The holidays are just around the corner, although it may not look like it, and communities in the surrounding areas are preparing to get into the festive spirit with several events planned for area residents to enjoy.
Whether you are looking to take in a Christmas market or enjoy a holiday light-up event, here are some of the communities which are celebrating the festive season.

Village of Big Valley

There will be a Christmas in the Village held at the Big Valley Community Hall on Friday, December 17 beginning at 5 p.m. The event is open to the public, though the hall will be opened at one-third capacity (approximately 100 people); masks and social distancing are required. There will also be an outdoor Christmas concert starting at 6 p.m. by the Big Valley School which is open to the public.

A Kids Christmas event is also planned for area residents only on Saturday, December 18.

Christmas light judging and sleigh rides will also take place on Wednesday, December 22, though the village is still in the process of working out times and specifics for this event.

Village of Carbon
Start your Christmas shopping on Saturday, November 27 between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. at the Carbon Library’s Christmas Market.
Afterwards, enjoy some donuts and hot chocolate, Christmas caroling, and horse-drawn wagon rides at the Village of Carbon’s Christmas Light Up starting at 6 p.m. at the corner of Bruce Avenue and Glengarry Street.
Special guests Frosty the Snowman and Santa will be at the Carbon Library to hand out presents to children, and gift bags for children donated by the Carbon Legion will also be available.

Village of Delia
Downtown Delia has been decorated by the Delia in Bloom committee. Although there was no official event, members of the group got together on the afternoon of Monday, November 15 to decorate.

Village of Hussar
The Hussar Light Up the Night Committee will be hosting the seventh annual Light up the Night event at the Hussar Campground on Saturday, December 4.
A community fire pit will be set up for attendees to keep warm, with hot chocolate available at the camp kitchen. There will also be Christmas caroling. All money raised will be donated to the Hussar Crisis Fund.
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the event will be a walk-through event.

Village of Morrin
Although there are no events planned for the Village of Morrin, Christmas street lights are expected to be put up this week.

Village of Munson
There are no plans for any festive events in the Village of Munson as of press time.

Village of Rockyford
Rockyford Library will be hosting a Christmas Market on Saturday, December 11 from 5 p.m. until 10 p.m. at the Rockyford Community Centre. There will be a Light Up the Night parade and those interested in entering a float in the parade are asked to meet at the Rockyford Community Centre at 6:30 p.m.; prizes will be awarded for the top three best floats and Santa is expected to make a special appearance during the parade. Public skating at the Rockyford Arena will take place following the parade--those wishing to participate will need to provide proof of vaccination, medical exemption, or negative, private COVID-19 test--and there will be a bonfire with free hot chocolate and popcorn followed by a horse and sleigh ride around the village at 8:30 p.m.

The Village of Rockyford will also be holding a Christmas light and decoration contest with three Rockyford Bucks prizes available. Judging will take place Saturday, December 18 at 6:30 p.m.

Village of Standard
The Village of Standard is in talks about their annual Christmas light competition. Finalized plans were not available by press time.

Town of Drumheller

WinterFest, which is being hosted by the Festival of Lights committee, kicked off with the annual Festival of Lights and tree lighting on Saturday, November 20, with weekend activities planned through December 18. Among the tentatively planned activities are a Santa Saturday and Chilly (chili) Cook-off at the plaza on November 27, and Christmas Around the World on December 4 with various cultural food and beverages to sample at the plaza.
Check out the Festival of Lights committee website for more information on upcoming WinterFest activities at
festivaloflightsdrum.wixsite.com/mysite.

Drumheller has been featured on the big screen multiple times in the past, though the feeling of awe and pride at seeing familiar streets and landmarks in a big-budget Hollywood film remains the same.
Ghostbusters: Afterlife premiered locally at the Napier Theatre on Friday, November 19 and a gala event put on by the Drumheller Economic Development Advisory Committee was held prior to the screening, with members of the Calgary Ghostbusters in attendance.
“The idea was brought forward (to hold a premiere) and the Economic Development Advisory Committee took charge,” says manager of Economic Development Reg Johnston.
Mr. Johnston added it was a great weekend for the gala and premiere-coupled with fantastic weather, there were also the Drumheller Festival of Lights, Dragons and Titans games to take in.
Principal photography for the film began mid-July 2019 in Calgary, with shooting on-location in Drumheller and surrounding areas-including Dorothy, Horsethief Canyon, and Bleriot Ferry-along with Fort Macleod beginning shortly thereafter in July and August.
The film was originally set for release in July 2020, however, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the release was postponed twice-first to March 2021, and then again to November 19-and anticipation has been mounting.
A total of 300 tickets were available, including 90 VIP tickets to the Drumheller Legion’s gala event ahead of the premiere. Tickets went on sale on November 1 and VIP tickets sold out within three days, with regular tickets selling out on November 13.
Among the guests at the gala were some 20 members of the Calgary Ghostbusters, a non-profit cosplay group that volunteers locally within Calgary and fundraises for numerous charities.
To celebrate the release of Ghostbusters: Afterlife the group brought props and replicas of the franchise's infamous ghost traps and proton packs, and were dressed in their signature cosplays.
Economic Development Advisory Committee Chair Brian Yanish told the Mail all proceeds from ticket sales went directly back to the Drumheller Legion and Napier Theatre; these two businesses were hard hit by the COVID-19 pandemic and played key roles in helping put on the gala and premiere.
Several downtown businesses also took part in the event by offering Ghostbusters-themed specials and promotions to help celebrate.