Festival of Lights

The Town of Gananoque, along with Community Partners, presents - "The 2023 Gananoque Festival of Lights"

As the holiday season approaches, Gananoque is gearing up for another enchanting celebration! We are thrilled to announce the much-anticipated 2023 Gananoque Festival of Lights, promising a delightful array of events to captivate all ages.

Commencing on November 23, 2023, the festivities kick off with the Downtown Gananoque BIA Holiday Shopping Event from 5:00pm – 8:00pm. The heartwarming season truly begins on December 1st at 6:30 PM, with the grand illumination of Town Hall Park and the opening of Candy Cane Lane, offering a magical experience for families. Revel in live music, photo opportunities, and delightful treats from local businesses, including hot chocolate and apple cider.

Mark your calendars for December 2nd at 5:30 PM, when the 1000 Islands Gananoque Chamber of Commerce hosts the Gananoque Santa Claus Parade. This joyous event features festive floats, community groups, businesses, and, of course, the long-awaited return of Santa Claus!

Santa Days, hosted by the Rotary Club and the Lions Club in Town Hall Park, promise treats and activities for the little ones. The Royal Theatre will fill King Street with carols, and the Gananoque Skating Club will present a captivating show on December 20th. Don't miss the free public skate with music at the Lou Jeffries Arena, movie night at the Thousand Islands Playhouse and more!

Engage in the festive spirit with our annual Winter Lights competition! Decorate your homes and businesses for a chance to win in each ward (North, South, and West), with an additional award for the business with the best window/light display. Winners, selected by local judges, will be announced on December 21st on the Town’s Facebook page, and each winner will receive a prize from our local businesses.

For a comprehensive list of events throughout December, check out our interactive online events calendar at Gananoque Festival of Lights. Join us in creating lasting holiday memories as we illuminate Gananoque with joy and celebration! This initiative is brought to you by the Festival of Lights Event Committee, a tireless group of volunteers and dedicated community partners that include;

Downtown Gananoque Ray Stedman – Laverne’s Meg Dabros, Allison Hess – Thousand Islands Playhouse, Jennifer Baril – Thousand Islands Gananoque Visitor Centre, The 1000 Islands Gananoque Chamber of Commerce Gananoque, Gananoque Lions, and Rotary Club of Gananoque.

Town of Gananoque The Gananoque Festival of Lights is funded in part by the Government of Ontario and the Tourism Advisory Panel.

Special thank you to all of our community partners for supporting this event, we are so thankful to have the community behind us!

Government of Ontario.

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