10 Edmonton Holiday Light Up Festivals to Discover | 2017

Here’s your guide to Edmonton Holiday Light Up Festivals

‘Tis the season! We’re past Halloween and entering the time when the chill in the air brings the excitement of the holidays with it. We’re lucky to have multiple holiday light up displays in Edmonton, and outside of the city. With multiple occasions to see Santa, celebrate and see those gorgeous twinkling lights – you’re going to want to mark a few of these on your calendar.

Stony Plain Christmas Light Up: November 16, 2017

Downtown comes alive with the lighting of the Town’s holiday lights, including the beautiful Christmas tree set in the centre of 50 Street, as carolers sing traditional Christmas songs and Santa Claus makes his first appearance of the season.

Residents stay warm by sipping on hot chocolate and feasting on hotdogs or burgers prepared by the Stony Plain Kinsmen Club.

New this year is a Christmas Treat and Treasure Hunt along with a Christmas Decorating Contest. Downtown Businesses are signing up to provide festival goers with either a treat or treasure. All you have to do is download the Treat and Treasure Hunt Map (COMING SOON), cut it out of the Stony Plain Reporter in the November 10^thedition, or pick one up at the event. Residents will explore our downtown businesses while collecting their treats and treasure. Businesses are also encouraged to decorate the outside of their store fronts.

Don’t forget to visit Santa Claus in the Community Centre (5008 51 Avenue) after the lighting of the Christmas tree!

Residents are encouraged to bring a toy or a non-perishable food item for the Kinsmen Club’s Christmas Hamper Program.

Celebration of Lights: November 18, 2017

On Saturday, November 18 the Community Centre will be transformed into a winter wonderland with FREE family activities as part of Celebration of Lights, Strathcona County’s kickoff to the holiday season and another event celebrating Canada’s 150th anniversary of Confederation.

The festivities take place from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. and include pictures with Santa.

At 5 p.m. the community countdown will begin and the magic of the season will come alive with the lighting of a digital tree and decorations outside the Community Centre.

Snowflake Festival Light Up: November 24, 2017

Join us in the heart of downtown St. Albert, the Perron District, to welcome the beginning of the Christmas season with our annual Snowflake Festival. As we light up the Perron District with the warm glow of Christmas lights, you and your family can admire the live ice sculpture display, take a ride in a horse’s drawn wagon, mingle at the petting zoo, and soak in other unique entertainment and displays in this winter wonderland.

Santa and his elves will be waiting in Santa’s Village to greet the children of our community and spread Christmas cheer. You can even get a head start on your Christmas shopping while sipping hot cocoa or coffee. You’ll be so warm with joy you’ll forget winter is here.

Brighten up Beaumont: November 24, 2017

Kick-off the holiday season with Beaumont’s annual Christmas event! Santa Claus and a few of his reindeer will drop by to visit along with various other activities.

Join us from 6-9pm in the High School atrium and outside in Four Seasons Park and drink hot chocolate, decorate cookies, get pictures with Santa, visit with Mrs. Claus, ride the sleighs through the park and warm up by the fire. Fireworks over Don Sparrow Lake will cap off this festive event at 9pm.

All is Bright Festival: November 25, 2017

On November 25th from 4:00pm-8:00pm, the 124 Street Area is inviting you to celebrate the coming of the winter season at the annual ‘All is Bright’ winter festival. The main festival site is located on 124 Street between 102 Ave and Jasper Ave, with some activation and entertainment extending north on 124 Street to 108 Ave. The “Light Up Procession” begins making its way to the stage at 4:00pm for the official ‘Light Up the Night Ceremony’ which will take place at 5:00pm.

Lose yourself in the sizzle of fire and light dancers, bask in the warmth of the Beverage Gardens, warm up your vocals with some caroling, try your hand at axe throwing or the buck saw, get swept away with a segway ride, catch a puppet show or get cozy making s’mores around the fire. With indoor and outdoor live music, a children’s activity area, food trucks, street performers, patio parties, photos with Santa, sleigh rides, ornament making, and so much more…this festival is ice-packed full of activities that are sure to light up your winter spirit. You don’t want to miss this scorcher of a street party in one of Edmonton’s coolest neighbourhoods.

Light up Fort Saskatchewan: November 25, 2017

For over a decade now it has become an annual tradition to bring in the holiday season and festive spirit with the Light’s Up ceremony in downtown Fort Saskatchewan.

This is a celebration of the season and a sort of an official kickoff for the City as they will light up the huge Christmas Tree just outside City Hall. This event has always been an undertaking and chance for the Fort Sask Downtown Business council to highlight the magnificence of the downtown core and a chance to celebrate the season with the community. This event has since become a co-operative effort by the DBC and the City making it a real festive treat.

Christmas in Central Park: November 25, 2017

Residents are invited to bundle up and enjoy an afternoon of fun and the official “light up” of Spruce Grove’s Christmas lights during the City’s annual Christmas in Central Park event. Crafts, wagon rides, public skating, a visit from Santa and fireworks are all part of the festivities.

There is no charge to attend the event. However, non-perishable donations to the Kinette Club’s  Christmas hamper program are encouraged.

Celebrate the Season Christmas Light up: December 7, 2017

Every year, the Alberta Legislature lights it up (literally) and celebrates the Season. You can walk around the lit up grounds, skate in the park or listen to the choir caroling in the rotunda. Thousands of lights provide the perfect backdrop for magical holiday moments. The centrepiece is a giant Christmas tree, decorated with over 5,000 lights of its own. The Legislature Light-Up takes place on December 1, followed by Celebrate the Season at the Alberta Legislature which runs from December 2-23.

Bright Lights Festival: December 16, 2017

Fun, free family event for the whole family. Come enjoy the sights & sounds of the season, complete with music, food, horse-drawn wagon rides, crafts, etc. Great fun for all ages! A light supper & snacks will be served throughout the event.