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Butchart Shines Bright

Butchart Gardens gets set to kick off 12 Days of Christmas

For Butchart Gardens, Christmas begins in October.

One of Canada’s National Historic Sites, gets set to flick the switch and kick off the holiday season with festivities the whole family can enjoy.

What began in 1992 has grown into a month-long event for people of all ages to savour at The Butchart Gardens.

“The 12 days of Christmas display started in 1992 with the partridge in a pear tree, and every year after adding a day, finishing in 2004 with 12 drummers drumming,” said Daphne Gardner, public relations manager at The Butchart Gardens.

“The display is so large that our lighting crew is busy for two full months installing.”

The Magic of Christmas season begins Dec. 1 with the Light-up Ceremony at 5 p.m., when the switch is thrown and the gardens come alive with thousands of coloured lights. The display will run until Jan. 6 at 10 p.m.

The Garden’s ice rink was installed in 2005 and later enlarged in 2012 to add an extra holiday experience, and allow skating under the stars.

The Rose Carousel is also a must see, with 30 colourful animals to ride, there are plenty of options to keep everyone happy.

“The Gardens has everything you need for the festive season,” Gardner said.  For more information visit butchartgardens.com