The holiday season in Charlottetown promises an unforgettable experience with the 2026 Charlottetown Christmas Festival.
Discover Charlottetown ·
Charlottetown is preparing for more than six weeks of Christmas celebrations, with festive markets, Santa visits, holiday food, live performances and seasonal activities across the city.
The Charlottetown Christmas Festival runs from November 20, 2026, to January 1, 2027, bringing together everything from the Victorian Christmas Market and annual Christmas parade to holiday concerts, wagon rides and the PEI Hot Chocolate Trail.
Here are the highlights:
Contents:
- Family-Friendly Christmas Activities: Santa breakfasts, Christmas parade, tree lighting, wagon rides and decorated holiday trails.
- Christmas Markets and Shopping: Victorian Christmas Market, Mistletoe Market, craft fairs and local artisans.
- Christmas Food and Drinks: PEI Hot Chocolate Trail, Victorian afternoon tea, festive dining and dinner theatre.
- Christmas Theatre and Concerts: Holiday musicals, country and folk concerts, and seasonal performances.
- Activities for Couples and Friends: Christmas pop-up bars, evening markets, music and festive outings.
- Visitor Information: Festival dates, admission details and official event schedule.
Family-Friendly Christmas Activities in Charlottetown
Wondering what to do with the children this Christmas? Start with breakfast alongside Santa, watch the city’s annual Christmas parade or explore streets decorated with Christmas trees and nutcrackers. Families can also enjoy horse-drawn wagon rides, holiday markets and special Santa visits. With activities spread across several weekends, there’s plenty to choose from without trying to fit everything into one day.
- Breakfast with Santa: Enjoy a holiday breakfast and meet Santa at participating Charlottetown restaurants.
- November 21, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.: Redwater Rustic Grille.
- November 28 and December 5, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.: Water’s Edge.
- December 12, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.: The Gallery Cafe.
- December 19, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.: The Brickhouse Kitchen & Bar.
- Charlottetown Christmas Parade: Saturday, November 28, at 5 p.m., through downtown Charlottetown. A sensory-friendly viewing area is available on Fitzroy Street between Pownal and Rochford streets.
- Charlottetown Christmas Tree Lighting: Friday, November 27, at 6:30 p.m., at the Confederation Centre of the Arts Lou MacEachern Upper Plaza. The celebration includes seasonal entertainment and a candlelight promenade.
- Yuletide Horse & Wagon Rides: November 27 to 29 and selected festival Saturdays. Ride through downtown Charlottetown aboard a horse-drawn wagon. Departures take place from Sydney Street during the Victorian Christmas Market and Victoria Row on other scheduled dates. Tickets are $5 per person, cash only. Children under two ride free.
- Santa Visits at Confederation Court Mall: Selected dates from November 27 to December 20 at Confederation Court Mall, 134 Kent Street. Special sessions include Santa Paws on December 6 from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. and Silent Santa on December 13 from 11 a.m. to noon.
- Pet-Friendly Santa Visits: December 6, 12 and 13, from noon to 4 p.m., at Founders’ Food Hall & Market, 6 Prince Street. Families can bring their pets for a festive Santa visit.
Explore the Christmas Tree and Nutcracker Trails
You don’t need to book a show to enjoy Charlottetown’s holiday decorations. Two seasonal trails give families an opportunity to explore the city at their own pace.
- Christmas Tree Trail: November 20, 2026, to January 1, 2027. This free, self-guided trail takes visitors to decorated Christmas trees at locations including Rochford Square, Charlottetown City Hall, St. Dunstan Basilica, Founders’ Food Hall & Market, Confederation Centre Plaza, Boulder Park and Merchantman Fresh Seafood & Oyster Bar. You can walk or drive between the displays.
- Nutcracker Trail: November 20, 2026, to January 1, 2027. Look for decorative nutcracker figures outside participating downtown businesses while exploring the city.
Christmas Markets, Craft Fairs and Holiday Shopping
If browsing Christmas markets is part of your holiday tradition, Charlottetown has several to explore. You can shop for handmade gifts from Island artisans, find locally produced food or spend an evening wandering between decorated outdoor stalls. The Victorian Christmas Market brings some of the season’s busiest festivities downtown, while smaller markets offer shopping opportunities throughout November and December.
- Victorian Christmas Market: November 27 to 29 along Queen Street, downtown Charlottetown. The 12th annual outdoor market features more than 50 local food and artisan vendors, holiday entertainment, fire pits, carollers, ice sculpting and wagon rides.
- Mistletoe Market: Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from November 20 to December 20 on Victoria Row, Richmond Street. Sixteen decorated shopping huts feature products from Island artisans, along with seasonal food and music.
- PEI Crafts Council Christmas Fair: November 20 to 22 at Port Charlottetown.
- Colonel Gray Christmas Craft Fair: November 27, 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m., and November 28, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., at Colonel Gray High School.
- Holiday Atlantic Maker Market: November 28, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and November 29, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Eastlink Centre, 46 Kensington Road.
- Beaconsfield Holiday Extravaganza: December 4 to 6 at Beaconsfield Historic House, 2 Kent Street. Explore seasonal decorations and activities inspired by Victorian Christmas traditions. Daily hours are to be announced.
- Deck the Hall Holiday Market: Weekends from December 4 to 20 at Founders’ Food Hall & Market, 6 Prince Street. The venue features more than 40 decorated Christmas trees, nutcrackers, holiday lights, live music and scheduled activities, including Santa visits and ice sculpting.
Christmas Food, Hot Chocolate and Festive Dining
Christmas outings are even better when there’s something delicious involved. You could warm up with a specialty hot chocolate, settle in for a Victorian afternoon tea or make an evening of dinner and entertainment. Charlottetown’s seasonal food experiences range from casual market treats to sit-down meals, making it easy to combine holiday shopping or sightseeing with something to eat.
- PEI Hot Chocolate Trail: Weekends from November 14 to December 20 at participating cafés, restaurants and shops across Prince Edward Island. Discover specialty hot chocolate creations at different locations.
- Tea & Tales – A Victorian Christmas Festive Tea: November 28 and December 5, 12 and 19 at 11 a.m., at The Haviland, 2 Haviland Street. The experience combines afternoon tea, festive treats, storytelling and a historic house setting.
- The Feast Dinner Theatre: Selected dates from November 28 through December 19, generally beginning at 6 p.m., at Rodd Charlottetown. The seasonal production combines dinner with live theatre.
- Raspberry Point Oyster Club – Holiday Edition: November 21 at 2 p.m. Check the individual festival listing for the venue, menu and booking information.
- Victorian Christmas Market Food Vendors: November 27 to 29 on Queen Street. Browse seasonal food stalls and enjoy hot drinks while exploring the outdoor market.
- Founders’ Food Hall & Market: 6 Prince Street. Combine a meal with Christmas decorations and the Deck the Hall activities scheduled on weekends from December 4 to 20.
Christmas Theatre, Musicals and Holiday Concerts
Prefer spending a winter evening indoors? Charlottetown’s theatres and music venues have a varied holiday lineup, from Christmas musicals and familiar seasonal favourites to concerts featuring Island performers. You’ll find folk, country, jazz-inspired music and festive theatre throughout November and December. Some shows are suitable for a family outing, while others make for an evening with friends or a date night.
Christmas Musicals and Theatre
- Anne & Gilbert The Musical – The Christmas Special: November 28 and December 5, 12, 19 and 21 at Florence Simmons Performance Hall, 140 Weymouth Street. Shows begin at 7 p.m., with an additional 2 p.m. performance on December 19.
- A Kenny & Dolly Christmas: December 11 and 12 at 6:30 p.m., and December 13 at 11:30 a.m. and 6 p.m., at Trailside Music Hall, 155 Kent Street.
- The Feast Dinner Theatre: Selected dates from November 28 through December 19, generally at 6 p.m., at Rodd Charlottetown.
Christmas Concerts and Live Music
- Celebrating Celine – A New Day: November 27 at 7:30 p.m. at Confederation Centre of the Arts, Charlottetown.
- Dave Gunning & J.P. Cormier Christmas Show: November 30 at 8 p.m. at Trailside Music Hall, 155 Kent Street.
- Ledwell & Haines Present: A Trailside Christmas: December 4 to 6 at 8:30 p.m. at Trailside Music Hall, 155 Kent Street.
- On This Winter’s Night with Tara MacLean and the Bayfield String Quartet: December 9 at 8 p.m. at Trailside Music Hall, 155 Kent Street.
- Luka Hall and Brooke MacArthur – Country Christmas Show: December 10 at 6:30 p.m.
- The Irish Descendants Christmas: December 11 at 7:30 p.m. at Sobeys Family Theatre, 130 Queen Street.
- Christine Campbell & Blake Johnston: December 13 at 6 p.m. at Trailside Music Hall, 155 Kent Street.
- Matt Dusk: A Very Sinatra Christmas: December 17 at 7:30 p.m. at Confederation Centre of the Arts, 130 Queen Street.
- Lennie Gallant’s The Innkeeper’s Christmas: December 19 at 7:30 p.m. at Sobeys Family Theatre, 130 Queen Street.
- Brett Kissel – The Side You’ve Never Seen Holiday Tour: December 19 at 8 p.m. at Eastlink Centre, 46 Kensington Road.
Christmas Activities for Couples and Friends
Planning a festive date night or catching up with friends? Charlottetown has options beyond Christmas shopping. Browse the Mistletoe Market before dinner, enjoy a holiday cocktail or catch a concert at one of the city’s music venues. For something quieter, you could try a Victorian tea experience or stroll through downtown to see the decorated trees and seasonal displays.
- Miracle on Sydney Street: A Christmas-themed pop-up bar at Marc’s Lounge in Charlottetown. The festival calendar lists sessions on selected dates from November through January, many beginning at 5 p.m.
- Mistletoe Market: Friday evenings from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturdays until 8 p.m. on Victoria Row, through December 20.
- Victorian Christmas Market: November 27 and 28 evenings on Queen Street, featuring outdoor shopping, festive food, music and decorations.
- Victorian Christmas Tea: November 28 and December 5, 12 and 19 at 11 a.m. at The Haviland, 2 Haviland Street.
- Live Music at Trailside: Selected evenings throughout November and December at Trailside Music Hall, 155 Kent Street.
- Christmas Festival Hotel Packages: Discover Charlottetown lists accommodation packages for visitors planning an overnight holiday getaway.
Charlottetown Christmas Festival 2026: Trip Planning
What: Organized by Discover Charlottetown in partnership with the City of Charlottetown, the festival offers a variety of enchanting events suitable for all ages, ensuring that the festive spirit is felt throughout the city.
Dates: November 20, 2026, to January 1, 2027
Main Events:
| Dates | Event | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Nov. 20 – Jan. 1 | Charlottetown Christmas Festival | Charlottetown |
| Nov. 14 – Dec. 20, weekends | PEI Hot Chocolate Trail | Participating PEI businesses |
| Nov. 20 – Dec. 20, weekends | Mistletoe Market | Victoria Row |
| Nov. 20 – 22 | PEI Crafts Council Christmas Fair | Port Charlottetown |
| Nov. 27 – 29 | Victorian Christmas Market | Queen Street |
| Nov. 27, 6:30 p.m. | Christmas Tree Lighting | Confederation Centre Plaza |
| Nov. 28, 5 p.m. | Christmas Parade | Downtown Charlottetown |
| Dec. 4 – 6 | Beaconsfield Holiday Extravaganza | Beaconsfield Historic House |
| Dec. 4 – 20, weekends | Deck the Hall Holiday Market | Founders’ Food Hall & Market |
| Various dates | Santa visits, wagon rides, musicals and concerts | Various venues |
| Dec. 30 – 31 | Year-end music and performances | Various venues |
Location: Downtown Charlottetown and participating venues, Prince Edward Island
Admission: Free public activities and separately ticketed events
Discover Charlottetown Christmas Festival