Christmas Festival Weekend A Success

This past weekend was a busy and magical one in Blenheim and the surrounding area, with multiple signature events and several smaller ones all coming together to create a weekend of wonder and fun for people of all ages.

The festivities kicked off on the evening of Friday, December 5, 2025, with the Blenheim Santa Claus Parade. From farm, to family, to businesses and community organizations, the event featured approximately 75 floats that showcased the diversity of life in the region. Thousands lined the streets to take in the show and cheer on the parade entries, including the main attraction: Santa Claus!

Immediately following the parade, Santa made his was to Talbot Trail Place park in downtown Blenheim to flip the switch and officially launch the Festival of Lights to an excited audience. The light display, set to music and narration, will run the entire month of December, with shows at 6:00, 7:00, and 8:00 p.m. every night.

On Saturday, the Festival of Lights Christmas Market welcomed the community with a variety of vendors, music, and festive magic. Visitors from Blenheim and beyond, including some who travelled several hours, enjoyed great shopping and the vibrant holiday spirit. A highlight of the market was the Children’s Secret Shopping Experience run by the Blenheim Youth Centre. Kids enjoyed a safe, guided shopping area where they could find reasonably priced gifts for friends and family, while their loved ones relaxed in a waiting area. Afterward, families could head over to watch the light show and enjoy the brilliant display.

Sunday rounded out the weekend with three local events for people to enjoy: Caroling in the Park in beautiful downtown Blenheim, the Erieau Christmas Market, and the Red Barn Holiday Market, giving visitors even more festive experiences to choose from.

While the weekend has drawn to a close, the fun and festive spirit is still going strong. Downtown businesses invite you to visit for amazing local shopping, filled with the perfect gifts for everyone on your list. There continue to be local events and activities happening throughout the season. Follow the Blenheim BIA on social media for updates. Thank you, and have a wonderful holiday season!

Thanking the Volunteers

On behalf of the Festival of Lights and Parade Committees, we extend our heartfelt thanks and appreciation to the individuals, businesses, and organizations who made these incredible community events possible.

The Festival of Lights, the Santa Claus Parade, and the Christmas Market were a tremendous success. It takes a dedicated team of volunteers, partners, and supporters working together to bring these experiences to life.

Thank you!! 

• Ridge Landfill Community Trust

• Debbie Brush

• Blenheim BIA with special thanks to Michael Russelo and Andrew Tompsett

• Blenheim Community Funeral Home with special thanks to Marc Eskritt

• Blenheim Rotary Club with special thanks to Clarence Waud and Henry Retz

• Talbot Trail Place Park Committee with special thanks to Ron Allingham and Harold VanderEnde

• Waste Connections of Canada with special thanks to Cathy Smith

• Blenheim News Tribune with special thanks to Pete Laurie

• Blenheim Youth Centre with special thanks to Evan Hall

• Blenheim Ministerial Association with special thanks to Pastor Tim Luimes

• Friends of Blenheim with special thanks to Carrie McGregor, Scott Tate, and Keith Trudell

• 99.1 CKXS Radio with special thanks to Greg Hetherington

• Sertoma Club of Chatham & Goodfellows

• Giant Tiger

Media & Marketing

• Andrew Tompsett

• Blenheim BIA

• Blenheim News Tribune

• Friends of Blenheim 

Parade Volunteers:

Staging

• John Kyle

• Julie & Bill Seaton

• Carrie McGregor

• Joe Kowaleshyn

• Sara & Dexter Ganovicheff

• Bill Murray

• Mikayla-May Renaud

• Janet O’Mara

Dignitaries’ Rides

• Frank & Josette Thompson

• Dennis & Doris Guy and their horse Turk

Santa’s Sleigh

• Mike Russelo

• Clarence Waud

• August West and Lennyn Eberle (elves)

• Santa Claus himself!!

Blenheim Youth Centre Costumed Characters

• Maranatha Mwale

• Mya Schedewitz

• Mathew Johnson

• Landon Wiebe

• Zaijian Mejillano

• Zoe Thompson

• Jaxon Laprise

Banner Leaders of the Parade

• Michelle Hockridge Rotschenk

• Shay Ireland

• Tejal Thayaparan and her mom

Parade Barricades

• Scott  Williston

• Helen  Williston

• Kathie Claeys

• Tom Claeys  

• Tori Osborne

• Christopher Osborne

• Janet Taylor

• Mary Williston

• Diane Handsor

• Phil Williston

• Josh Doey

• Ann Doe

• Tammy Tremblay

• Chris Osborne

• Jessica Osborne

• Shelly

• Art

• John Blanchard

• Jake Bueckert

• Ian & Jan Robertson

• Ed Petrusma

• Jamie Carter

• Cythia Hyatt

Candy Bag Volunteers

• Alex Novotny

• Brittney Brown

• Marg VanderEnde

• Ron Allingham

• Caitlin & Serenity Vanderheide

• Carrie McGregor

• Debbie Brush

Festival of Lights – Lighting of the Park

• Clarence Waud

• Ron Allingham

• Harold VanderEnde

• Santa Claus

• Cathy Smith

• Joy Waud

• Anthony Ceccacci

Christmas Tree Voices

• Zoe Appel

• Zane Appel

• Made possible by

• 99.1 CKXS Radio radio crew

• Scott Tate,

• Keith Trudell,

• Carrie McGregor,

• Cathy Smith

Fountain Tree

• Bill Mayek

• Ed Regts

• Bill Folker

• Henry Regts

• Tim Luimes

• Peter Aberra

Hot Chocolate

• Mark Escritt

• Elinor Mifflin

• Noreen McLaughlin

• Maryanne Espie

• HUGE THANKS TO THE EXTRA SPECIAL EFFORTS FROM KYLE AND MATT of Master Decking Limited and GREG Matheson at Holiday Classic Lights

Christmas Market Volunteers:

• Debbie Brush

• Charles Brush

• Clarence Waud

• Harold VanderEnde

• Mike

• Carrie McGregor

• Cathy Smith

Blenheim Youth Centre Children’s Secret Shopping Experience

• Denise

• Briyah

• Evan Hall

HUGE SHOUT OUT TO DEBBIE BRUSH AND CLARENCE WAUD WHO WERE THE PRINCIPAL ORGANIZERS FOR THIS YEAR’S EVENT!!!!!