Charlottetown tree lighting Nov. 27, parade Nov. 28

Charlottetown’s Christmas tree will be lit at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 27, at the Confederation Centre of the Arts, and the city’s Christmas parade follows at 5 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 28, starting at UPEI, the City of Charlottetown said in a news release on Nov. 12.

Groups that want to be in the parade have until Wednesday, Nov. 18, to apply. Entries can be a float, a walking group or a band, and there is no entry fee. Application forms are online or at City Hall, 199 Queen St.

The tree lighting begins with a candlelight promenade that leaves the Richmond Street side of Province House at 6:15 p.m. The ceremony then moves to the Lou MacEachern Upper Plaza at the Confederation Centre on Grafton Street. The city said the evening will feature live music from Brandon Howard Roy, Joce Reyome, and the duo of Robbie Doherty and Pierce Clarke, plus refreshments.

For the parade, the city said organizers are collecting non-perishable food donations and letters to Santa along the route, and a sensory-friendly viewing zone will be set up. Route details are at charlottetown.ca/parade, or residents can call 902-566-5548.

The city is also reopening its Holiday Home Decorating Contest. Registration runs until Tuesday, Dec. 6, and entries will be judged the week of Dec. 7 on the use of natural materials, lighting, creativity and overall design. Residents can register online, by email or by phone at the same number.

Capital New Year returns on Thursday, Dec. 31, from 4 to 8 p.m. at Founders’ Food Hall & Market, 6 Prince St. The free, family-friendly event includes live music, a photo booth, giveaways and a fireworks display at 7 p.m. It is a partnership between the city and Founders’ Food Hall & Market, and a full schedule is due in early December.

These events are part of the wider Charlottetown Christmas Festival, which Discover Charlottetown produces with the city and which runs from Nov. 20, 2026, to Jan. 1, 2027. The full festival schedule is at charlottetownchristmasfestival.com, and the city said it will post event-specific details on its website and on Facebook and Instagram at @CityofCharlottetown in the coming weeks.

Charlottetown is also asking residents for input on city spending. Our earlier story covers the city’s Nov. 18 session on the budget and strategic plan, the same day float applications close. Parade dates in other cities are in our Santa Claus parade 2026 guide, and more seasonal events are listed in our Christmas markets guide.

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