About the Festival
Burlington Festival of Lights is an annual holiday event illuminating Burlington’s waterfront from December up to early January every year. Burlington Festival of Lights 2021 to 2022 is a highly anticipated event, and many residents, as well as tourists, are looking forward to this seasonal tradition.
This is the time everyone gets the chance to witness light shows and light exhibitions where curtain lights, fairy lights, and blinking Christmas lights tend to sparkle brightly, making the night one of your most memorable nights in Burlington.
This light festival is expected to attract bigger crowds. You will see families and groups of friends taking pictures and enjoying the moment. There’ll be light displays that will surely keep everyone entertained and amazed.
Burlington Festival of Lights Dates (2021-22)
Burlington Festival of Lights will begin on Friday, November 26, 2021, up to Saturday, January 8, 2022. The lights will be visible starting at 4 pm to midnight every day. Lights will be on all day and night, especially during Christmas day, Christmas Eve, and New Year’s Eve.
Visitors and residents from all over the region and even beyond made this a seasonal tradition and time to wander through the park with friends and family to watch the themed displays and light show. Everyone is invited to be part of the holiday spirits while strolling and enjoying magical light displays this year.
Where It is Located and How to Get There
Burlington Festival of Lights will be celebrated in Spencer Smith Park, 1400 Lakeshore Rd, Burlington, Ontario, Canada. This festival of lights welcomes guests and visitors in a magical moment at Spencer Park. The festival allows people to enter the magical world of highly cherished memories at Spencer Park. Twinkling lights will be shining brightly every night through the holiday.
Spencer Smith Park is 45 minutes away from the downtown. You can travel and get there using your own vehicle. Here, you will be able to wander around the park and see the dazzling lights that will certainly get you into the holiday vibe. Guests and tourists are welcome to explore the sights on foot. They can bring their pet dogs with them if they want to. If you prefer to stay warm, you can stay inside your vehicle and see the blinking Christmas lights, fairy lights, and more by driving to Lakeshore Road.
Festival Hours
The light festival will be held from 4 pm to midnight every day, but lights will illuminate all day and night on extended hours during special holidays like Christmas Day, Christmas Eve, and New Year’s Eve. The exciting theme and designs of holiday lights will surely captivate the heart and eyes of both locals and tourists.
How Much It Cost to Visit the Festival
Enjoyment doesn’t really need to cost a thing. As Burlington Festival of Lights returns, tourists and guests can visit this holiday event for free. They don’t need to buy a ticket or pay the admission fee to experience this light festival. Moreover, they can also bring their pet dogs with them.
Though witnessing and enjoying the light festival is free, guests are advised to bring extra cash if they opt for paid parking. They might also need money for family activities but rest assured that these are low-cost activities that most families can afford.
The Weather and What to Wear
December to early January next year is expected to be cold. Since the Burlington Festival of Lights falls into these months, it would be best to wear something warm. You can wear coats, jackets, long sleeve shirts, and warm pants. You can wear anything comfortable but make sure that your outfit can withstand the cold. The weather in Burlington is unpredictable. Keep this in mind when planning what to wear during the festival of light.
Where to Sleep
If you plan to witness the Burlington Festival of Lights and think about staying for several days, you would naturally want to have the best place to sleep. You are probably one of the many who’s wondering where to stay during the holiday. If you are a first-timer to Burlington light festival, you may prefer a more touristy spot; however, you might find the local neighborhood more interesting if you’re a solo traveler.
Hotels can be expensive, but these places can guarantee you the most comfortable, safe, and convenient stay. The following are some of the leading hotels that can offer you the best accommodations:
Courtyard by Marriot
The Courtyard by Marriot in Burlington features over a hundred guestrooms, including 10 exclusive suites. If you are looking for a place to stay, eat and sleep while celebrating the Burlington light festival, this hotel is one of the perfect places to be. All rooms are fully equipped to ensure your modern comfort and convenience. These rooms were prepared to ensure that you can have ultimate rest after a tiring day outdoor.
The hotel is nestled in a very convenient location and provides easier access to other tourist spots. You can enjoy the hotel’s state-of-the-art restaurants serving delicious foods for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The hotel is also known for its flexible and inviting workplace with reliable and free WiFi.
The Holiday Inn Burlington
This is another hotel in Burlington that provides guests with high quality accommodations and hotel services. If you are looking for a place to sleep and relax after your jam-packed day outside, The Holiday Inn Burlington can be your best bet. This hotel was designed to meet the needs of both leisure and business travelers with guaranteed convenience and comfort in mind. The hotel provides private rooms and an array of amenities that you can use during your stay.
Aside from being a great place to sleep, this hotel is also home to facilities like currency exchange, car rental, and gym to keep up with your fitness routines while traveling. Their modern rooms provide coffee and tea-making facilities and restaurants where guests can dine.
The Hampton Inn & Suites
If you want affordable room rates without compromising your safety, comfort, and convenience, TheHampton Inn & Suites is a good choice. You will surely love to spend a night or two in this hotel because their rooms are clean and nice. Expect a restful sleep in their spacious and fully equipped rooms. Apart from these, you can also enjoy their fitness center and indoor pool.
Waterfront Hotel Downtown Burlington
The Waterfront Hotel Downtown Burlington is one of the popular landmarks in the city. This hotel offers the most panoramic views and provides all the conveniences of downtown within the hotel. If you are looking for a place to sleep or stay in Burlington, this hotel is one of the leading choices available. This is the perfect getaway for those who want to relax but those who wish to explore and experience waterfront parkland, museums, exquisite dining, unique shopping, and of course, world-class festivals.
Where to Eat
If you are a light festival lover and, at the same time, a real foodie, Burlington is home to restaurants serving delicious foods to satisfy your cravings. Since the festival does not provide beverages or foods, you better check out these great restaurants within the proximity. The following are dining places to consider if you’re looking for a place to eat after enjoying the light festival:
Spencer’s at the Waterfront
Situated in Burlington lakefront, this newly renovated restaurant offers fabulous and delicious foods and breathtaking views. The restaurant provides extraordinary food concepts featuring exceptional seafood, fresh fish, and mouthwatering steak. Guests will surely enjoy an ultimate fine dining experience while being mesmerized by the awesome lake view inside the restaurant’s glass-walled dining room. Take-out services are also available.
Paradiso Restaurant
This restaurant provides fine casual dining in a friendly and intimate atmosphere and professional staff. Paradiso Restaurant has been a favorite spot in Downtown Burlington including guests and tourists coming over for the annual Burlington Festival of Lights. Visit this restaurant if you want to try an extensive Mediterranean-inspired menu exclusively by Executive Chef Adam Mackay.
Son of a Peach Pizzeria
This restaurant can be found at the heart of busy and hustling Downtown Burlington. Son of a Peach serves delicious pizza and many other delicious foods and beverages, including handcrafted wine and beers. One of the unique things about this restaurant is that this combines fine dining and a casual neighborhood eatery.
Other Things to Do in the Area
Aside from being part of the Burlington Light Festival, there are many other exciting things you can do in the area. You can visit the world-legendary Royal Botanical Gardens, one of the top attractions in Burlington, visit and explore the Art Gallery of Burlington, or just simply have a walk at Brant Street Pier and breath some fresh air.
If you love the outdoor, you can go rock climbing in Mount Nemo Conservation Area or go for a hike at the popular Bruce Trail. You can also explore downtown Burlington and have fun. There are countless exciting things to do in the area but celebrating the Burlington Festival of lights and witnessing the amazing light exhibitions is something that you should not miss.
