Westshore Community Band and Colwood Choir will ring in the holiday season as the lights flick on in Langford.

The cityB次元官网网址檚 sixth annual Christmas Light-up celebration is set for Saturday, Dec. 1 at Veterans Memorial Park (Goldstream Avenue at Veterans Memorial Parkway).

B次元官网网址淲e started out doing this six years ago, we didnB次元官网网址檛 know how big itB次元官网网址檚 going to be B次元官网网址� ItB次元官网网址檚 just taken off exponentially,B次元官网网址� said George Henshall, manager of public works for Langford. B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檚 thousands that show up for this thing now. ItB次元官网网址檚 one of our bigger events we do.B次元官网网址�

The event is timed to coincide with the Island Equipment Owners Association truck parade.

B次元官网网址淭hen we buddied up with the markets, people do Christmas shopping, carol singing B次元官网网址� We light up the tree and then everybody goes out onto Goldstream to watch the (truck) parade and itB次元官网网址檚 all by donation,B次元官网网址� Henshall said.

Free hotdogs and hot chocolate are on the agenda for the event led off with the Goldstream Station Christmas Craft Market  from 6 p.m. to 7. Donations are accepted for the Goldstream Food Bank.

Cliff LeQuesne of radio station 100.3 The Q fame will lead the festivities and welcome Santa who arrives at 7 p.m. Darkness will officially end at 7:30 for the official light up followed shortly after by the lighted truck convoy swinging through.

Not to be outdone, the City of Colwood is re-entering the lighted holiday season the next weekend.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 back. WeB次元官网网址檙e so excited, the last one we had was 2008,B次元官网网址� said Nora Creamer, administrative support co-ordinator for engineering in Colwood. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 something we can give back to the community and we love it. It brings the community together.B次元官网网址�

Dec. 6 at 6 p.m. city hall, 3300 Wishart Rd., will light up as the community welcomes St. Nick.

B次元官网网址淲e have mayor and council serving hot chocolate,B次元官网网址� Creamer said. B次元官网网址淯sually the schools come with a whole choir and then they bring their parents, and siblings and grandparents.B次元官网网址�

Creamer who hopes for snow B次元官网网址� B次元官网网址渨e had it one yearB次元官网网址� B次元官网网址� promises Santa will be on hand, arriving on fire truck around 6:30 p.m. perhaps with Mrs. Claus in tow.

The jolly man himself returns to the West Shore the next weekend with the annual fire truck parade will take place on Sunday, Dec 16.

About 25 fire trucks and emergency vehicles plan to parade starting at 6 p.m. from City Centre Park. Santa will be a part of the parade and the festivities that follow at Christmas in the Park at City Centre Park. The free family fun event includes music, craft making, skating and more.