OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Nov. 18, 2014) - Preparations are underway for the 30^th edition of Christmas Lights Across Canada. During the next few weeks, the installation of thousands of LED lights all along Confederation Boulevard will be completed.

Crews will be installing more than 15,000 LED lights on Parliament Hill on the tall trees between the Centre and East blocks, near the statues of Sir John A. Macdonald and Queen Elizabeth II.

Please note that all details are subject to change. All times are local.

The details are as follows:

DATE:

Wednesday, November 19, 2014

TIME:

10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. (approximately)

PLACE:

Parliament Hill

Wellington Street

Ottawa, Ontario

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Backgrounder

30^th Edition of Christmas Lights Across Canada

December 3, 2014, to January 7, 2015

History

The Christmas Lights Across Canada program, launched in 1985, was created to highlight landmarks and sites along Confederation Boulevard-including Parliament Hill, national museums, monuments, embassies and other prominent institutions-as well as to add vibrancy to the Capital during the winter months and kick off the holiday season in Canada's Capital Region.

Every year, as part of Christmas Lights Across Canada, each province and territory decorates its capital city and holds its own lighting ceremony to contribute to this nationwide effort. Thousands upon thousands of holiday lights illuminate the country from coast to coast to coast, symbolically linking Canadians together with a multicoloured ribbon of light.

Official Illumination Ceremony

The 30^th edition of Christmas Lights Across Canada will kick off on December 3 with an official illumination ceremony on Parliament Hill at 7 p.m. Thousands will gather for this annual ceremony. Those in attendance are invited to indulge in some favourite winter treats: BeaverTails® pastries and hot chocolate (free, while supplies last).

The event will be broadcast on Rogers Television, Cable 22. An edited version will be re-broadcast throughout the holiday season on community cable stations across Canada.

Official Lighting Route

In Canada's Capital Region, approximately 320,000 dazzling holiday lights brighten Confederation Boulevard, Canada's ceremonial route circling the heart of the Capital. The Boulevard encompasses Wellington Street, Mackenzie Street, Elgin Street and Sussex Drive in downtown Ottawa, as well as Laurier Street in Gatineau and the Alexandra Bridge.

This year, Parliament Hill will be adorned with more than 15,000 red and white LED lights. Centre Block will be lit with images of snowflakes and scenes evocative of the holidays, as well as accent lighting to highlight its architectural features.

Some of the best places to experience the lights include the front lawn of Parliament Hill, Confederation Square and the Alexandra Bridge.

Manulife is the exclusive sponsor of Christmas Lights Across Canada.

For more information, the public may call 819-997-0055 or 1-866-811-0055 (toll free), TTY: 1-888-997-3123 (toll free), or visit www.canadascapital.gc.ca.