Edmonton 
There are five Santa Claus Parades, two festive fireworks, and five tree-lighting ceremonies this weekend in Alberta Capital Region.
Credit: Kingsway Mall
Here is a quick run down through the celebrations:
Edmonton – Tree Lighting & Santa Parade
There is no tree lighting ceremony in Churchill Square this year, and the last official Santa Claus Parade in downtown Edmonton took place in conjunction with the Grey Cup Parade in 2018, But, Kingsway Mall and Old Strathcona BIA will be organizing a Santa Claus Parade, and a tree lighting ceremony respectively in the city this weekend.
The Kingsway Holiday Parade will start at 5 p.m. on Saturday, November 26th from the east Airport Road entrance (across from Superstore) and make its way along Kingsway and ends at Kingsway Mall. The best place to watch the parade is along Kingsway starting from the Superstore to the corner of 109 Street, as the parade will be traveling along the South side of the road, heading East towards Kingsway Mall. You can also watch from Airway Park. Santa will be available at Kingsway Mall until Christmas Eve.
Old Strathcona BIA will be lighting up Dr. Wilbert McIntyre Park on Saturday. There will be street performers, demonstrations, roving winter characters, sneak peeks of the Ice on Whyte and Flying Canoe festivals on site, and live entertainment filling the entire block from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
St Albert – Snowflake Festival (Light Up)
Tree lighting at St Albert’s Perron District is scheduled for Friday, November 25th. Snowflake Festival is returning after two years of pandemic-induced hiatus. In addition to meeting Santa, highlights of the festival which runs from 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m at Perron St include a ride on the polar express, a petting zoo, and road hockey. After the festival, visit St. Albert Kinsmen RV Park for a joyful drive car ride featuring over 800,000 twinkling holiday lights.
Fort Saskatchewan – Light Up and Santa Claus Parade
The city of Fort Saskatchewan will kick off the holiday celebrations with the tree lighting ceremony, Lights Up Fort Saskatchewan, on Friday, November 25th. The light-up will follow the reading of Twas’ the Night Before Christmas, by the Mayor. You can warm up with a hot chocolate, take pictures with Santa, and roaming characters, take a custom photo at the photo booth (printed on-site as a takeaway), or a caricature print during the event.
Fort Saskatchewan Santa Claus Parade organized by the Fort Saskatchewan & Lamont Regional Chamber of Commerce takes place on the morning of November 26th at 11 a.m. The Parade will travel from the corner of 99th and travel down 99th and right again on 100th. Visit Dow Centennial Centre, and Fort Saskatchewan Public Library to see beautiful Christmas trees decorated by Fort Saskatchewan organizations that reflect the wonderful colours and themes of the holiday season with a special touch that tells the story of the organization.
Spruce Grove – Light Up and Fireworks
The city of Spruce Grove will be hosting a tree lighting ceremony and fireworks on Saturday, You can enjoy free hot chocolate and hot dog, cookie decorating, maple taffy on a stick, ice carving, carnival games, and a Christmas market. Children can join for skating in the Agrena with Elsa and Anna from Frozen. The event runs from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. with tree lighting followed by fireworks beginning at 5 p.m.
For a perfect family outing or date night, visit the University of Alberta Botanic Garden for Luminaria: A Winter Garden Story. Walk the candle-lit pathways in the Kurimoto Japanese Garden, take a mini train ride, and enjoy the tastes, sights, and sounds of the festival by taking part in various activities.
Leduc – Santa Claus Parade
Leduc’s Santa Claus Parade also takes place on Saturday, November 26th. Leduc downtown BIA is planning an event resembling a Hallmark Christmas Movie with shopping discounts, gingerbread building competitions, Christmas caroling, free hot chocolate, holiday train rides, and photos with Santa. The festivities will end with Santa Claus Parade. The parade will start at 7 p.m. from 47th Ave and 50th Ave and will go West on 50th Avenue (Mainstreet) to 50th Street and then North on 50th Street up to 54th Avenue(City Centre Mall).
You can also visit Leduc Recreation Centre on Saturday and Sunday to see a beautiful tree display in support of BGC Leduc as part of the Canadian Tire Leduc Festival of Trees.
End the day with a trip to RAD Torque Raceway for a delightful car ride through Canadian Tire Magic of Lights which features more than 1.5 Million sparkling lights along a 2.5-kilometer magical route.
Morinville – Tree Lighting, Fireworks & Santa Claus Parade
Morinville welcomes the weekend with a three-day Lite Up the Nite Christmas Festival which runs from November 25th to 27th. The Santa Claus Parade is on Saturday at 5:30 p.m. The parade will travel west on 100 Avenue, starting at the Morinville Community Cultural Centre, and ending on 102 Street. After the parade, the Light up ceremony takes place at St. Jean Baptiste Park. followed by fireworks at 7 p.m. from Notre Dame Park. The high-level fireworks display can be viewed anywhere in Morinville.
Gibbons – Santa Parade
The town of Gibbons will be celebrating Hometown Weekend culminating in a Santa Claus Parade of Lights at 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, November 27th. The parade begins at 5:30 p.m. along 51 Street and 48 Avenue.
Devon – Christmas in the Park
The town of Devon will also be hosting the Christmas in the Park celebration. on Saturday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Lions Park. Family fun festivities include carol singing, a Santa visit, ice slides, and a candle walk among others. and horse-drawn sleigh rides and more! Christmas in the Park is a ticketed event with admission costing $25 for 4, or $8/person. Children under 3 are free
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