High River Christmas
39th Annual Santa Claus Parade
The High River Santa Claus Parade is a tradition for many families to begin their Christmas season. We look forward to coming together again to celebrate a magical evening of lights, music, and activity for our 39th annual parade.
December 06, 2024
The fun begins in:
The theme for 2024 is
Celebrating Santa's Helpers
Event Highlights
Find Us On Social
Volunteers Needed!
Parade Night • Friday Dec 06, 2024
We are looking for some elves on parade night to oversee some fire pits, monitor barricades, and marshal floats. SIGN UP HERE or email info@highriverchristmas.ca if you have any questions.
Where Christmas Begins
Parade Route 2023
The Santa Claus Parade winds it's way through downtown High River with a number of activities and places to warm up along the route. There's also a printable parade route pdf and interactive online parade route (included below as well).
Map updated: 2023-11-30
Light Up George Lane Park
The much anticipated tradition of driving or walking through George Lane Park to see the lights dates back to 2013. Organizations, residents and businesses came together to brighten up a dreary post-flood downtown High River with Christmas lights for the Santa Claus Parade.
Inspired by brilliant light displays in other towns across North America, a grant was submitted and received in 2014 for displays, power cords, contractors, etc. Light Up George Lane Park was ignited.
Volunteers Needed!
October 30 & November 8-9, 2024
Setting up lights, lights, displays, and the pop up skating rink in George Lane Park is scheduled for October 30 and November 7-8, 2024 - weather depending. Come out and help get the lights ready to sparkle and shine for everyone to enjoy. Updates will be posted here and on Facebook.
- Oct 30 - 9:00am: Decorate tall trees (Wednesday)
- Nov 8 - 9:00am: Prep for set up (Friday)
- Nov 9 - 9:00am: Set up displays and skating rink (Saturday)
Everyone is welcome! We encourage people to SIGN UP HERE so we can keep you updated by email.
3 - 2 - 1, Lights!
The full set of lights and displays in the park will be officially switched on
December 06, 2024
6:00pm
Lights in the park will be on each evening
from 4:30pm - 11:00pm until mid January 2024
Skating
Each holiday season brings the excitement of seeing favourite light displays along with discovering new ones.
Skating at the outdoor pop-up skating rink in the park's NW corner continues to be a favourite holiday activity. Many youngsters - of all ages - have taken their first glides there. Skating begins as soon as the weather is cold enough for the ice to stick around.
The continued support of sponsors and volunteers keeps the park fresh and glowing along with spreading cheer around town.
Light Up High River
If George Lane Park full of lights could create such joy, imagine what the whole of High River dressed up might cause!
That was the spark behind this friendly town-wide contest to determine the favourite display of the season. Everyone is welcome to participate and share their love of Christmas and the holiday season. No decoration or string of lights is too small.
Home-based businesses are welcome to enter. We suggest selecting either the resident or business category.
Winners announced December 23, 2024.
Prizes Surprises
Light Up High River Timeline
Light Up High River Winners • 2023
Winners Announced December 18, 2023.
Thank you to all our participants, viewers and voters for making Light Up High River 2023 such a bright spot in our holiday season.
Visit With Santa
Santa has a special spot in his heart for High River and rearranged his schedule with the elves to have as much time as possible visiting with children.
Santa At The Museum
The Museum was chosen as a special workshop for Santa. Children can chat with the jolly old fellow at their own special time. Keep on the watch for elves popping in and out from the North Pole. Drop by the museum or call during open hours to book your time slot. Non-perishable donations for the Salvation Army food bank gratefully accepted. Museum of the Highwood.
After the Santa Claus Parade
December 06, 2024
Saturdays & Sundays 11:00am - 3:00pm
December 07 - December 22, 2024
Markets
Markets have become part of the traditions of the holiday season in High River. Talented crafters and makers offer shoppers a wide range of gifts with the personal touch to choose from.
High River Winter Market
Inclusion Foothills
The annual 2024 Winter Market hosted by Inclusion Foothills will be held at the Highwood Memorial Centre once again. This is a showcase for incredible local vendors and artisans
Friday, December 06: 2:00pm - 9:00pm
Saturday, December 07: 10:00am - 4:00pm
Entry fee: Adults $5, Seniors and under 16 free
Vendor applications are being accepted for 2024.
Gift of Hope Market
High River United Church
The Gift of Hope Market will be open on Parade night. Drop in for hot chocolate and a children's activity. The Highwood Ringers bell choir will perform immediately after the parade.
- Friday, December 06: 5:00pm - 9:00pm
The One World Market offers handmade items, restored jewelry, Zatoun Olive Oil, and more.
Monday - Thursday: December 01 - 22, 2024
- 9:30am-12:30pm during office hours
Cowboy Christmas Market
High River Agricultural Society
The High River Ag Society won't be holding their Cowboy Christmas Market for 2023.
High River Nativity
Each year, as a gift to the community, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints hosts a creche display with nativities.
One in Christ:Peace on Earth
Friday, December 06: 10am - 9pm
Saturday, December 07: 10am - 7pm
Event Calendar
Please contact info@highriverchristmas.ca with holiday events and volunteering opportunities to include on the website.
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Volunteer Opportunities
Please contact info@highriverchristmas.ca with holiday events to include on the website.
To volunteer for the parade, please SIGN UP HERE for one of the various roles.
We will be setting up the light displays in George Lane Park:
Oct 30: Decorate tall tress (Wednesday)
Nov 8: Prep for set up (Friday)
Nov 9: Set up displays (Saturday)
- We encourage you to SIGN UP HERE so we can keep you updated with details.
- We start at 9:00am
- Meet at the south parking area
- Dress for the weather
- We hope to be finished by 1pm. The more volunteers we have, the sooner we will be done
- Come out for an hour or two if that's what your schedule allows
We need help to spread the Christmas spirit for kids of all ages during the Santa Claus Parade.
Positions include:
- Poster delivery
- Candy delivery
- Fire pit management
- Barricade management
- Christmas Ambassadors
Please SIGN UP HERE for one of the various roles we have for parade volunteers.
Contact info@highriverchristmas.ca with questions.
The Salvation Army 2024 Kettles will be out in November.
They are looking for volunteers for our Christmas Kettle Campaign.
More information coming.