Small Town Alberta Christmas Events: Your Guide to Festive Fun Across Alberta

If you’ve ever strolled through a small town in Alberta in December, you know the deal. it straight-up feels like walking onto a movie set. Snowy main streets. Twinkle lights everywhere. A suspiciously perfect smell of gingerbread drifting from the local bakery.

Alberta Christmas events really go full Hallmark Christmas movie this time of year throughout the province!

From Cochrane to Lacombe, High River to Drumheller, these small-town holiday events are serving all the cozy feels. Light-up nights, parades, cozy theatre performances, winter festivals, basically everything you need to step right into your own “yep, this could totally be a Griswold family Christmas moment.”

Festival of Trees Lac La Biche | Bold Centre, Lac La Biche Nov 14 - 23 | Various locations & hours Experience handcrafted trees, a vintage Christmas exhibit, and loads of festive fun, the Festival of Trees brings Lac La Biche’s holiday spirit to life.

Northern Spirit Light Show | Evergreen Park, Grande Prairie Nov 13 - Dec 7 | Every Thurs - Sunday Dec 11 - 31 | Every night except Dec 25 Bundle up and take in Northern Alberta’s most enchanting drive-through light show, glowing brighter every year.

Light Up Okotoks | Downtown Okotoks Nov 21 | 5:30 pm - 9 pm Gather under the glow, Light Up Okotoks is where the Foothills comes together to feel the season.

Experience Alberta Prairie Railway's The Polar Express | Credit: Travel Alberta / Colin Way @colinwayphoto)

Alberta Prairie Railway's Polar Express | Stettler (4611 – 47 Avenue Stettler, AB T0C 2L0) Nov 22 - Dec 18 | Various hours Rediscover the wonder of Christmas on the Polar Express, complete with Santa, elves, and the iconic sleigh bell keepsake. Hometown Holiday Fest | Main Street, Pincher Creek Nov 28 | 5 pm - 8:30 pm (6:20 pm - Parade of Lights) Make a weekend of it ! Hometown Holiday Fest is the perfect blend of twinkle lights, trails, local shops, and small-town holiday warmth.

Enchanted Forest | Fort Saskatchewan Nov 28 - Jan 7 | Various locations & hours Wander through Fort Saskatchewan’s Enchanted Forest and discover a twinkling trail of Christmas trees, each with its own story to tell. Light Up Central Park | Central Park, Spruce Grove Nov 29 | 3 pm - 6:30 pm

From cookies to skating to the big countdown, Light Up Spruce Grove delivers one unforgettable holiday moment after another.

Drumheller Festival of Lights | Downtown Drumheller Nov 29 | 4 pm - 7 pm Step into a real-life holiday movie as downtown Drumheller lights up with wagon rides, sweet treats, and pure Christmas magic.

Winter Fest | Stony Plain Nov 30 - Dec 31 | Various locations & hours

Whether you're following clues for Moose on the Loose or ringing in the New Year at Family Fest, Winter Fest wraps the whole month in Christmas-movie charm.

The CPKC Holiday Train

Canadian Pacific Kansas City Holiday Train 2025 Central Alberta Locations & Dates Calgary & Southern Alberta Locations & Dates Edmonton & Area Locations & Dates Experience the glow, the music, and the magic as the Holiday Train makes its annual festive journey through Alberta!

Christmas in Cochrane's Late Night Christmas Shopping Event | Downtown Cochrane Dec 4 | 5 pm - 9 pm Get your gifting done the small-town way with late-night shopping, Santa sightings, and festive cheer.

Christmas in the Cache | Grande Cache Tourism & Interpretive Centre Dec 12 & 13 | 4 pm - 8 pm For two magical nights, the Grande Cache Tourism Centre becomes a festive little world of crafts, lights, treats, and holiday cheer.

A Coast-to-Coast Cowboy Christmas starring George Canyon & Aaron Pritchett | The Performing Arts Theatre of Hinton Dec 14 | 2 pm - 9:30 pm

Settle in for a cozy, country-Christmas night as George Canyon and Aaron Pritchett bring holiday magic, stories, and songs to Hinton.

Swamp Donkey Music Theatre Presents: Nutcrackers | Swamp Donkey Theatre, Bragg Creek Dec 18 - 21

If you need a dose of merry chaos and feel-good holiday fun, Nuncrackers is your perfect night out.

No matter where you wander this season, Alberta’s small towns are ready to wrap you in twinkle lights, warm smiles, and movie-moment magic. So bundle up, hit the road, and let a little holiday charm find you.