Why you should take in the Airdrie Festival of Lights

Airdrie is lucky to be home to the largest outdoor Christmas light display in all of Western Canada! The Airdrie Festival of Lights is celebrating 21 years of holiday cheer this year, and if you haven’t seen this amazing display, it’s a must for the holiday season.

Here’s just some of the many reasons you should take in the Airdrie Festival of Lights this year:

• Community support: It’s 100 per cent volunteer-run, made possible by generous community donations and sponsors!
• Miniature train rides: these train rides are fun for the whole family and run every night, for only $2 a person.
• Fire pits: if you get a little chilly at any point in the evening, you can warm up at either one of the two fire pits located near the event tent.
• Hot chocolate: warm up with a cup of hot chocolate for only $2.
• Outdoor skating: Nose Creek Pond is available for public skating every night, permitting it is safe to do so. Because the pond is run by the City, you’ll have to contact the City of Airdrie (403-948-8800) to find out about skating conditions.
• Tree of Hope: The Airdrie Festival of Lights has partnered for the third year in a row, with The Airdrie District & Hospice Society for their Tree of Hope Campaign. The tree is going to stay lit for the duration of the Festival of Lights, and you can visit the Airdrie Hospice website for details on how to submit a pledge.
• Nightly events: there are a number of events happening at the event tent each night at the Festival of Lights, check here for the full calendar. This Saturday, December 5th, there are three big events happening at the Festival of Lights: Santa Claus Parade, Santa will be on-site for visits and the 20th Anniversary celebrations for the Festival will be taking place.

Where: Nose Creek Park in Airdrie, directions from Calgary and north of Airdrie are on their website here. Parking is free, but follow the traffic signs to ensure a safe and easy traffic flow for people entering and exiting the Festival of Lights. Cost: admission to the lights display is based on cash donation amount, donations of $20 or more will receive a tax receipt. When: running every night until December 31 from 6 to 9 pm.

*The Festival of Lights has ample handicap access, and dogs on leashes are welcome as well, but please clean up after your dog.

**Note that in extreme cold temperatures, the display is lights only without the added activities. Check the website before you visit. 

To find out more about the Festival of Lights in Airdrie, check out their website here. If you have any photos of you or your family at the display, please share with us on Twitter.