The Festival of Lights will be making its return on Friday.
A special kick-off ceremony will take place at Jane Forrester Park at 5:30 p.m. that will see a drone show, visits from Belleville Senators mascot Belly, and of course, Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus.
Chair of Belleville’s Lighting Display Committee, Councillor Garnet Thompson spoke with Quinte News ahead of the launch of the event.
He says there are a number of new additions to the event this year.
“The Sir James Whitney School of the Deaf has their sign language of the word Belleville so that’s going to be on display,” Thompson tells Quinte News.
“We have the Kort family that tragically lost two of their children in a bad accident a few years ago. They’ve made a display in memory of them.”
Thompson says the event has grown much over the years, mentioning that food selection will be expanded for this year’s event.
“We started out about three or four years ago with a couple of food vendors. Well, we’re now up to five food vendors, because we got so many people that go down there early and looking for food,” Thompson said.
“They’ll be able to get little snacks and coffee, hot chocolate, hamburgers, beaver tails and all kinds of stuff.”
Advice from Councillor Thompson on the opening ceremony.
“Come early,” he said.
“Traffic’s always a problem. We get about two or three thousand people out, so get there early, get a parking spot. Come on down and enjoy the these beautiful displays.”
Festival of Lights will go from November 14 to January 5, 2026.
