5th Annual Tilbury Lions - Christmas Light Festival
The Tilbury Lions Christmas Light Festival was organized by a dedicated group of community volunteers and continues to be funded through generous community groups and generous business donations. Tilbury Memorial Park is decorated annually with over ✨ 50,000 lights that shine brightly for six weeks through the Christmas season. This free outdoor festival is a lovely way to experience the magic of Christmas through the wonder of lights. Come take a walk along the 1km paved Odette walking trail with your family, friends, and pets for a safe and fun holiday experience.
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The Tilbury Lions Light Festival is coming back for a 5th season! The lights will be turned on November 24, 2023 following the Tilbury 🎅 Santa Claus Parade and come on every night (5:30pm - 11pm) through to January 5, 2024. This year, visitors can look forward to seeing new displays, light tunnels, picture perfect character cutouts, wooden contest trees, the Cook Boys' Memorial Christmas Trees, and much more!
Location | Parking
Google Maps: click here
Memorial Park
24 Stewart Street Tilbury, ON
N0P 2L0
Parking: Free parking is available along Stewart Street
and within the park for attendees.
Celebrating 5 years - Tilbury Lions Light Festival
Friday, November 24 (Opening Night) - January 5, 2024
Santa Claus Parade and Opening Night
The Festival's 5th Opening Night, on Friday November 24th, starts following the🎅Tilbury Santa Claus Parade, approximately 8:00pm - 8:30pm the 🌟 lights will be turned on for the first time this season! There will be free Visits with Santa at his Christmas cabin in the Lawn Bowling building. Country music entertainer Crystal Gage will be performing holiday favourites on the Tilbury Auto Mall stage. Free hot chocolate and timbits will be served while supplies last. There will also be some outdoor games to enjoy and holiday mascots to meet! Parking will be limited within the park; but there is public parking available along Park Lane, Mable Street, Forrest Street, and Carlyle Street, that all surround the park.
Saturday, Dec 2, 2023
Schools Night Event & Outdoor Christmas Market
From 5:30pm – 8:00pm, volunteers from four Tilbury schools will be at
the park selling goodies to fundraise for their school. There will be cookies,
popcorn, candy bags and hot chocolate for sale. Schools set their own
pricing and will be accepting cash only. Mickey and Minnie mascots will
also be at the park for some fun photo opportunities.
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Tilbury Lions Club - Hayrides
From 5:30pm - 8:30pm, the Tilbury Lions Holiday Hayrides will running and also be shuttling guests from Memorial Park to downtown Queen Street, Tilbury for the Tilbury BIA's Outdoor Christmas Market. These two town events go together like Santa's perfectly paired milk and cookies! Please come out and enjoy some holiday entertainment, shopping, yummy treats and a nice walk-through Tilbury's Christmas Wonderland! See more information below.
Festival Highlights
Holiday Hayrides
From 5:30pm - 8:30pm, The Tilbury Lions Holiday Hayrides will be running the first three Saturdays of December (Dec. 2, 9 & 16). Hayrides start at the Memorial Park Stewart Street entrance, continue around a few subdivisions to take in the town lights, and finish back at the park. Hayride passengers are asked to please bring a 🥫 non-perishable food donation for the Tilbury Goodfellows.
Crystal Gage - Live Performance
Crystal Gage will be performing holiday favourites on the Tilbury Auto Mall stage. Crystal Gage is a country music entertainer from Windsor, Ontario with her own self- produced Stage show and truly unique performance style. With more than 25 years in the business she has perfected her craft and now performs more than 250 shows per year. Through country music covers and other favorite music styles, she puts on high-energy, engaging shows!
Santa Claus Parade
Don’t miss the highlight of our opening night – 🎅 The Santa Claus Parade!
From 8:00pm to 8:30 pm, Santa and his cheerful entourage will make their grand entrance, spreading joy and holiday magic throughout the parade route. There will be free Visits with Santa at his Christmas cabin in the Lawn Bowling building.
Cook Boys' Memorial Christmas Trees
The Cook Boys’ Memorial Christmas Trees are decorated with over 600 personalized memorial ornaments.
Every year proceeds from the ornament sale are donated to Chatham-Kent Hospice. Visitors are welcome to walk along the path to view the trees up close and see all the beautiful memorial ornaments.
Contest
A fun activity to do with all ages while walking in the park! Take a photo of yourself with 5 different Little Lions hidden around the park. Make sure to wear your NEW light festival toque in the photos to receive one bonus entry!
Submit your 5 photos to tlclightfestival@gmail.com with your name & phone number by December 10th, 2023.
Your submission gives you 1 entry in a random draw to win 1 of 2 assorted baked good trays. Live draw will be streamed on Facebook on December 12, 2023, at 10am.
Hot Chocolate Warmth
Join us on opening night of the Tilbury Festival of Lights and Parade and enjoy the festive spirit with free hot chocolate provided by Tim Hortons.
Grab a cup while supplies last and warm up with the delicious taste of the season. You can also purchase ☕ and support local schools.