Calgary's Lions Festival of Lights returns for 2016

More than 53,000 Calgarians are expected to check out the annual Lions Festival of Lights, which returns with a kickoff celebration on Saturday, November 26.

Now in its 30th year, the event is open to people of all ages and will feature live music and ice sculptures, among other attractions.

Everyone is invited to attend event, and though admission is free, donations to the Interfaith food bank will be accepted.

Tim Hortons will also be on-site Saturday, with cookies and hot chocolate.

The annual Calgary holiday season light show is put together entirely by volunteers, and the half-kilometre-long display can be seen from 14th Street NW, on the north side of 24th Avenue.

From November 27 to January 8, the display will light up every day, from 6 pm to midnight, and will include multilingual Christmas greetings, animated scenes, and decorated trees.

Partners of this year’s event include: Sunshine Village, ENMAX power corporation, The City of Calgary, Westburne Electric Supply Company, CBC Calgary, the Calgary Herald and the International Brotherhood of Electric Workers.

“We are so thankful to all of our Calgary fans that choose to spend their time at Sunshine Village and this is a great way for us to say thank you to the whole city,” said Ralph Scurfield, Sunshine Village President and CEO.

Lions Festival of Lights

Where: 14th Street NW, on the north side of 24th Avenue

When: November 27 to January 8, 6 pm to midnight nightly, with a special opening ceremony on November 26.