High River Christmas

Santa and reindeer atop red banner

37th 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 37th annual parade.

 

Volunteer

Watch the parade from the best seats on the route by volunteering!

SIGN UP or email info@highriverchristmas.ca.

December 01, 2023

The fun begins in:

Santa and reindeer in Christmas tree

The theme for 2023 is

Celebrating Moms!

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

Volunteers Needed!

Parade Night • Friday Dec 01, 2023

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.

Find Us On Social

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

click on map to expand

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 October and November 2023. 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.

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 01, 2023
6:00pm

Lights in the park will be on each evening

from 4:30pm - 11:00pm until mid January 2024

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 18, 2023.

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 - 29, 2023

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 throughout December. 

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

December 1 - 17, 2023

Find Your Favourites

Grab your online participant map or download the participant PDF map (coming soon) 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 1 - 17, 2023

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 17, 2023. 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

Travis Sandor & Kim Kurta
Rockin' Christmas Wonderland 2.0

Participants' Draw

Cheryl & Ron Kendall
Winter Wonderland

Voters' Draw

Ezra Lefthand

Top Votes: Business

Sheppard Family Park
Wishing you an old fashioned Christmas!

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 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 01, 2023

Saturdays & Sundays 11:00am - 3:00pm
December 02 - December 23, 2023

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 2023 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 01: 2:00pm - 9:00pm
Saturday, December 02: 10:00am - 4:00pm

Entry fee: Adults $5, Seniors and under 16 free

Vendor applications closed for 2023.

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 01: 5:00pm - 9:00pm

The One World Market offers handmade items, restored jewelry, Zatoun Olive Oil, and more.

Monday - Thursday: December 01 - 22, 2023

  • 9:30am-12:30pm during office hours
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, 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 01: 10am - 9pm
Saturday, December 02: 10am - 7pm

Nativity Scene
Small town main street in winter

Event Calendar

Please contact info@highriverchristmas.ca with holiday events and volunteering opportunities to include on the website.

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Pickup Truck With Christmas Tree

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 26: Bring in displays (Thursday)
Oct 27: Prep for set up (Friday)
Oct 28: Set up displays and skating rink (Saturday)
Nov 02: Decorate tall trees at entrance (Thursday) - 8am

  • We encourage you to SIGN UP HERE so we can keep you updated with details.
  • We start at 8:45am on Oct 26, 9:30am on Oct 27-28, and 8:00am on Nov 2
  • 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:

  • 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.

2023 Kettles will be out in November.

We are looking for volunteers for our Christmas Kettle Campaign. 

More information coming.

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