About WinterLights

Launched in 2001 with the support of the Canadian Tourism Commission, WinterLights Celebrations is the winter edition of Communities in Bloom.

The program promotes the involvement and actions of

  • citizens and volunteers of all ages
  • the municipal government
  • service organizations
  • industry and commerce

WinterLights Celebrations is a national competition encouraging municipalities, large and small throughout Canada, to celebrate light with decorative, cultural and spiritual programs, with the objective of creating attractions for tourism from within Canada and abroad.

A Celebration of Light and Life is the program's slogan and it captures the essence of the competition and its benefits.

The program is based on promoting community action and involvement in expressing the community spirit of Canada's neighbourhoods, public spaces and streets through light shows, cultural events and spiritual linkages with light.

WinterLights Celebrations is a Canadian non-profit organization committed to fostering civic pride, neighbourhood and heritage awareness and beautification through community participation and the challenge of a national competition.

Woodstock is a city that works together. Community spirit and devotion show in the WinterLights efforts. Representatives from three levels of government, high schools, churches, municipal departments, businesses, county tourism, the seniors’ centre and the community at large demonstrate enthusiasm, a genuine concern and interest in the WinterLights program and a desire and commitment to improve the city.

A new and growing festive decorating initiative joins a Groundhog Day festival and several community, cultural and goodwill events to warm up the Woodstock winter. As international Communities in Bloom champions and 5 Star & National Winter Lights Champions, Woodstock is poised to welcome visitors and new residents year round.