Yuletide spirit flourishes at Toronto's Allan Gardens and Centennial Park Christmas flower shows

City of Toronto Media Relations has issued the following:

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News Release:  December 4, 2014

Yuletide spirit flourishes at Toronto's Allan Gardens and Centennial Park Christmas flower shows

The annual Christmas flower shows at Allan Gardens and Centennial Park Conservatories are a long-standing tradition, marking the start of the holiday season for many Torontonians and visitors. Both shows open Sunday, December 7 and run until January 11.

The shows will operate daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. except on the grand opening event and candlelight dates outlined below. 

The shows feature many new varieties of poinsettias, with about 40 different types on display.

Allan Gardens Conservatory's grand opening event will take place on Sunday, December 7 from noon to 7 p.m., and includes Victorian carollers, cookies and hot apple cider, children's activities and horse-and-carriage rides. Allan Gardens Conservatory is located at 19 Horticultural Ave. More information is available by calling 416-392-7288.

Centennial Park Conservatory's opening event will take place one week after the show opens on Sunday, December 14 from noon to 7 p.m., and includes Victorian carollers, hot apple cider, horse-and-carriage rides and chestnuts roasting over an open fire. A family carol sing will take place at 4 p.m. Centennial Park Conservatory is located at 151 Elmcrest Rd. More information is available by calling 416-394-8543.

The two conservatories will extend hours until 7 p.m. to enable visitors to enjoy the floral displays by the warm, festive glow of candlelight on the following dates:

Allan Gardens - December 13, 14, 20, 21, 27 and 28 Centennial Park - December 20, 21, 27 and 28

Admission to the conservatories is free. Donations to the food bank are welcome.

More information is available at http://www.toronto.ca/parks/conservatories/.

This news release is also available on the City's website: http://bit.ly/1w3MTRb

Toronto is Canada's largest city, the fourth largest in North America, and home to a diverse population of about 2.8 million people. It is a global centre for business, finance, arts and culture and is consistently ranked one of the world's most livable cities. Toronto is proud to be the Host City for the 2015 Pan American and Parapan American Games. For information on non-emergency City services and programs, Toronto residents, businesses and visitors can visit http://www.toronto.ca, call 311, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, or follow us @TorontoComms.

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Media contact: Parks, Forestry and Recreation media line, 416-560-8726, pfrmedialine@toronto.ca