If you are ready for some holiday cheer, the Christmas season will officially kick off in Medicine Hat this week with the annual lighting of the Christmas Tree in Batus Park at Midnight Madness downtown on Friday night. The festive lights will be on all around town and there will be lots to do between now and Christmas Day to get you in the holiday spirit! Consider this your official guide of all things Christmas in Medicine Hat this season.
Also downtown on Friday you can take in free hayrides, a free movie at the Monarch Theatre, hot chocolate, Christmas carols and of course bring the kids to visit with Santa! Don’t forget while you are down there to start your holiday shopping by checking out the many deals at the local stores.
If you are in the shopping mood, check out the annual Heritage Christmas Market held at Medalta on Nov. 22 and 23. It’s one of the city’s most highly anticipated winter art and craft markets. While you are there you can also check out the Medalta Museum for free. It’s a great experience if you have never been.
The Enerplus Olde Tyme Christmas Fair is back on Dec. 5 in Pioneer Village at the Stampede Grounds. You can get photos with Santa, take a hay ride through the grounds and enjoy hot chocolate, hot dogs and roast s’mores over an open fire. Also check out the Christmas Farmers’ Market happening the same night in the Cypress Centre.
If you are looking for a couple warm, indoor events then make sure you check out the Santa Claus Fund’s Kids Christmas Party and the Free Family Movie Night both on Dec. 15! The Kids Christmas Party is at the Medicine Hat Lodge from 1-3 p.m. and you can meet Santa and the Grinch, listen to live music, get your face painted and so much more! Then head on over to the Canalta Centre at 5:30 p.m. for a free double feature of “Home Alone” and “Home Alone 2.” Plus, there is free popcorn!
And of course, the holiday season would not be complete without checking out the CP Holiday Train! It will be stopping in Medicine Hat on Dec. 18 around 4:15 p.m. with performances from Meghan Patrick, Tanika Charles and Kelly Prescott from 4:30-5 p.m. They will also be collecting donations for our local Medicine Hat & District Food Bank. If you have never seen the train roll through town it is quite the sight!
There are lots of other holiday events happening over the next five weeks including but not limited to free movies, carolling and craft nights at the Medicine Hat Public Library, the Medicine Hat High School’s production of “Elf: The Musical,” the Medicine Hat Concert Band Society’s Christmas concert at the Esplanade and many other holiday markets. It is going to be a great holiday season here in the Gas City and no matter what type of event you are looking for there is something for everyone that will be guaranteed to get you in the Holiday Spirit!
Amber Beierbach is promotions director for 105.3 ROCK and 102.1 CJCY.
