Written by Swikriti Dandotia
Date: Friday, 5 December 2025 | Time: 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. | Location: Downtown High River, Alberta, Canada
The High River Christmas Parade 2025 is gearing up to be one of Alberta’s most magical festive nights. On Friday, 5 December 2025, downtown High River, Alberta will glow with Christmas lights, Santa’s sleigh, bustling markets and a special twist: Netflix is filming its new holiday rom-com “The Bodyguard” during the parade. For families and visitors, it’s a chance to experience a real-life Christmas movie set in a small Canadian town.
Where is the High River Christmas Parade 2025 being held?
The parade takes place in the heart of downtown High River, about 45 minutes south of Calgary. Streets around MacLeod Trail and George Lane Park transform into a festive corridor of lights, floats and community events, with thousands of people lining the route to watch Santa roll through town.
- Town: High River, Alberta, Canada
- Area: Downtown High River & George Lane Park
- Event: 40th Annual Santa Claus Parade
- Theme 2025: “Celebrating the Joy of the Holidays”
The official High River Christmas website describes the parade as a long-running tradition that marks the beginning of the festive season for many families across southern Alberta.
High River Christmas Parade 2025 schedule
According to the Town of High River events listing and the dedicated Christmas site, the night follows a clear schedule, starting with live entertainment and ending with the full Santa Claus Parade through downtown.
- 5:00 p.m. – Entertainment begins on the Stampede Stage (5 Ave & MacLeod Trail SW) with carolling and music.
- 5:30 p.m. – Hot chocolate stands open along the route, plus Lions’ Club hot dogs by the Barber Shop (6 Ave & MacLeod Trail SW).
- 6:00 p.m. – Light Up George Lane Park: the official switch-on of the park’s Christmas light displays.
- 6:30 p.m. – 40th Annual Santa Claus Parade begins, winding through downtown High River.
The parade is free to attend, and no tickets are required. Visitors are encouraged to arrive early to secure a good viewing spot and enjoy the build-up around the stage and park.
Parade route and how to find the best viewing spots
The 2025 parade route winds through downtown High River, with numerous spots to warm up, grab a drink or snack, and watch the floats go by. Organisers provide a printable parade route PDF map on the official website, which is updated with the latest road closures and viewing areas.
Before travelling, visitors can check the latest map and updates on highriverchristmas.ca to plan parking, walking routes and the best place to stand with children or older family members.
Light Up George Lane Park: lights, history and a pop-up skating rink
One of the most beloved parts of the High River Christmas experience is Light Up George Lane Park. The tradition began after the 2013 floods, when local residents, organisations and businesses came together to brighten a gloomy downtown with Christmas lights and displays. Over time it has grown into a full winter wonderland.
On parade night, the lights in George Lane Park are officially switched on at 6:00 p.m. and then continue every evening from around 4:30 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. until mid-January 2026. Visitors can walk or drive through the park to see themed displays and light tunnels, and many families make it an annual tradition.
The park also includes a seasonal pop-up outdoor skating rink in the northwest corner, which opens as soon as the weather is cold enough to keep the ice in place. It has become a favourite spot for children taking their first glides on skates and for locals who simply want to enjoy a classic Canadian winter evening.
Netflix’s “The Bodyguard” is filming at the 2025 parade
Adding extra star power this year, Netflix is filming its new holiday rom-com “The Bodyguard” in High River during the 40th Annual Santa Claus Parade. The movie stars Leighton Meester, Jared Padalecki and Andie MacDowell, and filming is scheduled in town from 4 to 6 December 2025.
Crews are expected to capture real crowds, real floats and the genuine small-town atmosphere as the parade rolls through downtown. Locals and visitors may spot cameras, lighting rigs, artificial snow machines and possibly even a star performing on one of the floats as part of the story. It all adds up to a rare “Christmas movie meets real life” experience for anyone attending the parade in person.
Markets, nativity displays and Santa visits
Beyond the parade itself, High River turns into a full festive hub for the weekend. The official Christmas programme includes:
- Winter Market at Highwood Memorial Centre – A holiday market hosted by Inclusion Foothills, with local vendors and artisan gifts, open on December 5 and 6.
- Gift of Hope Market – A community market at High River United Church, running on parade night.
- Nativity / creche displays – A Christmas creche display at the Church of Jesus Christ (LDS), adding a traditional, reflective element to the evening.
- Santa at the Museum of the Highwood – After the parade, families can book time for children to visit Santa at the local museum, often in exchange for donations to the food bank.
Combined with downtown shopping and local restaurants, the evening feels more like a small-town Christmas festival than a simple parade.
Tips for visitors: parking, weather and crowds
With both the 40th anniversary and Netflix filming happening on the same night, organisers are expecting bigger-than-usual crowds. If you are travelling in from Calgary or neighbouring communities, it’s wise to plan ahead.
- Arrive early: Aim to be parked and downtown by mid-afternoon if you want front-row space along the route.
- Dress for winter: Early December evenings in Alberta can be very cold, so bring layers, hats, gloves, hand-warmers and waterproof boots.
- Check official updates: Look at the latest information on the Town of High River events page and the High River Christmas site before you set off.
- Plan your exit: Expect some delays leaving downtown once the parade and filming wrap up.
If you enjoy following big seasonal moments and fan-driven events, you might also like Swikblog’s coverage of other high-energy fixtures such as the North London derby that had football fans talking worldwide .
Disclaimer: Event schedules, filming details and route maps can change at short notice. Always confirm directly via the official Town of High River event listing and the High River Christmas website before travelling.
