Midnight Madness descends upon downtown Friday

By ANNA SMITH Local Journalism Initiative on November 18, 2025.

asmith@medicinehatnews.com

With just a few days to Midnight Madness, residents are encouraged to get ready for some of the best shopping of the year.

Traditionally held one week prior to Black Friday every year, this year’s event kicks off at 4 p.m. downtown on Friday. This year is going to be bigger than previous years, says chamber events manager Brad Tajiri.

“It’s a celebration of our beautiful downtown and encourages people to shop local,” said Tajiri. “We’ll formally kick off the evening at 6 p.m. with a tree lighting ceremony at BATUS Park, where we’ll have the Medicine Hat Sings choir on hand for some music, we’ll make some speeches and the tree lighting.”

The evening will feature hay rides along First Street, a petting zoo and colouring contest at the Chamber of Commerce office and myriad activities both in and outside of the Esplanade, such as ice carvings, fire pits and a rooftop DJ.

Most importantly, says Tajiri, more than 80 shops downtown and along N. Railway Street that will be open late, offering sales and special promotions at stores and restaurants, as well as treats offered by the non-profits that call downtown home.

“In partnership with the Downtown Voice group of businesses, we have more participants than we have in the past couple years for sure,” said Tajiri. “There will be some really cool activities. So there will be a photo booth with Buddy the Elf at the open door real estate studio, a gallery and Gift Show at the Art Room on Second, there’s a movie at the Monarch.”

As always the event features several activities for families for free to encourage residents to spend the evening downtown regardless of if they have any shopping to get done.

“You never know what you might find. There’s lots of hot chocolate stops that are available throughout downtown where you can go in and get a quick warm up, and it doesn’t cost you anything,” said Tajiri.

Those planning to attend are encouraged to visit chamber.southeastalbertachamber.ca, for a digital map and a full list of businesses and organizations that will be participating or offering activities this year.

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