Red Deer Festival of Trees Blends Christmas Magic with a Powerful Cause

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Red Deer, Alberta, will welcome the festive season with the 33rd annual Red Deer Festival of Trees from 27 to 29 November 2026. The event will fill Westerner Park with decorated Christmas trees, lights, food, music, children’s activities and charity fundraising. It will give families a joyful place to begin the holiday season while raising money for important healthcare equipment and services in Central Alberta.

A Festival That Turns Christmas Cheer into Healthcare Support

The Red Deer Festival of Trees is not only a holiday attraction. It is a major community fundraiser led by the Red Deer Regional Health Foundation. The event has grown from a small local fundraiser into one of Central Alberta’s best-known seasonal traditions.
For more than three decades, the Festival has brought families, local businesses, volunteers and visitors together. Guests come to see decorated trees, shop for gifts, enjoy food and take part in holiday activities. At the same time, their ticket purchases, auction bids, raffle entries and donations support healthcare close to home.
The Festival of Trees has raised millions of dollars over the years. The money helps the Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre and other healthcare services in Central Alberta. This gives the event a strong purpose beyond festive fun.

Westerner Park Becomes a Christmas World

The Festival takes place at Westerner Park in Red Deer. The Neeralta Pavilion hosts the main public activities, while the Prairie Pavilion hosts special evening events.
The public Festival opens from 10am to 9pm on Friday, 27 November. It continues during the same hours on Saturday, 28 November. The final day runs from 10am to 4pm on Sunday, 29 November.
The Tree Room is the heart of the Festival. Visitors will walk through a bright indoor space filled with decorated Christmas trees, lights and seasonal displays. Each tree has its own style, colours and gifts. The room creates a warm setting for families, friends and visitors looking for a festive day out.
The event gives Red Deer an early start to the holiday season. It brings a Christmas atmosphere to Central Alberta before December begins.

Silent Auction Gives Visitors a Chance to Support the Cause

The silent auction is one of the Festival’s main attractions. Guests can view and bid on decorated trees, holiday décor, unique experiences and donated items. The auction opens online before the public Festival starts, and visitors can also see items in person during the event.
The auction turns holiday shopping into charity support. A family may bid on a tree for their home. A business may buy a gift package. A visitor may take home Christmas décor or an experience. Each bid helps the Foundation support hospital care and medical services.
Raffles add another way for visitors to take part. Festival guests can enter raffles for mini trees, wreaths, cash prizes and other seasonal items. The event makes it easy for people to enjoy the festive atmosphere while helping a larger cause.

Candy Cane Lane Makes the Festival Special for Children

Candy Cane Lane is the Festival’s main family area. It offers games, crafts, activities and a visit with Santa. It is designed for children but gives parents and grandparents a chance to enjoy the season together.
The area includes more than 20 games, activities and crafts. Most games need coupons, which visitors can buy on site. Candy Cane Lane stays open until 8pm on Friday and Saturday. On Sunday, it closes with the Festival at 4pm.
Santa will appear at several times during the weekend. Children can meet him, take photos and enjoy a familiar Christmas tradition. The Festival also offers live entertainment on the Main Stage. Children’s choirs and local performers will add music and energy throughout the public programme.
This mix of trees, games, music and Santa makes the Festival a strong choice for families travelling in Central Alberta during the last weekend of November.

Gifts, Treats and Local Shopping Add to the Experience

The Gift and Sweet Shop gives visitors more reasons to spend time at the Festival. Guests can browse holiday decorations, handcrafted gifts, artisan products, savoury snacks, chocolates and festive sweets.
The shopping space supports local makers and gives visitors a chance to find gifts that feel personal. It also adds a food experience to the event. Families can enjoy seasonal treats while looking at trees and listening to music.
The Festival is not a large commercial shopping centre. Its appeal comes from its community feeling. Visitors can support local items, enjoy a festive indoor outing and know that their spending helps healthcare fundraising.

Festival of Wines and Spirits Opens the Weekend

The Festival of Wines and Spirits takes place on Friday evening in the Prairie Pavilion. Doors open at 7pm. This adults-only event gives guests a more social way to enjoy the Festival.
Visitors can try food and beverage tasting stations, enjoy grazing tables from local establishments and sample drinks. The event also includes raffles and access to the Tree Room, Gift and Sweet Shop and silent auction.
It brings together food, drinks and seasonal celebration in one evening. It also supports the Red Deer Regional Health Foundation.
The official event pages show different ticket prices, so visitors should confirm the final price when booking. The evening is expected to be popular because it offers access to the Festival after the public crowds begin to leave.

Mistletoe Magic Creates a Formal Saturday Evening

Mistletoe Magic takes place on Saturday, 28 November. It is a formal gala for fathers, daughters and young guests. Doors open at 5pm in the Prairie Pavilion.
The event includes a dinner buffet, a soft-drink station, a cash bar, music, dance challenges, prizes and a special raffle. Guests can dress up, take part in the celebration and enjoy a memorable holiday evening together.
Mistletoe Magic also gives ticket holders access to the Tree Room, Candy Cane Lane, Gift and Sweet Shop and silent auction. It creates a separate experience within the larger Festival and gives families a chance to make special Christmas memories.

Festival Funds Will Support Future Hospital Care

The 2026 Festival of Trees will support important healthcare needs in Central Alberta. The Foundation says funds will help bring critical tools and training to Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre.
Priority projects include an interim cardiac catheterisation lab, a Da Vinci robotic surgical system, an MRI unit and advanced training for healthcare teams. These investments can help patients receive faster diagnosis and treatment closer to home.
The Festival supports a future where fewer people need to travel far for specialist care. It can also help reduce waiting times and improve access to complex medical treatment.
Red Deer Festival of Trees gives visitors a festive experience with real meaning. It combines Christmas trees, Santa, music, local shopping and food with a powerful community goal. For families and travellers, it offers a bright start to the holiday season. For Central Alberta, it helps build a stronger future for healthcare.