The Rotary Festival of Lights will be in a new location this year after their electrical permit was not approved.

(ADAM PROSKIW / iNFOnews.ca)

KELOWNA - The 27th Annual Downtown Kelowna Light Up, happening this weekend, is going to have a lot fewer lights this year, but there are still plenty of holiday events over the next few weeks to brighten up your Christmas spirit.

The Rotary Club of Kelowna announced Monday, Nov. 30, their application for an electrical permit was denied and they are now looking for a new lot to set up their Christmas display.

For the past three years the display has been positioned in Kerry Park near the sails, but this year they are scrambling to find a new location, Rotary member Mario Pare says.

The annual Light Up will go ahead as planned, however, in downtown Kelowna on Saturday, Dec. 5, starting at 10 a.m. There will be a visit from Santa at the Laurel Packinghouse, a visit with the Snow Queen and Snow Princess at the Rotary Centre for the Arts from noon to 3 p.m. and a musical instrument zoo provided by Wentworth music. There will also be a park and play with bouncy castle in Stuart Park and a Santa Shuffle Race at Waterfront Park.

The musical entertainment schedule begins at 1 p.m. at the Stuart Park stage with live performances right up until light up at 5 p.m. The Kelowna Rock School will open the stage, followed by Voice Lab and Kitsch n Sync. The Zamboni Brothers will headline Stuart Park beginning at 4 p.m.

The evening will culminate with Santa Claus lighting up a brand new tree at Stuart Park.

Most of the days’ activities are free. For a complete schedule of events visit the Light Up website.

If you have a location you think would be suitable for the Rotary Festival of Lights, you are asked to call 250-869-5432.

“Access to a power supply would be beneficial,” Pare says in a release. “Rotary will cover all the costs and if power is unavailable, generators are an option. Road access is very important to allow traffic to move unimpeded. The display will be staffed daily by members from all Rotary Clubs.”

Kelowna’s Waterfront Park, behind the casino, will also host Lights of Christmas Paws from Dec. 10 until Jan. 1. The event is organized by celebrity dog trainer Brad Pattison, with proceeds benefiting families who were affected by the Rock Creek fire last summer.

There will be a light exhibit, hot chocolate and apple cider as well as other attractions. Lights of Christmas Paws will be open from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. daily.

Tickets are available at the gate for $12, with children under five free. You can also purchase tickets online here.

The Santa Sleigh Bus and the Parade of Lights will also be happening again this year. Now in its 13th year, the Santa Sleigh Bus will make more than 30 stops over seven days collecting food, toys and cash donations for the Salvation Army Christmas Hamper program. Locals can join in the fun when the Santa Sleigh Bus rolls through from Dec. 6 to 12. The Santa Sleigh Bus schedule can be found at the B.C. Transit website. 

The Parade of Lights will be held Dec. 11 and 12, with buses running from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. from Costco. Drivers will take passengers on a tour of the city's best decorated homes and businesses. For tickets visit the Parade of Lights website.

To contact a reporter for this story, email Adam Proskiw at aproskiw@infonews.ca or call 250-718-0428. To contact the editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.

News from © iNFOnews, 2015