Nikka Yuko Japanese Gardens hosts the 2022 Winter Light Festival, November 30, 2022. (Photo: LNN)

By Sarah Jones

Winter Light Festival opens at Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden in Lethbridge

Dec 1, 2022 | 9:45 AM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – For a seventh year, the Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden will host the Winter Light Festival.

The annual holiday tradition is set to welcome back thousands of guests to explore the grand display of whimsical lights, decorations and art installations this winter season.

The festival opened on Wednesday, November 30, 2022 and allows community members to take a stroll through the garden, admire intricate ice sculptures, take a quick tour around Henderson Lake on a wagon ride or enjoy traditional goodies at the Bunka Centre.

Despite COVID-19 restrictions impacting operations in 2020 and 2021, the Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden experienced record-breaking attendance through their ticketed time slots.

Thousands of lights twinkling at the Winter Lights Festival, November 30, 2022. (Photo: LNN)

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Now with a restriction-free winter, staff are anticipating attendance numbers to soar once again.

Marketing Manager at Nikka Yuko, Eric Granson told LNN, “We want this experience to be not something that you say ‘oh I saw it last year’. We want it to be a family tradition with new things being added constantly.”

Staff have brought in a brand-new experience in partnership with Lethbridge College, Lethbridge Tourism and Wesbridge Construction LTD.

The Kamakura (Igloo) Projection Dome Experience, is a 16-foot diameter dome that uses six lasers to project images onto the surrounding walls to create a spectacular illusion.

The Kamakura (Igloo) Projection Dome Experience displaying the Northern Lights Exhibit, November 30, 2022. (Photo: LNN)

The 360-degree projection will feature two separate immersive shows, which run until February 26, 2023, as an add-on to the Winter Light Festival.

“Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays is our Northern Lights Exhibit and Thursdays and Saturdays are our Sakuru Exhibit, which translates to Cherry Blossoms,” explained Granson.

In the Bunka Centre, exhibits will be set up to share Japanese winter customs, traditions, art and tales.

Patrons are encouraged to bundle up before attending the festival, as Granson noted they will not be shutting down as they have in the past for colder nights.

The Winter Light Festival runs until February 26, 2023, with plans to celebrate other holiday festivities like New Year’s Eve and Valentine’s Day.

Learn more about the Winter Light Festival at the Nikka Yuko Japanese Gardens website.

READ MORE: Lethbridge News Now