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Candlelight Festival 2024 Event

Home...Community EventsCandlelight FestivalCandlelight Festival 2024 Event
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blue banner with candlelight festival written on it

These are the details from the 2024 Candlelight Festival event. Stay tuned for the upcoming 2025 Candlelight Festival event details.
2025 Candlelight Festival

The Candlelight Festival is an annual holiday experience. We invite you to come and explore the seasonal transformation of Port Hope from November 29, 2024 until January 2, 2025.

Check our schedule at-a-glance, follow along on Facebook for announcements and view our festival map from anywhere.

Find that Festive Feeling - Lots to See and Do in Port Hope

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Candle icon

Candlelight Walk

The Candlelight Walk returns for 2024 on Friday November 29 at 6:00 p.m. The procession will begin at Our Lady of Mercy parking lot (155 Walton St). Bring a donation for the Fare Share Food Bank, a light, and your singing voice.

Candlelight Walk Details  Candlelight Song Sheet

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Capitol Christmas

The tradition of the Festival of Lights and Trees returns, along with both a naughty and nice Christmas Panto.

Capitol Christmas Schedule

Critical mass logo
Projection Art

Critical Mass Art is working to bring projection art and live animation to the Festival program this year.   

What's On at Critical Mass

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Wagon Rides

Enjoy a classic wagon ride around our seasonally-decorated, historic downtown.

Wagon Ride Schedule

It’s All Right Here...

Shopping the downtown and festival marketplace is a favourite component of the Candlelight Festival experience. This year, we invite you to visit our vendor marketplace (in-person and online) as well as our distinctive local establishments for all your holiday shopping. 

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Shop Port Hope 

Port Hope is adorned with holiday décor, and local shops are ready to support your seasonal shopping needs. Visit our friendly and creative merchants all around town for one-of-a-kind finds.

Explore the HBIA website
Explore the Port Hope Chamber website

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Vendor Market

Visit the Candlelight Festival Market in Lent Lane on November 29 as part of Moonlight Madness.

Marketplace Schedule

Candlelight Festival Evening Market:

Friday, November 29: 4:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

For other markets popping up around town this December, check out the schedule-at-a-glance below.

Vendor Registration
This outdoor market is open to emerging and established artists and makers. We are seeking vendors who can commit to setting up an outdoor display at night.

To register for the Candlelight Festival Market on November 29, please fill out our application.

Candlelight Vendor application

Gift icon

Wrap It Up

Have you been shopping local and need some help with wrapping?

Bring your locally purchased gifts to the free Wrap It Up station, coordinated by the Port Hope Chamber of Commerce.

Visit the Racine Law office at 50 Walton St. on the following dates and times to have your locally purchased gifts wrapped.

 Wrap It Up Schedule
  • November 29 - 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. (Candlelight Festival kick off!)
  • December 7 - 11:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.
  • December 14 - 11:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.
  • December 21 - 11:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.

 

Aerial view of downtown Port Hope at night

Holiday lights icon

Holiday Light Display

Enjoy the beautiful and festive holiday light display in Memorial and Rotary Parks.

During the dark of winter, the illuminated parks and hand-painted miniature historic buildings bring a sense of joy and enchantment to our downtown from November 29 until January 2.

Celebrate and create this season

Participate in new and old traditions with your household. Check out the details below and follow our Facebook event for regular updates. Find other local events and celebrations this season on our event calendar.

Gift icon
Moonlight Madess
A downtown shopping and dining extravaganza on November 29. A giant block party to kick off the holiday shopping season.
Moonlight Madness
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Santa Claus Parade
The Port Hope Santa Claus Parade returns to downtown Port Hope on Saturday, November 30, 2024 at 1:00 p.m.
Parade details
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Festive Fun Day
Come visit Santa and participate in a variety of fun games, crafts and activities on December 7. This is a free event!
Event details
Candlelight Walk details

The Candlelight Festival includes an illuminated procession and carol-sing down Port Hope's main street, lighting of the bandshell, live music, projection art, an outdoor market, festive food and moonlight shopping!

  • The Candlelight Festival Walk takes place Friday, November 29. It will begin at Walton & Pine Streets (155 Walton St.) at 6:00pm. Bring your singing voice and participate in the group carol sing along the route.
    • Participants are invited to bring their own light source to carry (a lantern, candle with protective container, battery-operated candle or flashlight). A limited number of flame- and battery-operated candles will be available at the start of the walk, while supplies last. Participants are also invited to bring a donation of a non-perishable food item for the Fare Share Food Bank.
    • The Carol List can be found on our digital Candlelight Song Sheet webpage. Our friends at SONG will help lead the caroling and encourage all participants sing along to some holiday favourites. 
  • Following the Walk, indulge in a cup of hot cider in Memorial Park and help us countdown to light up the Park for the season. Listen to live music, and head over to Lent Lane to explore the outdoor market, and explore every block in the downtown. Participating stores and restaurants will be open late on November 29 as part of Block Friday Moonlight Madness, presented by the Port Hope HBIA.
  • The Knights of Columbus Hall will be open as a warming room throughout the evening (4:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.), so pop in for a hot beverage and break from the outdoors. The Port Hope Rotary Club are animating this space and look forward to connecting with you!
  • The Capitol Theatre will be hosting a Sneak Peek of the Festival of Lights and Trees. This magical experience is in its 28th year - be sure to check it out!
  • Municipal transit is running late until 11:00 p.m. to help bring you downtown from around town.

To view the walk route, visit our festival map, and toggle on the Candlelight Walk Route Map layer at the bottom.

 

Event surveys

During the Candlelight Walk and Santa Parade we will have a team from Enigma Research conducting surveys so we can complete an economic impact study to measure success of the event and gather data to better understand our event audience. If you are approached by a surveyor wearing a purple volunteer lanyard, please consider giving some of your time to complete the survey - there is a great participation prize up for grabs!

Our Song List will be posted on our Candlelight Song Sheet webpage before the event so you can practice before the big day!

Festival Schedule at a glance

The Candlelight Festival is an annual holiday experience. We invite you to come and explore the seasonal transformation of Port Hope from November 29, 2024 until January 2, 2025.

Check out the Festival of Lights and Trees viewing schedule and Panto showtimes for more festive fun at the Capitol Theatre!

Festival activities by date:

Friday, November 29

The Candlelight Festival begins! 

  • 4:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Market in the Lane
  • 4:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Marshmallows at John Street Linger Zone (behind Walton Hotel)
  • 4:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Indoor warming room open (Knights of Columbus Hall)
  • 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Photos with Mr. & Mrs. Claus
  • 5:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. Festival of Lights and Trees Sneak Peek
  • 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Wagon Rides in the downtown
  • 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 pm. Wrap It Up Gift Wrap Station
  • 6:00 p.m. Candlelight Festival Walk begins
  • 6:30 p.m. Park Lighting Ceremony in Memorial Park
  • 6:30 p.m. Port Hope Digs Walton Cupcakes at Knights of Columbus Hall
  • 6:00 p.m. - 9:00p.m. Activities at the Little Station
  • 7:00 p.m. Live ice carving in Memorial Park
  • 8:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. Live music at the John Street Linger Zone
  • Moonlight Madness throughout the downtown, with participating stores and restaurants open late!
Saturday, November 30

1:00 p.m. Port Hope Santa Claus Parade

Saturday, December 7
  • 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Port Hope Farmers' Market Christmas Pop-up
  • 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Wagon Rides in the downtown
  • 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 pm. Wrap It Up Gift Wrap Station
  • 1:00 p.m. - 4:00.m. Festive Fun Day at the Town Park Recreation Centre
Saturday, December 14
  • 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Wagon Rides in the downtown
  • 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 pm. Wrap It Up Gift Wrap Station
Saturday, December 21
  • 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Wagon Rides in the downtown
  • 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 pm. Wrap It Up Gift Wrap Station
Tuesday, January 2
January 2 is the last day to view the Holiday Light Display in Memorial Park and Rotary Park.
 Hand-Painted Miniature Historic Buildings
  • Walton St. Dress Shoppe (circa 1867), built by Robert C. Smith
  • Walton St. Chemist (circa 1850), built by Nathan W. Leverich
  • Capitol Theatre (circa 1830), an Art-Deco-influenced atmospheric theatre. The theatre closed in 1987 and reopened in 1995. Further renovations were done in 2020.
  • Union Cemetery (est. 1873, buildings circa 1880)
  • 72 Augusta St. (circa 1865), owned by Henry Russell, restored in 1993
  • 254 Ridout St., the "Trick House" (circa 1850), home of Richard Trick, mason & bricklayer
  • Log Cabin, Hope St. N. (circa 1847), originally on Mastwood Road, Hope Township, built by Nicholas Dodds. His descendents, Judy & Don Dodd, acquired and dismantled the house before generously donating it to Clay Benson to restore it to its original stature on the Benson property, beside the Ganaraska River.
  • The Randall House, Little Hope St., moved from original site in 1845 or 1846. Mr. Randall owned a stationary shop downtown, which was in business until the early 2000s. If he was to follow the fashion of the times, the exterior ashler siding would have been painted with a paint & sand mixture to provide the illusion of a stone house. The house was renovated by Don & Joan Rumgay in the 1990s.
  • The Mowat House, King St. (circa 1840). Originally owned by William Mitchell, Farley & Claire Mowat have owned it since 1976. Farley's parents owned it from 1959 - 1976.

Creative Partners, Supporters and Sponsors

Special thanks to all the creative and caring hands that helped deliver our Candlelight Festival experience.

Port Hope HBIA Logo

critical mass logo

Hope Community Church logo

Port Hope Chamber of Commerce logo

White text that reads "A Productions".

Song logo
Capitol Logo
Rotary of Port Hope logo
Globe Cambridge School logo
 My Main Street logo
Canadian Urban Institute
Government of Canada Logo

 How to become a partner or sponsor

The Port Hope Candlelight Festival begins the last Friday in November and will run until January 2 the following year. 

We are seeking community partnerships and sponsorship to assist us in the delivering a creative and engaging program. Sponsorship provides an opportunity for organizations to connect with the Festival audience and help celebrate the holiday season throughout Port Hope. 

We are also seeking interested artists and makers to participate in our Candlelight Festival Market in Lent Lane.

Email us today to discover how you can be a part of this annual winter event.

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Located along the shores of Lake Ontario and the Northumberland Hills.

© 2025 Municipality of Port Hope

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Port Hope ON L1A 3Z9

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