November 30, 2024 | 4-8 PM | Dr. Wilbert McIntyre Park

Our free, family-friendly holiday light-up event returns to Old Strathcona this month. This year’s festival is better than ever, featuring our first-ever Winter Whyte Variety Show, artist-created light installations, rides on the Edmonton Streetcar’s Christmas Car, story time at the Edmonton Public Library, live ice carving at the farmers’ market, and more! Our inaugural Winter Whyte Variety Show is action-packed with nearly four hours of entertainment from local performers. Enjoy music, improv, interactive performances, drag, and dance. Check out our full lineup below!


Winter Whyte Variety Show

Hosted By Claudia Hartout as Mrs. Claus
Performances by Backbeat’s bands The Roadside Rats and Knuckle Sandwich
Comedy Circus performance by The Great Balanzo
The 11 O’clock Number, a improvised musical comedy by Grindstone Theatre
Live music by Enoch Attey, a Juno nominated multi-instrumentalist
Sparkling and vibrant light performance by Amanda’s Hula Hoop Circus
Enjoy a taste of Rapid Fire Theatre’s hit holiday show The Blank Who Stole Christmas
Get swingin’ to the catchy tunes of the Misery Mountain Boys

Festive Fun at Winter Whyte Light Up


Volunteer With Us

Get ready to kick-off the holidays and be part of the magical Winter Whyte Light Up festival as a volunteer! We’re looking for community-minded folks to help us spread holiday cheer, no matter if you’re a seasoned volunteer or looking to start your volunteering journey. This festival is not only an event—it’s a grand celebration of community, arts, lights, and winter fun! We’re looking for volunteers to support us in the following roles:

– Site Set-up Crew (12-4 PM)
– Site Supervisor (3-8:30 PM)
– OSBA Information Booth (3:30-8 PM)
– Fire Pit Supervisors (3-8:30 PM)
– Green Crew (4-8:30 PM)
– Volunteer Break Relief (3:30-8:30 PM)
– Site Teardown Crew (8-9:30 PM)

If any of these opportunities are of interest to you, sign up below!


Lights

Watch as Dr. Wilbert McIntyre Park and 83rd Ave transform into a wonderful array of light across the gazebo, trees, and pathways. Old Strathcona becomes a winter wonderland with the snap of a finger and sets the stage for a night to remember. New this year, we’re showcasing light installations by local artists!


Activities

Winter Whyte Light Up features a variety of indoor and outdoor activities all evening. Outside you will enjoy our inaugural Winter Whyte Variety Show on 83rd Ave and roving street performances across the festival. Visit our indoor partner venues Edmonton Public Library and The Old Strathcona Farmers’ Market where you can find family-friendly activities, like crafts, story time, a photo booth, and more! All activities are FREE! Plus, the Edmonton Streetcar will be offering short rides on their beautifully decorated Christmas car from their main stop behind the Arts Barns!


Giveaways & Donations

Spin the wheel to win exclusive Old Strathcona merchandise or visit one of our partner tents to see what they have to offer! Make sure to swing by the maple taffy station at the Flying Canoe Volant tent.

As the holidays are the season of giving, the Edmonton Food Bank and The Mustard Seed will be joining us at this year’s festival, and collecting donations at their tents.


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, and Bike Edmonton will be on-site with their complimentary Bike Valet. Or you can find a place to park using our Old Strathcona Parking map.


Thank you to our sponsors for their support in helping us produce this event!


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