The Ladysmith Festival of Lights  was started in 1987 by a few key individuals and businesses, initiating the downtown Ladysmith revitalization program. Almost 30 years later the program has grown into a popular, annual event far exceeding the original vision and magnitude.

Over the years, the "Light Up" program has developed to include 10s of thousands of lights, thousands of volunteer hours, and thousands of visitors. The 10s of thousands of lights decorating the town for the 6-week period (Nov-Jan) have historically been incandescent light bulbs. With the introduction of LEDs a few years back there was a push to convert lights but the technology was too new and LED bulbs then did not provide the glow and vibrancy of incandescent bulbs.

New LED technology today has significantly increased power savings (up to 90% energy savings compared to incandescent bulbs), significantly improved luminescence (even brighter than incandescents!), and significantly improved bulb durability (the new bulbs the Society would like to go with are nearly indestructible!).

As of December 31, 2014 incandescent bulbs are no longer being manufactured in North America. As a result, the Festival of Lights Society has to start converting bulbs to LED. This is an expensive transition but it is required and will only improve the light program for years to come. 

These commercial-grade LED bulbs will dramatically increase the vibrance and glow of downtown Ladysmith. Our vision is to convert key areas of the downtown core and to eventually replace the majority of incandescent with LED bulbs, in a staged process.

Your contribution will assist the Society in achieving this vision and ensure that the Ladysmith Festival of Lights continues to "light up" with even more brilliance than it ever has before!!

Festival of Lights website