River of Lights
Event Details:
Starting Saturday, November 25, 2023 following the Santa Claus parade down King Street, join us every night on Blockhouse Island for the free light and sound show, the River of Lights presented by Canarm. Show runs nightly until January 2, 2024.
Funded by the Government of Ontario.
Opening Night: Join us after the Santa Claus Parade
Join us on Blockhouse Island following the Santa Claus parade. The parade runs down King Street from 5:00 pm-7:30 pm. We encourage you to join us at the show after the parade passes you on that night. Street closures will effect nearby streets and will inhibit access by vehicle to Blockhouse Island during the parade. We will start the show at its regular schedule at 6:00 pm so that you can enjoy the lights in the background while waiting for the parade to pass you by. You can also access the area by car, detouring around the parade route area and accessing Water Street from the west, near the Brockville Arts Centre.
Regular Times:
Every night until Tuesday January 2, 2024 (weather permitting). Join us at this FREE, family friendly, daily event throughout December 2023.
- Full light and sound show 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm (daily)
- Lights only (no music) 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm and 10:00 pm to 11:00 pm
Location:
Blockhouse Island Parkway, Brockville (at the base of Market Street West at Water Street).
Public washrooms in the harbour building (on site) will be open daily until 9:00 pm.
Description:
The River of Lights is a holiday light display on Blockhouse Island which includes thousands of twinkle lights and flood lights set to music. The show is approximately 40 minutes in length before repeating the Set. Tune your car radio to the show frequency and enjoy the show from the comfort of your vehicle. The first and final hours each night display a static light show (no music), while between 6:00 pm and 10:00 pm each night the light and sound show will run in a loop, making the trees dance with lights as a mix of contemporary music and classic holiday tunes entertain you.
Please practice all necessary health and safety guidance while on the event grounds.
City of Brockville: River of Lights
Contact: 613-342-8772
Sponsorship
Our 2023 Sponsorship Package is now available. Please click here to download a copy of our sponsorship package.
2023 Sponsors and Partners
Funding provided by the Government of Ontario
Presenting Sponsor: CANARM Ltd.
Gold Level Sponsors
Silver Level Sponsors
Bronze Level Sponsors
Media Sponsors
Partners
Vote for a Song in Next Year’s Show!
Do you love the River of Lights? Is there a song you wish we play in our line up? Vote for a song to appear in next year’s show when you complete our event survey.
Take the Aquatarium Holiday Express!
Try a new way to see the show: hop on the Aquatarium Holiday Express train. The train will loop from the Customs building on Blockhouse Island around the River of Lights show area. Tickets are $10 per person and can be purchased at the boarding location in the parking lot.
The holiday express train operates Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights during the River of Lights with each ride lasting approximately 15 minutes. The first train leaves at 6:00pm and the last leaves at 8:40pm. Dates for the train are December 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, & 17. Please check their website to book tickets. The train cannot operate during inclement weather, please follow the Aquatarium on Facebook for announcements.
Hot chocolate and cookies are also available for purchase where you buy your tickets, and they are one of our Shop Where Your Heart Is partners!
For more information, please visit the Aquatarium’s website.
Shop Where Your Heart Is:
The River of Lights is partnering with the Brockville & District Chamber of Commerce and Downtown Brockville on the “Shop Where Your Heart Is” program throughout the month of December.
What is “Shop Where Your Heart Is”?
Introduced in 2021, this program rewards you for shopping at local businesses this holiday season with chances to win weekly prizes and Downtown Brockville gift cards. The more stores you support, the more chances you have to win!
How does it work?
Collect your receipts from purchases made in Brockville all December long, starting on November November 17th at the downtown ‘Miracle on King Street’ event and ending on January 2nd.
- Shop at local businesses
- Collect your receipts
- Remit your receipts
Every 3 receipts earns you 1 ballot towards weekly prizes, and envelopes with receipts totaling over $250 will also be entered into a grand prize draw. Eligible entries include retail, restaurants, experiences, and overnight stays in paid accommodations.
Essential purchases (gas, food, prescriptions), along with LCBO/Beer Store, lottery tickets, tobacco/vape/cannabis products are not eligible.
Pick up your receipt envelope in store or from any of the following locations: Brockville & District Chamber of Commerce (3 Market Street West), Downtown Brockville Business Improvement Area (3 Market Street West), and Brockville City Hall (1 King Street West).
Turn in your envelope filled with at least 3 receipts (photocopies accepted), or submit your entries online with our new submission tool (save your receipts though! If you win you will need to produce your receipts in order to claim your prize).
The drop box for completed envelopes will be available 24/7 just outside of the Chamber office at 3 Market Street West (find the drop box on the side entrance by the stairs).
Please visit the Shop Where Your Heart Is website for more details.
River of Lights Tie in
How does the River of Lights factor in?
Pick up a hot beverage from one of our restaurant and café partners to earn an extra entry into the weekly “Shop Where Your Heart Is” prize draw, OR enjoy a beverage in-house at one of our participating restaurants and get a “River of Lights + Shop Where Your Heart Is” coaster.
The coffee sleeve and beverage coasters you receive with your order serves as your extra ballot. Fill in your name and contact details and drop if off at the Chamber office.
Participating Restaurants:
- Boboli: 32 King Street West
- Brockville Country Club: 1548 King Street West
- Cosies Tea Room: 45 King Street West
- Finnigan’s Tavern: 72 King Street West
- Harvey’s Brockville: 358 Stewart Blvd.
- Holiday Express Train: operating on site from the Water Street Parking Lot (Dec 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, 17) weather dependent
- O’Mally Kourt Fudgery: 55 King Street West
- Richard’s Coffeehouse: 234 King Street West
- Sunset Grill: 2511 Parkedale Avenue (with purchase of a hot chocolate)
- Sweet Life Café: 20 Market Street West
- Sweet Ofelia Café & Market: 52 King Street East
- Studio Even: 164 King Street West
- Tait’s Fresh Start: 31 King Street West
- Texas Tavern: 59 King Street West
- Tim Hortons: after 5pm from all Brockville locations
Please check back as we add to the list.
Are you a restaurant operator who wants to take part? Let us know!
Sponsorship Opportunities
Love this event? Help support the show by sponsoring this event.
Opening Night Showcase Video (2020)
Our thanks to Mitchell Beattie and Beattie Films for producing this amazing video of our 2020 opening night.
See lights across the river? Morristown has put together a Christmas Festival at Bayside Park for December that we can see at night when we look across the river.