Rally is researching the season
Christmas with kids in Grande Prairie, Alberta
Grande Prairie lights its downtown Christmas tree next to an arena, and the same night ends with a charity hockey game between firefighters and local law enforcement. Across town, volunteers run a lights show with horse-drawn wagons.
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The story of Christmas in Grande Prairie, Alberta
A tree beside the arena and a game for charity
Grande Prairie's tree lighting happens at Bonnetts Energy Centre, with the tree in H.A. Rice Plaza and Santa visits inside The Bowes. In 2019 the evening added the Battle of the Badges, a charity hockey game that the news called the first annual, between the RCMP and the fire department.
By 2024 the game was between the Grande Prairie Fire Department and law enforcement, with proceeds going to the Helping Hands Society. Before the arena era, a Santa parade in 2016 ended near the Grande Prairie Museum's Old Fashioned Christmas.
Cookies at H.A. Rice Plaza and a 17th light show in 2025
The 2025 Christmas Tree Light Up was on Sunday, November 30, with festivities from 4pm. Hot chocolate and cookies were free at H.A. Rice Plaza, Santa visited inside The Bowes, and a holiday movie played. The Battle of the Badges puck drop was at 5:30pm, with a suggested donation of $5 per person or $10 per family for Odyssey House.
The Northern Spirit Light Show opened November 13 for its 17th year at Evergreen Park, open 6 to 10pm Thursday to Sunday, then daily in December except Christmas Day.
Draft horses, $600,000 and Thrill Hill
The Northern Spirit Light Show is run entirely by volunteers from the Peace Draft Horse Club. Local families, clubs and businesses build the displays, and the show says it has raised about $600,000 for local charities over more than 16 years. Wagon rides cost $5 per person, and children 10 and under ride free.
When the lights are off, Grande Prairie families go tobogganing. Grande Prairie Tourism names Muskoseepi Park and Thrill Hill as popular spots. No 2026 dates had been posted for these when this was researched.
Traditions today
- Christmas Tree Light Up: The city and the Downtown Association light the tree at Bonnetts Energy Centre. The 2025 date was Sunday, November 30, and 2026 had not been posted.
- Battle of the Badges: A charity hockey game between the Grande Prairie Fire Department and local law enforcement ends the tree lighting night.
- Santa and a holiday movie in The Bowes: Families visit Santa and watch a holiday movie inside The Bowes while the tree lighting is on.
- Northern Spirit Light Show: A volunteer-run lights show at Evergreen Park with horse-drawn wagon rides, in its 17th year in 2025.
- Family Sing Along at Grande Prairie Live Theatre: The theatre held a Family Sing Along on December 19, 2025, at $10 a ticket, with children 2 and under free.
- Winter tobogganing: Muskoseepi Park and Thrill Hill are named as popular tobogganing spots in Grande Prairie Tourism's winter guide.
A fact for kids
Grande Prairie's Northern Spirit Light Show is run by the Peace Draft Horse Club, so families can ride past the lights on a horse-drawn wagon.
Questions about Christmas in Grande Prairie, Alberta
When is the Grande Prairie Christmas Tree Light Up in 2026?
The 2026 date had not been posted when this was researched. The 2025 light up was Sunday, November 30, and the 2024 one was Sunday, December 1. Check the City of Grande Prairie for the new date, or read Rally Takes the Train's Grande Prairie Christmas events guide for updates.
Where is Grande Prairie's Christmas tree lit?
The tree is lit in H.A. Rice Plaza, part of Bonnetts Energy Centre. In 2024 the lighting was at 4:35pm, followed by visits with Santa and a movie in The Bowes from 4:45 to 7pm, and a hockey game in the arena later that evening.
What happens at the tree light up besides the tree?
In 2025 families got free hot chocolate and cookies at H.A. Rice Plaza, visited Santa and watched a holiday movie inside The Bowes. The night ended with the Battle of the Badges charity hockey game, with the puck drop at 5:30pm.
What is the Battle of the Badges in Grande Prairie?
It is a charity hockey game between the Grande Prairie Fire Department and local law enforcement, held on tree lighting night. MyGrandePrairieNow described the 2019 game as the first annual one, played between the RCMP and the fire department. Families should confirm times closer to the date.
How much does the Battle of the Badges cost?
In 2025 admission was a cash donation, with $5 per person or $10 per family suggested, and all proceeds went to Odyssey House. In 2024 admission was also by donation, with proceeds going to the Helping Hands Society of Grande Prairie.
Does Santa visit the Grande Prairie tree lighting?
Yes, in both 2024 and 2025 families could visit Santa inside The Bowes at Bonnetts Energy Centre while a holiday movie played. In 2024 those visits ran from 4:45 to 7pm. Check the City of Grande Prairie for 2026 times.
Is there a Santa Claus parade in Grande Prairie?
A parade ran in the past: on Sunday, December 1, 2019, it started at 4pm, and in 2016 a parade started at 1pm. No 2026 parade had been confirmed when this was researched, and recent tree light up pages do not mention one, so check with the city.
What route did Grande Prairie's 2019 parade take?
In 2019 the parade started at 100 Avenue and 102 Street, headed east to 100 Street, went down 99 Street and ended at Revolution Place. Free cookies and hot chocolate from Grande Prairie Storm players and Santa photos at the Bowes followed.
What was Old Fashioned Christmas at the Grande Prairie Museum?
In 2016, an Old Fashioned Christmas followed the Santa parade at the Grande Prairie Museum from 1:30 to 4:30pm. It had choir performances, gingerbread house judging, storytelling and a chance to talk with Santa over ham radio. A 2026 version had not been confirmed.
What is the Northern Spirit Light Show?
It is a lights show at Evergreen Park where local families, clubs and businesses build custom displays, and visitors can take horse-drawn wagon rides. The 2025 show was the 17th annual and opened November 13. Details for 2026 were listed as to be determined.
How much does the Northern Spirit Light Show cost?
Festival Seekers lists $15 per vehicle, with public wagon rides at $5 per person and free rides for children 10 and under. Another calendar listed a $5 price, so confirm the current amount with the Peace Draft Horse Club before you go.
When does the Northern Spirit Light Show run?
In 2025 it opened November 13 and ran 6 to 10pm Thursday to Sunday until December 7, then every day for the rest of December except Christmas Day. Its 2026 details had not been announced when this was researched. The details come from the city's own news pages.
Who runs the Northern Spirit Light Show?
The Peace Draft Horse Club runs it entirely with volunteers. Proceeds support local charities, and Festival Seekers says about $600,000 has been raised over more than 16 years, including over $90,000 in 2022. Food bank donations are also accepted. Plan to dress warmly for the outdoor parts.
How long has the Northern Spirit Light Show been running?
MyGrandePrairieNow called the 2025 show the 17th annual. Festival Seekers describes more than 16 years of fundraising, and a 2022 photo shows horse-drawn carriages at the show that year. That makes it one of the longer-running Christmas lights shows in the area.
Where can kids go tobogganing in Grande Prairie?
Grande Prairie Tourism's winter guide names Muskoseepi Park and Thrill Hill as popular tobogganing spots. It also says Beaverlodge, Fox Creek and Saddle Hills have family-friendly hills, if you are willing to drive a short way from the city. Details can change from year to year.
What is the Grande North Winter Festival?
Grande Prairie Tourism's 2024 winter guide described it as a downtown festival with a light display, ice carvings, games and art installations at Bonnetts Energy Centre, Muskoseepi Park and the Montrose Cultural Centre. No 2026 dates had been posted when this was researched.
What indoor places can families visit in Grande Prairie in winter?
Grande Prairie Tourism's winter guide names the Grande Prairie Museum and the Philip J. Currie Dinosaur Museum. It also mentions regional library programs for all ages and plays and concerts at Grande Prairie Live Theatre, which sits at 10130 98 Avenue.
Is there a family sing-along in Grande Prairie at Christmas?
Grande Prairie Live Theatre held a Family Sing Along on Friday, December 19, 2025, from 6 to 8pm. Tickets were $10, children 2 and younger were free, and it was open to all ages. A 2026 sing-along had not been confirmed when this was researched.
What time does the Grande Prairie tree light up start?
In 2025 festivities started at 4pm on Sunday, November 30, with the Battle of the Badges puck drop at 5:30pm. In 2024 the activities ran from 4 to 7pm, with the tree lighting at 4:35pm. The 2026 schedule had not been posted when this was researched.
Where can kids see Christmas lights near Grande Prairie?
The Northern Spirit Light Show at Evergreen Park is the main one. Grande Prairie Tourism's 2024 guide also listed Sexsmith's light-up on Main Street with sleigh rides and Christmas markets. No 2026 dates had been posted for either when this was researched.
Sources
- City and Downtown Association Spark Holiday Spirit at Annual Christmas Tree Light Up, City of Grande Prairie
- Christmas Tree Light-Up (December 1, 2024), City of Grande Prairie
- Grande Prairie Holiday Events, December 1, 2019, MyGrandePrairieNow
- Santa Claus visiting Grande Prairie for annual parade Sunday, MyGrandePrairieNow
- Northern Spirit Light Show kicks off November 13th, MyGrandePrairieNow
- Northern Spirit Light Show, Festival Seekers
- 2024 Winter Top Things to Do, Grande Prairie Tourism
- Family Sing Along, Grande Prairie Live Theatre (Showpass)