The Winter Light Festival at Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden is set to return Nov. 29, 2025. (Photo: Lethbridge News Now)

By David Opinko

Winter Light Festival returns for 10th anniversary at Nikka Yuko

Oct 21, 2025 | 1:47 PM

Officials at Nikko Yuko Japanese Garden say they are preparing for their biggest Winter Light Festival yet.

For the 10th anniversary event this year, Executive Director Michelle Day-Miles says it will be themed around the northern Japanese province of Hokkaido.

“Hokkaido and Alberta are celebrating their 45th anniversary – they’re sister provinces, and so, we’re going to celebrate Hokkaido,” says Day-Miles.

She did not want to give too much away before opening the Gardens to the public and corporate sponsors, but says that “We are going big this year.”

“There’s going to be some amazing new feature structures in the Garden for the Winter Light Festival. We’re a Canadian garden done in a Japanese style, but it is an authentic experience, and the garden is going to radiate brightly for our 10th anniversary.”

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It is the authenticity of Japanese culture and designs that Day-Miles believes makes people want to come back every year.

Nikka Yuko was recently celebrated by Communities in Bloom for its Winter Light Festival. It was given the Municipal World WinterLife Award and a Special Attractions Evaluated Award.

“This year, when the judges came down and understood that we’re taking the Garden from a May-to-October to a year-round destination, I think they see the value in that,” Day-Miles says. “The other part that I think we got high points on is our community engagement and support.”

The Winter Light Festival is set to operate from November 29, 2025, to February 28, 2026. Tickets will go on sale sometime in November.

READ MORE: Nikka Yuko, southern AB towns recognized by Communities in Bloom