A unique celebration of life is held each Christmas at the Lake of the Woods Cemetery. Thousands of ice candles are lit on Christmas Eve burning through to Boxing Day.
Volunteer to light
We need your help to light candles on Christmas Eve. If you are interested in being part of this beautiful tradition, please contact the Cemetery Office to sign up. Leave a message with your contact information and the number of people in your group.
Reminder to dress for the weather!
Purchase an ice candle
You can take part in the Festival of Lights by purchasing ice candles to be placed at your loved one's grave or a Veteran's grave this holiday season.
Online orders open on November 4, 2024.
Last day to order is Friday, December 6, 2026.
Pick-up starting Monday, December 9, until Friday, December 13, 2024.
Please note
All ice candle purchases go directly back to supporting the Lake of the Woods Cemetery. Ice candles purchases are final sale and non-refundable. No refunds will be granted for ice candles affected by changes in weather.
Online |
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Complete the Ice Candle Form to purchase online. Online orders open on November 4, 2024 and close on December 6, 2024. |
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In person |
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You can buy your ice candles in person at City Hall, Monday to Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Orders close on December 6, 2024. |
By mail |
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You can mail in your ice candle order form to: City Hall Please make your cheque payable to the City of Kenora. Order must be received by December 6, 2024. |
Ice candle options
View ice candle fees and types.
| Type | Fee | Description |
| Pick-up | $8.00 | You pick-up the ice candle at the Cemetery on a specified date. The wax candle included. |
| Place and light | $10.00 | Your ice candle is placed and lit by City staff and volunteers. The wax candle included. |
| Adopt a veteran's grave | $10.00 |
Your ice candle is placed and lit at one of our World War I or World War II veterans' graves. $2 from the purchase of each ice candle is donated to the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #12 Kenora. |
Festival of lights
This celebration starts on Christmas Eve with a dedication ceremony and caroling, followed by lighting of the candles.
- over 3,000 candles are made each year
- fundraising for parks beautification
- a local tradition for over 25 years
- 299 Veteran Grave candles were sold in 2023, 373 in 2022, and 461 in 2021.
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