Winnipeg
Winnipeggers and their visitors will enjoy Canad Inns Winter Wonderland, a three million watt drive-through light display that runs December 3 - January 8. While you drive, tune into a posted local FM station to listen to Christmas carols to add to the experience. There is a $15/vehicle charge. For more information: Canad Inns web site.
Winnipeg residents are enthusiastic about their light displays and many neighbourhoods band together to create themed Christmas displays. Director of Tourism for Destination Winnipeg, Penny McMillan, says there really isn't any corner of Winnipeg that doesn't decorate for Christmas.
Montreal
Montreal light displays demand a get-out-and-walk-around approach. In downtown Montreal, tour shop windows with a notable stop at Ogilvy's Store on 1307 St-Catherine Street West to peek at a traditional Christmas through the “Enchanted Village” and “Mill in the Forest” displays.
A family visit to Montreal at Christmas wouldn't be complete without a trip to Complexe Desjardins where the Christmas delights extend to include a giant slide and a winter labyrinth.
Ottawa
Chow down on free BeaverTail© pastries and hot chocolate at Ottawa's premier seasonal event at Parliament Hill, on December 2 at 6 p.m. The switch will be pulled on 16,000 lights for the annual Illumination ceremony and this display will run until January 9, 2005.
The National Arts Centre is also part of the program -- this year's light display is rich with warm yellow and orange colours. In the National Gallery of Canada, the 40-foot Christmas tree (about two tons in weight) is lit with 5,000 timed mini lights.
Byward Market, established in 1826 and Canada's oldest farmer's market, presents natural fur boughs decked in red ribbons and lights, and choirs busking on cobbled streets.
The two weekends before Christmas feature free horse-drawn carriages for weary shoppers to climb aboard, with song sheets and carols to experience a page out of Christmas past. Check it out at the Byward Market website.
