The Holiday season is here, which means the return of Christmas trees and Christmas light displays. Checkout our guide below to the Places to See Enchanting Christmas Lights in Halton.

 Light Up the Hills Festival of Halton

Now until January 14: Everyday from 5:00 pm – 11:00 pm

This holiday season, experience a world of lights and the wonders of the season and join us at the Light Up the Hills Festival of Halton in Georgetown.   Join us for an unforgettable walk through captivating displays  as we illuminate the hills with our festival of lights. Our annual event celebrates the magic of the season, where there is something for everyone to experience and enjoy. Whether you’re seeking a family outing, a romantic date night, or simply a moment of wonder and awe, Light Up the Hills delivers an unforgettable experience that will leave you with wonderful memories of the season.  Embark on this extraordinary adventure and discover why our festival has become a cherished tradition in Halton.

This year the lights will be lit for everyone to enjoy at Dominion Gardens Park in Georgetown, Shelagh Law Parkette in Glen Williams and Acton Sports Park in Acton. As always, there is no charge to visit any of the parks and you do not need to make a reservation.

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Burlington Festival of Lights

Spencer Smith Park: 1400 Lakeshore Rd, Burlington

Now – January 8th – 4:00pm – Midnight daily

Winter Wonders

Now to January 7 (Thursdays to Sundays)*
Hendrie Park – 680 Plains Road West, Burlington, ON

Winter Wonders, a unique outdoor evening experience, guides visitors along Hendrie Park’s picturesque pathways adorned with charming festive lights, interactive installations and magical displays that tell the stories of unique winter wonders. Stroll through our breathtaking garden to the rhythm of festive music while indulging in the warm tastes and fragrances of the holiday season.  

After your walk, cozy up indoors and explore the Botanical Train installation and the warmly lit Mediterranean Garden, and pick up unique gifts from Shop at the Gardens. Timed tickets are required and space is limited.  

Timed-tickets required; get yours now!

Winter Festival of Lights

The most enchanting of Niagara Falls attractions, the annual Winter Festival of Lights is Canada’s largest FREE outdoor light festival. Experience the spectacular displays with millions of lights and larger than life displays across the tourism districts.

“Sparkling Winter Lights” Falls Illumination

To celebrate the beauty and majesty of the winter season and the annual Niagara Falls Winter Festival of Lights, an illumination light show “Sparkling Winter Lights” has been produced for Niagara Falls Tourism by the Niagara Falls Illumination Board. The display features the subtle and sometimes harsh movements inspired by winter in the north. From gentle snowfalls to the aurora borealis gliding over snowy tundra, to blizzards and the frosted falls; winter’s spectacle is exciting and magical.

The mighty American and Canadian Horseshoe Falls will come to life every evening with this tribute to the natural beauty all around us. The display is part of the regular nightly illumination of the Falls, with the five-minute lighting display playing through on the hour, at 6:00 pm, 7:00 pm and 8:00 pm each evening between November 18, 2023 and January 7, 2024.

The Niagara Falls Winter Festival of Lights Hot Chocolate Trail

Warm up this winter season with a hot beverage while exploring the Niagara Falls Winter Festival of Lights. This new self-guided trail will lead you to delicious stops of chocolatey concoctions created by chocolatiers, chefs and mixologists at some of the area’s excellent restaurants and bake shops across Niagara Falls. From classic combinations with mint, orange and s’mores to inventive cocktails like a Dulce De Leche or Naughty But Nice Hot Chocolate featuring unique homemade ingredients like flavoured marshmallows and even eyeball gummies, this new trail has 17 stops with 23 unique and delicious flavours to sip and savour (both non-alcoholic and alcoholic options).

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Looking for a safe way to see twinkling Christmas light displays this holiday season?

The coronavirus pandemic will make it harder to celebrate the holidays this year. We’ve compiled a list of some dazzling holiday lights displays, several are drive-thru, while others are on foot with face masks and social distancing required. Keep in mind online reservations may need to be made in advance.

Country Heritage Park

Country Heritage Park is excited to announce its first ever Country Christmas Drive-Thru! Drive a 2 kilometre loop at scenic Country Heritage Park in Milton.

We know times have been challenging this year. That’s why this event follows the rules and regulations of COVID-19 in the Halton Region so you can enjoy this Christmas time knowing you are safe in the comfort of your own vehicle!

Tickets will be available for purchase online Click here to reserve your tickets

 

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Burlington Festival of Lights

Winter Wonders

Wednesdays to Sundays, Nov 18 to Dec 23
Additional Dates: Dec 27-30, Jan 2, 35 to 10 p.m.; Hendrie Park

A brand new RBG experience! Follow incredible festive lights through picture-perfect Hendrie Park and discover something new at every turn.

Experience the magic of the holiday season under the stars as historic Hendrie Park transforms into a winter wonderland of nature and light. This unique outdoor experience guides visitors along Hendrie Park’s picturesque pathways adorned with charming festive Christmas lights, including 7 magical displays that tell the stories of unique winter wonders! Discover the origins of popular holiday traditions while strolling through our breathtaking garden to the rhythm of festive music and indulging in the warm tastes and fragrances of the holiday season.

 

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Winter Festival of Lights in Niagara Falls.

The annual lights festival is an eight-kilometre route that transforms Niagara Parks, Dufferin Islands, and the surrounding area into an Instagram-worthy palette of colours and sparkling lights. All while social distancing, you can take in the over 3 million lights from your car or you can bundle up and walk the wide-open park spaces. Displays at the festival include 15 Canadian wildlife illuminations, the Sylma, and over 50 trees wrapped in lights in Dufferin Islands.Besides this, there will also be a light show on the Toronto Power Generation Station and the Zimmerman Fountain, three-dimensional angels at the Niagara Parks Police building, and the ever-popular Noah’s Ark.

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Picturesque parks are a big part of what makes Burlington so special. While local green spaces are perfect for whiling away the summer, they’re just as beautiful when the leaves turn to yellow, red, and gold. Simply put, when it’s autumn hues you’re seeking, there’s no shortage of places to find them.

Here are five parks in Burlington that are ideal for watching the leaves change this fall…

1) Bronte Creek Provincial Park

Bronte Creek Park is a wonderful place for a hike, stroll, or bike ride. Within this 6.4-kilometre space, you’ll find five forested nature paths that take on fiery colours when the temperature drops. The most popular options are Maiden’s Blush and Trillium Trails, both of which are surrounded by mature woodlands. There’s also a campground on-site, which is perfect for those planning a weekend in the great outdoors.

2) Kencliff Park

Kerncliff Park is a former quarry, which helps explain its unique appearance. Its stony topography and pristine wetlands are worth the trip—and so is its foliage. Every fall, the back walnut trees turn a vibrant yellow tinged with rust—a must-see. This natural rehab area spans a spacious 40 acres, and you could easily spend a whole day exploring. Don’t forget to check out the wooden bridge to enjoy the perfect view!

3) Lowville Park

This peaceful park sits just north of Burlington, in the tiny town of Lowville. Like the other outdoor spaces on our list, it features stunning trails that are one of its biggest highlights. You’ll also find scenic views of the Bronte Creek—and the leafy trees that hang over it. These 28 hectares are dazzling in autumn, so be sure to visit them this season. Don’t forget to check out the suspension bridge (and playground, if you have little ones) while you’re there!

4) Spencer Smith Park

It’s Burlington’s best-known green space. This urban park, situated right downtown along the water, is a favourite among locals and tourists alike. It’s known for its Japanese gardens, the Brant Street Pier, Rotary Cenntenial Pond (great for skating in the winter), and its beautiful landscape. Several mature weeping willows had to be removed from the park in 2016, but there are still plenty of leafy trees to admire in every season. When fall rolls around, the new hues come out—and they’re truly a sight to behold!

5) Hidden Valley Park

With its playground, picnic areas, baseball diamonds, and well-treed paths, this Aldershot gem is ideal for active families—and nature lovers. Its trails, which run alongside the creek, are impossibly green in the summer. Come September, all that vegetation makes for a lively mix of colours! This little oasis is a prime example of the natural beauty that can be found in Burlington. If you’re ready to explore the great outdoors this autumn, there are plenty of places to do so right in your own backyard!

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Take the Tour

Are you looking for the ideal place to settle down? If so, you might want to consider living in Burlington. Just 40 minutes from Toronto, this charming city on the lake is much more than a bedroom community. In fact, it’s been called the best place to live in the country by Maclean’s magazine.

Find out what makes living in Burlington so special here in our guide to the city…

Burlington at a Glance

With its quiet residential neighbourhoods and pretty parks, Burlington is the epitome of family-friendly. Here you’ll also find a wide variety of places to give your kids a high-quality education. John T. Tuck and Charles R. Beaudoin Public Schools are just two local institutions that receive impressive rankings from the Fraser Institute.

Burlington also hosts a wide variety of annual events that add to its sense of fun and community. Canada’s Largest Ribfest, the Christmas Festival of Lights, and the Children’s Festival are just a few examples.

City Amenities

It’s true that Burlington isn’t one of Canada’s biggest cities. But if you choose to live here, you’ll enjoy plenty of unique dining and shopping options in your own backyard.

To start with, the city’s food scene is very much alive and well. Among the local favourites is the Martini House. This fine-dining hotspot serves up inventive, European and Asian-inspired fare. Think pitch-perfect clam fettuccini and fresh sesame-crusted tuna. Paradiso, which is known for its incredible seafood dishes, is another must-visit.

Local shoppers favour Mapleview Centre and Burlington Mall, both of which are home to some of the most popular retailers out there. To soak up the local charm while you shop, head downtown. Here you’ll find a mix of fashionable boutiques, antique stores, giftware shops, and more.

Outdoor Spaces

One of the best things about living in Burlington is the city’s gorgeous outdoor spaces. Take Canada’s largest botanical gardens. Spread out over 1,100 hectares, the RBG contains 300 acres of cultivated gardens and 27 kilometres of nature trails.

Spencer Smith Park is another one of Burlington’s biggest draws. Situated on the waterfront in the city’s downtown, it boasts a kids’ playground, a Japanese garden, the scenic Brant Street Pier, Rotary Centennial Pond (which becomes a popular skating rink in the winter), and much more.

There’s a wide variety of other green spaces throughout the city, including Leighland, Lowville, and LaSalle Parks.

Getting Around

Commuting out of Burlington is easy, thanks to local access to highways 403, 407, and the Queen Elizabeth Way (QEW). For those who don’t drive, the city’s bus service is a convenient way to get around. Don’t forget about commuter trains! The Appleby, Burlington, and Aldershot GO Stations make areas like Halton Region, Hamilton, and the GTA easy to get to.

Burlington Real Estate

Burlington has an ideal neighbourhood—and a perfect home—for every buyer. From brand-new builds to mid-century bungalows to beautiful historic houses, the city’s options are seemingly endless.

One of the main reasons families make the move to this little corner of the world is for more square footage. Of course, all that space can come at a cost. It’s not unusual to see single-family properties listed at around $1 million. While home prices in the city are catching up to those in Toronto, it’s important to remember that you’ll get more for your money in Burlington!

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