The City Hall Lights Program is a pilot initiative to acknowledge significant cultural and religious dates that are celebrated by Vancouver's diverse communities.

The program is about recognizing and sharing the many different important dates celebrated by members of our community throughout the year.

Community organizations are invited to request a display of lights on the two large trees outside City Hall on West 12th Avenue and provide informational materials in the lobby of the building during the period of their celebration or event. Communities may also opt to just provide educational materials.

Lights will be available in green, red and clear. Traditionally, green and red lights have been used on the trees around Christmas time. Clear lights have been added so that there is choice of appropriate colour. Each colour can be turned on independently.

While the lights are on display, information about the celebration will be provided to the public through pamphlets available at the City Hall. Groups may also wish to provide a banner with a greeting or the name of the festival that may be displayed at the entrance to City Hall.

The program was created in response to requests from members of our community; and is part of the City's ongoing commitment to recognize and integrate the mosaic of cultures and faiths that make Vancouver one of the best cities to live in the world.

If you are interested in a display of lights at City Hall for a celebration in your community, please contact us by completing the application form (PDF).

We look forward to being able to support the many cultural and religious celebrations of city's diverse communities and hope that you will participate.

For more information:

Rajpal Kohli
Equal Employment Opportunity
604.873.7709

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Guidelines for Lights Program

1. The application must be sponsored by a community group or organization.
2. The celebration or event must be of cultural or religious significance widely embraced by the community.
3. Some examples of celebrations may include: Diwali, Festival of Lights celebrated by the South Asian community; Hanukkah celebrated by the Jewish community; St. Lucia's Day, also known as crown of candles, celebrated by the Swedish community; and the Mid-Autumn Festival celebrated by the Chinese community. New Year celebrations may also be considered.
4. If there is more than one celebration at a given time, they will be recognized at the same time.
5. The applicant may provide information materials relating to the event which will be made available at City Hall.
6. Optional banner: The applicant may provide a banner publicizing the event. The banner will be displayed at the front entrance of City Hall. The City will provide information about specifications of the banner. The applicant is responsible for the making of the banners.

The City Hall Lights Program is administered by a staff group consisting of the Engineering Services, Building Management Services, Equal Employment Opportunity Program, Social Planning Department, and the Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation.

All applications will be reviewed and approved by assigned City staff.

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Example of Celebrations:

• International Human Rights Day, which addresses issues of respect and acceptance for all cultures and races
• St. Lucia's Day, the Swedish festival of lights
• Eid Al-Fitr, the Muslim festival of fast-breaking which signals the end of Ramadan
• World Religion Day
• Lunar New Year
• Christmas

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© 2012, City of Vancouver

Questions or comments, you can send us e-mail at: info@vancouver.ca
Last modified: Friday, January 20, 2012