At a Glance

There's something special about the month of December. The snow is crisp, the air is cool and whether its Christmas, Chanuka, Kwanzaa or a new year fast approaching, we are surrounded with festivities and bright lights.

As several events take place all month long, Canada prides itself on displaying these lights from its multicultural traditions. But where do these bright traditions come from? Learn about the history of light and traditions for:

• Christmas, a celebration of birth;
• Chanuka, a festival of dedication and the miracle of light;
• Kwanzaa, a celebration of African culture, family and community;
• New Year's Eve, a new beginning.

Learn more about the holidays

A Christmas crèche, Chanuka menorahs, Kwanzaa kinaras and the principle of umoja? Not familiar with the holiday terms and traditions from various cultures?

• Discover the Christmas traditions in France and in Canada with this Virtual Museum of Canada online exhibit and read about how Eastern Orthodox religions celebrate Christmas in January according to the Julian Calendar. Check out these sites about Ukrainian and Russian Christmas traditions.
  
• Learn the meaning behind many Jewish holidays in the glossary found on the Web site of the Aron Museum in Montreal, Quebec. Also, visit their Keeping the Faith online exibit to hear an audio clip of a Chanuka prayer said when lighting the menorah.
• Find out how Kwanzaa, originally an American celebration of African history and heritage, is also celebrated by some African-Canadians. Read about this celebration of heritage, the terms and definitions as well as the interesting meaning behind each candle and colour used.
• Read about this unique First Nations Advent Candle Ritual, a candle lighting tradition celebrated by many First Nations communities.

Once you've discovered the meaning behind these diverse traditions, enlighten yourself further with the many festivals and events taking place during this beautiful season of lights.

• Celebrating the season through lights
• Celebrating Christmas
• Celebrating Chanuka
• Celebrating New Years

Celebrating the season through lights

• WinterLights Celebrations is a Canadian nation-wide competition that encourages all municipalities to celebrate light with decorative, cultural and spiritual events. Visit this bilingual site for a list of ideas, attractions and ways you can participate.
• The First Unitarian Congregation in Ottawa, takes pride in its Interfaith Potpouri of Celebrations. Read about these celebrations online and get information on upcoming services.
• The Cavalcade of Lights
  Toronto's city-wide holiday celebration, takes place from November 25 to December 31, 2006. Be sure to check out their Neighbourhoods Aglow event featuring nineteen different neighbourhoods in the Toronto area.
• The 24th annual Winter Festival of Lights in Niagara Falls, Ontario, is also a bright event taking place from November 4, 2006 to January 8, 2007. Be sure to click on their photo gallery and take a look at shows from past years.
• Also in Ontario, Owen Sound hosts its annual Festival of Northern Lights from November 17, 2006 to January 14, 2007. Check out the site for lighting tips, photos, contest information and more.
• And in Simcoe, Ontario the 48th annual River of Lights show also takes place. Enjoy a light show every night between November 25 and December 31, 2006.
• Edmonton's Winter Family Festival takes place from November 24, 2006 to January 7, 2007. Visit the annual BrightNights in Hawrelak Park, a pedestrian only event with 550 giant light displays.
• Calgary's 20th annual Lions Festival of Lights transforms a golf course with 70,000 lights arranged in a variety of familiar shapes. The display will be illuminated each night from November 25, 2006 until January 8, 2007.
• From December 1 to 23, 2006, the 45th annual celebration for the Carol Ships 'Parade of Lights' Society takes place in Vancouver, British Columbia. On peak evenings, you'll find more than 80 decorated boats with over 150,000 lights.
• Also in Vancouver, the VanDusen Botanical Garden presents its Festival of Lights for 2006. Check out their dancing lights where you'll see a unique-in-Canada show where thousands of lights are programmed to flicker on Lake Walk and Lake Peninsula.
• Stick around after December for more brilliant winter fun, when the 8th annual High Lights Festival lights up Montréal from February 22, 2007 to March 4, 2007.

Celebrating Christmas

• In Montréal, Québec, the Botanical Garden hosts their Christmas 2006 in the Garden event as well. From December 3, 2006 to January 8, 2007, visit the main exhibition greenhouse to enjoy the 50th edition of this traditional Christmas exhibit filled with plants in holiday colours, giant Christmas trees, snowmen and more.
From December 7, 2006 to January 7, 2007, the National Capital Commission presents Chistmas Lights Across Canada. See more than 300,000 Christmas lights over 70 landmarks along Confederation Boulevard in the heart of Ottawa-Gatineau.
• Visit the Butchart Gardens in Victoria, British Columbia, between December 1, 2006 and January 6, 2007 for their Christmas at the Gardens event where you can see their wonderfully displayed Twelve Days of Christmas.
• During the whole month of December, Shippagan, New Brunswick lights up with the Colours of Christmas. See the houses light up and bring the kids to meet Santa Claus.

Celebrating Chanuka

Is it "Chanuka", "Hannukah" or "Hanouka"? Do you use one 'k' or two 'n's? It turns out that all these spellings are correct. The word comes from the Hebrew language which has sounds that are not translatable to English or French. Enjoy the holiday, any way you spell it.

• In Montreal, the Jewish Immigrants Aid hosts their annual Chanuka Party on December 20, 2006.
• This year, the Regional Jewish Communities of Ontario (RJCO) team will be travelling all over Ontario to light the Chanuka candles with various Jewish communities. The event will consist of an educational program, games, food and more. Find the RJCO Chanukah Tour dates online.
• In Manitoba, the Jewish Federation of Winnipeg hosts its Community Chanuka Celebrations take place in Winnipeg on December 17, 2006. Join this free event as they light a giant menorah and celebrate with fireworks and more.
• The Jewish Community Centre of Greater Vancouver is celebrating with their 2006 Chanukah Party on December 17, 2006. Take part in the candle lighting, music, dancing and more.

Celebrating New Years

Looking for Fireworks? Celebrate the New Year with more bright lights brought to you by several major cities in Canada:

• When the clock strikes midnight on December 31st, the people of St. John's are the first in North America to celebrate the New Year. This New Year's Eve Celebration include a spectacular fireworks display at the St. John's waterfront.
• Les féries de Noël du Vieux-Montréal is dedicated to the spirit of Christmas and New Years. Visit Old Montréal and enjoy the sparkling lights, fireworks, the indoor and outdoor market with crafts and different foods, live entertainment and more throughout the whole month of December. (Site in French only)
• The countdown has already begun as the Winter Festival of Lights Web site from Niagara Falls, Ontario. Prepare to ring in the New Year with a free Concert Extravaganza and fireworks that you won't want to miss.
• Or bring in the New Year at Western Canada's self-proclaimed largest New Year's Eve celebration in Edmonton, Alberta. This non-alcoholic event features indoor and outdoor venues with live entertainment, street dancing and of course, fireworks.

By Anat Cohn, December 2006