Christmas Events for Kids in Kamloops, British Columbia (2026)

Christmas Events for Kids
Written by Kelsey Cecil

4 min read

For 2026, we confirmed 4 Christmas events for kids in Kamloops, British Columbia. The season opens on November 22 with A Christmas Story free screening and runs until December 13 with A Nutcracker Christmas with the Kamloops Symphony. Of these, 2 are free. Every listing links straight to the host. This page is part of our guide to Christmas events for kids in Canada.

The short version

  • Kids’ Christmas events confirmed for 2026 in Kamloops: 4
  • First: A Christmas Story free screening, Kamloops, November 22
  • Free events: A Christmas Story free screening and Downtown Kamloops Santa Claus Parade

Below is every event we could confirm, grouped by town, with the date, time, cost and the small things parents ask about (registration, ages, what is included).

At a glance: Christmas events for kids in Kamloops, British Columbia

Kids’ Christmas events
4 confirmed for 2026
Cities and towns
Kamloops
Season
November 22 to December 13
Free events
2
Last checked

Christmas events for kids in Kamloops

Listed soonest first: 4 confirmed events in Kamloops.

Family Christmas eventFree

A Christmas Story free screening

Expand to see the parent tip

The Tourism Kamloops page for the Santa Claus Parade lists a separate free screening of A Christmas Story at the Paramount Theatre at 2:00 pm on Sunday, November 22, 2026, the same day as the parade. Seating is limited, and the page recommends reserving in advance. No age guidance is given, so check whether the film suits your kids before booking.

Parent tip: Seating is limited, so reserve ahead. It ends well before the 5pm parade, which leaves time for dinner downtown.

Host
Kamloops Central Business Improvement Association (KCBIA) (opens in a new tab)
Where
Paramount Theatre, Kamloops (opens in maps)
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with Kamloops Central Business Improvement Association (KCBIA) (opens in a new tab)

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Rally’s Christmas research

Rally the corgi has 3 more Kamloops, British Columbia events researched for you.

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Coming up on this page

  • 1 Santa
  • 1 Parades
  • 1 Markets
  • 2 Free

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Santa Claus paradeFree

Downtown Kamloops Santa Claus Parade

Expand to see the parent tip

Tourism Kamloops lists the 46th annual Downtown Kamloops Santa Claus Parade for Sunday, November 22, 2026, at 5pm. It is presented by KCBIA and V7 Properties and is free to attend. The route starts at 2nd Avenue and St. Paul Street, travels along Victoria Street and finishes near 6th Avenue. The theme is Merry and Bright, with extra emphasis on lights along Victoria Street. The parade is also livestreamed, which helps if little ones cannot last outside.

Parent tip: Last year's parade was at 4pm and this year it starts at 5pm, so it will be dark and cold by the end. The page points to the KCBIA website for the full route.

Host
Kamloops Central Business Improvement Association (KCBIA) (opens in a new tab)
Where
Downtown Kamloops, Victoria Street (opens in maps)
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with Kamloops Central Business Improvement Association (KCBIA) (opens in a new tab)

New events in Kamloops, British Columbia every week

Rally looks for new Christmas events in Kamloops, British Columbia every day and adds them to this page. Enter your email for one weekly update with the latest finds.

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Christmas market

Kamloops Christmas Market

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Tourism Kamloops lists the second Kamloops Christmas Market from November 27 to December 6, 2026, presented by the Kamloops Sports Council at the Heritage House parking lot, 100 Lorne Street. Hours are 4 to 9pm Monday to Friday and noon to 9pm on Saturday and Sunday. The listing mentions daily live music and local artisan vendors. It does not list kids' activities or 2026 admission prices. Last year's market had visits with Santa and roaming characters, but check the event website for this year's plans.

Parent tip: The listing does not name 2026 admission prices, so check kamloopschristmasmarket.ca before you go.

Host
Kamloops Sports Council (opens in a new tab)
Where
Heritage House parking lot, 100 Lorne Street, Kamloops (opens in maps)
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with Kamloops Sports Council (opens in a new tab)

New events in Kamloops, British Columbia every week

Rally looks for new Christmas events in Kamloops, British Columbia every day and adds them to this page. Enter your email for one weekly update with the latest finds.

Free. Unsubscribe at any time. Privacy policy (opens in a new tab)

Family Christmas event

A Nutcracker Christmas with the Kamloops Symphony

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Tourism Kamloops lists A Nutcracker Christmas by the Kamloops Symphony Orchestra on Sunday, December 13, 2026, at the Sagebrush Theatre, 1300 9th Avenue. It calls the concert a family-friendly celebration of The Nutcracker and other Christmas favourites, with storytelling and a festive atmosphere. Tourism Kamloops shows a 2pm start and Castanet Kamloops shows 4pm, so confirm the time with the orchestra. Castanet says tickets go on sale as single tickets or with a series pass. No prices or age guidance are listed.

Parent tip: The two listings disagree on the start time, so check the symphony's website before you plan naps.

Host
Kamloops Symphony Orchestra (opens in a new tab)
Where
Sagebrush Theatre, 1300 9th Avenue, Kamloops (opens in maps)
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with Kamloops Symphony Orchestra (opens in a new tab)

New events in Kamloops, British Columbia every week

Rally looks for new Christmas events in Kamloops, British Columbia every day and adds them to this page. Enter your email for one weekly update with the latest finds.

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More Christmas events for kids in Canada

A story for the trip home

Our picture book follows Rally the corgi on his first train ride to see his grand-paw-rents. It is a cozy story to share on the way home after a big day out.

Rally Takes the Train book cover: a watercolour corgi peeking from a red train

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Buy on Amazon.ca (opens in a new tab)

Christmas events for kids in Kamloops, British Columbia: questions parents ask

What are the 2026 Christmas events for kids in Kamloops, British Columbia?

For 2026, we confirmed 4 Christmas events for kids in Kamloops, British Columbia, each on its host’s own page: A Nutcracker Christmas with the Kamloops Symphony (Kamloops), Kamloops Christmas Market (Kamloops), Downtown Kamloops Santa Claus Parade (Kamloops) and 1 more. Each one is listed above with times, cost and a link to the host.

Are there free Christmas events for kids in Kamloops, British Columbia?

Yes, 2 of the 4 events here are free: Downtown Kamloops Santa Claus Parade (Kamloops) and A Christmas Story free screening (Kamloops). Some free events still ask you to register, so check each listing.

Where can kids see Santa this year in Kamloops, British Columbia?

Where to see Santa: Downtown Kamloops Santa Claus Parade (Kamloops). Check the listings above for times and booking.

How do you confirm these events?

We list an event only after we find this season’s date on the host’s own website or an official city, library or tourism calendar. We last checked every listing on November 8, 2026. Hosts change details, so always confirm on the host’s page before you go.

Event names belong to their hosts. Rally Takes the Train is a family picture book and is not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by any host listed here. Confirm dates, times and prices on each host’s own site before you go.

Christmas events for 2026 are coming in late November

More Christmas events arrive in late November. We add them here as soon as we confirm them.

The story of Christmas in Kamloops, British Columbia

The Downtown Kamloops Santa Claus Parade has reached 45 editions, and the city's newest tradition is a Christmas Market that held its first edition in 2025.

Forty-five parades and a lights theme on Victoria Street

The Downtown Kamloops Santa Claus Parade reached its 45th edition in 2025, and the 2026 parade is billed as the 46th. It is run by the Kamloops Central Business Improvement Association with V7 Properties as presenter, and it is free to watch or to stream.

The route starts at 2nd Avenue and St. Paul Street, goes along Victoria Street and finishes near 6th Avenue. The 2026 theme is Merry and Bright, with extra lights along Victoria Street. A free screening of A Christmas Story at the Paramount Theatre comes earlier that day.

Home for the Holidays and a market's first ten days

The 45th parade had the theme Home for the Holidays and rolled on Sunday, November 23, 2025, at 4pm. The Kamloops Christmas Market held its first year from November 21 to 30, 2025, in the Heritage House parking area on Lorne Street, with a lighting ceremony at 5:30pm on opening night.

Kids could meet Santa and see roaming characters. Entry was free for ages 6 and under, and cost $5 online, $7 at the door or $15 for a full pass. Organizers called it the start of an annual tradition, and a second market is planned for November 27 to December 6, 2026.

One million lights and a Wildlife Park Santa

Wildlights at the BC Wildlife Park is the city's big lights show, with over one million lights in a 2024 listing. In 2025 it ran from December 12 to January 4, with lights on at 5pm and closed on December 25. Children aged 3 to 17 paid $17 and infants were free.

Santa, Mrs. Claus and Buddy the Elf made appearances, photos with Santa cost $20 on six dates, and one night was sensory-friendly with the Canucks Autism Network. The park has not posted 2026 Wildlights dates yet. A Nutcracker Christmas with the Kamloops Symphony plays the Sagebrush Theatre on December 13, 2026.

Traditions today

  • Downtown Kamloops Santa Claus Parade: The 46th parade is Sunday, November 22, 2026, at 5pm along Victoria Street, and it is free and livestreamed.
  • Kamloops Christmas Market: A market at the Heritage House parking lot, 100 Lorne Street, runs November 27 to December 6, 2026, in its second year.
  • Wildlights at the BC Wildlife Park: The lights show ran December 12 to January 4 in 2025, and 2026 dates have not been posted.
  • A Nutcracker Christmas: The Kamloops Symphony Orchestra plays Nutcracker music and Christmas favourites at the Sagebrush Theatre on December 13, 2026.
  • A Christmas Story screening: A free movie screening at the Paramount Theatre at 2pm on parade day, November 22, 2026, with reservations recommended.
  • Santa photos: Santa visited the 2025 market, and photos with Santa were offered at Wildlights on six dates.

A fact for kids

Wildlights at the BC Wildlife Park has over one million lights, and Kamloops kids in 2025 could meet Santa, Mrs. Claus and other holiday characters there.

Questions about Christmas in Kamloops, British Columbia

When is the Kamloops Santa Claus Parade in 2026?

The 46th annual Downtown Kamloops Santa Claus Parade is on Sunday, November 22, 2026, at 5pm. It is free to attend and also livestreamed. KCBIA and V7 Properties present it. Rally Takes the Train's Kamloops Christmas events guide lists the parade with the market and other 2026 dates.

What is the theme of the Kamloops parade in 2026?

The 2026 theme is Merry and Bright, with extra emphasis on lights along Victoria Street. The 2025 parade, the 45th, had the theme Home for the Holidays and was held on Sunday, November 23, 2025, at 4pm. The 2026 parade starts an hour later, at 5pm.

What route does the Kamloops Santa Claus Parade take?

Tourism Kamloops says the parade starts at 2nd Avenue and St. Paul Street, travels along Victoria Street and finishes near 6th Avenue. The page sends families to the parade website for the full route, so check it for road closures and viewing spots before heading downtown.

Who presents the Kamloops Santa Claus Parade?

The parade is presented by KCBIA, the Kamloops Central Business Improvement Association, and V7 Properties, according to Tourism Kamloops. It is the Downtown Kamloops Santa Claus Parade, and the 2026 edition is the 46th. It is free to watch in person or by livestream.

Can I watch the Kamloops parade from home?

Yes. Tourism Kamloops says the 2026 parade on Sunday, November 22 is livestreamed, and attending in person is free. That helps with babies, naps or cold weather. The parade starts at 5pm, and the route runs along Victoria Street in downtown Kamloops.

What was the Kamloops Santa Claus Parade like in 2025?

The 45th annual parade had the theme Home for the Holidays and was held on Sunday, November 23, 2025, at 4pm in downtown Kamloops. The pages found give no float count or crowd numbers, so those figures are not given.

Is there a free Christmas movie in Kamloops on parade day?

Yes. A free screening of A Christmas Story is listed at the Paramount Theatre at 2pm on Sunday, November 22, 2026, the same day as the parade. Seating is limited, and Tourism Kamloops recommends reserving in advance. Check that the film suits your kids first.

When is the Kamloops Christmas Market in 2026?

The second Kamloops Christmas Market runs from November 27 to December 6, 2026. Hours are 4 to 9pm Monday to Friday and noon to 9pm on Saturday and Sunday. Tourism Kamloops lists daily live music, local artisan vendors and a holiday-inspired bar.

Where is the Kamloops Christmas Market held?

The market is in the Heritage House parking lot at 100 Lorne Street in downtown Kamloops, near Riverside Park. The Kamloops Sports Council presents it, and the City of Kamloops, Tk'emlúps te Secwépemc, Tourism Kamloops and KCBIA were also named as partners for the first market.

When did the Kamloops Christmas Market start?

The market began in 2025 and ran from November 21 to 30. A lighting ceremony opened it at 5:30pm on November 21. The City of Kamloops said at the time that it hoped to start a beloved annual tradition, and the 2026 market is billed as the second year.

How much did it cost to get into the Kamloops Christmas Market in 2025?

In 2025, entry was free for children aged 6 and under, $5 online in advance, $7 at the door, and $15 for a full-market pass. The Tourism Kamloops page for 2026 does not list prices, so check the market's website before going.

Can kids meet Santa at the Kamloops Christmas Market?

At the 2025 market, children could meet Santa, see roaming characters, pose for photos and watch live music. The 2026 Tourism Kamloops page names live music, vendors and a holiday-inspired bar but no specific kids' activities, so check the market's website for this year's plans.

Who organizes the Kamloops Christmas Market?

The Kamloops Sports Council presents the market. For the first market in 2025, the partners named were the City of Kamloops, Tk'emlúps te Secwépemc, Tourism Kamloops and the Kamloops Central Business Improvement Association. Rally Takes the Train's Kamloops Christmas events guide lists the 2026 dates.

What themed nights did the Kamloops Christmas Market have in 2025?

The City of Kamloops listed themed nights including Indigenous Cultural Night. The market also had a European-style outdoor marketplace, food trucks and firepits. Check the 2026 schedule before planning around a theme night.

Is there a Nutcracker show in Kamloops in 2026?

Yes. The Kamloops Symphony Orchestra presents A Nutcracker Christmas on Sunday, December 13, 2026, at the Sagebrush Theatre, 1300 9th Avenue. It is described as a family-friendly celebration with storytelling. Two listings give different start times, 2pm and 4pm, so confirm with the orchestra.

How do I buy tickets for A Nutcracker Christmas in Kamloops?

Castanet Kamloops says tickets are available with a series pass, or when single tickets go on sale. Neither page shows a price. Tourism Kamloops points families to the Kamloops Symphony Orchestra website for details, and also gives the Sagebrush Theatre address as 1300 9th Avenue.

When did Wildlights run at the BC Wildlife Park in 2025?

Wildlights ran from December 12, 2025 to January 4, 2026, at the BC Wildlife Park, 9077 Dallas Drive. Hours were 4 to 9pm nightly with lights on at 5pm, and it was closed on December 25. The park has not posted 2026 dates on the pages found.

What did Wildlights cost in 2025?

In 2025, adults paid $21, seniors aged 65 and over paid $19, children aged 3 to 17 paid $17, and infants aged 0 to 2 were free. Group rates applied for 10 or more. Photos with Santa cost $20 on six dates, and the 2026 prices have not been posted.

Who visits kids at Wildlights in Kamloops?

In 2025, Santa, Mrs. Claus, Buddy the Elf, and Anna and Elsa made guest appearances at the BC Wildlife Park. Uncle Chris the Clown performed nightly except December 15 to 18, and the Family Farm animals were open nightly. A sensory-friendly night was held on December 12 with the Canucks Autism Network.

What Christmas dates should Kamloops families plan around in 2026?

Sunday, November 22 has the free A Christmas Story screening at 2pm and the Santa Claus Parade at 5pm. The Christmas Market runs November 27 to December 6. A Nutcracker Christmas is on Sunday, December 13. Rally Takes the Train's Kamloops Christmas events guide lists each with venue details.

Sources

  1. Santa Claus Parade, Tourism Kamloops
  2. Home for the Holidays details announced for Kamloops 45th annual Santa Claus Parade, Ground News
  3. Kamloops Christmas Market, Tourism Kamloops
  4. 30 Day Countdown to Kamloops Christmas Market, City of Kamloops
  5. 10 Reasons to Not Miss the Magic, Tourism Kamloops
  6. Wildlights at the BC Wildlife Park, Tourism Kamloops
  7. A Nutcracker Christmas: Kamloops Symphony Orchestra, Tourism Kamloops
  8. A Nutcracker Christmas, Castanet Kamloops
  9. Snow much fun: things to do in Kamloops this December, Tourism Kamloops
Kelsey Cecil
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