This Alberta town is hosting a Christmas parade with festive floats and glowing lights

Looking for a Christmas outing outside of Calgary? High River is gearing up for its annual holiday celebrations, with a Santa Claus Parade, a massive Christmas light display, holiday markets, and plenty more planned throughout the first weekend of December.

Here’s everything you need to know before planning your trip to High River this holiday season.

What is happening in High River this December?

What’s happening on Friday, Dec. 4?

High River’s 41st annual Santa Claus Parade will take place on Friday, Dec. 4, 2026 and will include entertainment, the official park light-up and the parade itself, which winds through downtown High River.

The main celebration kicks off at 5 p.m. with live entertainment, followed by hot chocolate and Lions’ hot dogs at 5:30 p.m., so you can grab dinner while you’re there.

George Lane Park will then officially light up at 6 p.m., before the parade gets underway at 6:30 p.m.

This year’s parade theme is “Home for the Holidays”

What else can I check out in High River during December?

• Inclusion Foothills Winter Market
  • When: Friday, Dec. 4 and Saturday, Dec. 5, 2026
  • Time: Friday: 2 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Saturday: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Where: Highwood Memorial Centre — 128 5th Ave. SW, High River, Alta.
  • Cost: Adults: $5; Children and Seniors: Free
• The Gift of Hope Market
  • When: Friday, Dec. 4, 2026
  • Time: 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
  • Where: High River United Church — 123 Macleod Trl. SW, High River, Alta.
  • Cost: Free to attend
• Santa at The Museum
  • When: Friday, Dec. 4, then Saturdays and Sundays, from Dec. 6 to Dec. 24, 2026
  • Time: Dec. 4: After the Parade; Saturdays and Sundays: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
  • Where: Museum of the Highwood — 406 1st St. SW, High River, Alta.
  • Cost: By donation

What else should I know before I go?

If you’re planning to check out the Santa Claus Parade, you can find the full parade route map on the official High River Christmas website ahead of time and figure out where you’d like to enjoy the parade from.

If you can’t make it to High River for the Santa Claus Parade, but you still want to check out the light displays, George Lane Park will be illuminated every evening from 4:30 to 11 p.m. throughout the holiday season.

An outdoor pop-up skating rink will also be open as soon as temperatures are cold enough for the ice to freeze.

So, if you’ve never had the chance to visit High River before, these Christmas celebrations are a great reason to make the trip. And if you’re already familiar with the area, there’s still lots happening to bring you back.

High River Santa Claus Parade

When: Friday, Dec. 4, 2026
Time: 5 to 9 p.m.
Where: Downtown High River (along Macleod Trl. SW)
Cost: Free to attend

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