Winter Whyte Light Up
A Magical Winter Celebration
Produced by the Old Strathcona Business Association, Winter Whyte Light Up is Old Strathcona’s signature winter event, showcasing the very best the district has to offer. This free, all-ages event is a community favourite, attracting thousands of attendees every year!
Thank you to everyone who came out and embraced the winter wonderland conditions to enjoy the 8th annual Winter Whyte Light Up event!
We’re already dreaming up next year’s event and hope you will join us on Saturday, November 28, 2026, to kick off the holidays in the heart of Old Strathcona!
Help Us Light Up Whyte!
We’re looking for sponsors to help us take Winter Whyte Light Up to the next level (or in lighting terms, the next lumen- ha!) If you’re interested in helping us shine even brighter this holiday season, check out our sponsorship package. We’re looking for a variety of sponsors to help us produce this beloved community event!
Festive Fun for Everyone!
Lights
Every year, we transform Dr. Wilbert McIntyre Park into a wonderful array of festive light displays across the gazebo, trees, and pathways. Plus, the folks at the Edmonton Radial Railway Society (Edmonton Streetcar) go all out, decorating the historic streetcar with festive displays and lights. Being that it's a community event, we source light installations from local artists, providing them with an opportunity to showcase their talents! Last year, we added interactive light and projection displays from Freebird Entertainment and incredible installations by Dylan Toymaker!
Activities
Winter Whyte Light Up features a variety of indoor and outdoor activities all evening. You can enjoy programming across the event with live performances, roving entertainers, Indigenous cultural activations, a live ice carving, community booths, farmers' market vendors, and story time at the library. Our indoor partner venues Edmonton Public Library and the Old Strathcona Farmers' Market offer a variety of free family-friendly activities, while the Edmonton Streetcar operates short rides (pending snow fall) on their beautifully decorated Christmas car from the main stop behind the Arts Barns!
Winter Whyte Variety Show
Launched in 2024, the Winter Whyte Variety Show boasts a full line-up of local singers, musicians, performers, Drag Queens, and theatre groups. Our main stage is a celebration of talent and diversity, showcasing Old Strathcona's bustling theatre community, and Edmonton's lively art scene. Every year, a variety of artists take the stage, varying from youth musicians to improv troupes to established musical groups. It's four hours of programming that celebrates winter, diversity, and Old Strathcona!
Community Connections
The holidays are the season of giving, so every year we invite various community organizations to participate in the event to connect with the community and collect donations. Last year, The Mustard Seed and the Strathcona Community League were onsite, collecting mittens for the Mitten Tree, donations to sustain crucial programming, and hosting swag giveaways.
Getting Here
Dr. Wilbert McIntyre Park is located in the heart of Old Strathcona at 8331 104 St NW. Whether you choose to walk, roll, cycle, drive or take transit, getting here is easy! There is a full guide that outlines the many ways to get here near the bottom of our Visit page. We also have a handy Old Strathcona Parking map which lists the many places and spaces to park throughout the district.
Thank You to Last Year’s Sponsors
A huge thank you to all of the generous sponsors who supported the 2025 Winter Whyte Light Up. This event is made possible thanks to your support!
