Red Deer Lights the Nights kicks off this month

Winners will be announced Dec. 8, and the top stories will be published on the We Are Red Deer website.

The Frost Street Patio Party is next on the list. From 4 to 7 p.m. at Ross Street Patio and Veterans’ Park, residents are welcome to meet the one and only Santa Claus, while enjoying free hot chocolate and the warm fire pits. There will also be kids’ activities and a mini winter market to kick off the holiday season.

The next day, the Rare & Remarkable Artisan Market will be underway. The event will take place from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Red Deer Museum and Art Gallery on Saturday, Nov. 22. The market will feature fine art, functional art, and handmade goods from local artists.

From Nov. 22-23, the Holiday Craft Fair will be at the Kerry Wood Nature Centre, where visitors will be able to shop at a market full of local, homemade products from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. All ages are welcome, and there will be free admission.

Also, from Nov. 22 to 23, the Norwegian Laft Hus Society will hold its annual Craft and Bake Sale. The event will take place at Heritage Square, 4402 – 47 Avenue and those in attendance will find lefse, flatbread, krumkake, rosettes, lace cookies, fattigmann, and more. On Saturday, it’ll run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on Sunday from noon to 4 p.m.

The Red Deer Pottery Club will hold its annual Christmas sale on Nov. 22 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Red Deer Recreation Centre. The Club will be offering pottery products for sale that are functional and decorative, made by local artists. The Red Deer Art Club will also be joining them with paintings and handmade cards available.

On Nov. 22, the Christmas Craft Fair is set at the Northside Community Centre from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. It will give residents a chance to support local small business owners during the holiday season. Those hoping to attend are encouraged to bring cash.

On Friday, Nov. 28, the Red Deer Museum & Gallery will host a Family Fun Night from 5 to 8 p.m. Admission is a suggested donation of $5 per person. It is a family-friendly event and will feature art and plenty of games.

A family snowshoeing event is scheduled to take place on Saturday, Nov. 29, as well as Saturday, Dec. 27 and Sunday, Dec. 28, from 12-3 p.m. at the Kerry Wood Nature Centre. Those hoping to take part can do so for $3 per person or $10 per family. It is a family-friendly event, and no experience is necessary. All ages are welcome for this drop-in activity, and snowshoes are available on a first-come, first-served basis. The event will run if snow levels and temperatures allow for it. The temperature cut-off is -25 Celsius.

On Friday, Dec. 5, there will be a North Pole gallery stroll from 5 to 8 p.m. at various galleries in Red Deer. Participants can visit the galleries for First Friday and enjoy the beautiful festive sights of downtown. Look for a QR code at selected galleries for a chance to win a prize.

On Saturday, Dec. 6, the TLC: Toques, Lanterns & Cookies event put on by the Red Deer Arts Council at #6 – 4919 49 Street will return. From 3-5 p.m., attendees can enjoy a cozy and creative experience where they design a paper lantern for the holiday season. While doing that, they can also enjoy a sweet treat. This is a free drop-in activity and all ages are welcome.

The Santa Stroll is also scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 6, from 5:15 to 6:15 p.m. at City Hall Park. Santa will be walking about in City Hall Park with his elf friends and will be available for selfies.

On Thursday, Dec. 11, from 10 to 11 a.m. at the Dawe Library Branch on Holt Street, they’ll host a winter wonderland story time session where someone will read a fun, festive story for kids aged one to five years old.

On Monday, Dec. 15, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., the Red Deer Public Library downtown branch will host a sugar plum story time. Kids aged five and up can wear their pyjamas and join the library for holiday-themed puppet shows, stories, activities and crafts.

Meanwhile, on Dec. 17, there will be a Christmas concert in the club cafe at the Red Deer Museum & Gallery from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Admission is $5 per person, and those who attend will get to listen to traditional holiday carols on the player piano and enjoy refreshments.

On Saturday, Dec. 20, the Red Deer Public Library downtown branch will host an Indigenous winter solstice story time from noon to 2 p.m. The stories read will honour the deep connection between Indigenous communities and the changing seasons. It is suitable for all ages.

On Sunday, Dec. 21, the Kerry Wood Nature Centre will host a winter bird count from 1 to 4 p.m. For $3 per person or $10 per family, residents can join the centre’s drop-in birding program, where they set out to find and count native birds. Afterwards, the bird tally will be submitted to the Red Deer River Naturalists’ Christmas Bird Count. Organizers say it’s important to dress for the weather and wear good walking shoes.

Finally, on Dec. 31, the Red Deer Public Library downtown branch will host the Happy Noon Year Dance Party. The event will run from 11 a.m. to noon and is suitable for babies, toddlers, preschoolers, and school-age kids to celebrate the new year with dancing, crafts and more.

For more information on all of the events during Lights the Nights, visit the City of Red Deer website.

by Ian Gustafson

Red Deer Lights the Nights kicks off this month

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