Bowring Park in St. John’s will soon be glowing with holiday lights again, and the city is inviting residents to gather around the Duck Pond for an evening of music, hot chocolate and the annual lighting celebration.
Credit: City of St. John’s
The 2026 Holiday Lights at Bowring Park event takes place on Saturday, November 28, from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. Organized by the City of St. John’s in partnership with NTV and OZFM, the gathering marks the start of the park’s seasonal light display.
Local musicians Cassandra Ingram and Rev Dave Trio will provide live entertainment before the lights are switched on. You can also enjoy free hot chocolate courtesy of the St. John’s Lions Club. Just remember to bring your own reusable mug.
Who Will Get to Switch on the Lights?
One person will have a special role in this year’s celebration. Through the Flip the Switch Contest, the City of St. John’s, NTV and OZFM will invite residents to nominate someone deserving of the honour of turning on the holiday lights.
Nominations have not opened yet, and organizers expect to share more information soon.
You can also support a local cause during the celebration. The Community Food Sharing Association will be at the park accepting non-perishable food donations and monetary contributions for the food bank.
Make an Afternoon and Evening of It
Why not turn the holiday lights celebration into a full Saturday outing? Start with brunch at Terre Restaurant on Water Street, which serves weekend brunch, or grab lunch at one of the restaurants downtown. You could spend some time browsing the shops along Water Street before heading towards Bowring Park.
Once at the park, leave yourself enough time to explore before the sun goes down. Take a stroll along the wooded walking trails, visit the duck pond or look for the park’s monuments and sculptures. If you’re visiting with children, there’s also a playground where they can burn off some energy before the evening festivities.
As 5 p.m. approaches, make your way to the Duck Pond for live music, hot chocolate and the lighting ceremony. Pack warm layers, bring a reusable mug for your hot chocolate and consider carrying a non-perishable food donation. It’s an easy way to combine a leisurely afternoon outdoors with the holiday celebration.
Accessibility and Visitor Information
The City has designated an accessible viewing area near the Duck Pond parking lot. Accessible parking is available there, with additional spaces along Waterford Bridge Road near Bowring Park Lodge.
The Duck Pond trail covers approximately 500 metres and consists of concrete sidewalk and packed gravel, although some sections have uneven ground. All-terrain wheelchairs can be borrowed on a first-come, first-served basis with advance reservations through 709-576-6972 or inclusion@stjohns.ca.
A limited number of noise-reducing headphones will be available at Bowring Park Lodge with photo identification. American Sign Language interpretation will also be provided on the south side of the Duck Pond, opposite the stage.
If adverse weather prevents the November 28 celebration, the event will move to Saturday, December 5, 2026