High River Christmas
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!
December 02, 2022
The fun begins in:
The theme for 2022 is
Together for the Holidays
Event Highlights
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. (printable parade route pdf or the online parade route.)
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.
Thank You! to Our Volunteers
Setting up lights, lights, displays, and the pop up skating rink took place November 2022. Thanks to volunteers contributing over hundreds of hours of their time over the the month (and many more to prepare), the lights are ready to sparkle and shine for everyone to enjoy.
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
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.
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
Light Up High River Timeline
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.
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
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 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: 2:00pm - 9:00pm
Saturday, December 03: 10:00am - 4:00pm
Vendor applications are closed.
One World Market
High River United Church
High River United Church is hosting an ongoing One World Market. There will be handmade items, restored jewelry, Zatoun Olive Oil, silent auction and more.
Monday - Thursday: November 29 - December 21, 2022
- 9:30am-12:30pm during office hours
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 02: 5:00pm - 9:00pm
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
Event Calendar
Please contact with holiday events and volunteering opportunities to include on the website.
Events for January
1
New Year’s Day Celebration | CelebrationExpired
Light Up George Lane ParkExpired
Festival of TreesExpired
Cayley Christmas Dinosaur DisplayExpired
Events for January
2
Light Up George Lane ParkExpired
Festival of TreesExpired
Cayley Christmas Dinosaur DisplayExpired
Events for January
3
Light Up George Lane ParkExpired
Festival of TreesExpired
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Light Up George Lane ParkExpired
Festival of TreesExpired
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Light Up George Lane ParkExpired
Festival of TreesExpired
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Light Up George Lane ParkExpired
Festival of TreesExpired
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Light Up George Lane ParkExpired
Festival of TreesExpired
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Light Up George Lane ParkExpired
Festival of TreesExpired
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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)