UPDATED NOVEMBER 2025
The holidays are set to shine in Waterloo Region with these special light displays and events. It’s a perfect opportunity to bundle up, head outdoors, and get into the spirit of the season.
Light up your holiday nights with a visit to any (or all!) of these local displays.
Sparkles in St. Jacobs
The Village of St. Jacobs lights up for the holidays with Sparkles – its annual holiday shopping event that features thousands of twinkling lights and displays throughout the village.
Sparkles also features live music – including Victorian carollers – the Fire Fighter Burn Barrels, and appearances from Santa! Sparkles kicks off the holiday season in the Village of St. Jacobs, and happens over 2 weekends in November.
(Insider Tip: Even after Sparkles wraps up, St. Jacobs shines:! The twinkling lights and festive displays remain throughout the holidays and continue to provide a charming, old-fashioned Christmas experience!)
GIFT OF LIGHTS
Gift of Lights is a family-friendly drive-thru holiday light display with two tunnels and over 300 animated and static light displays!
Enjoy this holiday spectacle from the comfort of your own vehicle and tune into Gift of Lights Radio 103.3FM and sing along to the festive tunes! Gift of Lights opens Nov. 21, 2025 and continues thru January 3, 2026.
WONDERS OF WINTER
Enjoy the sparkle of the lights and the excitement of the holiday season at Wonders of Winter in Waterloo Park. Stroll through over 100 colourful, fun displays designed with over 100,000 light bulbs!
There’s no cost to take in the light displays at this volunteer-run festival; however, donations are gratefully accepted.
OLD POST OFFICE DIGITAL LIGHT SHOW
Visual effects transform the Old Post Office in Cambridge into an amazing, constantly changing holiday spectacle every Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday night! Watch the 20 minute show from your vehicle, or while standing outside.
Tune your car radio to FM 92.5 to listen to the music that has been choreographed with the show!
CHANUKAH MENORAH LIGHTINGS 2026
Light up the dark winter nights at three Menorah lightings in Waterloo Region. Everyone if welcome to join in the celebration of Chanukah – the Jewish Festival of Lights. Chanukah (Hanukkah) 2026 starts at nightfall on December 4, 2026 and ends with nightfall on December 12, 2026.