Ladysmith Festival of Lights

Ladysmith Festival of Lights brightens First Avenue and the waterfront every winter with thousands of twinkling lights, family-friendly activities, pop-up markets, and a big community parade that officially kicks off the season. The festival is free to enjoy and draws visitors from across Vancouver Island for shopping, photos, and small-town holiday cheer.

What to expect

• First Avenue transformed into a lighted stroll with decorated business fronts and displays.
• Light Up Parade featuring floats, community groups, and a finale at Bob Stuart Park.
• Craft fair and food vendors set up around Aggie Hall and the downtown core.
• Tree lighting, fireworks, Santa visits, and family-focused programming across the opening evening and weekends.

Info for visitors for Ladysmith Festival of Lights

• Admission is free. Expect crowds on parade night and busy weekends during December.
• Road closures affect First Avenue from mid-afternoon on Light Up night and parking near the downtown core is limited. Plan to arrive early, use nearby lots, or walk from local parking.
• If you are visiting for photos, the best light and quieter streets are early evening on non-parade nights. Bring a warm layer, comfortable shoes, and a small pouch for essentials.

Vendor and volunteer notes

• Food vendor applications are accepted and in past years the vendor fee was around $350. Organizers require valid health permits and self-contained setups.
• The festival is volunteer-powered. If you want to help, organizers post volunteer sign-up details on their site.

Details such as parade route, road closures, vendor lists, and fireworks updates change year to year. Confirm the final schedule and visitor guidance on the Ladysmith Festival of Lights website the week of the event.