REGINA — Dozens of people gathered in front of city hall on Tuesday to kick start the holiday season with the annual Regina event, Light the Lights.
The event has been a holiday classic in the city for over two decades.
Regina Mayor Chad Bachynski, along with councillors George Tsiklis (Ward 2), David Froh (Ward 3), Mark Burton (Ward 4), Sarah Turnbull (Ward 5), Victoria Flores (Ward 6), and Shobna Radons (Ward 7), helped countdown the lighting of the city hall courtyard.
This year’s event included a horse-drawn carriage, a picture with Santa Claus, interactive ice creations, outdoor games, etc.
Those attending faced chilly -13 C temperatures, which felt colder with a -22 C wind chill, according to Environment Canada.
Even though Light the Lights has been a yearly holiday tradition, city administration had listed an event as an option council could reduce/cut after trying to find $1.55 million in savings from the 2025 budget.
Council reduced the mill rate by 0.5 per cent in order to achieve a lower mill rate of 7.33, requiring cuts to city services.
After receiving the report, councillors expressed no desire to cancel Light the Lights and administration ultimately removed the event from any consideration of savings.
Light the Lights has also been listed as one of roughly 130 budget reduction options council will consider for the 2026 budget.
City administration has pegged the event as costing approximately $30,000.
