Upper Canada Village’s “Alight at Night Festival” kicks off on Friday, December 2 and operates through January 7, 2012 on select nights.  The festival promises to tempt the senses with new lighting technology expanded to all buildings and the addition of a new outdoor Festival Food Court, featuring warm cinnamon rolls fresh from the Village Bakery.  The festival is open on select evenings, Thursday to Sunday December 2 to 18 (closed Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday) and then nightly from December 19 to January 7 (closed December 24 and 25) from 4:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. 

It’s a renowned outdoor living history museum in the summer, but each December this Ontario treasure becomes home to one of the province’s largest winter lights festivals.  In fact, Festivals and Events Ontario has recognized the festival as one of the Top 100 Events in Ontario.  Over the course of about six weeks, Upper Canada Village is transformed into a magical winter wonderland.  More than 40 heritage buildings, trees and fences are decorated with almost a million lights, creating a one-of-a-kind, enchanting backdrop for old-fashioned horse-drawn wagon and carriage rides, Toy Train rides, festive dining, holiday shopping and more.

Highlights for 2011 include:

NEW! State-of-the-Art LED Wall Washer Lighting throughout the Village – Sponsored by CELEBRATE ONTARIO

• Upper Canada Village will showcase its historic buildings in their “best light”.  Using state-of-the-art LED Wall Washer lighting, the historic façades and period architecture of all of the buildings will be bathed in hues of complementary colours, creating an overall dramatic effect against the Village’s traditional festival setting.

NEW!  Outdoor Festival Food Court

• Featuring cinnamon rolls hot out of the Village Bakery oven, ‘Spud Sticks’ (potato spirals on a stick), chili, hot cocoa  and other tasty treats, the Festival Food Court will be located next to the Bakery & General Store. It will be a convenient way to grab a quick snack as you tour the Village.

NEW!  Streamlined pricing means great value for families!

• Admission fees have been streamlined to alleviate line-ups and speed entry to the festival.  For one price, you get admission to the festival including a wagon ride and train ride (subject to availability).  New prices are Adults (13 years +) $13; Seniors (65 years +) $10; Youth (6 to 12 years of age) $10; Children 5 years of age and under FREE!  Taxes are extra.
• Tickets can be purchased online at www.AlightatNight.ca or at festival partners Cornwall & Seaway Tourism (11 Water Street West) open Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. or at the Ontario Travel Information Centres (Cornwall – 903 Brookdale Avenue or Bainsville – 22064 North Service Road).  The Ontario Travel Information Centres are open 7 days a week from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Carolling at Christ Church

• Evenings of holiday carolling at Christ Church have been expanded this year, thanks to community sponsors on select nights.  Performance dates and a list of performers are listed on the website www.AlightatNight.ca.

Sound & Light Spectacular - Sponsored by Cruickshank Construction

• Returning again this year using the exterior façade of Crysler Hall as the back drop, the Sound & Light Spectacular will come alive with the sounds and sights of the holidays, as thousands of flickering coloured lights keep to the tempo of holiday music. Shows run every half hour each evening starting at 5 p.m.

Third Annual Canadian Gingerbread Championships – Sponsored by Genivar

• Inside of Crysler Hall, masterpiece gingerbread creations made by talented bakers from across the region are showcased throughout the festival.  Guest Judges Diana Frederick and three students from Le Cordon Bleu Ottawa Culinary Arts Institute will be on hand when the winners for the competition are announced, at 8:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 3 at Crysler Hall.

Dining - Willard’s Hotel, Harvest Barn, Cook’s Tavern and The 19^th Hole Bar & Grill

• Visitors can enjoy the warmth and ambience of four indoor dining options: inside Upper Canada Village at Willard’s Hotel, the Harvest Barn, Cook’s Tavern or just across the road at the Upper Canada Golf Course’s 19^th Hole Bar & Grill.  Groups are welcome and reservations recommended.  For nights of operation and to make reservations at Willard’s Hotel or the Harvest Barn call 613-543-0660; reservations for 19^th Hole Bar & Grill can be made by calling at 613-543-2035.

The Alight at Night Festival has many partners and sponsors who provide support to various parts of the festival.  This year our sponsors include:

• Genivar– sponsoring the Gingerbread House Competition
• BMO Financial Group – Toy Train, ‘The Moccasin’
• Cruickshank Construction – sponsoring the Sound & Light Spectacular at Crysler Hall
• MHPM Project Managers Inc. – event sponsor
• Pommier Jewellers – sponsor of the Pommier Carriages
• Celebrate Ontario – sponsor of the LED Wall Washer lights
• Ontario Tourism Marketing Partnership Corporation, Tourism Event Marketing Partnership Program – providing marketing support
• Cornwall Hotel Partners – providing marketing support
  • Ramada Inn
  • Best Western Parkway Inn
  • Comfort Inn
  • McIntosh Country Inn, Morrisburg
• Cornwall & Seaway Valley Tourism – providing marketing support.

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