The 8th Annual Winter Lights Festival returns to the Nikka Yuko Japanese Gardens this week with a brand-new theme.
A “Celebration of the Seasons” will have visitors seeing the garden transform into the four seasons. Starting with Haru (Spring), Natsu (Summer), Aki (Fall) and Fuyu (Winter). Also added to the garden this year will be parasol displays, lanterns and three light tunnels, including a 100-foot tunnel, and life-size Lite-Brites.
Michelle Miles Day, Executive Director of Nikka Yuko Japanese Gardens, says the change has been a full team effort of both staff and community partners working together for a visitor experience.
“The Society vision for impact is we hope visitors who experience our world class destination will be nurtured by the garden landscape, architecture, and programming, and be inspired by the beauty of our diverse community,” says Day Miles
Last year, almost 31,000 guests attended the Winter Lights Festival and Day Miles is hoping to see a three to five per cent increase.
“The Winter Lights Festival is unique because it’s always weather dependent,” says Day Miles. “We encourage people to dress up warm and when there are mild temperatures, we encourage people to come see us.”
Day Miles says that the Winter Lights Festival is also collaborating with the Agri-food Hub and its GLOW experience by cross promoting discount admissions until Dec. 31.
“We’re also happy to collaborate with the Agri-food Hub who are doing their Glow experience. We’re supporting each other through cross promotions of discounted admission rates for each of us, we both believe that we need to do some more winter tourism products and developments and experiences for our community,” says Day Miles.
The Winter Lights Festival runs Nov. 30 to Feb. 24 and tickets can be purchased online and at the Bunka Centre.