Holiday Lights in Waterloo this Holiday Season
Holiday Lights in Waterloo this Holiday Season
Posted on June 26, 2017
Entrance to the Wonders of Winter Display in Waterloo Park
Checking out holiday light displays is a holiday tradition for many families. Every Christmas eve since I was a child, my family walked through the Wonders of Winter in Waterloo Park. Even as I have gotten older I still enjoy this Christmas tradition. While I would prefer to walk through the lights at the Wonders of Winter (most people probably think I’m a little crazy for enjoying being outside in the winter), there is now an exciting new way to enjoy the Christmas Lights this holiday season – Bingemans’ drive through Gift of Lights. I’ve included some information on both experiences below for those who would like to start, or continue, the tradition of checking out holiday light displays!
Wonders of Winter
The Wonders of Winter has been a beloved holiday tradition for my family, and many others, in the Region of Waterloo. It features over 100,000 holiday lights and more than 100 displays, running until December 31, 2016. The Wonders of Winter is a great holiday lights experience people of all ages can enjoy. In addition to the light display, revelers can enjoy hot drinks, horse drawn trolley rides, and school house plays.
Horse drawn trolley rides start at the Park Inn and tour through the park, going through the middle of the displays. The trolley is operated by St. Jacob’s Horse Drawn Tours and uses a real live team of work horses just like in the olden days. The free rides are 10-15 minutes long and are free, though donations are gladly accepted!
In 1984, the first log school house built in Waterloo in 1820 was purchased by the Waterloo Park Board and moved to Waterloo Park where it still stands today. Every holiday season, revelers have the opportunity to attend a play in the school house put on by MacGregor Public School. You can check out the play schedule HERE.
You can learn more about this great tradition at www.wondersofwinter.ca, or by checking out the video below.
Gift of Lights
If you’d prefer to enjoy holiday lights from the comfort of your warm vehicle (ahh, who doesn’t love those heated seats?!), the Gift of Lights is The Gift of Lights is a family friendly 2 kilometer drive-thru holiday light display at Bingemans in Kitchener. It features a 30 foot light tunnel plus over 30 static and animated holiday light displays. The Gift of Lights is a great experience for all ages, accommodating families, couples, groups and corporate events.
Holiday hours (December 8-January 1, 2017) for the Gift of Lights are as follows:
Weekdays 5:00-9:00 PM
Weekends & Holidays 5:00-10:00 PM
The cost is $20 per vehicle (cars, vans, pickup trucks, & SUVs), with a 5$ Speed Pass available if you want to beat the lineup and enter through a priority access lane. Hot chocolate and cider are available for purchase for $1.50 prior to driving through.
Bingemans is proud to provide guests with an opportunity to support a number of charities through the Gift of Lights. If you order online and use the promo code KIDSABILITY2016, 5$ from the purchase of your ticket will be donated to the Kids Ability Foundation. Order online and use the promo code GRAND 2016 and 5$ from the purchase of your ticket will be donated to the Grand River Hospital Foundation. when you use the promo code UNITEDWAY2016, Bingeman’s will donate 5$ from every ticket purchased will go to the United Way of KW.
If you visit the Gift of Lights this holiday season, be sure to share your experience on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter with the hashtag #GiftOfLightsKW!
For more information, check out http://www.bingemans.com/gift-of-lights.php or view the video below.
Wishing everyone a safe and happy holiday season!