Edmonton’s Popular Christmas Festivals Make A Return After Being Canceled By COVID-19 Last Year – Edmonton | The Canadian News

Several popular Christmas festivals in Edmonton are making a comeback after COVID-19 forced its cancellation last year.

All is Bright is the main event for the 124 Street Businesses Association. It is also seen as the start of the winter festival and holiday season.

“We are one of the first festivals to be held in winter,” said Luyam Kiflemariam, CEO of 124 Street Business Association.

“He really welcomes winter, and not just winter, he comes back after taking a year off.”

The 124 Street area will come to life with light shows, street performers and live music on Saturdays from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

“Bringing that vibrancy and excitement to the streets,” said Kiflemariam.

“I know the small businesses on 124th Street are excited that people are walking again.”

Many of the businesses in the area will also stay open later.

The glow returns

At the Edmonton Exposition Center, another popular event is being prepared to welcome the people.

Glow is Edmonton’s largest indoor holiday festival. It was canceled last year due to COVID-19.

“It feels great,” said Shannon Van Norman, president of Shadow Vista Productions, which presents Glow Edmonton.

“Last year, we put on the show. It stayed installed until March, then we took it down.

“Really excited to be able to bring Glow back… We have a lot of people coming every year. They have made it a Christmas tradition. “

Glow will run from November 24 to January 2.

Churchill Square Christmas Tree

On Saturday, the giant Christmas tree in Churchill Square will come to life with lights.

Last year, the ceremony was kept small. This year, it will be more of a production with live entertainment and food trucks.

Celebrations in Churchill Square will continue every other Saturday.

The tree will remain up until January 2.

WinterCity Edmonton

Isla Tanaka has a unique job. She is the WinterCity planner in the City of Edmonton.

From slopes to cross-country ski trails, Tanaka said last year, the parks were busy.

However, there were fewer festivals and events.

“The festivals worked really hard to bring some programming to the people and they did an excellent job, but we couldn’t have those really big events,” Tanaka said.

With Edmonton a winter city, he said it is important that these events come back into our lives.

“I think people want to go out and I think we will see people. We may not see as many as in the past, ”Tanaka said.

He acknowledged that not everyone is a fan of winter, but said he has seen the tone change in recent years with the work he has been doing.

“People are starting to embrace it and even people who are not embracing winter are accepting that, yes, we are a winter city and we have great winter days,” Tanaka said.

“They will go out to the parks, they will go out to the courtyards, they will go out to the events, especially with the events happening again, I think we will see more people outside.”