Coaldale’s Winter Fest kicks off with Night of Lights Parade on Nov. 28

Posted on November 27, 2025 by Sunny South News

By Kristine Jean
Sunny South News

Coaldale’s second annual Winter Fest kicks off this Friday, Nov. 28, with the 25th annual Country Christmas Night of Lights parade starting at 7 p.m.   

The month-long, town sponsored Winter Fest runs until Dec. 20, and is an extension of the town’s long-standing Country Christmas Night of Lights event. 

Town of Coaldale’s Community Experience manager, Clayton Varjassy, said they wanted to provide programming for the Civic Plaza outdoor rink, which shared its inaugural season with Coaldale’s Winter Fest last year. He noted feedback was very positive and the event was well received by the community with high turnouts, especially for Glow Skate and the Night of Lights.

“When we launched Winter Fest in 2024, our goal was to bring the magic of the season downtown and invite the community into a shared winter wonderland,” said Varjassy. “We saw the Civic Plaza come alive with families skating, gathering around fire pits, and enjoying holiday markets — it was a resounding success and a true celebration of Coaldale’s spirit.” 

Civic Plaza, known as Coaldale’s new “community living room,” includes an outdoor rink, fire pits, concession, seating, and green-space pathways that will host many of the Winter Fest events, he added. 

The Country Christmas Night of Lights is Coaldale’s long-running annual festival, said Varjassy, noting several family-friendly features and holiday activities such as a Christmas market, bonfires, food, Santa, and more. A signature part of the evening is the Night of Lights Parade. This year, the parade starts at 7 p.m. and will travel down 20th Ave. along Coaldale’s Main Street.

Last year, about 34 floats participated in the parade and the town is hoping for a similar turnout in this year’s parade. Varjassy said those wishing to enter a float can fill out the parade application on the Winter Fest website at http://www.CoaldaleWinterFest.ca. The deadline to enter a float and complete the  application is Nov. 26.

“We are even more excited for Winter Fest 2025 — building on what worked and growing our traditions,” said Varjassy. “We hope to engage more community groups, light up more floats, and welcome more families to Civic Plaza as Coaldale’s downtown continues to sparkle and hum with holiday cheer.” 

Other core Winter Fest events this year include the Glow Skate on Dec. 13 – skating at Civic Plaza with music, light show, hot chocolate, wagon rides, fires. The Civic Plaza Winter Series – throughout December, local community groups and businesses will host themed evenings in the plaza (ice skating, hot chocolate, carolers, fire pits). 

The Winter Fest Finale will take place on Dec. 20 at Civic Square Atrium and Civic Plaza, with Santa photos, cookie decorating, live music, fire pits, skating, wagon rides, and hot chocolate.

For more information visit http://www.coaldalewinterfest.ca