A beloved holiday tradition is once again brightening Queen Street West in Hastings, as Christmas on Queen returns with a synchronized light and music display that continues to bring the community together.
The display is created by Brian Dainard, who has spent years building and expanding the show after being inspired by a similar display he saw online.
Since then, his holiday setups that include Halloween, Remembrance Day, and Christmas displays have grown in size and popularity.
The Christmas display features animated lights synchronized to music, which visitors can listen to by tuning their car radios to 103.5 FM, allowing families to enjoy the show from the warmth of their vehicles. Dainard says the setup requires weeks of work, much of it done during evenings after his regular workday.
In addition to spreading holiday cheer, Christmas on Queen has become a significant fundraiser. While Dainard stresses that donations are entirely optional, he places a donation box on-site and forwards all proceeds to charity.
Since he began collecting donations, more than $28,000 has been raised, supporting causes such as the Trent Hills Angel Tree early in December and SickKids Hospital later in the month.
Christmas on Queen is located at 21 Queen Street West in Hastings. The display runs evenings throughout the holiday season, typically from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. on weekdays, with extended hours on weekends. The tradition continues to grow each year, combining holiday spirit, generosity, and community connection.
(Written by: Joseph Goden)
