Experience the festive fun with the Lethbridge community! Explore all the events in our holiday guide. From Lethbridge enthusiasts to casual tourists, our guide reveals the magic of the city's festive season.
Kick off the holidays with the Lethbridge Christmas Festival, featuring enchanting light displays and family-friendly activities. Immerse yourself in the harmonious melodies of the Lethbridge Symphony Christmas Concert, which showcases seasonal classics. And don't forget Christmas at the Fort, where history meets holiday cheer in a unique setting. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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The Top Christmas Events in Lethbridge
- Lethbridge Christmas Festival
- Lethbridge Symphony Christmas Concert
- Holiday Pyjama Party
- Exhibition Park Christmas Craft Fair
- CP Holiday Train
- Winter Light Festival
- Lethbridge Christmas Farmers’ Market
- Santa Claus Parade
- Rotary Carol Festival
- Christmas in the Park
Lethbridge Holiday Light Displays
Winter Light Festival
What to Expect:
Interactive light installations and art displays
Description:
The Winter Light Festival illuminates Lethbridge with innovative light installations and interactive art displays. This event transforms the city's parks and public spaces into a canvas of color and creativity. Visitors can manipulate some of the light displays, becoming part of the art itself. The festival draws inspiration from traditional Indigenous storytelling about the winter solstice. Vibrant projections dance across buildings, creating a dynamic nighttime spectacle. Explore the illuminated pathways and discover how light can shape and define space in unexpected ways.
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Lethbridge Holiday Markets and Shopping
Exhibition Park Christmas Craft Fair
What to Expect:
Showcase of local artisans and handmade gifts
Description:
The Exhibition Park Christmas Craft Fair spotlights Lethbridge's creative talent. This bustling marketplace brings together local artisans, offering a diverse array of handcrafted gifts and decorations. Visitors can watch live demonstrations of traditional crafting techniques, gaining insight into the artistry behind each piece. The fair has been a staple of Lethbridge's holiday season for over three decades, evolving alongside the city's artistic community. The exhibition hall buzzes with activity as shoppers discover unique treasures. Engage with skilled craftspeople and learn about the inspiration behind their creations.
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Exhibition Park Christmas Craft Fair
Lethbridge Christmas Farmers’ Market
What to Expect:
Local, seasonal produce and artisanal holiday treats
Description:
The Lethbridge Christmas Farmers' Market celebrates local agriculture and craftsmanship. This seasonal market showcases the best of regional produce and artisanal creations, perfect for holiday feasts and gift-giving. Visitors can sample unique preserves and baked goods made from traditional family recipes. The market continues a long-standing tradition of community gatherings that dates back to Lethbridge's early agricultural roots. The scent of fresh pine and spiced cider wafts through the air, enticing shoppers. Discover the flavors of the season while supporting local farmers and artisans.
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Lethbridge Christmas Farmers’ Market
Lethbridge Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Lethbridge Symphony Christmas Concert
What to Expect:
Classical renditions of holiday favorites
Description:
The Lethbridge Symphony Orchestra elevates holiday music to new heights with their annual Christmas concert. This sophisticated event features classical interpretations of beloved seasonal tunes, performed by talented local musicians. The concert hall resonates with the rich tones of strings and brass, creating an atmosphere of refined celebration. Audience members can enjoy a pre-show talk about the history of Christmas music in classical compositions. This tradition began in 1965, marking over half a century of musical excellence in Lethbridge. Immerse yourself in the harmonious blend of traditional and contemporary arrangements.
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Lethbridge Symphony Christmas Concert
CP Holiday Train
What to Expect:
Traveling concert on a festively decorated train
Description:
The CP Holiday Train rolls into Lethbridge, bringing music and merriment on rails. This unique event features a brightly decorated locomotive that serves as a moving stage for live performances. Spectators can enjoy a free concert by talented musicians as the train makes its scheduled stop. The Holiday Train program, initiated in 1999, supports food banks across North America. The sight of the illuminated train cutting through the winter night is truly spectacular. Contribute to the local food drive while experiencing this one-of-a-kind musical journey.
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Rotary Carol Festival
What to Expect:
Multi-choir performance supporting local charities
Description:
The Rotary Carol Festival unites Lethbridge's vocal talents for a cause. This choral extravaganza features performances from various local choirs, each bringing their unique style to beloved carols. Audience members can join in a community sing-along, becoming part of the musical tapestry. The festival, organized by the Rotary Club, has been raising funds for local charities since 1942. Harmonious voices blend together, filling the venue with joyous melodies. Experience the power of music to bring people together while supporting important community initiatives.
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Lethbridge Other Holiday Activities
Lethbridge Christmas Festival
What to Expect:
Multi-day celebration encompassing various holiday traditions
Description:
The Lethbridge Christmas Festival transforms the city into a hub of seasonal cheer. This multi-day extravaganza showcases diverse cultural traditions, reflecting the region's rich heritage. Visitors can participate in hands-on workshops, learning traditional crafts from local artisans. The festival's roots trace back to early settler celebrations in the late 1800s, blending pioneer spirit with modern festivities. Twinkling lights illuminate the streets, creating a warm glow against the winter sky. Experience the joy of community as Lethbridge comes alive with holiday spirit.
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Holiday Pyjama Party
What to Expect:
Cozy, family-friendly celebration in sleepwear
Description:
The Holiday Pyjama Party in Lethbridge redefines comfort and joy. This laid-back event encourages attendees to don their favorite sleepwear for a night of relaxed festivities. Families can snuggle up for storytelling sessions featuring classic holiday tales. The tradition of wearing pyjamas during Christmas morning inspired this unique gathering. Soft, twinkling lights create a dreamy atmosphere, perfect for unwinding during the busy season. You'll find yourself surrounded by a sea of flannel, fleece, and fuzzy slippers as the community comes together in cozy camaraderie.
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Santa Claus Parade
What to Expect:
Community-driven parade with local themes
Description:
The Santa Claus Parade in Lethbridge brings the community together in a grand display of holiday spirit. This locally-organized event features floats designed by neighborhood groups, businesses, and schools, each showcasing unique Lethbridge themes. Spectators can vote for their favorite float, adding an interactive element to the festivities. The parade route follows historic downtown streets, connecting the city's past with its present celebrations. Cheerful music fills the air as the procession winds through the city. Witness the creativity and enthusiasm of Lethbridge residents as they bring their parade entries to life.
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Christmas in the Park
What to Expect:
Outdoor celebration combining nature and holiday traditions
Description:
Christmas in the Park brings holiday cheer to Lethbridge's natural spaces. This outdoor event blends seasonal festivities with the beauty of the city's parks, creating a unique nature-inspired celebration. Visitors can participate in guided winter nature walks, learning about local flora and fauna. The tradition of outdoor Christmas gatherings in Lethbridge dates back to early settler communities. Twinkling lights adorn trees and pathways, creating a serene winter atmosphere. Embrace the crisp winter air as you explore the park's holiday transformation.
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Festival of Nativities
What to Expect:
Diverse display of nativity scenes from around the world
Description:
The Festival of Nativities showcases an impressive collection of crèches from various cultures. This unique exhibition features nativity scenes crafted by artisans worldwide, offering a global perspective on the Christmas story. Visitors can learn about different cultural interpretations and artistic styles represented in the displays. The festival began as a small community event and has grown to include hundreds of nativities. Soft lighting highlights the intricate details of each scene, creating an atmosphere of reverence. Explore the diversity of human creativity expressed through this timeless narrative.
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Christmas at Casa
What to Expect:
Art-focused holiday celebration at a cultural center
Description:
Christmas at Casa infuses the holiday season with artistic flair. This event, held at Lethbridge's premier cultural center, offers a creative take on traditional festivities. Participants can engage in holiday-themed art workshops, exploring various mediums and techniques. Casa, opened in 2013, has quickly become a hub for artistic expression in the community. The center's galleries showcase seasonal exhibitions by local and regional artists. Immerse yourself in a world where creativity and holiday spirit intertwine, inspiring new ways to celebrate the season.
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Christmas Skate
What to Expect:
Festive ice skating event with themed music and decorations
Description:
The Christmas Skate event transforms Lethbridge's ice rink into a winter playground. This lively gathering combines the joy of ice skating with holiday cheer, set to a soundtrack of seasonal tunes. Skaters can participate in friendly races and figure skating demonstrations throughout the event. Ice skating has been a popular winter pastime in Lethbridge since the early 1900s. The rink sparkles with colorful lights, reflecting off the gleaming ice surface. Glide across the ice and feel the exhilaration of this quintessential winter activity.
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Gingerbread House Contest
What to Expect:
Competitive gingerbread house building with creative themes
Description:
The Gingerbread House Contest in Lethbridge elevates cookie construction to an art form. This spirited competition challenges participants to create elaborate edible structures, often incorporating local landmarks and themes. Spectators can vote for the "People's Choice" award, adding to the excitement of the judging process. The contest draws inspiration from European gingerbread-making traditions dating back centuries. The sweet aroma of ginger and spices fills the air as contestants put finishing touches on their creations. Marvel at the intricate details and creative designs that bring these miniature worlds to life.
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Nearby Events
Christmas at the Fort (Fort Whoop-Up, Lethbridge)
What to Expect:
Historical reenactment of 19th-century Christmas
Description:
Christmas at the Fort transports visitors to a bygone era at Fort Whoop-Up. This unique event recreates holiday celebrations from the late 1800s, offering an authentic glimpse into pioneer life. Participants can try their hand at making traditional decorations using materials available to early settlers. The fort, originally a whiskey trading post, now serves as a living history museum. Period-costumed interpreters bring the past to life, sharing stories and customs of early Canadian Christmases. The aroma of freshly baked gingerbread fills the air, adding to the historical ambiance.