Christmas Events for Kids in Stony Plain (2026)

Christmas Events for Kids
Written by Kelsey Cecil

Updated 4 min read

Rally the corgi has sniffed out the Christmas events for kids in Stony Plain for 2026, and all three are free town events under the Winter Fest banner. Winter Light Up brings Santa, elves and the tree lighting to Main Street on Sunday, November 29, the Moose on the Loose clue hunt runs December 1 to 13, and Family Fest ends the year with 9:05 pm fireworks at Heritage Park. Every date comes from the Town of Stony Plain’s own Winter Fest page. For more across the country, see our Canada Christmas events for kids guide.

What Rally found in Stony Plain

  • 3 free Christmas events for kids in Stony Plain
  • Winter Light Up: Sunday, November 29, 3:30 to 5:30 pm, tree at about 5:40 pm
  • Santa and Mrs. Claus: photo visits at Light Up
  • Moose on the Loose: daily clues December 1 to 13
  • Family Fest: December 31, fireworks at 9:05 pm

Free Christmas events for kids in Stony Plain

Tree lighting and SantaFree

Winter Light Up 2026

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Stony Plain opens Winter Fest with an afternoon street party on downtown Main Street, ending with the lighting of the town tree at about 5:40 pm.

Santa and Mrs. Claus hand out cookies and pose for pictures from 3:30 to 5:30 pm, elves roam the street singing, a DJ plays festive music and a treat map points families to warm-up stations at local shops.

Parent tip: This year the event starts earlier, at 3:30 pm, so little ones can see Santa in daylight and still stay for the tree at dusk. Dress for the cold, it is all outdoors.

Host
Town of Stony Plain Events (opens in a new tab)
Address
Main Street, downtown Stony Plain, Stony Plain, AB (opens in maps)
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
See dates and detailsfrom Town of Stony Plain Events (opens in a new tab)

New Stony Plain events every week

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Rally’s Christmas research

Rally the corgi has 2 more Stony Plain events researched for you.

  • New events every week We research new events daily and send you one email a week with the new ones we find in Stony Plain.
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Coming up on this page

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Family scavenger huntFree

Moose on the Loose Holiday Hunt

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The Town Moose hides inside a different Stony Plain business each day, and families solve the morning clue to track it down.

Snap a selfie with the moose, email it to the town and you are entered in the grand prize draw, with a new clue every day from December 1 until the last one on December 13.

Parent tip: Kids love being the clue solvers, so read it together at breakfast and make the moose stop part of an afternoon errand run.

Host
Town of Stony Plain Events (opens in a new tab)
Address
Participating shops around Stony Plain, Stony Plain, AB (opens in maps)
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
See dates and detailsfrom Town of Stony Plain Events (opens in a new tab)

New Stony Plain events every week

Rally researches Christmas events in Stony Plain daily and updates this page with new events. Enter your email to get a weekly update with new events in Stony Plain.

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Family New Year’s EveFree

New Years Eve Family Fest

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Stony Plain rings in the New Year early at Heritage Park, with music, dancing and food from 6 pm and fireworks at 9:05 pm.

The early fireworks are the whole point for families, since kids get the countdown feeling and are still home in bed hours before midnight.

Parent tip: Pack a thermos and warm boots, then find a spot with a clear sky view before 9 pm so you do not miss the fireworks.

Host
Town of Stony Plain Events (opens in a new tab)
Address
Heritage Park, Stony Plain, Stony Plain, AB (opens in maps)
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
See dates and detailsfrom Town of Stony Plain Events (opens in a new tab)

New Stony Plain events every week

Rally researches Christmas events in Stony Plain daily and updates this page with new events. Enter your email to get a weekly update with new events in Stony Plain.

Free. Unsubscribe anytime. Privacy policy (opens in a new tab)

We check every event above on the host’s own page for the date, time and cost, plus the things parents ask about, like sign-ups and ages. Looking for a Santa train instead? Our Canada Christmas events for kids guide lists Santa trains and holiday rides across the country.

See every event on a December calendar

Plan your December

When each Stony Plain Christmas event for kids happens

Start at Winter Light Up on November 29 for Santa and the tree, grab the first moose clue there, hunt through the first two weeks of December, then finish the season with early fireworks at Family Fest.

Looking further afield? Our Canada Christmas events for kids guide lists every confirmed event in the country, and we have city guides for Edmonton, Red Deer, Calgary and Fort McMurray. The national search sorts every event by distance from your town.

A story for the drive home

A morning with Santa or an evening of holiday stories tends to end the same way: tired kids, a long drive and one more book before bed. Our picture book follows Rally the corgi on his first train ride to see his grand-paw-rents, and every page is painted by hand. If your family is spending December missing someone, it was written for that too. For the car, print our free corgi and train coloring pages.

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

A bedtime story after seeing SantaRally Takes the Train is a five-minute rhyming picture book about a corgi’s first ride on a California train, hand-painted in watercolor. $16.99 on Amazon, ages 0 to 8.

Buy on Amazon (opens in a new tab)

The story of Christmas in Stony Plain

Since 2014, the Town of Stony Plain has given every household a free, handmade Christmas ornament designed by a local artist, and the 2025 one was cut from repurposed leather. The town also hides a moose in a different Main Street shop every December morning for families to find.

A handmade town ornament every Christmas since 2014

Stony Plain's Christmas Ornament program began in 2014. Each year the Town commissions a local artist to design and handcraft a limited-edition ornament, and residents pick one up free at Town Hall, 4905 51 Avenue, one per household, while supplies last. Mayor William Choy has called the ornaments a symbol of civic pride and holiday spirit.

The 11th ornament, in 2024, was sewn by Cindy Gabel and inspired by traditional Norwegian designs, which she said reminded her of a snow-filled Christmas day and the warmth of a fire. The 12th, released November 17, 2025, was handcrafted from repurposed leather by Lisa Cordell of Longhurst Leather, and only 250 were made. Pickup for the 2026 ornament begins November 16.

A November 30 tree lighting and the first Moose on the Loose in 2025

Winter Fest 2025 opened with Winter Light Up on November 30, when Main Street came alive from 6 to 8 pm with music, lights, a Kinsmen BBQ by donation and treats from local businesses. Children met Santa and wrote letters to send to the North Pole, and the Town Tree was lit at 7 pm sharp, with Santa and Mrs. Claus staying for photos until the end.

That night also launched the all-new Moose on the Loose, a December hunt for a festive moose hidden in local businesses, with a prize draw on December 28. The season closed with Family Fest at Heritage Park on December 31, with a DJ, a free light meal from the Lions Club, skating, a horse-drawn sleigh ride and fireworks at 9 pm.

From an 8:30 pm tree lighting in 2022 to a daytime Light Up in 2026

Stony Plain's tree lighting is described by the Town as a longstanding tradition that draws a big crowd. In 2022, after a break from in-person events, Winter Light Up returned to Main Street on December 1 from 7 to 9 pm, and Santa joined Mayor Choy to light the Town Tree at 8:30 pm. A virtual advent calendar with festive recipes, activities and colouring contests ran all December.

In 2023 the lighting moved to 8 pm, and in 2024 the advent calendar added colouring contests with prizes for every age group. For 2026, Winter Light Up moves to the afternoon of Sunday, November 29, from 3:30 to 5:30 pm, with the tree lit at about 5:40 pm, elves singing on the street and a treat map of warm-up stations.

Kinsmen Christmas Hampers and early New Year's fireworks at Heritage Park

Giving has been part of every Winter Light Up. Each year the Kinsmen Club of Stony Plain runs a BBQ on Main Street and collects non-perishable food, toys, gift cards and cash for the Kinsmen Christmas Hampers, and donations are also taken at Town Hall through December. In 2025 the Town accepted hamper donations until December 12.

The season ends at New Years Eve Family Fest in Heritage Park, which the Town has held with skating, horse-drawn rides, bonfires and fireworks around 9 pm, so children can count down and still be home long before midnight. Families are asked to bring a donation for the Parkland Food Bank.

Traditions today

  • Town Christmas Ornament: A free, limited-edition ornament made by a local artist, given to one household at a time at Town Hall every November since 2014.
  • Winter Light Up on Main Street: Santa, Mrs. Claus, music, treats and the lighting of the Town Tree downtown. In 2026 it is on Sunday, November 29, with the lighting at about 5:40 pm.
  • Moose on the Loose: A daily clue hunt for the Town Moose hidden in a local business, started in 2025. In 2026 clues post at 10 am from December 1 to 13.
  • Kinsmen Christmas Hampers: Food, toys, gift cards and cash collected at the Kinsmen BBQ on Light Up night and at Town Hall to fill hampers for local families.
  • Family Fest on New Year's Eve: A free evening at Heritage Park with skating, sleigh or wagon rides, bonfires and early fireworks. In 2026 the fireworks are at 9:05 pm.

A fact for kids

Every December morning in Stony Plain, the Town Moose sneaks into a different shop, and kids who solve the clue and find him can snap a selfie for a chance to win the grand prize.

Questions about Christmas in Stony Plain

When is Winter Light Up in Stony Plain in 2026?

Winter Light Up is on Sunday, November 29, 2026, on downtown Main Street, with a new afternoon time of 3:30 to 5:30 pm and the Town Tree lit at about 5:40 pm. Santa and Mrs. Claus hand out cookies and pose for pictures, elves sing on the street, a DJ plays and the first Moose on the Loose clue is handed out at 4 pm.

What time was the Stony Plain tree lighting in 2025?

In 2025 Winter Light Up was held on November 30 from 6 to 8 pm on Main Street, and the Town Tree was lit at 7 pm sharp. Santa and Mrs. Claus stayed for photos until the end of the evening, and the Kinsmen ran a BBQ by donation while collecting gifts for the Kinsmen Christmas Hampers.

How long has Stony Plain had a town Christmas tree lighting?

The Town calls the annual tree lighting a longstanding tradition that draws an incredible crowd each year. Town news releases show Santa joining Mayor William Choy to light the Town Tree on Main Street at 8:30 pm on December 1, 2022, and at 8 pm in both 2023 and 2024, before the lighting moved earlier.

What is the Stony Plain Christmas ornament?

Since 2014, the Town of Stony Plain has commissioned a local artist each year to design and handcraft a limited-edition Christmas ornament. It is free to Stony Plain residents, one per household, at Town Hall, 4905 51 Avenue, Monday to Friday from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm while supplies last. Pickup for 2026 begins November 16.

Who made the 2025 Stony Plain Christmas ornament?

The 12th annual ornament, released November 17, 2025, was handcrafted from repurposed leather by Lisa Cordell, owner of Longhurst Leather, who has lived in the area since she was five. Her design was meant to capture the warmth and simplicity of Christmases past. Only 250 were available, and colours could not be chosen.

What did the 2024 Stony Plain Christmas ornament look like?

The 11th annual Town Christmas Ornament in 2024 was made by Cindy Gabel, a crafter who loves sewing. Her embroidered ornaments were inspired by traditional Norwegian designs and came in a variety of colour combinations. Residents could pick them up at Town Hall from November 12 to December 13, 2024.

What is Moose on the Loose in Stony Plain?

Moose on the Loose is a free December scavenger hunt that started in 2025. The Town Moose hides inside a different Stony Plain business each day, families solve the clue, find him and email a selfie to events@stonyplain.com to enter the prize draw. In 2026, clues post at 10 am from December 1 to 13.

How do you win the Moose on the Loose prize in Stony Plain?

Email one photo per person per day with the moose to the Town. If you also send a receipt showing at least $5 spent at that business that day, you are entered twice. The last clue in 2026 is December 13, and the winner is drawn and announced on the Winter Fest page on December 15 at 10 am.

When is the Stony Plain New Year's Eve Family Fest in 2026?

New Years Eve Family Fest is on Thursday, December 31, 2026, at Heritage Park, from 6 to 9 pm, with music, dancing and food, and fireworks at 9:05 pm. The early fireworks let young kids enjoy a countdown and still get to bed hours before midnight. It caps the town's Winter Fest holiday season.

What happened at Stony Plain's Family Fest on New Year's Eve 2025?

Family Fest on December 31, 2025, ran from 6 to 9 pm at Heritage Park with a live DJ, dance floor, photo booth, a free light meal from the Lions Club, outdoor skating, horse-drawn sleigh rides when weather allowed, a bonfire and fireworks at 9 pm. Guests brought donations for the Parkland Food Bank to end the holiday season.

What are the Kinsmen Christmas Hampers in Stony Plain?

The Kinsmen Christmas Hampers are holiday hampers for local families, filled with donations collected by the Kinsmen Club of Stony Plain. At Winter Light Up, the Kinsmen BBQ takes non-perishable food, toys, gift cards and cash, and the Town also accepts hamper donations at Town Hall in December. In 2025 Town Hall took them until December 12.

Can kids write letters to Santa in Stony Plain?

Yes. At Winter Light Up 2025, children met Santa on Main Street and could bring their letters or write one at Winter Fest to send to the North Pole. Santa and Mrs. Claus also pose for photos at the 2026 Light Up on November 29 from 3:30 to 5:30 pm, so bring a letter along.

What was the Stony Plain virtual advent calendar?

From 2022 to 2024, the Town ran an online advent calendar through December as part of Winter Fest, revealing a new holiday activity, craft or recipe each day. In 2024 it featured colouring contests with prizes for every age group, with youth entries from December 2 to 13 and adult entries from December 9 to 20.

Is there a holiday recipe exchange in Stony Plain?

Yes. Starting December 1, 2026, the Town's Winter Fest invites residents to share their most secret or favourite recipes of the season to help count down to the last day of the year. It continues the spirit of the earlier virtual advent calendar, which posted festive recipes and activities every December.

What is the treat map at Stony Plain's Winter Light Up?

The treat map is posted at Winter Light Up and points families to participating businesses and community groups offering festive treats or warm-up stations along Main Street. In 2026 the list includes ATB Financial, the Edmonton River Hawks, the Kinsmen Club of Stony Plain, the Memorial Composite High School drama group and West Parkland Gas Co-op.

Why did Stony Plain move its Christmas tree lighting to the afternoon?

The Town has not given a reason, but for 2026 it announced a new time for Winter Light Up: 3:30 to 5:30 pm on Sunday, November 29, with the tree lighting at about 5:40 pm. Earlier years ran in the evening, with the lighting at 8:30 pm in 2022, 8 pm in 2023 and 2024, and 7 pm in 2025.

Who organizes Winter Fest in Stony Plain?

Winter Fest is organized by the Town of Stony Plain's events team, with partners like the Kinsmen Club, the Lions Club and local businesses. Lori Van Dommelen was the event coordinator in 2025, and Tevra Graham coordinated the 2022 to 2024 seasons. Questions about the holiday events go to events@stonyplain.com.

Do businesses decorate for Christmas in Stony Plain?

Yes. Businesses that join the Moose on the Loose hunt are asked to decorate their storefronts in a festive way for Winter Light Up and to put $50 toward the prize. Shops off Main Street can set up a booth at Light Up instead, so the downtown is full of holiday windows and warm-up stations.

What should kids wear to Winter Light Up in Stony Plain?

Winter Light Up is an outdoor Christmas event on Main Street in late November, so dress kids warmly in layers, boots, hats and mittens. The Town lists warm-up and washroom stations at participating businesses on the treat map, which helps with little ones during the two-hour afternoon before the tree lighting.

What is a good Christmas plan for kids in Stony Plain?

Pick up the free town ornament after November 16, go to Winter Light Up on November 29 for Santa and the tree, hunt the moose from December 1 to 13, and end with Family Fest fireworks on New Year's Eve. More Alberta dates are in Rally Takes the Train's Canada Christmas events guide.

Sources

  1. Winter Fest, Town of Stony Plain
  2. Christmas Ornament, Town of Stony Plain
  3. Kick Off the Holidays in Stony Plain with Winter Fest, Town of Stony Plain
  4. Celebrate the Holiday Season in Stony Plain with Winter Fest, Town of Stony Plain
  5. Winter Fest Ushers in the Holiday Spirit with Family-Fun Events Throughout December, Town of Stony Plain
  6. Winter Light Up Returns to Usher in the Holidays, Town of Stony Plain
  7. Town of Stony Plain Unveils 12th Annual Limited-Edition Christmas Ornament, Town of Stony Plain
  8. Stony Plain's 11th Annual Christmas Ornament: The Holiday Tradition Continues, Town of Stony Plain

Keep the Christmas magic going: track Rally the corgi on Christmas Eve, print free Christmas coloring pages, learn how to say Merry Christmas in 100+ languages, find train museums to visit with kids, or browse Christmas events in every Canada city.

Stony Plain Christmas events for kids: questions parents ask

What are the best Christmas events for kids in Stony Plain this year?

Rally Takes the Train has confirmed 3 free Christmas season events for kids in Stony Plain for 2026, all run by the town: Winter Light Up on November 29, the Moose on the Loose hunt from December 1 to 13 and New Years Eve Family Fest on December 31.

When is the Stony Plain tree lighting in 2026?

At Winter Light Up on Sunday, November 29, 2026. Activities run on downtown Main Street from 3:30 to 5:30 pm and the tree is lit at about 5:40 pm. It is free.

Where can kids see Santa in Stony Plain?

Santa and Mrs. Claus are at Winter Light Up on November 29, 2026, with picture visits and a cookie from 3:30 to 5:30 pm at ATB on Main Street.

How does Moose on the Loose work?

From December 1 to 13, 2026 the town posts a clue at 10 am on its Winter Fest page. Find the moose inside the business, take a photo with it and email it to the town to enter the prize draw. The winner is announced December 15.

Who do I contact about Stony Plain holiday events?

The Town of Stony Plain events team at events@stonyplain.com, or the town office at 780 963 2151.

Are there more Christmas events near Stony Plain?

Yes. Our Canada Christmas events for kids guide lists confirmed events across the country, and the national search sorts events by distance from your town.

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 municipal or tourism calendar. We last checked Stony Plain on November 11, 2026. Rally is also contacting each organizer to confirm details like parking, restrooms and bad-weather plans.

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.

Kelsey Cecil
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