Rally is researching the season
Christmas with kids in Regina
Regina's Santa Claus parade nearly disappeared when its mall sponsor cancelled it three weeks out, and a car dealership took it over in 2018. Add a Victorian Christmas at Government House and a T. rex in a Santa suit, and the city has plenty of stories to tell kids.
Christmas events for 2026 are coming in late November
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Already confirmed in Regina
So far we’ve confirmed 1 of this season’s events, and more are on the way.
Light the Lights Downtown
When: Thu, Nov 19, 5 to 8 pm
Where: Downtown Regina (City Hall, Victoria Park and partner hubs), Regina
Cost: Free
The story of Christmas in Regina
A parade that a dealership kept alive in 2018
Regina's Santa Claus parade has a rescue story. Southland Mall could no longer run it and cancelled it three weeks before the event. Wheaton Kia took over and organized its first parade in 2018, with Southland Mall workers staying on as partners. The dealership's general manager, Greg Gilbertson, calls it the kickoff to the Christmas season. Planning is a year-round job, and meetings begin in September when entries open. In 2021 that parade had few floats.
The 39th parade and a December countdown at City Hall
The 39th Regina Santa Claus Parade went down Albert Street in northern Regina on Sunday, November 16, 2025, and thousands of people lined the sidewalks. The earlier 38th parade had about 65 floats and ended at Northgate Mall, where Santa took photos with kids. On December 2, 2025, City Council counted down to light City Hall and the Queen Elizabeth II Courtyard from 6 to 8 p.m. Families got wagon rides, ice creations, hot chocolate and a visit from Santa. In 2026 Light the Lights is on November 19.
Mrs. Claus, wagon rides and a house that is a historic site
Government House in Regina is a National Historic Site and a Provincial Heritage Property. Its Old Fashioned Victorian Christmas is free and draws over 1,500 visitors each year. In 2024 it had horse-drawn wagon rides, cocoa and cookies, carolling by Wascana Voices and holiday stories from Mrs. Claus. The weekend tours describe 1905 holiday traditions. At the Royal Saskatchewan Museum, a T. rex named Munchie put on a Santa suit for photos in December 2025.
Traditions today
- Light the Lights Downtown: Regina's downtown tree and City Hall lighting evening is set for November 19, 2026, from 5 to 8 p.m. It is free, with Santa, the Grinch and wagon rides.
- Regina Santa Claus Parade: A Sunday parade along Albert Street in northern Regina, run since 2018 by Wheaton Kia. The 39th was on November 16, 2025.
- Old Fashioned Victorian Christmas: A free evening at Government House with carols, wagon rides and stories from Mrs. Claus. The 2024 evening was on November 29.
- Victorian Christmas Traditions tours: Weekend tours of Government House led by guides who describe 1905 holiday traditions. They start every hour from 9 a.m., with the last tour at 3 p.m.
- Colouring contest: Children 12 and under can enter a virtual colouring contest linked to Light the Lights, with a prize draw.
- T. rex Christmas party: The Royal Saskatchewan Museum held Bones and Bells on December 21, 2025, with carols under Scotty the T. rex and a Tree-Rex craft.
A fact for kids
A T. rex skeleton named Scotty lives at Regina's Royal Saskatchewan Museum, and at Christmas a T. rex named Munchie put on a Santa suit for photos.
Questions about Christmas in Regina
When is Light the Lights in Regina in 2026?
Light the Lights Downtown is set for Thursday, November 19, 2026, from 5 to 8 p.m. The Victoria Park tree lighting is at 6 p.m. and the City Hall lighting follows at 6:30 p.m. The City of Regina calls the evening free and family-friendly, and says more programming will be announced closer to the date.
Is Light the Lights free for kids and families?
Yes. The City of Regina lists the 2026 Light the Lights evening as free and family-friendly. Hot chocolate is complimentary, and horse-drawn wagon rides run between the downtown stops. Children 12 and under can also enter a virtual colouring contest. Rally Takes the Train's Regina Christmas events guide has the current details.
Where is Light the Lights held in Regina?
The 2026 evening is spread across downtown Regina. Event stops include City Hall, Victoria Park, Cornwall Centre, Regina Public Library, the Globe Theatre and the Regina Farmers' Market. Wagon rides connect the stops. The tree lighting happens in Victoria Park and the building lighting happens at City Hall.
Will Santa be at Light the Lights in Regina?
Yes. The City of Regina says families can visit Santa Claus and the Grinch at the 2026 Light the Lights evening on November 19. In 2025 the city also promised a special appearance by Santa at the same event. Check the city's Light the Lights page for the exact spots on the night.
What time is the Victoria Park tree lighting in 2026?
The Victoria Park tree lighting ceremony is at 6 p.m. on Thursday, November 19, 2026. The City Hall lighting ceremony comes half an hour later, at 6:30 p.m. The whole Light the Lights evening runs from 5 to 8 p.m., so families can arrive early and see both.
How did the 2025 Light the Lights evening work?
In 2025 City Council led a countdown on Tuesday, December 2, from 6 to 8 p.m. in front of City Hall to light up the building and the Queen Elizabeth II Courtyard. The evening had wagon rides, ice creations, outdoor games, local entertainment, hot chocolate and a visit from Santa.
What can children do at the Light the Lights colouring contest?
Children aged 12 and under can enter a virtual colouring contest. In 2025 the sheet was drawn by Regina Métis artist Phyllis Poitras-Jarrett of Metis Spirit Art, entries closed on December 9, and entrants went into a prize draw. For 2026 the city lists a virtual colouring contest again.
When is the Regina Santa Claus Parade?
The 39th Regina Santa Claus Parade took place on Sunday, November 16, 2025, in northern Regina along Albert Street. No 2026 date has been posted on an official page, so check the parade's own channels. Rally Takes the Train's Regina Christmas events guide adds it once a date is confirmed.
Who runs the Regina Santa Claus Parade?
Wheaton Kia, led by general manager Greg Gilbertson, has organized the parade since 2018, with help from Southland Mall workers who stayed on as partners. Gilbertson calls it the kickoff to the Christmas season. Planning runs year-round, and meetings start in September when entries open.
Why did Wheaton Kia take over the Regina parade?
Southland Mall could no longer run the parade and cancelled it three weeks before the event. Wheaton Kia stepped in and organized the 2018 parade, which its general manager remembers as the most memorable. Mall workers kept helping as partners, and they still do.
Where does the Regina Santa Claus Parade go?
In the 38th parade Santa rode north on Albert Street and finished at Northgate Mall, where he took photos with kids. The 39th edition in 2025 was also in northern Regina along Albert Street. Thousands of spectators lined the sidewalks that year.
How big is the Regina Santa Claus Parade?
The 38th parade had about 65 floats, with local businesses, Bright Eyes Dog Rescue and the Regina Police Service taking part. The 39th, on November 16, 2025, drew thousands of spectators along the sidewalks. The organizer says the route could be extended as Regina grows.
What is Old Fashioned Victorian Christmas at Government House?
It is a free, family-friendly evening at Government House with Victorian-era holiday traditions. The Saskatchewan government says it draws over 1,500 visitors each year. The 2024 evening was on Friday, November 29, and had wagon rides, cocoa and cookies, Santa, carolling and holiday stories from Mrs. Claus.
Who performed at the 2024 Old Fashioned Victorian Christmas?
The Regina Symphony Orchestra played chamber music, and the Wascana Voices choral ensemble led carolling. Kids could also do a museum scavenger hunt and hear holiday stories from Mrs. Claus. Outside there were horse-drawn wagon rides, hot cocoa and cookies, and a visit with Santa Claus.
Can kids tour Government House at Christmas?
Government House runs Victorian Christmas Traditions tours on Saturdays and Sundays, every hour on the hour from 9 a.m., with the last tour at 3 p.m. Guides describe 1905 holiday traditions among the Christmas decorations. The site lists the address as 4607 Dewdney Avenue. Dates for 2026 are not confirmed.
Who greeted guests at the Government House tours in 2025?
Saskatchewan Lieutenant Governor Bernadette McIntyre greeted guests at the Victorian Christmas tours on a Saturday in late December 2025. CTV News described the tours as a trip back in time to a Victorian Christmas. The province also calls the house a National Historic Site and a Provincial Heritage Property, so the tours double as a short history lesson for older kids.
What does Government House say about its place in Saskatchewan history?
The Government of Saskatchewan describes Government House as both a National Historic Site and a Provincial Heritage Property. Its stated mission is to give visitors an accessible historic place to preserve and celebrate Saskatchewan's living heritage through programs, partnerships and educational experiences.
What did the Royal Saskatchewan Museum do for Christmas in 2025?
On Sunday, December 21, 2025, from 1 to 4 p.m., the museum held Bones and Bells: A T. rex Christmas Party. There was a photo with Munchie the T. rex in a Santa suit, carolling under Scotty the T. rex at 2 p.m., and a Tree-Rex craft. A Christmas-themed Scotty skull display ran through December.
What is the Snow Globes on a Sphere Challenge?
It was a December 2025 activity at the Royal Saskatchewan Museum. Kids designed a snow globe on a template, and winning designs were shown as 360-degree snow globes on the Science on a Sphere globe in the Home Gallery. The submission deadline was December 14, 2025.
What can Regina families do over the Christmas break at the museum?
For the 2025 break the Royal Saskatchewan Museum ran School's Out: Christmas Break from December 27 to January 4, with daily drop-in activities and the Field Station play space open. It was closed December 25 and 26. Rally Takes the Train's Regina Christmas events guide covers the confirmed 2026 dates.
Sources
- Santa Claus parade takes over northern Regina for 39th edition, CTV News Regina
- Regina's Santa Claus parade showcases the spirit of Christmas, SaskToday
- Light the Lights Downtown, City of Regina
- Regina City Council Welcomes Winter with Annual Light the Lights Celebration, City of Regina
- Celebrate the holiday season at Government House's Old Fashioned Victorian Christmas, Government of Saskatchewan
- Victorian Christmas tours at Government House bring history to life, CTV News Regina
- Holiday programming at the Royal Saskatchewan Museum, Government of Saskatchewan
- Victorian Christmas Traditions Tours, Government House Saskatchewan