​BRAMPTON, ON (November 6, 2020) – Don your favourite holiday sweater and get into the holiday spirit online and in downtown Brampton with the annual Winter Lights Festival from Friday, November 20 to Sunday, November 22!

This year’s festival will look different due to COVID-19, with in-person and virtual events, as community health and safety are the City’s priority. For more information on all of the below events, and online activities for families all weekend long, visit brampton.ca/winterlights.

In-person events
• New! Drive-Thru Light Experience | Gage Park | Friday, November 20; Saturday, November 21 and Sunday, November 22 from 6 to 10 pm

Drive through Gage Park and see it shine with more light installations than ever before at the Drive-Thru Light Experience all weekend long! Registration is required to participate. Click here to book your spot.

• Christmas Market | Ken Whillans Square | Friday, November 20 from 4 to 10 pm; Saturday, November 21 from 11 am to 11 pm and Sunday, November 22 from 11 am to 8 pm

Start your holiday shopping at this year’s outdoor Christmas Market in Ken Whillans Square presented by TD, complete with unique gifts and sweet treats. The first 50 attendees each day will receive a $10.00 Downtown BIA gift certificate as a door crasher prize. The market will follow Peel Public Health guidelines – visitors will be required to wear a mask, practice physical distancing where possible, and maintain good hygiene. Visit brampton.ca/winterlights for full details.

Virtual events
• Annual Tree Lighting | brampton.ca/winterlights | Friday, November 20 at 5:30 pm

The annual Tree Lighting Ceremony, powered by Alectra Utilities, is Brampton’s official kick-off celebration for the holiday season. This year, visit brampton.ca/winterlights at 5:30 pm for a video countdown with Mayor Patrick Brown to light over 10,000 Christmas lights on the City’s 60-foot spruce tree in Ken Whillans Square. There will be no in-person event this year.

• Brampton Santa Claus Parade |Brampton Santa Claus Parade Facebook page | Saturday, November 21 at 5 pm

The Brampton Santa Claus Parade, presented by the Rotary Club of Brampton, will take place online this year. For the first time ever, residents can enjoy a special online presentation starting at 5 pm on the Brampton Santa Claus Parade Facebook page. The presentation features highlights from past years and new footage of Santa as he travels through Brampton! There will be no in-person event this year. Visit bramptonsantaclausparade.com for more information.

The City of Brampton thanks its sponsors for the 2020 Winter Lights Festival: TD, Alectra Utilities, Allstate, Bell, Bramalea City Centre, CN and Tim Hortons. Don’t forget to use the hashtag when you share your experience on social media - #BramptonWinterLights.

Quotes

“It has been a difficult year for many, and we are excited to spread joy with this year’s Winter Lights Festival. Book a ticket to the new Drive-Thru Light Experience, shop local at the Christmas Market, catch the Santa Claus Parade online – don’t worry, Santa will still visit Brampton this year! – and join me online as we count down to the Tree Lighting online. Happy holidays!”

- Patrick Brown, Mayor, City of Brampton

“This year’s Winter Lights Festival is going to be a unique and festive experience for all. You can see the City’s Annual Tree Lighting online, and watch the Santa Claus Parade from the comfort of your home this year. And, you can drive through Gage Park lit up like never before and enjoy the Christmas Market!”

- Paul Vicente, Vice-Chair, Economic Development and Culture; Regional Councillor, Wards 1 & 5, City of Brampton

“City staff have worked diligently and creatively to bring the 2020 Winter Lights Festival to life with both in-person and virtual events. Be sure to practice health and safety measures as you experience the in-person events, and cozy up to the virtual events from the comfort of your own home!”

- David Barrick, Chief Administrative Officer, City of Brampton