The Winter Jubilee is a free Christmas-themed event in downtown Abbotsford. It includes live music, market vendors, the lighting of the city’s tree, and more.
In 2026 the event takes place on November 21st. Other events that happen this time of year include Glow Christmas and Merry & Bright at Martini Town in Langley as well as the Noel Light Festival in Surrey.
TIP: On the same day as the Winter Jubilee in 2025, and also in Abbotsford, there was the free Santa in the Country event at Glenda’s Christmas Cottage. It ran from 11:00 and until 3:00 pm, so you could attend it before heading to the Winter Jubilee. Details for 2026 are to be confirmed.
Winter Jubilee in Abbotsford
The Winter Jubilee is an annual celebration of the winter holidays. The festival is organized by the Abbotsford Downtown Business Association and it has been running for more than 30 years. It’s a fun, family-friendly way to kick off the Christmas season in the Fraser Valley. The event happens outdoors and is open to the public.
The Winter Jubilee celebrates its 37th edition in November in 2026. The festival features a variety of things to see and do. One highlight is the lighting of the Christmas tree. It’s the only lighting of its kind in the city, and the tree is 60 feet tall!
The Winter Jubilee also features a market with local artisan vendors, as well as a stage with live music and entertainment. Santa Claus is at the event to interact with children and for family portraits. Food trucks are on-site selling festive treats and full meals. Local breweries and wineries offer various drinks too. There are also reindeer-themed games, plus stations for face painting and cookie decorating.
Whether you’re looking to do some early Christmas shopping or have a fun night out, the Winter Jubilee is a great way to get into the Christmas spirit.
Event Hours and Location
In the past Winter Jubilee happened in the afternoon and evening on the Saturday. The event ran from 3:00 until 8:00 pm. The tree lighting happens near the end of the night, typically at around 7:00 pm. Details for 2026 are to be confirmed.
The Winter Jubilee is held in the downtown area of Abbotsford. It takes place along Montrose Avenue and Essendene Lane. The location is about an hour’s drive from Vancouver. If looking for other places to check out before the Winter Jubilee, Mill Lake Park is only about five minutes west of downtown and Castle Fun Park is about 10 minutes south.
Entertainment Schedule
The Winter Jubilee features live entertainment throughout the evening. For an idea of what to expect in 2026, the performance schedule in 2025 was as follows:
- 3:30 pm – Official Welcome
- 3:00 pm – Jam Dance
- 4:00 pm – The Goddess Movement
- 4:30 pm – Silver Diamond Country Dancers
- 5:15 pm – Abby All-Stars
- 6:00 pm – MEI Choir
- 6:45 pm – Santa March with the MEI Screaming Eagles Marching Band
- 7:00 pm – Official Tree Lighting
- 7:15 pm – Christmas Sing-a-Long with Ryan McAllister and his Band
Note: Exact performance times and other details are subject to change.
Other Information
Visit the official Winter Jubilee page for more information about the event.
Another event hosted by the Abbotsford Downtown Business Association is Berry Fest which takes place in the summer.
Other Christmas-themed events to check out in the Fraser Valley include Glow Christmas and Martini Town Merry & Bright in Langley.
Other articles that might be of interest include the following:
- Abbotsford Events and Attractions
- Metro Vancouver’s Best Christmas Activities
- Christmas Craft Fairs in the Lower Mainland
- Best Places in the Fraser Valley
- November Calendar of Events
