It's a holiday trifecta sure to warm the cockles of even the biggest Grinch's heart.
Three family-friendly Christmas-themed events will take over London's downtown Friday night.
The annual Lighting of the Lights in Victoria Park kicks off with carolling at 6:15 p.m. That will be followed by the countdown to the illumination of the green space at 6:50 p.m.
"It takes four to six weeks of solid effort [by city workers] to get all 75,000 lights up in the park and that is using a combination of tools, whether it be bucket trucks or just ladders themselves," said Jon-Paul McGonigle, the city's division manager of culture, special events and sport services.
As always, the Winter Wonderland theme in the park features a variety of festive displays, noted McGonigle.
"There is the Christmas train that is there, Santa Claus and his reindeer are there, and Santa's mailbox so kids can bring their letters to Santa and put them in his mailbox right in Victoria Park."
There are also a number of specially decorated trees lit up in specific colours in honour of certain causes - one each for military personnel serving overseas, cancer survivors, the Make-A-Wish Foundation, organ donors, and those who have lost their lives to HIV/AIDS.
Santa House, where kids can come to get their picture taken with Jolly Old Saint Nick, opens in the park on Friday.
The Lighting of the Lights has been a tradition in London since 1958.
"My favourite part is the moment when the lights switch on. You can really feel the community energy and that bit of reflection that I think the holiday season can bring for a community," said McGonigle. "For me, that is the most moving moment."
Roughly 20,000 people are expected to pack the park for the festivities. After Friday night, the park will be illuminated daily from 5:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. until December 30. On New Year’s Eve the lights will stay on overnight. Londoners can get a bird's eye view of the lights from the promenade deck above city hall. It will be from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. each night, except for December 10, 25, 26, 31 and January 1, 2020.
After checking out the Lighting of the Lights, those looking for some additional holiday cheer can take in the Canadian Pacific (CP) Holiday Train. It will stop on the tracks on Richmond Street near Piccadilly Street around 8:30 p.m., with one car opening for musical performances by Alan Doyle and Beautiful Band.
The 14 car train, decked out with hundreds of thousands of Christmas lights, visits nearly 200 communities during the holiday season as it collects cash and non-perishable food donations.
All donations made in London will go to the London Food Bank.
Richmond Street between Pall Mall and Piccadilly will be closed from 7 p.m. until 10 p.m. due to the train's stop.
The train will depart London by 9 p.m.
Between those two events, Londoners can also take part in the Downtown London Holiday Detour. While strolling the streets in the core, participants will be treated to a free hot chocolate crawl, live music, light up swings, photo booths, a holiday market and in-store specials from downtown retailers.
The event along Richmond Row, Market Square, and Dundas Place - the city's first flex-street - runs from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
