Nikka Yuko lights festival 2020/21 -- LNN

By Connor Gunn

RECORD SETTING YEAR

Nikka Yuko Winter Light Festival sets new attendance records

Feb 17, 2021 | 2:17 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB– Despite the ongoing pandemic and everchanging COVID restrictions, the Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden welcomed nearly 20,000 guests this winter.

For the Winter Light Festival at the garden, 19,585 guests came through the gates and strolled under almost 170,000 lights.

Compared to the previous year, this is a 17.6 per cent increase in visitation.

In normal (non-COVID) years, Nikka Yuko would have up to 1000 people in the gardens at a time to view the festival.

They were still able to have almost 20,000 guests in total compared to 16,654 people who attended last year’s festival.

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Throughout the two months Nikka Yuko ran the Winter Light Festival, 63 per cent of the nights were more than 80 per cent sold out with half of the nights in December completely sold out.

This year, time slots were booked for every half-hour and only 100 people were able to be in at once to maintain social distancing.

Previous story: Nikka Yuko plans for socially distanced Winter Light Festival

Even though changes were brought on by the pandemic, it sure didn’t stop people from experiencing the lights.

“Being an outdoor location certainly has its advantages,” says Michelle Day, Executive Director of Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden.

“However, we still had to do our due diligence to ensure our guests and staff felt safe and could enjoy this year’s display without the usual large crowds. We always thank those who make our Winter Light Festival their annual tradition, but it was even more important this year to provide the same experience during a time when many people needed something bright and positive to enjoy with their loved ones,” adds Day.

Highlights of this year’s festival include:

• 19,585 guests during our two-month run, this is a 17.6 per cent increase from our 2019/2020 Winter Light Festival (16,654)
• 167,316 lights, a jump from our 116,106 lights last season
• 93% customer satisfaction from our feedback survey of guests
• 20 sponsors, including our new title sponsor of Panasonic Canada
• Full AHS compliance and approval regarding COVID-19 regulations with no cases traced to the garden

Nikka Yuko said they plan to re-open in mid-May, depending on government restrictions.