By Kat Tancock
Baby, it’s dark outside—and it’s going to get worse before it gets better. Brighten up your cold winter nights and get in the holiday spirit with these gorgeous Canadian lights displays.
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- Niagara Falls, Ontario<br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.wfol.com/lights.html">Niagara Falls glows</a> during the holiday season with more than 3 million tree lights and 120 animated displays, many of them Disney-themed, as well as with the lights illuminating the falls. Friday nights and New Year's Eve, watch fireworks displays at 9 pm (while ice skating, if it suits you).<br /> <br /> <em>Nov. 5, 2011–Jan. 31, 2012</em>
- Winter Festival of Lights
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- Calgary, Alberta<br /> <br /> Celebrate the <a href="http://www.calgaryzoo.org/content/view/29/287/#zoolights">festive season at the Calgary Zoo</a> with a collection of holiday-oriented activities: two light exhibits, downloadable SantaVision conversations with Santa; penguin-related games for kids and, on Friday and Saturday nights, ice-carving demonstrations and musical performances by local choirs.<br /> <br /> <em>Nov. 25, 2011–Jan. 7, 2012 (closed Dec. 25 and 31), 6 pm–9 pm</em>
- Photo by Eric Chu
- Zoolights Calgary
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- Photo by Eric Chu
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- Toronto, Ontario<br /> <br /> The <a href="http://www.torontochristmasmarket.com/">Toronto Christmas Market</a>, hosted in the heritage Distillery District, plays host to seasonal shopping, musical entertainment, a Ferris wheel, a 45-foot Christmas tree, beer and mulled wine gardens and holiday decor and lighting displays.<br /> <br /> <em>December 2–18</em>
- Photo by Sergei Mutovkin
- Distillery District
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- Photo by Sergei Mutovkin
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- Montreal, Quebec<br /> <br /> Montreal goes beyond simple static lights with a <a href="http://www.quaysoftheoldport.com/telus-fire-on-ice.html">riverside fireworks display</a> choreographed around music and themes. Drop by early for an outdoor ice-skating session before the festivities begin; themes change nightly and might include events like ice sculpture or fire dancing.<br /> <br /> <em>Dec. 3–Jan. 7, Sat. at 8 pm (at midnight on Dec. 31)</em>
- Photo © Quays of the Old Port of Montréal
- TELUS Fire on Ice
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- Photo © Quays of the Old Port of Montréal
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- Bolton, Ontario<br /> <br /> Local couple Brian Mercieca and Nadine Budge run this <a href="http://facebook.com/landsbridgelights">annual display</a> with over 25,000 lights from their home for the benefit of Sick Kids hospital in Toronto. Drive by 203 Landsbridge Street to check out the scene and contribute to the toy drive—and listen to the music they synchronize with the lights.<br /> <br /> <em>Dec. 1, 2011–Jan. 6, 2012</em>
- Landsbridge Lights
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- Vancouver, British Columbia<br /> <br /> Dress warm and drop by after dark to see the <a href="http://vancouver.ca/parks/parks/vandusen/">botanical garden</a> transformed into a sparkling winter wonderland. Enjoy a "dancing" light show on the lake, community choir concerts, the Candy Cane Express model train and appearances by Santa and Scandinavian elves Svend and Jens. Keep warm and fed with spiced nuts, traditional German ginger cookies, hot apple cider and gourmet hot chocolate.<br /> <br /> <em>Dec. 9, 201–Jan. 2, 2012, 4:30–9 pm (closed Dec. 25)</em>
- Photo courtesy of VanDusen Botanical Garden.
- VanDusen Botanical Garden
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- Photo courtesy of VanDusen Botanical Garden.
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- Airdrie, Alberta<br /> <br /> Nose Creek Park in Airdrie is home to the annual <a href="http://airdriefestivaloflights.com">festival of lights</a>, which features multiple walk-through light displays, miniature train rides and events like musical performances, movie nights and visits with Santa. Pick up a cup of hot chocolate and some mini doughnuts and get toasty next to one of the many fire pits.<br /> <br /> <em>Dec. 1–31, 2011, 6–9 pm</em>
- Airdrie Festival of Lights
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- Edmonton, Alberta<br /> <br /> An Edmonton Christmas tradition, <a href="http://candycanelane.ca">Candy Cane Lane</a> is the creation of a neighbourhood with holiday spirit to spare. Stroll along 148 Street from 100 Avenue to 92 Avenue in the city's West End to view the lights and decorations. For an extra treat, <a href="https://www.securedata-trans10.com/ap/societyforthepreservationofcandycanelane/index.php?page=10">book a sleigh ride</a> to tour the display.<br /> <br /> <em>Dec. 9, 2011–Jan. 2, 2012</em>
- Photo by Jason V.
- Candy Cane Lane
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- Photo by Jason V.
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- Ottawa, Ontario<br /> <br /> In 1985, to light up Ottawa through cold winter nights, the <a href="http://www.canadascapital.gc.ca/celebrate/christmas-lights">Christmas Lights program</a> began on Parliament Hill. Now, 60 sites along Confederation Boulevard are lit up with over 300,000 multicoloured LED lights, and provincial and territorial capitals join in the festivities.<br /> <br /> <em>Early Dec.–early Jan., 4:30 pm–2 am</em>
- Photo courtesy of the National Capital Commission.
- Christmas Lights Across Canada
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- Photo courtesy of the National Capital Commission.
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- Vancouver, British Columbia<br /> <br /> Drop by to view <a href="http://www.capbridge.com/canyonlightsmicro/">hundreds of thousands of lights</a> across the bridge, around the rainforest and along this year's new Cliffwalk suspended walkway, which has a bird's-eye view of the canyon and of the seasonal moving light display projected on the cliff face. Extend the fun with gingerbread cookie decorating and other activities.<br /> <br /> <em>Dec. 2, 2011–Jan. 1, 2012, 5–9 pm (closed Dec. 25)</em>
- Capilano Suspension Bridge Park
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Stay, Dine, Do