Burlington's waterfront is about to glow. The Burlington Festival of Lights returns to Spencer Smith Park this holiday season, kicking off on Friday, November 27, 2026, with the lighting of a brand-new 35-foot tree. Run by the Burlington Lions Club and community volunteers, the festival has been a holiday tradition for more than 30 years. Here is your guide to the 2026 Burlington Festival of Lights, including opening night, special events, the Brightest Lights home tour, and tips for making the most of the season.
Burlington Festival of Lights 2026: Quick Facts
Opening night: Friday, November 27, 2026, from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Location: Spencer Smith Park, 1400 Lakeshore Road, Burlington
Organizers: the Burlington Lions Club and community volunteers
Highlights: a new 35-foot tree, live music including the Burlington Teen Tour Band, and a visit with Santa
Special events: Let It Glow, Sip & Shop, a Parade Day Pop-Up, and the Brightest Lights home tour
What Is the Burlington Festival of Lights?
The festival describes itself as Ontario's premier holiday lighting event, transforming Spencer Smith Park into a winter wonderland of dazzling light displays along the waterfront. It is a cherished community tradition built by the Burlington Lions Club and a team of volunteers, with festive events and family fun all season long. For more on the festival and the waterfront, read our post on the Burlington Festival of Lights and the history of Spencer Smith Park.
2026 Burlington Festival of Lights Events
Lights ON: Official Tree and Park Lighting
Friday, November 27, 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m., Spencer Smith Park
It is opening night, and the whole park comes to life with a countdown as the new 35-foot tree is illuminated. Here is the schedule:
6:00 p.m.: performance by the Jr. Red Coats
6:30 p.m.: performance by the Burlington Teen Tour Band
6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.: visit with Santa, the Frost Fairy, and the Gingerbread Girls
7:00 p.m.: official welcome
About 7:20 p.m.: tree illumination
The festival promises plenty of surprises, too. The Teen Tour Band, founded in 1947, is Canada's oldest and largest youth marching band, so it is a fitting way to kick things off.
Let It Glow
Saturday, November 28, 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., St. Luke's Anglican Church, 1382 Ontario Street
A magical candlelit evening featuring a guest quartet from the Burlington Symphony Orchestra, performing pop holiday hits and traditional favourites. Tickets are $25 for general admission, plus a small ticket service fee, and are available through the Festival of Lights website.
Sip & Shop
Thursday, December 3, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., downtown Burlington
Take a break from the holiday rush with a private Sip & Shop evening. It begins with a mixology demonstration from SOBR Market, followed by a visit to select downtown shops that are open late just for your group, with sips and bites along the way. The festival lists multiple dates for this event, so check its events page for others.
Parade Day Pop-Up
Sunday, December 6, 12 p.m. to 3 p.m., Lions Club Hall
If the cold on parade day has you feeling Grinchy, pop into the Lions Club Hall to warm up. You will find washrooms, hot cocoa, crafts, food trucks, and a visit from the Grinch himself. The festival's pop-up is timed for parade day, so check the Festival of Lights and the City of Burlington for the Santa Claus Parade route and times.
Burlington's Brightest Lights
Tour link opens November 15; dates to be announced
Follow a digital map to the city's brightest home light displays, check in, and vote for your favourite. Visit six or more homes to be entered in a weekly prize draw. It is a great way to spread out the fun beyond the waterfront and spot displays in different neighbourhoods.
Tips for Visiting the Festival of Lights
Dress warmly. The lakefront breezes make evenings feel colder than the forecast.
Arrive early on opening night to find a good spot for the tree lighting and the performances.
Pair it with a skate. Rotary Centennial Pond at Spencer Smith Park becomes a free outdoor skating rink in winter, with skate rentals on weekends. See our post on free winter skating at Spencer Smith Park.
Check the events page before you go, since times and details can change.
Bring the kids. Santa, the Frost Fairy, the Gingerbread Girls, and the Grinch make it a family favourite.
Ways to Support the Festival
The festival is volunteer-powered, and its website has pages for donating, volunteering, and sponsoring, plus a newsletter you can sign up for. It is a good option if you want to give back to a tradition that brightens the city each year.
Burlington Festival of Lights FAQ
When Does the 2026 Burlington Festival of Lights Start?
Opening night is Friday, November 27, 2026, with the official tree and park lighting at Spencer Smith Park from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Where Is the Burlington Festival of Lights?
At Spencer Smith Park, 1400 Lakeshore Road, on the Burlington waterfront.
Is the Festival of Lights Free?
Opening night and the park displays are part of the festival at Spencer Smith Park, while some special events, like Let It Glow, are ticketed. Check the events page for details on each.
Who Runs the Festival of Lights?
The Burlington Lions Club and community volunteers.
What Is Burlington's Brightest Lights?
It is a digital tour of the city's best home light displays. You check in at each home, vote for your favourite, and visiting six or more homes enters you into a weekly prize draw. The tour link opens on November 15.
How Can I Get Involved?
The Festival of Lights website has pages to donate, volunteer, or sponsor the festival, and you can sign up for its newsletter for updates.
Explore More of Burlington This Season
Looking for more holiday ideas? Follow Burlington 365 for local events, holiday happenings, and things to do across Burlington and the surrounding area.
Thoughts & Comments
Disclaimer
Please note that the information in this blog is for general guidance only and may not always be up to date or accurate. We recommend double-checking details directly with local cities, businesses, or official sources before making any plans or acting on the information. We are not a news outlet, and while we do our best to make sure information is accurate, sometimes we make mistakes. It is always best to verify with official sources. The inclusion of any business, individual, event, or service on the Burlington 365 platform does not constitute an endorsement, recommendation, or guarantee of its quality, performance, or reliability. Users are solely responsible for conducting their own research and due diligence before engaging with any third-party businesses or services listed on the platform.