Santa Claus Parades Near Calgary
Calgary hasn’t had a Downtown Santa Claus parade for years (although there is one community parade now) but you don’t have to miss out. Here is a list of Santa Claus Parades and Light up events that are only a short drive from Calgary to kick off the Christmas season.
Banff’s Santa Claus Parade of Lights & Festive Fun
Date: November 16, 2019
Location: Banff Avenue
Parade start: 6pm
Features: Carolers, photos with Santa prior to the parade
Fort Macleod Santa Claus Parade
Date: Nov 30, 2019
Location: Main street
Parade Start: 11am
Features: operating for over 30 years. More than 100 participants and up to 8 large marching bands each year, lots of candy and floats.
Airdrie Santa Claus Parade
Date: Dec 7, 2019
Location: Main Street
Parade start: 4:30pm
High River Santa Claus Parade
Date: Dec 6, 2019
Location: Downtown High River
Parade start: 6:30 p.m
Features: Live music, entertainment,fire pits, hot chocolate, unique gifts, sales and more! Light up George Lane Park prior to the parade at 5pm.
Santa will be in the Museum of the Highwood following the parade.
Mahogany Parade of Lights – Santa Claus Parade
Date: Dec 7, 2019
Location: The parade will start near the future Central Park and circle the inner Mahogany loop along Masters Ave
Parade start: 5pm
The parade is open to the public – other related events are for residents and their guests only.
Strathmore Santa Claus Parade
Date: November 30, 2019
Location: Downtown Strathmore
Parade start: 5pm
Features: You can also enjoy Light up the Night at the agricultural grounds 4:30-9pm with fireworks, visits with Santa, cookies & hot chocolate, wagon rides, christmas carols and more!
Christmas Season Kick Off Events
Light Up Okotoks
Date: Nov 15, 2019
Location: Throughout downtown Okotoks
Time: 5:30pm – 9pm
Features: activities typically include a visit from Santa, wagon rides, sugar shack, cookie decorating, craft sales, late night shopping, fireworks & much more!
Cochrane Light Up
Date: Nov 23, 2019
Location: Historic Main Street
Hours: 4:30pm – 7:30pm
Features: activities typically include fire-pots with free hot dogs and hot chocolate, kids crafts and activities, visits with Santa, choir singing, the lighting of the 30 ft tall tree on top of the Rexall building and more!
Chestermere Winter Lights Festival
Date: Nov 23 2019
Location: John Peake Park (100 John Morris Way)
Hours: 4pm-8pm
Features: Food trucks, sugar shack, train rides, cookie decorating, band performance, sleigh rides, marshamallow roast, lighting of the lights, ice princess performance, Fire Storm Performers, Fireworks
Nanton Lights the Way
Date: Nov 23 2019
Location: Downtown Nanton
Hours: 10:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Features: Markets, festive shops, Mrs Claus, kids’ activities, Gingerbread House Contest and more!
Fort Macleod Moonlight Madness & Christmas Festival
Date: Nov 29 2019 (the Day before the Christmas Parade)
Location: Main street
Hours: 5pm-10pm
Features: Tree lighting as well as late night shopping, bonfires, free beef stew and hot dogs for the kids, Christmas Tree lighting, caroling, wagon rides, a petting zoo and more!
Light Up Longview
Date: Nov 29 2019
Location: Village of Longview Alberta
Start time: 5pm
Features: Fire, hot dogs and fire truck rides start at 5pm. The lights go on at 6pm.
Do you know where we can park for the Airdrie parade?
Is there a Santa Claus parade for Calgary and I was wondering why it is not listed and this will not be good for Calgary if don’t have one cause my kid and every over kid looks forward to see the parade and gets more interested in Christmas and with out the parade I think they are will be upset and sad.
Calgary hasn’t had one since 2006. There was so much drama surrounding it rhey cancelled it going forward. airdrie and cochrane and even high river have one