Christmas in the Coulee Offers Thousands of Lights, Train Rides, and a Journey Through Alberta’s Coal Past

In the heart of Alberta’s Drumheller Valley, where the stars shine undisturbed by city lights, a historic coal mine is once again lighting up the winter season, this time, with over 40,000 Christmas lights.

Credit: Atlas Coal Mine National Historic Site

Christmas in the Coulee returns to the Atlas Coal Mine National Historic Site, offering visitors a festive experience set against the backdrop of Alberta’s Badlands and one of the darkest night skies in the province.

The 12-acre site will be transformed with twinkling lights, seasonal treats, children’s activities, live music, train rides, and a visit from Santa.

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Across the river, the East Coulee School Museum will be glowing with candlelight and welcoming guests with crafts and more music. The event aims to blend holiday cheer with local history, providing a rural celebration unlike any other.

Credit: Atlas Coal Mine National Historic Site

The Atlas Coal Mine, operated by the Atlas Coal Mine Historical Society, is the last standing coal mine of the 139 that once filled the Drumheller Valley. Established in the 1930s, the mine ceased operations in 1979 following the downturn of the coal industry after the 1948 Leduc oil strike. It was later recognized as an Alberta Provincial Historic Resource in 1989 and a National Historic Site of Canada in 2002.

The site is known for its preserved surface structures, including Canada’s last wooden coal tipple, and offers unique underground and train tours.