The official kick-off to Christmas in High River comes this weekend.

It starts Friday with the Santa Claus Parade Friday night but there's also a Christmas Craft Fair.

Iva Woodward says it goes Friday from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and this year will feature 75 vendors.

Jocelyn Edwards says Monday night it's the town's annual skating party.

"Santa will be making an appearance and we will also be serving hot dogs and hot chocolate and then the Rotary, the Oddfellows and the Kinsmen come out to help us out with that event as well so it's a really fun event," she says.

She says the dressing rooms are open for people to get their skates on and besides Santa there's Christmas trees and picnic tables on the ice.