Gardens shine bright for Christmas

A long tradition continues this year at Butchart Gardens with the 32nd annual Magic of Christmas lights display, featuring hundreds of thousands of lights that have taken nine weeks to install.

The only area of the complex not lit is the Japanese Garden.

A key component of the attraction is the 12 Days of Christmas theme, which has seen each of the days mentioned in the song added to the display in successive years. The “12 drummers drumming” installation completed the array in 2004 — the same year as the Gardens’ 100th anniversary.

Visiting Butchart Gardens at Christmas is a big part of the season for many families. Community groups and tour buses are also a common sight.

An outdoor skating rink is featured, as well, along with carollers and a brass band.

Work on the decorating effort is pretty much a year-round task due to the need to fix and refurbish various elements — such as making cosmetic repairs to the swans, geese, hens and other 12 Days of Christmas characters.

The lights display runs daily from Dec. 1-Jan. 6. The busiest time is usually 4-8 p.m., particularly on weekends and on clear nights.

It’s beginning to look at lot like Christmas at Butchart Gardens, which has begun its 32nd annual Magic of Christmas lights display. The display runs until Jan. 6

Virtually every part of the gardens is lit up for Christmas, a draw for the Pettinger family, who were visiting Wednesday evening.

The Butchart light display features a skating rink, above, and rides for the children and traditional carolling, below.

photos by ADRIAN LAM Times Colonist