Holiday Light Displays: 7 spots to spy them in and around Edmonton

The province's latest health restrictions to control the spread of COVID-19 will make the holidaysmuch different this year. But viewing light displays is one tradition you can continue.

Alberta Legislature Grounds

For 35 years thislight display has been a bright spot on the grounds of the Alberta Legislature. If you wander down this year you'll be able to take in about 200,000 lights on about 2,900 strings decking out more than 500 trees.

There are some changes this year. COVID-19 means the annual Celebrate the Season showcasing local musical groups isn't happening. There are also no tours inside the legislature or Federal Building but there is plentyof room to roam and snap selfiesof this iconic Edmonton landmark litup for the season until Jan.31.

Legislature Lights: By The Numbers

4 years ago

Duration 0:54

Sharing some festive fun facts about this 35 year tradition on the grounds of the Alberta Legislature.

You can see more from the Alberta Legislature Grounds on Our Edmonton at 10 a.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. Monday on CBC TV and the CBC GEM.

New this year you can alsotake in the legislature decorations on Alberta Assembly TV, where video of interior and exterior displaysis shownon a loop. Check your cable listings. For Telus customers it's Channel 843 and Shaw users Channel 930.

Winter Wonder Forest

The newest offering on the drive-thru light circuit launched this year at the Rainbow Valley Campground next to Snow Valley Ski Hill at 13204 Rainbow Valley Road.

About 250,000 lights deck outthe campground. Vehicle passes arepurchased in advance online at a cost of$30 which supportsTrue Start Foundation, an anti-poverty charity. The Winter Wonder Forestis acontact-free drive-thru experience on until Jan.3.

Zoominescense

The Edmonton Valley Zoo'sZoominesencerunson certain nights until Jan.3. Tickets for theanimal-inspired lighting creations must bepurchased onlinein advance. All indoor locations are closed except for washroom access. Zoo patrons will be asked to mask up and stay with their household members.

Candy Cane Lane

For more than 50 yearshomeowners in the Crestwood neighbourhood along 148th Street between 99th and92nd avenues have provided some serious Christmas curb appeal.

This year COVID-19 means there are no sleigh rides, fire pits, food trucks, or volunteers. The other big change is organizers askyou to drive the lane instead of walking.

Edmonton Candy Cane Lane is a fundraiser for Edmonton's Food Bank but this year they're encouraging people to donate online instead of bringing food in person. Thereare however drop-off locations at the north and south ends of the lane.

Downtown Edmonton

For more than 20 years now a giant tree has stood in Sir Winston Churchill Squareand this year is no exception. It's a 24-metre white spruce decked out with more than 22,000 twinkling LED lights.

Tracy Hyatt, with Edmonton's Downtown Business Association encouragespeople to snap a photo of the tree and post it with the hashtag #YEGLightUp. For every tag used, the association will give $5 to Edmonton's Food Bank, to a maximum of $5,000.

New this year are six outdoor light installations designed by local artists which are being rolled out at different downtown locations and lit every evening until Jan.8.

Luminaria

In past years,Luminariawasoffered onlya couple of days a year, quicklysellingout, but this year the University of Alberta Botanic Gardenis offering theexperience throughout December.

You can expect acandle-lit walks, snow sprites and creative winter sculptures.You'll want to head online to review COVID-19 requirements like masking up and purchase your timed tickets before you make the drive out to Parkland County.

Magic of Lights

A steady stream of cars have been lining up to make their way around Castrol Raceway in Leduc County. This 2.5-kilometre drive-thruexperience features more than a million lights.

Vehicle passes start at $25and must be purchased in advance. The lights are on until Jan.2. You can expect digital animations depicting holiday scenes such as12 Days of Christmasand Twas the Night Before Christmas.

Spokesperson Kimberly Reeves warns weekends are "crazy" busy withwait times sometimes exceeding90 minutes.