Okotoks, AB: Named the 2025 Canadian Event Award winner for Best Event for a City or Municipality and a consistent GOLD winner in the Best of the Foothills awards for over six years, Light Up Okotoks marks the start of the holiday season with festive activities, live entertainment, and a spectacular lighting of the Christmas tree.
Proudly powered by Okotoks Ford and Okotoks VW, this year’s beloved community event returns to downtown Okotoks for its 33rd year on Friday, November 21, from 5:30 to 9 p.m.
Attendees can enjoy wagon rides, warm fire pits, choir performances, and entertainment on the main stage, along with late-night shopping and a festive atmosphere for the whole family. The community Christmas tree will be illuminated at 7 p.m. at the Old Towne Plaza, followed by a fireworks finale at 9 p.m. at Lineham Park.
Road Closures
To accommodate the festivities, the following roads will be closed from 3 to 10:30 p.m. on November 21:
- Elizabeth Street, McRae Street, and North Railway Street from Northridge Drive to Lineham Avenue.
- Riverside Drive and South Railway Street from Riverside Gate to Lineham Avenue.
- Staff will also be stationed at the Veterans Way and Mountain Street intersection to allow local traffic only, helping prevent congestion and bottlenecks on Elma Street.
Shuttle Services
- Parking will be limited. Event goers are encouraged to use the free shuttle service sponsored by Southland Transportation.
- Shuttle service will run continuously from both the Okotoks Rec Centre and Viking Rentals Centre to the event zone from 5 to 10:30 p.m.
Safety Wristband Stations
- A child ID wristband can help the Town reunite a lost child with their guardian in minutes!
- Look for the Safety Wristband Stations throughout the event zone where you can write your phone number on a red wristband and put it on your child.
- Stations will be located at each end of the event zone, at the Arts & Learning Campus Plaza and the Incident Command Trailer (located beside the Municipal Centre).
Charitable Giving Opportunities
Spread the holiday spirit by giving back to the community:
- Help the Okotoks RCMP fill their police cruiser with donations and non-perishable food items for the Okotoks Food Bank. Visit the cruiser at the corner of Veterans Way and McRae Street.
- Food donation bins will also be located at the Safety Wristband Stations throughout the event zone.
- For those wishing to donate toys, the Christmas Charity Truck will be on site at the Landmark Site (O-K-O-T-O-K-S letters) to collect funds and toys in support of local children's charities.
For full event details, including a map of activities, visit okotoks.ca/lightup. See you there, Okotoks!