Grand Illumination is an outdoor ceremony involving the simultaneous activation of Christmas lights. A ceremony is an activity, infused with ritual significance, performed on a certain occasion. ... Section of a string of Christmas lights Christmas lights (also sometimes called fairy lights or twinkle lights) are strands of electric lights used to decorate homes and Christmas trees during the holiday season. ...

One of the older of such community events began in the restored Virginia capital city of Colonial Williamsburg in 1935, and is held there each year on the first Sunday of December. Williamsburg's Grand Illumination is derived from a colonial (and English) tradition of placing lighted candles in the windows of homes and public buildings to celebrate a special event. The winning of a war and birthdays of the reigning monarchs (King and/or Queen) were examples of such national events. The American tradition of fireworks displays for Independence Day, the English tradition surrounding Bonfire Night, as well as other holidays and events is of a similar nature. State nickname: Old Dominion Other U.S. States Capital Richmond Largest city Virginia Beach Governor Mark R. Warner (D) Tim Kaine (D-Governor Elect) Senators John Warner (R) George Allen (R) Official language(s) English Area 110,862 km² (35th)  - Land 102,642 km²  - Water 8,220 km² (7. ... View of Duke of Gloucester Street Colonial Williamsburg is the historic district of the independent city of Williamsburg, Virginia. ... Williamsburg is a city located on the Virginia Peninsula in the Hampton Roads area of Virginia. ... The 1609 charter for the Virginia colony from sea to sea The Virginia Colony refers to the English colony in North America that existed during the 17th and 18th centuries before the American Revolution. ... Look up English in Wiktionary, the free dictionary As an adjective, English refers to anything from or pertaining to England. ... The word tradition, comes from the Latin word traditio which means to hand down or to hand over. ... A lit candle. ... A monarch is a type of ruler or head of state, whose titles and ascent are often inherited, not earned, and who represents a larger monarchical system which has established rules and customs regarding succession, duties, and powers. ... The Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House illuminated under New Years Eve Fireworks 2005 A fireworks event (also called a fireworks display or fireworks show) is a spectacular display of the effects produced by firework devices on various occasions. ... An Independence Day is an annual celebration commemorating the anniversary of a nations assumption of independent statehood, usually after ceasing to be a colony of another state. ... Royal motto (French): Dieu et mon droit (Translated: God and my right) Englands location within the UK Official language English de facto Capital London de facto Largest city London Area - Total Ranked 1st UK 130,395 km² Population - Total (mid-2004) - Density Ranked 1st UK 50. ... Bonfire Night can refer to a number of occasions: St. ...

In recent times, in many cities much larger than Williamsburg, multiple skyscrapers and other buildings are decorated with long mostly-vertical strings of a common theme, and are activated simultaneously in "Grand Illumination" ceremonies. Some communities, such as Norfolk, Virginia and Asheville, North Carolina have Grand Illumination parades. In Chattanooga, Tennessee, a similar event is called the "Grand Illumination On The River." In the UK, the "Grand Illumination" ceremony is generally referred to as "Turning On The Lights", and occurs in virtually all towns and cities throughout the country. Taipei 101, considered the worlds tallest skyscraper. ... Norfolk is a city in the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States of America. ... Asheville City Hall. ... United States Marines on parade. ... City nickname: Scenic City (official), River City, Chatty, ChatTown, Chattavegas Location Location within the U.S. State of Tennessee Government Cities in Tennessee Tennessee Mayor Ron Littlefield Physical characteristics Area      Land      Water 370. ...

Trivia

• In the 1989 comedy film National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, actor Chevy Chase attempts to follow American family Christmas traditions with elaborate Christmas lights and decorations on the exterior of the family home. His comedic attempt at a "Grand Illumination" for a family reunion is one of the high points of the story. The film has become an annual holiday favorite in many families.

National Lampoons Christmas Vacation (1989) is the third in the National Lampoon vacation series of movies. ... Chevy Chase Cornelius Crane Chase, better known as Chevy Chase (born October 8, 1943) is an American comedian, writer and television and film actor from Woodstock, New York. ...

See also

• Christmas tree
• Fourth of July
• Holiday Trail of Lights

A Christmas tree in a German home One of the most popular traditions associated with the celebration of Christmas, the Christmas tree is normally an evergreen conifer tree that is brought in the house or used in the open, and is decorated with Christmas lights and colourful ornaments during the... These fireworks over the Washington Monument are typical of Fourth of July celebrations In the United States, Independence Day, also called the Fourth of July, is a federal holiday celebrating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence in 1776. ... Old Harrison County Courthouse during the Wonderland of Lights in Marshall, Texas The Holiday Trail of Lights is a group of cities in Northwest Louisiana and Northeast Texas. ...

External links and sources

• The 'Grand Illumination' in Williamsburg's Historic District many photos
• Norfolk's Grand Illumination Parade
• Grand Illumination On The River, Chattanooga, Tennessee
• Christmas Lights
• National Electrical Contractors Association A Few Facts About The Origin Of Electric Christmas Lights
• Indoor & Outdoor Christmas Lights
• Bill Nelson's Antique Christmas Lights site