It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas in Edmonton! Get ready for twinkling lights, festive parades, and plenty of holiday cheer as communities throughout Edmonton and the surrounding area celebrate the season. From dazzling tree-lighting ceremonies and colourful Christmas displays to Santa sightings and FREE family fun, there are so many ways to make magical memories together! Bundle up, grab a hot chocolate, and discover all the festive fun in our Ultimate Guide to Holiday Light-Ups & Santa Parades!
Keep checking back as we add more festive events to our 2026 Holiday Light-Ups & Santa Parades Guide. 🎄✨
Lights in the Park
Greenland Garden Centre Lights in the Park returns for the 2026 season, transforming the botanical garden into a magical Christmas display inspired by the movie Elf, complete with twinkling lights, narwhals, and polar bears! Well-behaved dogs on leashes are welcome, and a food truck will be on site.
Date: November 6 – December 23, 2026
Time: Tuesday to Saturday | 5 – 9 PM, last entry 8:30 PM
Venue: Greenland Garden Centre, Sherwood Park
Crossroads Business Association Light Up the Night Festival
Get into the holiday spirit at the Crossroads BIA Light Up The Night Festival! Bring the family to Edmonton’s Inglewood neighbourhood for a festive evening featuring horse-drawn wagon rides, kids’ activities, live music, a winter night market, and more!
Date: Friday, November 13, 2026
Time: 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Venue: Percy Page Centre | 11759 Groat Rd NW, Edmonton
All is Bright Winter Festival
Welcome the start of the holiday season with the FREE, family-friendly All Is Bright Festival on 124 Street! This two-day celebration features ice carving throughout the neighbourhood, dazzling light displays, live entertainment, and interactive experiences for all ages.
Date: November 13 & 14, 2026
Time: 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Venue: 124th Street between 107th Avenue and 109th Avenue, Edmonton
Strathcona County Celebration of Lights
Be there as Festival Place in Sherwood Park gets lit up for the holiday season! This FREE event is packed with holiday magic, including a winter carnival, wagon rides with Santa and Mrs. Claus, campfire cooking, cookie decorating kits, festive crafts, face painting, hot chocolate, letters to Santa, and more!!
Date: Saturday, November 21, 2026
Time: 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Venue: Festival Place, Sherwood Park
Light Up in Central Park Spruce Grove
Celebrate the holiday season as Spruce Grove’s Central Park transforms into a sparkling wonderland of Christmas lights! Full details are still to come, but previous years have included FREE hot chocolate, treats, crafts, and festive family activities!
Date: Saturday, November 28, 2026
Time: 3:00 PM – 6:30 PM
Venue: Central Park, Spruce Grove
Downtown Winterval
Downtown Winterval on historic 104 Street will feature a full range of deals, giveaways, FREE activities like live music, street hockey, glowing art installations, ice-carving lessons, photos with Santa, maple taffy, street performers, and more!
Date: Saturday, November 21, 2026
Time: 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Venue: 104 Street Block | 104 Street, North of Jasper Avenue, Edmonton
St. Albert Snowflake Festival
Kick off the Christmas season in style with this FREE family event that includes rides on the Polar Express mini train, sleigh and wagon rides, street hockey, a petting zoo, craft stations, food trucks, and the chance to meet surprise guests, including Santa! They will also offer a sensory-friendly Inclusion Experience!
Date: Friday, November 27, 2026
Time: 5:30 PM – 9:00 PM
Venue: Perron District, Downtown St. Albert
Lights Up! Fort Saskatchewan
Enjoy the light displays and fire dancers, listen to a special reading of ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas, visit the holiday petting zoo, snack on delicious cookies and hot chocolate, meet roaming characters, and get your photo with Santa Claus!
Date: Friday, November 27, 2026
Time: 5:15 PM – 7:30 PM
Venue: Fort Saskatchewan City Hall
Lighting Up Ada Boulevard
Bundle up and celebrate the start of the holiday season with Concordia University of Edmonton! Enjoy an afternoon and evening of festive fun as both the Main Campus and Magrath Campus light up for Christmas. Families can look forward to carolling, holiday crafts, hot chocolate, and a visit from the Coca-Cola Holiday Caravan!
Date: Saturday, November 28, 2026
Time: 3:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Venue: Concordia University of Edmonton Main Campus and Magrath Campus
Winter Whyte Light Up in Old Strathcona
This FREE, family-friendly celebration features light displays, live entertainment, ice carving, roving performers, and festive activities throughout the neighbourhood. Enjoy local vendors, indoor family fun, and possible rides aboard the beautifully decorated Christmas Streetcar (weather permitting).
Date: Saturday, November 28, 2026
Time: 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Venue: McIntyre Park, Edmonton
Devon Merry & Bright Festival
Celebrate the holiday season with this FREE, family-friendly event, including visits with Santa and the Grinch, horse-drawn sleigh rides, a petting zoo, marshmallow roasting, live entertainment, holiday crafts, and more! Enjoy train and antique fire truck rides, maple taffy, and cozy campfire storytelling while making magical holiday memories together.
Date: Saturday, November 28, 2026
Time: 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Venue: Across from Devon Public Library
Light Up the Legislature Ceremony
The official Light Up the Legislature ceremony will take place on Tuesday, December 1, 2026, and everyone is invited to be part of the incredible time-honoured tradition. Come early for festive fun at the Visitor Centre, including live music performances, family activities, and hot chocolate (by donation), then be outside at 6:30 pm when the switch will flip on the spectacular display and BIG Christmas tree!
Date: Tuesday, December 1, 2026
Time: 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Venue: Violet King Henry Plaza, Edmonton
Kingsway District Holiday Parade
Brighten your holiday season with the Kingsway District Holiday Parade! The parade will make its way from the Superstore intersection and travel east to Kingsway Mall, with many viewing areas to sit safely bundled up with the family. Afterwards, be sure to make your way to the mall to warm up and visit with the big man himself – Santa!
Date: Saturday, November 21, 2026
Time: Starts at 5:30 PM
Venue: Kingsway Avenue Service Road, Edmonton
Leduc Santa Claus Parade
Get ready for a festive celebration! Santa Claus is coming to town for the Leduc Santa Claus Parade on Sunday, November 22, 2026! The Downtown District welcomes everyone to join the excitement, with free hot chocolate, popcorn, and plenty of holiday cheer.
Date: November 22, 2026
Time: 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Venue: Downtown Leduc
Morinville Lite Up the Nite Christmas Festival & Parade
The Town of Morinville is celebrating its annual Lite Up the Nite Festival! Kick off the weekend with a FREE holiday dance party (tickets required), followed by Saturday’s festive fun featuring Santa visits, crafts, live entertainment, a Christmas parade, park light-up, and fireworks! Wrap up the celebrations on Sunday with snowflake-themed activities and FREE family skating.
Dates: November 27–29, 2026
Venue: Various locations, Morinville
Fort Saskatchewan Santa Claus Parade
The Fort Saskatchewan Santa Claus Parade is back, winding through the downtown streets with exuberant marching bands, beautifully decorated floats, and Santa riding aboard his magical sleigh!
Date: Saturday, December 5, 2026
Time: Starts at 4:30 PM
Venue: Traditional parade route through Downtown Fort Saskatchewan, starting at the corner of 101 Avenue and 101 Street
🎅 Looking for more Family Fun this holiday season? Don’t miss
our guide to the Best Christmas Events in Edmonton! 🎄
