Ontario city will host a huge international light art festival this winter and it's free

The charming Ontario destination of Stratford is set to glow this winter with Lights on Stratford, an annual international art installation that will take over the city of theatrical fame, hailed as "Canada's Art Town." 

Back for its sixth edition, Lights on Stratford is an award-winning festival that transforms the city into a glowing landscape of interactive light installations.

This year, the art showcases revolve around the theme of "RADIANCE," with organizers purposefully selecting each piece to highlight how communities come together to experience the attractions and reflect the concept.

Split between Stratford's Market Square and Tom Patterson Island — a park along the Avon River — Lights on Stratford will include two distinct exhibit areas for guests to explore.

Market Square will host the Canadian premiere of a CHRONOHARP, an attraction first featured at Vivid, an international light festival in Sydney, Australia, three years ago. It's an immersive experience created by Amigo & Amigo, an art studio known for its colossal illuminated public displays, in collaboration with Otis Studio and professional harpist Kate Moloney.

Inspired by the harp itself, this installation comes to life through colour, music, and the human touch. As the lights move to a synchronized background score, guests are invited to touch the display and watch the patterns shift.

CHRONOHARP. Photo from Lights of Stratford.

Next, as art lovers make their way to Tom Patterson Island, they'll encounter BIRDS OF A FEATHER, a display that pays homage to Canadian winters, and an attraction that spotlights six "supersized birds" ranging from 6.5 to 13 feet tall, each illuminated with built-in lighting.

But that's not all. BIRDS OF A FEATHER is also a multi-sensory experience. Guests are encouraged to interact with each bird — you can speak, sing, or whistle to it — to trigger a unique birdcall from the sculpture.

These dazzling light displays bring thousands of visitors to Stratford each year. Last year, Stratford Today reported that an impressive 76,563 people attended the 2024 event.

Lights on Stratford is a free event running from Dec. 12 to Jan. 18, every Thursday to Sunday from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.

The exhibits will take place at Market Square, located at 1 Wellington St., and Tom Patterson Island, located at 300 Lakeside Dr., in Stratford, Ont.