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Christmas Lights Across Canada

Each year, Canada’s Capital Region glows with thousands of holiday lights during Christmas Lights Across Canada. These family activities in Ottawa consist of a pathway of lights in Canada’s Capital Region, IllumiNATION — A celebration of the winter solstice, and a multimedia projection on Parliament Hill. These Ottawa free events are perfect to spend time with the family!

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About Christmas Lights Across Canada

The Christmas Lights program was launched in 1985 to brighten the Ottawa winter. At first, the lights were only on Parliament Hill, but over the years the program expanded. Now, Ottawa and Gatineau glow each winter with Christmas lights at over 60 sites along Confederation Boulevard.

The program also grew to include our 13 provincial and territorial capitals, becoming Christmas Lights Across Canada. Throughout the country, Canadians come together each year to brighten their wintery capitals with thousands of holiday lights.

Christmas Lights Across Canada is supported by partners in the national, provincial and territorial capitals of Canada.

To view each year’s dates, please visit their website!

Multimedia Projection on Parliament Hill

A new multimedia projection show is offered on Parliament Hill. The presentation combines colourful digital imagery with a captivating soundtrack.

From December 8, 2022, to January 8, 2023

  • On Parliament Hill, downtown Ottawa
  • Thursday to Monday, from 5:30 pm to 11 pm (until midnight on December 31)
  • Presented in a 15-minute loop

Pathway of lights in Canada’s Capital Region

December 8, 2022, to January 8, 2023
Every evening

In Canada’s Capital, the winter landscape glows with over 300,000 multicoloured lights during the holiday season. The holiday lights that brighten Confederation Boulevard, Canada’s ceremonial route circling the heart of the Capital. The Boulevard encompasses Wellington Street, Mackenzie Street, Elgin Street and Sussex Drive in downtown Ottawa, as well as Laurier Street in Gatineau and the Alexandra Bridge. 

Follow this illuminated route between Ottawa and Gatineau and admire the sites and monuments along its way:

  • National War Memorial
  • Rideau Canal Park
  • Confederation Park
  • Elgin Street
  • Mackenzie Triangle
  • Reconciliation, The Peacekeeping Monument
  • Jacques-Cartier Park
  • Garden of Provinces and Territories
  • Portage Park
  • Supreme Court of Canada

For more information, visit Pathway of lights!

 Christmas Lights Across CanadaPin
Photo Credit: Ottawa Tourism ; Parliament Hill illuminated for Christmas Lights Across Canada

IllumiNATION — A celebration of the winter solstice

Every year, an illumination ceremony is held on Parliament Hill. The evening usually features musical performances, a colourful pyrotechnics show and a projection of the Winter Lightscapes show. Guests are invited to arrive early to the ceremony and enjoy free BeaverTail pastries and hot chocolate, while supplies last.

Hope you will attend these Ottawa events with your family!

Lyne Proulx
Lyne Proulxhttps://ottawamommyclub.ca/
Lyne Proulx is a Certified Professional Wedding Consultant and experienced Event Planner with a strong background in community engagement and large-scale event coordination. For eight years, she led the Annual Infant Information Day/Early Years Expo for the City of Ottawa. From 2013 to 2016, she was the driving force behind the BConnected Conference, Canada’s premier digital influencer and social media conference, held in Ottawa and Toronto. Lyne also served as co-chair of the Navan for Kraft Hockeyville committee from 2009 to 2011, organizing five major community events in just six months. Her leadership helped Navan become one of the top 10 finalists in the national competition. In recognition of her exceptional volunteerism and dedication to community building, she was honored with the City of Ottawa Mayor's City Builder Award in April 2011. In 2025, Lyne brought her passion for weddings and event planning to a new level by organizing the inaugural Tucker House Bridal Fair, showcasing local vendors and creating a unique experience for engaged couples.

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