The Festival of Lights serves as the unofficial kick-off to the holiday season. Visited by thousands annually, it truly is a must-see event for all residents and visitors alike.
The festival features an array of lights, movements and sounds, and runs from mid-November into the New Year in Jane Forrester Park. It is supported by the City of Belleville along with community sponsors who give so generously each year.
Sponsorship Opportunities Documentary History Media Releases
2021 Festival of Lights
More information on the 2021 Festival of Lights coming soon! Stay tuned here and on the City's social media channels for updates.
Story time with Santa and Mrs. Claus
Sponsorship Opportunities
The Festival of Lights display relies on the generosity of donors to maintain this beloved community treasure. Funds raised go towards refurbishing existing displays, replacing bulbs and/or purchasing new displays. All donations, no matter the size, are greatly appreciated.
Those interested in donating to a specific display or the event as a whole can now do so online:
Donate to the Festival of Lights
We are very grateful to all our donors for the 2020 season:
| Holly Level - up to $499 |
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Barbara Vandervelde - In memory of Ted Warwick Annis and Peter Ross - In memory of Ted Warwick Burr Insurance Brokers Ltd. Heather Henderson Lee's Starter & Alternator |
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Ornament - $500-$999 |
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Jewell Engineering Inc. Advantage Data Collections Go-Evo Cooke Properties-Royal LePage Tipper Financial Services Ltd. |
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Stocking stuffer - $1,000-$2,499 |
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Mackay Insurance Brokers Inc. BCS Automation Ltd. |
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Candy Cane - $2,500-$4,999 |
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Elexicon Energy Horwood Electrical Services |
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Reindeer - $5,000-$9,999 |
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Environmental 360 Solutions Inc. Staff and Family of Reid Brothers Truck Service Inc. Madison Excavating Inc. Battlefield The Rental Store |
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Elf $10,000+ |
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Fitzgibbon Construction Ltd. Staff and Family of K.G. Reid Trenching and Construction |
2020 Donation Event 
Front Row L-R: Scott Scaletta E360S, Danny Ardellini CEO Environmental 360 Solutions Ltd.(E360s), Councillor Kelly McCaw, Councillor Pat Culhane, Councillor Sean Kelly, His Worship Mayor Mitch Panciuk, Councillor Chris Malette, Councillor Bill Sandison, Mrs. Annis Ross, Chair of the Lighting Display & Gateway Signage Committee, Mr. Jamie Simpson Madison Excavating Inc., Mrs. Heather Henderson, Committee Member
Back Row L-R: Jason Reid, K.G Reid Trenching and Construction, Greg DeMille Fitzgibbon Construction Ltd, Jeff Reid, K.G Reid Truck Services Ltd.
History
From a senseless car accident tragedy on Christmas Eve in 1958, has come a testament to family love and the true spirit of Christmas. Originally developed as a tribute to their son Billy, Don and Rita Foster poured the grief over the loss of their son into building a Christmas display that would delight the young and young at heart. The car accident also took the life of Billy's friend Art "Sonny" Culloden and the Culloden family has generously donated to the refurbishment of this historic display in Sonny's memory.
Festival of Lights documentary
As part of the Festival of Lights we are producing a documentary on the history of the display. It is expected to be 55-60 minutes in length.
Richard Hughes, President of the Hastings County Historical Society (HCHS), is managing the Documentary project and is the contracting authority. Any donations from the business community, private individuals, foundations, clubs, etc. can be made to the Hastings County Historical Society. The HCHS will issue Charitable Donation receipts.
Cheques are to be made payable to the Hastings County Historical Society, with a notation on the bottom of the cheque "Lighting Display Documentary donation".
Mail cheques to:
Hastings County Historical Society
254 Pinnacle Street
Belleville, Ontario.
K8N 3B1