Winterlit

Add some whimsy to your winter nights and plan your visit to Mountsberg’s award-winning display of outdoor lights at Winterlit. Enjoy a moonlit stroll along two different trails featuring sustainably sourced, illuminated art installations. This unique evening out is a celebration of nature, winter, and community.

Winterlit runs evenings between December 29, 2023 and January 7, 2024 (January 2, 2024 excepted) and Friday through Sunday January 12 to February 19, 2024. Over the Family Day long weekend, kids can enjoy the wonders of Winterlit for FREE and get a complimentary hot chocolate!

Please contact our Visitor Service team at 905-878-5011 or visitorservices@hrca.on.ca if you need assistance.

What to Expect

  • Enjoy two twinkling trails — the Illuminated Sugar Bush (~1 km) and the Winterlit Trail (~1 km)  
  • Admire sustainably sourced, illuminated art installations 
  • Get cozy by Fireside Lounges located throughout the event 
  • Delicious sweet and savory treats by KabZza World Foods
  • Bring a book to swap for a “new to you” read in our cozy Book Nook cabin
  • Play board games at the Book Nook
  • Learn all about the animals that call Mountsberg home in ‘The Den’ 
  • Take home a wood branded souvenir of your visit 
  • Purchase a heart to paint and then hang it on our LOVE display or take it to display at home. Your fee goes to our Animal Care Fund and supports our farm animals, raptors, and snakes. 
  • Add Owl Prowl to your reservation (available January 5, 6, 12, 13, 26, 27 and Feb 9, 10) and join Mountsberg’s knowledgeable Raptor Centre staff for a meet and greet with one of the park’s live owl ambassadors, then head out for a night hike to see who’s hooting

Ticket Price:  
Non-Members – $22/adult, $19/child or senior, child 4 and under free 
Members – $16.00/adult, $14/child or senior, child 4 and under free 

Add-on:  
Paint a Heart: $5 
Owl Prowl offered at 6pm, 7:30pm, 9pm (January 5, 6, 12, 13, 26, 27 and Feb 9, 10): $10


Enchanted Evenings at Winterlit

  • December 31, 2023
  • February 10, 2024

To light up your New Year’s and Valentine’s Day, Winterlit will be hosting special Enchanted Evenings with additional entertainment and activities like candle making on Sunday, December 31, 2023, and Saturday, February 10, 2024. Add an Enchanted Evening to your reservation to celebrate these memorable holidays with the ones you love!

What to expect at Winterlit Enchanted Evenings:

  • Stroll Winterlit’s two illuminated trails with sustainable art installations 
  • Relax beside the Fireside Lounges 
  • Chill out at the licensed Ice Bar 
  • Watch the roaming light and fire performers
  • Listen to live music 
  • Delicious sweet and savory treats by KabZza World Foods
  • Be amazed by the talented magician 
  • Add candle making and create your own beeswax candle to take home as a souvenir 
  • Take home a wood branded souvenir of your visit 
  • Purchase a heart to paint and then hang it on our ‘LOVE’ display or take it to display at home. Your fee goes to our Animal Care Fund and supports our farm animals, raptors, and snakes. 
  • Add Owl Prowl to your reservation (February 10 only) and join Mountsberg’s knowledgeable Raptor Centre staff for a meet and greet with one of the park’s live owl ambassadors, then head out for a night hike to see who’s hooting!    

Roaming fire, light, and magic performances by Dispatch Talent.               

Ticket Price:
Non-Members – $30/adult, $25/child or senior, child 4 and under free  
Members – $23/adult, $18/child or senior, child 4 and under free 

Add-on: 
Paint a Heart: $5 
Candle Making: $8 
Owl Prowl offered at 6pm, 7:30pm, 9pm (available February 10): $10 

Please Note for Winterlit and Enchanted Evenings: 

  • Reservations are 2 hours in length
  • One reservation per vehicle
  • Dogs are welcome at Winterlit and must be on a 2m leash at all times. Dogs are not permitted in animal care areas of the park.

Schedule, Fees & Location

Schedule
Winterlit runs nightly December 28, 2023 until January 7, 2024 (January 2 excepted) and January 12 to February 19, 2024, Friday through Sunday. Reservations are 2 hours in length.

Enchanted Evenings with additional entertainment and the Winterlit Ice bar are scheduled for December 31, 2023 and February 10, 2024.

Fees
Winterlit (Standard)

  • Non-member: $19 +HST/Child (age 5-14) or Senior; $22 +HST/Adult; Children 4 and under free
  • Member: $14 +HST/Child (age 5-14) or Senior; $16 +HST/ Adult; Children 4 and under free

Winterlit Enchanted Evenings (December 31, February 10)

  • Non-member: $25 +HST/Child (age 5-14) or Senior; $30 +HST/Adult; Children 4 and under free
  • Member: $18 +HST/Child (age 5-14) or Senior; $23 +HST/ Adult; Children 4 and under free

Add-on:

  • Paint a Heart: $5
    Candle Making: $8
    Owl Prowl: $10

Location
Winterlit takes place at Mountsberg Conservation Area.
2259 Milburough Line
Campbellville, ON
L0P 1B0


Reservation Questions, Changes, & Cancellation

What is different on Winterlit Enchanted Evenings?
Winterlit Enchanted Evenings are offered in celebration of New Year’s Eve and Valentine’s Day. These evenings feature live performers and musicians as well as the licensed Winterlit Ice Bar, in addition to our regular Winterlit trails and programming.

How do I make a reservation/get tickets?
Click here and then simply select your date and time. You will receive a record of your reservation via email, please bring this email with you for check-in. We will also be able to retrieve your reservation via your license plate number.

Can I change my booking date or time?
No, Winterlit is a rain/snow or “shine” event.

Can I book multiple vehicles/families under the same reservation?
No, please book only one vehicle per reservation. License plate numbers are used to grant access to the park.

Are dogs allowed at Winterlit?
Yes, dogs are welcome to attend Winterlit! As always at our parks, they must be kept on a 2m leash. Dogs are not permitted in the farm animal barn or Raptor Centre for the safety of the animals.

How long are the trails?
There are two illuminated trails (Sugar Bush Trail and Winterlit Trail), approximately 1 km each.

Can I see Mountsberg’s animals during this event?
Mountsberg’s raptors and barn animals are not available to the public during this event. Exposure to artificial light during the winter months causes health issues for our animals including artificially inducing breeding behaviours. We appreciate your understanding as we work to ensure our animal ambassadors receive the highest quality care.

Can I add-on to my experience at Winterlit?
Yes, you can add the following additional experiences to your evening (spaces limited):

Guided Owl Prowls:
Fee: $10/person, children under 2 free
This experience is 45 minutes in length.

Paint a Heart:
Fee: $5/person *Your fee goes to our Animal Care Fund!

Candle Making: *Offered on Enchanted Evenings only
Fee: $8/person

Do I need to bring a receipt with me to Winterlit?
Yes, please bring your reservation email with you on your phone. There is no need to bring a printed copy. Your reservation will be validated at check-in.

Do I have to arrive at the start of my reservation time?
Your reservation start time will be stated on your e-ticket. It is important to arrive on time for your reservation to ensure a quality experience and sufficient parking for all guests.

Can I just show up without a reservation?
No, pre-booked tickets are required to ensure we can provide a quality experience for all our guests.

Will Conservation Halton ever cancel Winterlit?
Sometimes cancellations occur due to extreme weather. We will email guests as soon as possible if they will be impacted by a closure. We will also keep our social media platforms updated. Follow Conservation Halton on Facebook or Instagram.


Parking, check-in, start times & clothing

Parking
Parking is included in your reservation fee. Parking is located in the main parking lot outside of the Discovery Centre.

Check-in & start times
You will check in with an attendant at the Mountsberg gate house upon arrival. The attendant will check your reservation matches vehicle occupancy, provide you with a map of the grounds and answer questions about your visit. Please arrive at the start of your reservation time.

Clothing
Please dress appropriately for the winter weather, Winterlit is entirely outdoors. Warm, sturdy footwear and dressing in layers is strongly recommended.


Accessibility

Strollers & Wheelchairs
Both the Illuminated Sugar Bush Trail (1km) and Winterlit Trail (600m) are wide and hard packed. Both trails are unpaved with some uneven sections and slight incline/declines. Access to the Illuminated Sugar Bush Trail takes guests across a train crossing that has some uneven sections. Although the trails will be plowed, fresh snow or ice impacts trail conditions and may make travel difficult for strollers or people with mobility challenges. Some locations may have lips at doorways that require assistance for wheelchair users or strollers.

Please contact us for more information about accessibility — we are happy to help! visitorservices@hrca.on.ca.

Washrooms
Indoor washrooms including an accessible/family washroom are available in the Discovery Centre located beside the parking lot. Washrooms and change tables are also available in the Sugar Bush. Some locations may have lips at doorways that require assistance for wheelchair users or strollers.

Individuals with Special Needs
We want all our patrons to experience the magic of winter at night! If you or a group member requires accommodation to be able to participate please contact us at visitorservices@hrca.on.ca to discuss available options.

Not only is Winterlit an enchanting experience for our community, but it is also based on the concept of providing a sustainable event. It is a privilege to be caretakers of Conservation Halton Parks so we can all enjoy them for generations to come. As in everything we do, #ConservationMatters on the Winterlit Trail! Materials selected for the trail are recycled, upcycled, and energy-efficient, and created with love by our Conservation Halton team. Here are just a few ways we’ve implemented sustainable practices at Winterlit:

  • All lighting is LED for the lowest energy footprint

  • We use electric battery packs rather than gas generators to bring lights to the remote parts of the trail

  • Most of the wood elements on the trail are created from ash trees that had to be removed from our parks due to the impact of the Emerald Ash Borer, an invasive insect

  • The remaining elements have been created out of recycled or upcycled products by our talented staff. Check out the signage on the trail to find out which installation was repurposed from one of the set pieces from the movie ‘Down Sizing’ which was filmed at Area 8 Conservation Area!

Thank you for joining us for Winterlit! Your support shows that #ConservationMatters to you!

Catherine Tammaro
Creator of “
Tekyuharhtes – Star Lodge” 

Taomesre ~ People of the Little Turtle, Wyandot of Anderdon Nation; Wendat Confederacy
Catherine Tammaro is a multi-disciplinary artist whose practise spans decades.

Catherine is a seated Spotted Turtle Clan FaithKeeper and is active throughout the City of Toronto and beyond, in many organizations as Elder in Residence, Mentor, Teacher and Cultural Advisor. She is an alumna of the Ontario College of Art and has had a diverse career, multiple exhibits and installations, published written works and presentations and continues her creative practice.

Catherine actively supports the work and development of other artists on an ongoing basis. She served on the Board of the TAC, TAC’s Income Precarity Working Group and was the Chair of the Toronto Arts Council’s Indigenous Advisory Committee in 2020/21 and is the Indigenous Arts Program Manager at Toronto Arts Council and continues teaching, learning and exploring her creativity and that of others.

Learn more about Catherine Tammaro

Dogbite Steel
Creator of metal art featured on the Winterlit Trail
 

Jean Pierre Schoss’ works are created by recycling steel from oil tanks, farm implements or any found steel that is thick enough to be used. He cuts apart, heats and recreates the steel in order to orchestrate his ideas.

“I use recycled materials for a number of reasons. First, it is our responsibility to contribute to this world in as many ways as possible. Garbage is a great place to start.

Oil tanks are costly to cut up and recycle so the scrap yards don’t want them. I began using oil tanks, water tanks and propane tanks to save money because the steel was so expensive. I soon realized what I was doing. The recycling had become part of my life.

I began to look for more items that could be recycled into my work. If it is thick enough to last for years and years then I am interested. People bring me all sorts of things. I drag things out of the ditches sometimes and then the earth feels better! I drain the tanks of the sludge and oil and take it to the recycling depot. There is quite a process to getting the steel ready for the sculpture.

The material has a lot of character and always tells a life story. It has a lot more to say than a big, expensive sheet of new grey steel. Some tanks have many layers and colors of paint on them from being painted over the years to match houses and cottages.

Some of my work involves old tools, steps from antique carriages and 70 year old manure spreaders. I never see just a steel object. I see the new life waiting to come out of it.”

Learn more about Dogbite Steel.

 

Fireside Lounge Recorded Soundtrack Featured Local Musicians

Darryn DeSouza
Learn more about Darryn.

Hayley Verrall
Learn more about Hayley.

Abby J. Hall
Learn more about Abby.

 

Aidan Kenny
Creator of the Winterlit trail Graffiti murals

Aidan Kenny is a muralist born in Hamilton Ontario. You can find his work throughout Ontario, Quebec, and New York state. His use of abstraction and accents of realism creates an eye-catching vibrancy in his work.

Learn more about Aidan Kenny.

“Loved how they used eco-friendly materials for their art installations!”

“This was an EXCELLENT experience. I cannot say enough positive things about it. We hope this will be an annual thing – we would go again in a quick heartbeat!”

“It was a beautiful distraction from our world right now and a wonderful way for our family to begin the new year! We enjoyed it so much, the lights and trails were beautiful. A perfect way to spend the evening!”

“It was our family’s favourite outdoor winter activity to date — beautifully done and we can’t wait to visit again next winter!”

“It’s magical and just what we needed. It was the first evening event we had done in months, and we all came home feeling enchanted.”

“It was such a joyous evening wander. I spent the next day with a glow in my heart. It was an enchanting evening.”