Central Alberta 
Credit: Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden
Come Christmas, enchanting holiday lights start to glow all over Alberta. Although every village, town, city, and community has at least one or two houses or buildings worth stopping to check out, the following light shows are definitely worth travelling to see.
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Winter Lights Festival
The Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden in Lethbridge is the place to experience the illumination of over 100,000+ lights decorating the Garden. Last year the festival became Lethbridge’s newest winter tradition. Bring the entire family and enjoy this magical winter experience.
Select nights November 29 to February 24, 2024
Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden, Corner of 9th Avenue and Mayor Magrath Drive South, Lethbridge
$10 to $13.50
Christmas in High River
Each holiday season brings the excitement of seeing favourite light displays along with discovering new ones at George Lane Park as part of Christmas in High River.
December 1, 2023 to January 14, 2024
George Lane Memorial Park, 343 Macleod Trail SW, High River
Free
Christmas in the Coulee
There is nearly zero ambient light pollution in our part of the Drumheller Valley, meaning Christmas lights twinkle against an incredible star-filled sky. Start at the Atlas to enjoy seasonal treats, kids activities, Santa Claus, train rides, and music while you admire thousands of lights strung throughout site. A truly unique rural Albertan experience!
December 1, 2, 8, 9, 2023 | 5 PM – 8:30 PM
Atlas Coal Mine National Historic Site, Century Drive West, East Coulee
$12.50 to $15
Zoolights
Credit: Calgary Zoo
ZOOLIGHTS, enhanced by Olympia Trust Company, shines brighter in 2023 with over a million lights and nearly 250 light figures. The new arctic aurora theme adds splendor, perfect for photography, dates, or family outings. Discover Polar Nights in Prehistoric Park, depicting a polar bear cub’s life under the Northern Lights. The Dorothy Harvie Gardens transforms into a colorful, illuminated magical garden with festive photo spots and rentable Snow Globes. The ENMAX Conservatory features an arctic twilight setting with snowy trees, chandeliers, polar bears, and a sparkling sleigh for family photos. Lastly, the Boreal Forest Trek in Exploration Asia offers a Canadian forest experience with a twinkling green pathway.
November 17, 2023 – January 7, 2024
Calgary Zoo, north entrance, 210 St. George’s Drive NE, Calgary, AB
$14.95 to $21.95
Lions Festival of Lights
The Festival of Lights is the largest FREE drive-by Christmas Lights showcase in Calgary. It’s comprised of over 105,000 lights along 14 th St NW. Details
November 25, 2023 – January 8, 2024 | 6:00 PM to 11:00 PM
Confederation Park in NW Calgary
The display can be viewed along 14 St NW, North of 24 Avenue.
Free
Christmas Glow Calgary
In a family-friendly Christmas festival, guests wander through a million-light wonderland, exploring over 65 local vendors offering unique gifts like jewelry, candles, and homemade cakes. This year’s theme, “Santa’s Sleigh Adventure,” invites visitors on a magical quest to help Santa find his reindeer in a dazzling indoor maze of lights spread across 90,000 square feet, promising an enchanting, unforgettable holiday experience for all ages.
December 7 – 31, 2023
Nutrien Western event Centre, 1800 Stampede Trail SE, Calgary
$16.99 – $25.99
Christmas Lights at Spruce Meadows
Go on a drive to enjoy twinkling lights adorning Spruce Meadows. The 2 kilometer drive through the grounds includes Tournament Lane, The Courtyard, Traffic Circle, the Nations Flag Park, Congress Hall, Riders Chapel and the Pond with strings of lights measuring 72 kilometers.
December 8 to 31, 2023
Spruce Meadows, Calgary
Free
Airdrie Festival of Lights
A beautiful walk-around light display for the entire family. The Airdrie Festival of Lights is a not-to-miss Alberta light show this holiday season.
December 1 to 31, 2023, 6:00-9:00 pm
Nose Creek Park, 1641 Main St S, Airdrie
cash donation
In Search of Christmas Spirit
In Search of Christmas Spirit, is a Christmas tale experience at Banff National Park presented by Banff & Lake Louise Tourism.
Photo credit: Paul Zizka / Banff & Lake Louise Tourism.
The story is told by using large illuminated displays and puppets of all the wildlife that call the Banff National Park their home. These displays were created by Jason Carter, a local Indigenous painter and sculptor, and Bridget Ryan, who is the art director for this wonderful experience.
November 17 to December 31, 2023
Banff Park Museum, 91 Banff Ave, Banff
Free
Nightrise
Pursuit unveils an immersive experience of light, sound and wonder with the launch of Nightrise, a multi-sensory winter experience at the Banff Gondola. Vibrant lighting, multimedia effects, video projections and original soundscapes transform the entire site into a magical world, offering an evening of immersive, interactive, contemplative and educational experiences that will amaze and inspire visitors.
November 18, 2023 to March 30, 2024
Banff Gondola, 100, Mountain Avenue, Banff
Regular Admission
Winter Night Lights
Enjoy a 30-minute private sleigh ride through Heritage Ranch’s snow-covered trails. The sleigh, illuminated by over 65,000 lights, offers a captivating winter night experience. Glide through a winter wonderland, savor complimentary hot chocolate, and meet your dedicated driver and the majestic horses, ensuring a personal and unforgettable journey.
Until January 31, 2024
Heritage Ranch, 6300 Cronquist Dr, Red Deer
For 2: $249
Light the Night
Visit Discovery Wildlife Park to enjoy over 2km drive-through of dazzling lights and displays!
Credit: Discovery Wildlife Park
November 17th, 2023 – January 1st, 2024
Discovery Wildlife Park, 5400 42 Ave, Innisfail
$30/ vehicle + GST (up to 8 people)
Sylvan Lake’s Winter Village
Visit Sylvan Lake
Sylvan Lake’s Winter Village wraps the pier in over 300,000 twinkling lights each year from December to March. Grab a hot cocoa, don your mittens, and take a stroll under the dazzling winter light display beside the lake. Let the Winter Village enchant you with its lit archways, twinkle lights, dancing beams, Christmas tree parade, and bonfire nights.
December 1 – March, 2024
Around Sylvan Lake
Free
Borealis Lights
Explore this dazzling display of lights all from the comfort of your car this holiday season! The entire family gets to experience the fun, festive joy of the holidays and support the St. Albert Kinsmen Club.
November 17, 2023 until January 7, 2024
St. Albert Kinsmen RV Park, 47 Riel Dr., St. Albert
$32 per car
The Magic of Lights
The Canadian Tire Magic of Lights dazzles with over 1.5 million LED lights along a 2.5-kilometer route, offering a magical drive-through experience. Enjoy holiday scenes and characters, including the 12 Days of Christmas, Winter Wonderland, Big Foot Monster Trucks, Prehistoric Christmas, and the stunning 200-foot Tunnel of Lights, all from your car.
November 23, 2023 to January 6, 2024
RAD torque Raceway, 50342 Range Rd 253, Leduc County
$33 per car, plus GST
Glow Christmas
See one of the largest indoor family Christmas celebrations in Alberta that include a 210 foot musical light tunnel, LED swings and light sculptures, trackless train ride, 80,000 sq ft of interactive light sculptures, shop for unique gifts from 20+ local vendors, Enjoy delicious treats from local food trucks and breweries.
December 1 to January 1, 2024
Edmonton Expo Centre, 7515 118 Ave NW, Edmonton
$16.99 – $25.99 +fees
Country Christmas Lights
A breathtaking display of Christmas lights spread over 8 acres. Set up with community support from the Kinsmen Club of Leduc, and Leduc West Antique Society.
December 1 to 31, 2023
Leduc West Antique Society, 49541, Range Rd 260, Calmar
$2
Celebrate the Season
Enjoy the beautiful sights of the Legislature grounds, lit up with over 100,000 Christmas lights this holiday season!
December 7 to Late January, 2024
Alberta Legislature Building, 10800- 97 Avenue, Edmonton
Free
Zoominescence – Festival of Lights
Credit: Valley Zoo
Sip hot chocolate and have a fun time at the zoo, enjoying the Light Installations, Skating, DJ’s, Fire dancers.
December 1 to January 3, 2024
Edmonton Valley Zoo
13315 Buena Vista Road,Edmonton
$10.50 to $14.95
Candy Cane Lane
Candy Cane Lane in Edmonton is a must-go event for those who enjoy viewing residential homes that are decorated with lights and more. Totally volunteer-based, this light display is put on by individual residents, and the results are spectacular.
December 8 – January 1, 2024
148th Street Edmonton, AB Between 92 and 100 Ave.
Donations to the Edmonton Food Bank
Northern Spirit Light Show
Credit: Peace Draft Horse Club/Famous Amos Photography
Go on a drive-thru along with fantastic light displays at Evergreen Park, which the entire family will enjoy.
November 16 to December 31, 2023
Evergreen Park, 55051 Township Road 710, Grande Prairie
$15 per vehicle; horse wagon rides available.
Alberta is always lit up for the Christmas season, but I think it will be the best looking this season. If you are in Canada during Christmas time, you should visit Alberta to see what the set-up is like.