PREVIEW
Christmas Glow
Nov. 22 to Jan. 19
Enjoy Centre
1010 Riel Dr.
Tickets: Single range $16.99 to $22.99, ages three and under free, family packs $69.99.
Visit www.glowgardens.com/christmas-edmonton/
St. Albert’s Enjoy Centre is about to be illuminated with half a million twinkling lights as part of the inaugural Christmas Glow festival.
Dubbed the largest indoor Christmas festival in the greater Edmonton area, it runs Nov. 22 to Jan. 19.
Glow is a spectacular blend of seasonal light gardens, musical light tunnel, magic castle playground, hanging light formation and trackless train.
Parents can visit the holiday market filled with artisanal gifts and enjoy seasonal food and cocktails while kids hash out their Christmas wishes with Santa Claus.
This year’s theme is Santa’s Lost Presents. It encourages visitors to explore the 64,000-square-foot festival in search of glowing gift boxes lost by St. Nick.
“In our first year in Langley, B.C., the feedback we received was that people love the charm, the atmosphere and the interactive activities,” said Lawrence Jansen, CEO of Darvonda Nurseries.
Langley, British Columbia’s Darvonda Nurseries first developed the horticultural light festival in 2017. Although completely new, It attracted 100,000 visitors.
A second-generation family undertaking, Darvonda has operated since the mid-1980s and now sits on 25 acres, 16 that are covered by greenhouses. The nurseries grow flowers and hothouse vegetables. Its largest client is Costco, stocking Darvonda’s mums and poinsettias.
“So much space in large greenhouses sits empty in fall and winter. By bringing a large-scale Christmas show to these spaces that are perfectly constructed for high power lights for growing plants, we create the perfect venue for families to enjoy a Christmas experience that is warm and dry.”
Daryl Driegen, director of operations and chief operating officer, explained that Jansen first introduced the idea after seeing a similar concept in Vancouver.
“The downside of Vancouver was the weather. The rain and wind raised operational challenges,” Driegen said.
But with so much empty space after the major floral-growing season from February to June dies down, launching a festival was a no-brainer. The project definitely carried risks, but it also showed potential for growth and huge dividends.
The logistics of creating light sculptures might appear daunting, however for many years, Darvonda had ordered pots and displays made in China.
“The contacts were in place and going into light was not a massive change,” explained Driegen.
One of the big showstoppers imported from China is a 200-foot long light tunnel sitting at the festival entrance. To enter the event, everyone must pass under the 16-foot wide, 13-foot high spectacular tunnel where 50,000 twinkling lights dance to music.
“It’ll be a showstopper, for sure.”
Another popular interactive site is the hanging lights garden, a formation of icicle-lights hanging from the ceiling similar to stalactites in a cave.
“It’s cool. It’s mesmerizing and it looks like the lights go on forever. And people like to take nice photos of themselves.”
There are LED swings large enough to accommodate adults, a light-up hopscotch, and animal-themed displays highlighting penguins, polar bears and reindeer pulling Santa’s sleigh.
“What’s really cool is Santa’s sleigh. The reindeer are flying up in the sky and kids actually get to sit in the sleigh,” said Shannon Van Norman, Edmonton event general manager and festival liaison.
She recommends a visit to the magic castle playground where adventurous boys and girls will burn off energy climbing the castle walls and sliding over the moat. An additional play area is structured with play apparatus that includes slides and ropes.
The festival will also exhibit traditional Christmas trees showcasing a contemporary twist. One of the most inviting is a huge tree constructed from multi-coloured Christmas presents. In another design, spirals of lights and tinsel are shaped into a spruce tree.
And Glen the Glow-comotive, an electric four-car train and locomotive, is ready to pull young passengers around the Moonflower Room. An adult must accompany any child under eight.
“It’s black and red and has a happy face. Kids like it because it has such an inviting face,” said Van Norman.
She also encourages festival-goers to check out the artisan market where more than 20 vendors will sell everything from jewelry, stockings and clothing to signs and candles.
As well, this midwinter festival will feature a vast array of entertainers. Musicians, singers, bands and dancers parade their versatile talents kicking up a storm performing blues, country, rock, jazz, pop and R&B.
In picking up the twin themes of holidays and horticulture, Darvonda Nurseries will stagger hundreds of poinsettias and trees throughout the festival.
Visitors can also book parties in a private room. Hours are Monday to Friday 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. and Saturday 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday closed.
For additional information, visit www.glowgardens.com/christmas-edmonton/
