Waterluminate
Uptown Waterloo Light Program
In the fall of 2018, the City of Waterloo implemented LED lighting around street trees located along King Street, between Waterloo Public Square and Bridgeport Road. These lights can be programmed and timed to illuminate Uptown’s central corridor in a broad spectrum of colours to celebrate holidays, festivals and help raise awareness for charities and special causes.
Special illumination for annual holidays, health awareness, internationally recognized dates and other significant occasions will be governed by the City of Waterloo and the Uptown Waterloo Business Improvement Area (BIA). Lighting requests will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis based on the criteria below.
Eligibility
As noted above, in addition to illuminations for annual holidays, internationally recognized signature dates, and other significant occasions in the Uptown Illumination Calendar (see below), special illumination requests from non-denominational, non-political registered charities or not for profit organizations will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Requests for special illuminations should be significant and relevant to the City of Waterloo and/or a cause recognized widely nationally or internationally. All requests will be evaluated based on the above-noted criteria as well as:
- The nature of the cause;
- History and background of the organization, cause or event; and
- How the lighting will be used to benefit the cause or event.
Special colour illumination requests will not be considered for:
- Advertising requests
- Personal occasions (e.g. birthdays, proposals, etc.)
- Religious or political events
Application Process
To apply for special illumination, please email uptownwaterloobia@waterloo.ca. Applications for special illuminations must be received at least 30 days prior to the scheduled event.
Special illumination requests are considered on a case-by-case basis and are issued at the sole discretion of the City of Waterloo and Uptown Waterloo BIA. These requests are not subject to appeals or negotiation. In the event that a request is denied, this should not be interpreted that the City of Waterloo and Uptown Waterloo BIA do not find merit in the request or the importance of the special event/occasion.
All applicants will receive an emailed response stating whether or not the request has been approved within fifteen (15) days of receipt of the request. Details relating to the timing of the special illumination will be confirmed with the applicant at that time.
Please check the yearly programming calendar below before submitting a request.