate to Victoria’s Chinatown.
The custom-made display, featuring half a million lights, takes three weeks to install.
The free, accessible, all-ages event comes from the Downtown Victoria Business Association and Starlight Investments and offers more than just a spectacular light show.
“We’ll have nine nights of entertainment on the Centennial Square stage,” says Jeff Bray, the executive director of the Downtown Victoria Business Association.
The event was cancelled last year, but in 2019 an estimated 75,000 people took in the free light show.
“It’s a way to really just enjoy each other and the community and also a chance to support our small- and medium-sized businesses, who are actually providing this, by shopping downtown,” Bray says.
People are encouraged to bring the family, take photos and enjoy the spectacle that promises to be bigger and better than in 2019.
Following current provincial health orders, the event does not require masks or proof of vaccination because it is outside, says Bray.
The light display will also be open Christmas Day. On New Year’s Eve, there will be an early countdown for the kids and another one at midnight for those wanting to stay out later.
The Lights of Wonder runs Dec. 16 to 31. Volunteers are still needed if you would like to help. For more information go to the event website.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Harvey Weinstein's 2020 rape conviction overturned by N.Y. appeals court
New York's highest court on Thursday overturned Harvey Weinstein's 2020 rape conviction, reversing a landmark ruling of the #MeToo era in determining the trial judge improperly allowed women to testify about allegations against the ex-movie mogul that weren't part of the case.
BREAKING Honda to get up to $5B in govt help for EV battery, assembly plants
Honda is set to build an electric vehicle battery plant next to its Alliston, Ont., assembly plant, which it is retooling to produce fully electric vehicles, all part of a $15-billion project that is expected to include up to $5 billion in public money.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment that is banned at Queen’s Park.
CTE: Researchers believe widespread brain injury may contribute to veteran suicide rate
Researchers are working to better understand if some Canadian military veterans may be suffering from Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy, also known as CTE -- a disorder previously found in the brains of professional football and hockey players after their death.
1 arrested in northern Alberta during public shelter order
Residents of John D'Or Prairie, a community on the Little Red River Cree Nation in northern Alberta, were told to take shelter Thursday morning during a police operation.
Secret $70M Lotto Max winners break their silence
During a special winner celebration near their hometown, Doug and Enid shared the story of how they discovered they were holding a Lotto Max ticket worth $70 million and how they kept this huge secret for so long.
Remains from a mother-daughter cold case were found nearly 24 years later, after a deathbed confession from the suspect
A West Virginia father is getting some sense of closure after authorities found the remains of his young daughter and her mother following a deathbed confession from the man believed to have fatally shot them nearly two decades ago.
New deep-water channel allows first ship to pass Key bridge wreckage in Baltimore
The first cargo ship passed through a newly opened deep-water channel in Baltimore on Thursday after being stuck in the harbor since the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed four weeks ago, halting most maritime traffic through the city's port.
First in Canada procedure performed at London, Ont. hospital
A London man has become the first person in Canada to receive a robotic assisted surgery on his spine. Dave Myeh suffered from debilitating, chronic back pain that led to sciatica in his right now and extreme pain in his lower back.