Search
Resorts & LodgesVacation RentalsDeals & PackagesTravel Guides
List Your Property

Nanton Lights the Way: A Rural Christmas Celebration With Something for Everyone

Back in the late 1800’s, pioneers first settled the area that would become Nanton, Alberta. Today, Nanton is a quiet, peaceful, and historic community that exudes a unique rural charm. This town of roughly 2,100 takes great pride in their history, and it's on display in their museums and antique shops. Nanton is filled with activities that will appeal to everyone from horseback riding to visiting the local art galleries. At the end of each November, the population of Nanton swells as thousands of people join the community in celebrating the beginning of the holiday season at Nanton Lights the Way. Beginning as a day for people in surrounding rural areas to come into town to do their holiday shopping, it has grown into multi-day holiday spectacular.

 

When it comes to holiday fun for the entire family, Nanton Lights the Way provides an experience that will not be soon forgotten. The entire town gets in on the celebration with festive decorations, plenty of lights, delicious treats, extended hours in shops, and a friendly atmosphere for visitors. A major draw to the event is the Distinctly Nanton Christmas Market that features a selection of holiday gifts for everyone on your list. Kids will love the Kids’ Crafts Corner, which has hands-on activities with free hot chocolate to enjoy. Ring in the holiday season with the fun, festive, and friendly Nanton community at Nanton Lights the Way. ResortsandLodges.com interviewed the President of the Nanton Chamber of Comerce, Pam Woodall, about Nanton Lights the Way.

 

RAL: Tell me about Nanton Lights the Way.

PW: This event has been running in various forms for many years, since ranching and farming families came to town on a Friday night to do all their Christmas shopping. The merchants would stay open late to accomodate them, provide special treats and holiday specials, and generally make a party of it. Over the years, Nanton Lights the Way has turned into a weekend-long event. This is partly to accommodate any bad weather, which makes it hard for people from out of town to make it here to enjoy the fun and the shopping deals.

 

RAL: What makes this event unique?

PW: We try to reverse the usual flow of traffic, so city folks are heading our way to shop for the holidays and locals are staying in town, rather than the other way around. This is a joint effort by the Nanton & District Chamber of Commerce, Distinctly Nanton Market, and the Town of Nanton, with some financial assistance from Travel Alberta to really showcase all the unique shops and services Nanton has to offer. One of the great ways to find interesting local gifts for Christmas is to attend the Distinctly Nanton Christmas Market, offering more than 50 artists, artisans, and craftspeople from Southern Alberta. The incredible Bomber Command Museum of Canada is also open all weekend from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. Mrs Claus also visits town on Saturday, chatting with children and handing out sweet treats and talking about the big guy.

 

RAL: What will attendees find for activities and dining options?

PW: Activities are varied all weekend. The local shops offer longer opening hours (Friday and Saturday 10:00 am to 9:00 pm, Sunday 11:00 am to 5:00 pm). The Distinctly Nanton Christmas Market takes place at the Nanton Community Centre on Saturday from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, and features a wide range of items for sale. The Kids' Craft Corner on Main Street Saturday runs from 2:00 pm to  8:00 pm, with Town of Nanton councillors handing out free hot chocolate. There is free Public Shinny and Skating event at the Tom Hornecker Rec Centre on Saturday from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm and Sunday from 4:00 pm to 7:45 pm. The Christmas Bake-Off takes place on Sunday from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm on Main Street and the Charm Bracelet Scavenger Hunt lasts all weekend while bracelet supplies last.

 

There are several home-cooking type restaurants (Sweet Queen Restaurant and the Auditorium Hotel cafe), cafes (Tumbleweed Cafe and Kay's Coffee Kettle) as well as a really lovely modern roof-top European cafe and wine bar called Fieldstones. We are expecting a couple of food trucks on Main Street over the weekend, El Churro and Juicy Sausage.

 

RAL: What does Nanton Lights the Way mean to the community?

PW: Nanton Lights the Way has been a great boost for Nanton businesses, raising their profile both locally and beyond. People from all over realize what a wide range of independant shops and services we offer with plentiful all-day parking and a very walkable historic downtown. The events are generally free to attend, including free skating and shinny, free entrance to the Market, and the free Kids' Craft Corner. The Gingerbread House contest does have an entry fee, but is also accepting donations for the Nanton Ministerial Food Bank.

 

RAL: What should people come to the event?

PW: This is a great way to experience Nanton. Enjoy the shops, services, attractions and small-town atmosphere!


For more information about Nanton Lights the Way please visit their website.