December’s nearly here, and the holiday season is already in full swing around Cochrane!
Here’s a list of Hallmark-worthy activities to brighten up the longest nights of the year and keep you feeling cozy no matter how cold it gets.
Lights, Santa, and all that jazz – Cochrane has all you need to entertain your crew.
So, toss on your winter gear and make the most of the holiday vibes in Cochrane!
Stuff A Bus
Nothing says the holiday season like giving back and capturing memories – this iconic community event helps you do both!
On December 9, head over to Canadian Tire with a present for a needy kid, and Old Saint Nick will be there to thank you for your generosity.
Santa will also host storytime to tell tales straight from the North Pole for kids from 10 to 3!
Rather than standing in line at a busy mall and paying for family photos with Santa this year, bring a gift in for someone in need, and Santa will welcome you to his “nice” list with a free photo op for the whole family.
This Stuff a Bus toy drive supports the Cochrane Activettes Share Your Christmas Hamper Program.
Book your spot here or a family photo with Santa with a toy donation.
Cowboy Church Concert
If this isn’t a giving Hallmark moment, we don’t know what is.
Cowboy Trail Church (CTC) is hosting the annual Christmas Concert on December 1.
Join in for an evening of boot-thumping entertainment, finger-licking food and friendly fellowship.
Artisans from the congregation will also be displaying their handiwork!
Doors open at 6 PM at Cochrane RancheHouse, and the Concert will begin at 7 PM.
Christmas Markets 1, 2, and 3!
Another classic holiday activity is a good old local Christmas market.
But if one is good, three is better!
Stroll through rows of festive stalls adorned with twinkling lights, each offering unique handcrafted treasures, from cozy knitted scarves to intricately designed ornaments.
Local artisans get to showcase their talents, and you get to appreciate their work!
Sip on some hot cocoa while browsing, find that one-of-a-kind gift and soak in the festive vibe.
You’ve got three options to choose from:
The Cochrane Christmas Farmers’ Market.
Largest market of the season – two days on two floors.
10 AM- 4 PM December 10
Spray Lake Sawmills Centre 800 Griffin Rd E
Holiday Pop-Up Markets
Two days of December shopping with all local artisans. Follow them on social media (@quirksocial) to see vendor lists.
11 AM – 4 PM Dec 2nd, 16th
Frank Wills Memorial Hall, 405, 1st Street E Cochrane.
MADE Artisan Christmas Market
Offers holiday shoppers a full weekend tour of outstanding artisans and makers!
Fifty different local retailers are featuring oodles of “made with love” treasures.
Sat/Sun – DECEMBER 2/3
Saturday – 10 AM to 4 PM
–Sunday – 10 AM to 3 PM
Cochrane Lions Event Centre – 109 Fifth Avenue, Cochrane
Wolfdog Christmas Party!
Jump into the winter by spending time with some animals embodying the solstice spirit.
Wild Enrichment Saturdays at the Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary happen on December 2 at 1 PM.
The sanctuary’s Wolfdog Christmas Party will have decorations, a wolfdog gift exchange, advent calendars, gingerbread houses and maybe even some wolfdog-style carolling to start the holiday season celebration!
You can also get half off the price on the Sanctuary Walk with proof of residence in Cochrane.
First Responder Holiday Parades!
Paramedics, firefighters, and police officers are teaming up once again to ensure every Cochranite’s Christmas is merry and bright.
“Basically, what we do is we have a big convoy go through each and every community. We go in, and we collect donations of non-perishable food items, gifts, toys and anything to help make everybody have a great Christmas here in Cochrane,” Town councillor and parade organizer Marni Fedeyko told Cochrane Now.
She says seeing communities come together each year is beautiful to witness, and she’s excited to see it again.
“I have seen some of the most touching moments out there when I have ridden along the parade route, between little kids holding up signs that say ‘I love you’ to seeing kids dressed up as future firemen or firewomen. Also, it brings a lot of great pride to first responders as well.”
Donations from the parades go a long way in helping to ensure the Share Your Christmas program is a success each year.
They’ll be hitting neighbourhoods in the early evenings as follows.
• November 28: Jumping Pound, Bow Meadows, Crawford Ranch, Bow Ridge
• November 30: West Valley, West Terrace, West Pointe
• December 1: Sunset Ridge
• December 5: Heritage Hills/ Heartland
• December 6: Glenbow, Riverview
• December 7: Gleneagles
Light UP
And, of course, the classic Cochrane activity you can enjoy any night of the week!
Stroll through the downtown core anytime through early January to see the sparkle that happens when the community comes together to make something beautiful.
The beautiful lights will have the kiddos grinning from ear to ear and the whole family feeling the holiday magic!
HISTORIC DOWNTOWN 1st Street West
The air of collective joy and holiday spirit is definitely in town this season!
These are just a few opportunities in Cochrane to make some heartwarming memories.
