December 15, 2022
HAMILTON, ON – November 17, 2022 – Conservation Halton is happy to announce the return of Winterlit. This award-winning outdoor event takes place on select evenings from December 28th, 2022, until February 20th, 2023, at Mountsberg Conservation Area. Visitors can enjoy a magical, illuminated walk through the woods, admire the inspirational upcycled art installations along the trails and take a moment to relax by the fire with friends and family. Food and hot beverages are also available for purchase to enjoy during your visit through the snowy woodland.
Now in its third year, Winterlit has become a highly anticipated winter highlight for the community as it provides a place for family and friends to come together and enjoy the beauty found in nature throughout the winter season. With funding provided by the Government of Ontario, Conservation Halton has continued to build on the event from previous years to create even more memorable experiences for our visitors. Guests can expect to see new installations alongside the pieces they have come to know and love. The additions this year include pieces from Wyandot artist Catherine Tammaro, some creations made of recycled materials by the Conservation Halton staff, and a beautiful original musical score composed by students from the Faculty of Music at Wilfrid Laurier University!
Winterlit is an enchanting experience that is centred on sustainable tourism and connecting people with nature through art, and has won the Responsible Tourism Award from the Hamilton Halton Brant Regional Tourism Association in 2021. Materials selected for this experience are recycled, upcycled and energy efficient. Electric battery packs are used rather than gas generators to power remote parts of the trail, and most of the wood elements used on the trail have been repurposed – many created from ash trees removed from Conservation Halton parks due to the impact of an invasive insect called the Emerald Ash Borer.
Winterlit is a beautiful experience filled with glowing fireside lounges and messages of hope throughout the trails that provide friends and families an inspiring space where they can reconnect with each other and create lasting memories. The uniqueness of this event lies in its location, far away from the city lights and sounds. Lucky visitors can hear local wildlife, such as owls, and enjoy the magic of a star-filled winter sky.
As part of Conservation Halton’s dedication to educating the public about the environment and nature, guided Owl Prowls are offered by Mountsberg’s Raptor Centre staff on select dates – January 6th, 7th, 13th, 14th, and February 3rd and 4th. Visitors will be able to meet one of the resident Mountsberg owls nose-to-beak before embarking on a little adventure. As these mysterious creatures are particularly active this time of year, this additional program promises to lead guests safely off the beaten path and into the woods to listen for, or maybe even spot, wild owls. Passes for these special walks are limited.
Winterlit will once again have its extra special Enchanted Evenings event taking place this year. In addition to the regular Winterlit programming, guests can enjoy live music, strolling through paths with Fire and Ice performers, shopping at a small vendor marketplace, and sipping alcoholic beverages from local craft breweries and wineries. Enchanted Evenings are only offered on New Year’s Eve and Valentine’s Day weekend and tend to sell out quickly, so people are encouraged to book early.
Winterlit tickets are available now and can be purchased online at conservationhatlon.ca/winterlit. Winterlit is offered Jeudi to Dimanche evenings from 5:30 PM – 10:30 PM.
Conservation Halton is the community-based environmental agency that protects, restores and manages the natural resources in its watershed. The organization has staff that includes ecologists, land use planners, engineers, foresters and educators, along with a network of volunteers, who are guided by a Board of Directors comprised of municipally elected and appointed citizens. Conservation Halton is recognized for its stewardship of creeks, forests and Niagara Escarpment lands through science-based programs and services. Learn more at conservationhalton.ca.