High River Christmas

High River Santa Claus Parade Logo

36th 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 36th annual parade. Experience it from the inside!

 

Register your parade entry by Monday, November 28, 2022.

December 02, 2022

The fun begins in:

Santa and reindeer in Christmas tree

The theme for 2022 is

Together for the Holidays

Event Highlights

5:00pm - Entertainment begins

5:30pm - Lions Hot Chocolate & Hot Dogs

6:00pm - Light Up George Lane Park

6:30pm- Santa Claus Parade!

Markets, creches, shopping and more!

3 Elves in Christmas tree

Find Us On Social

Where Christmas Begins

Parade Route

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. (Parade route pdf)

click to view

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!

Parade Night • Friday Dec 2, 2022

We are looking for a few extra elves on parade night to oversee some fire pits until the parade is done. Email .

Winter village in the pine forest

3 - 2 - 1, Lights!

The full set of lights and displays in the park will be officially switched on

December 02, 2022
6:00pm

Lights in the park will be on each evening

from 4:30pm - 11:30pm until mid January 2023

Polar bear skating while snow falls

Skating

Each holiday season brings the excitement of seeing favourite light displays along with discovering new ones. 

The outdoor pop-up skating rink in the park's NW corner is the newest addition holiday activities bound to become a tradition too - weather co-operating.

The continued support of sponsors and volunteers keeps the park fresh and glowing along with spreading cheer around town.

Be A Sponsor

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 19, 2022

Prizes Surprises

Top Votes: Residents

Bragging rights until next Christmas
Trophy (not as shown)
Other prizes surprises

Top Votes: Business

Bragging rights until next Christmas
Trophy (not as shown)
Other prizes surprises

Reindeer-Wrapped-Lights

Participants' Draw

A lucky winner is chosen from all resident and business entrants

Eligible Voters' Draw

A lucky winner is chosen from all voters who wish to be part of the draw

Light Up High River Timeline

November 12 - 30, 2022

Register

Register for Light Up High River and your home or business will be added to the map and list of entrants for people to view. Feel free to enter even if you plan to decorate after December 2nd. 

Share your favourite "must see" decorations as a Reindeer Recommendation too.

December 2 - 18, 2022

Find Your Favourites

Grab your online participant map or download the PDF to print.  Head out with the family to take in the lights around town. There is plenty of time to vote. Multiple outings extends the holiday cheer!

December 2 - 18, 2022

Vote

Once you have your selections in mind, head over to the voting form. One vote per person. Update your scores by submitting the voting form again until December 18, 2022. Only your LAST entry will be counted in the final results.

Light Up High River Winners • 2022

Winners Announced December 19, 2022.

Thank you to all our participants, viewers and voters for making Light Up High River 2022 such a bright spot in our holiday season.

Top Votes: Residents

TBD

Participants' Draw

TBD

Voters' Draw

TBD

Top Votes: Business

TBD

3 geometrical snowflakes in candy cane red

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 while he tinkers away on toys and such. Keep on the watch for elves popping in and out from the North Pole. Schedule by donation for your family to see Santa in his workshop with the Museum of the Highwood.

After the Santa Claus Parade
December 02, 2022

Saturdays & Sundays 11:00am - 3:00pm
December 03 - December 18, 2022

Two happy elves holding present

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.

Inclusion Foothills Winter Market

High River Winter Market

Inclusion Foothills

The annual 2022 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 02: 2pm - 9pm
Saturday, December 03: 10am - 4pm

Vendor applications now being accepted.

One World Market

High River United Church

High River United Church is hosting an ongoing One World Market. Jewells are now available. The book table is expanded. More items will be added over the coming weeks with handmade goods, soaps, Mexican vanilla, etc.  Small silent auction as well. This will be much smaller than our usual Christmas market, but much of what you love will be available.

Monday - Friday: Starting late November 2022

  • 8:30am-12pm (closed for lunch)
  • 1:00pm-4:00pm
Gift Shop
Sheep-At-Night

Cowboy Christmas Market

High River Agricultural Society

The High River Ag Society won't be holding their Cowboy Christmas Market for 2022.

High River Nativity

Each year members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints hosts a creche display with nativities from the community.

Friday, December 02: 10am - 9pm
Saturday, December 03: 10am - 7pm

Nativity Scene
Small town main street in winter

Event Calendar

Please contact with holiday events and volunteering opportunities to include on the website.

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5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Santa Skate

Bob Snodgrass Recreation Complex
Pickup Truck With Christmas Tree

Volunteer Opportunities

Please contact with holiday events to include on the website.

We need help to spread the Christmas spirit for kids of all ages during the Santa Claus Parade. 

To help tend fire pits, please email .

To help with other parade positions, sign up as a parade volunteer (bottom of page)

Please email Kaylee D'Andrea directly at with any questions.

Each Year it takes an army of amazing volunteers to get our Hampers packed and delivered. We are looking for volunteers to sort and pack hampers and/or deliver hampers to homes.

Hamper Delivery

Sign up form to deliver hampers

Delivery of Christmas Hampers will run December 15th and 16th, 2022 with 3 shifts available each day.

Anyone with a valid Drivers' License and reliable vehicle with current insurance and registration can volunteer!
We deeply appreciate your gift of time...

Hamper pick up Location: 117 2 Ave SE, High River

**Each delivery driver must sign a confidentially form before doing any deliveries

Sorters & Packers

Sign up form to sort and pack hampers

Sorting and packing of toys will run from Dec 5th-16th 2022 with 2 shifts available per day.

We will be scheduling three evening shifts for anyone who would like to help, December 6, 8 and 13, 2022.

  • Anyone from 16 yrs old and above can volunteer!
  • Anyone between 13-15, could come and help too as long as they are supervised by their parent/s.
  • If you are a student and need to fulfill community hours, please specify this on your application and we will sign this off for you!

We deeply appreciate your gift of time.

Hamper preparation location: 117 2 Ave SE, High River

We are looking for volunteers for our Christmas Kettle Campaign. 

Contact our Kettle Coordinator, Shakera at 403-336-0994 to volunteer.

We will be finishing the light displays and set up on Saturday, November 12, 2022

  • We start at 9:30am
  • 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
  • Sign up is suggested at https://bit.ly/LightUpGLP2022SetUp (middle of page)
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