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Community event

Light Up Kitimat

See Santa, listen to local choirs, visit local vendors and support local businesses.
This is a great, and FREE, annual event.
Dec 6

Sunday, December 6, 2026

noon

Event details
See the full calendar

Light Up Kitimat is an annual community event that marks the official start of the holiday season. Families and friends gather to watch the lighting of a large Christmas tree, enjoy live music, sample treats from local food vendors, and take part in festive, family-friendly activities. The event is all about bringing people together, brightening the community, and creating a joyful, welcoming atmosphere to kick off the holidays.

Business/Vendor registration now covers both the City Centre Mall Christmas Market and Light Up Kitimat.

Light Up Kitimat 2026

Celebrate the holiday season with an afternoon of festive fun, community spirit and local shopping at Light Up Kitimat 2026!

Join us at Upper City Centre for a variety of indoor and outdoor activities as we come together to celebrate the season.

Sunday, December 6, 2026
3:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Upper City Centre, Kitimat
Indoor and outdoor activities

[psst... don't miss out on the City Centre Mall Christmas Market that runs Dec. 4 and 5th!]

What's Happening?

There's something for everyone to enjoy!

  • Displays of Lights – Enjoy the festive atmosphere and holiday lights.

  • Visit with Santa Claus – Celebrate the magic of Christmas with Santa.

  • Christmas Caroling – Enjoy the sounds of the season.

  • Craft Fair – Explore locally made crafts and gifts.

  • Shopping Spree Prizes – Enter for a chance to win shopping spree prizes.

  • Shop Local – Support Kitimat's local businesses throughout the holiday season.

Bring your family and friends and join us for an afternoon of holiday cheer!

 
Light Up Kitimat Registration

November 20 to December 6, 2026

Buddy and Mistletoe are heading out on a Christmas adventure around Kitimat! Follow along as they explore our community, discovering local gifts, delicious food, unique experiences and holiday favourites along the way.

Join the fun for your chance to win a prize basket filled with local goodies and gift cards valued at $500!

How to Enter

Follow Buddy and Mistletoe's adventures on the Keep It Local Kitimat social media pages. Watch for their holiday discoveries and follow the contest instructions for your chance to win.

About the Events

Light Up Kitimat

Hosted by: Kitimat Chamber of Commerce and the District of Kitimat
Date: December 6, 2026
Time: 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Location: Upper City Centre Mall, with an indoor and outdoor component.

What it is:
A festive event with both indoor and outdoor components for vendors

Indoor component:
For artisans and small home-based businesses. Standard 8' table setup, with the option of 2 chairs provided. Power is limited and available only for functional use. Decorative lighting must be battery-powered.

Outdoor component:
For businesses, organizations, and activity booths offering food, snacks, giveaways, or fun community activities. Each outdoor booth space measures 10′ × 10′, with an option to request a second space.  Vendors are responsible for providing their own tent, weights, table, chairs, generator, and anything else they might need to set up and run their booth.

Mall Christmas Market

Hosted by: City Centre Mall
Dates: 
Friday, Dec. 4: 2 to 7 p.m.
Saturday, Dec 5: 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Location: City Centre Mall (indoors), no outdoor component. 

This is a 2 day City Centre Mall event prior to the Light Up Kitimat event, Dec. 6

What it is

An indoor market with table and chair setup for local artisans and small home-based businesses to sell products or services, similar to Kitimat’s Summer Night Market.

Registration

Vendors who register for both the indoor portion of Light Up Kitimat and the Mall Christmas Market will receive priority table selection. This allows vendors participating in both events to set up their tables once and keep the same location for both markets.
Light Up Kitimat Registration

Once your registration is received, you’ll get a confirmation email. Closer to the event, more details will be sent about setup times, booth placement, and any other important information you’ll need to prepare.

Have questions?
Inside vendors: sara.besler@kitimat.ca
Outside vendors: members@kitimatchamber.ca

FAQ

Things to know about Light Up Kitimat

Here you will find answers to some of the most commonly asked questions. If we haven’t covered your question here, feel free to email us at members@kitimatchamber.ca

Date: Sunday, December 6, 2026
Time: 3:00 PM – 5:30 PM
Location: Upper City Centre, both indoors and outdoors.

Join us for an afternoon of festive activities, holiday lights, caroling, Santa Claus, a craft fair and opportunities to support local businesses.

Yes! Thanks to the Kitimat Chamber of Commerce, the District of Kitimat, City Centre Mall and all the participating businesses handing out goodies and socializing with the community.

  • Inside the mall: Local vendors/crafters/community groups selling
    products
  • Outside the mall: Local Businesses giving away treats, snacks, and goodies. Lots of music, lights, and holiday cheer!

Register online Kitimat Chamber of Commerce or contact the Chamber office

There are two contests this year:

  • Best-Decorated Booths (inside & outside)
  • Best-Decorated Business store fronts (around town)

A panel of three judges will pick the winners, who’ll receive bragging rights and a certificate to display proudly.

TBA

Available: Lower City Mall & Dairy Queen area
Reserved: Parking near MStar and Tim Hortons for customers only

We love our furry friends but for everyone’s comfort and safety, please leave dogs and other pets at home during the event.

It’s Kitimat people, chances are it will! The show will go on!
Bundle up, bring an umbrella or a raincoat, the event happens rain or shine!

PO Box 214

2109 Forest Ave

Kitimat BC  V8C 2G7

Phone: 250-632-6294

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