Check out these 23 Christmas events in Kamloops

'Tis the season, Kamloops. For what, well, you decide.

We've put together a list of fun events. Some are free, some are family-friendly, some are neither. There are Christmas trains, free films and a chance for your pet to meet Santa.

(If you're wondering where all the craft fairs are, we put together a listicle of a few of them, last week.)

Free Arthur Christmas Showing

The 2011 animated film Arthur Christmas will be on the big screen at the Paramount Theatre for free, as part of the Kamloops Film Society's free family film program this November. Two more films are coming, too, but Shrek and Hook aren't very Christmasy.

When: 3:30 p.m., Nov. 16 and 17  Where: Paramount Theatre  Cost: Free

Behind Closed Doors Charity Shopping

It's a night at the mall done a little differently. Ticket sales for the night go to one of four charities: Kamloops Players Society, Kamloops Youth Soccer Association, People in Motion and the Royal Inland Hospital Foundation.

When: 7 to 10 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 16 Where: Aberdeen Mall Cost: $10

Kamloops Santa Claus Parade

Nothing announces the arrival of the holiday season like the Santa Claus Parade. The streets of Kamloops are filled with kids and adults, cheering on St. Nick as he does a trip around the city's core.

This year, the parade will run in conjunction with Big Bear's Bright Lights for Children and Youth event at St. Andrew's on the Square. The fire department is helping Mayor Ken Christian place the star on the tree at 6 p.m. The whole park will light up at 6:15 p.m. There will be face painting, crafts and more. Donations for the Big Bear Child and Youth Advocacy Centre will also be accepted.

When: 3:15 to 6:30 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 17  Where: St. Andrew's on the Square, Second Avenue and Victoria Street Cost: Free

Kamloops Wine Trail Holiday Open House/Woodward Christmas Tree Farm Opening

Three local wineries are teaming up with a trio of open house events, at their respective locations. Each is unique, but there will still be things like craft markets, photos with Santa and hay wagon rides. It's also the opening weekend of the Woodward Christmas Tree Farm (located at Privato Winery); expect a bonfire, mulled wine and family-friendly activities. And, of course, freshly cut Christmas trees.

When: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Nov. 23 and 24 Where: Harper's Trail Winery, Monte Creek Ranch Winery and Privato Winery Cost: Free

Don't Be a Grinch Craft Night

Worried about being a Grinch this year? Well, this ought to help. Bold Pizzeria is going all Whoville for a night. People are invited to build live Grinch trees with a single little ornament. 

When: 6 to 9 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 26 Where: Bold Pizzeria (Sahali Mall)  Cost: $35 (includes tree, ornament and supplies; doesn't include dinner)

Up to Snow Good

This is the annual show from the Kamloops Community Band, featuring a mix of songs old and new. The Kamloops Choristers will also be on had to lend their voices.

When: 7:30 to 9:30 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 27 Where: Kamloops Full Gospel Tabernacle (1550 Tranquille Rd.) Cost: $15

Pet Pictures with Santa

Santa Claus? More like Santa Claws! Or Santa Paws, depending on how you like your puns. Kamloops pets will have their chance to pose for photos with Santa and props. All it costs is a donation of pet food (minimum is a small bag or six cans), which will go to the 4Paws Food Bank.

When: Noon to 2 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 30 Where: Kamloops Veterinarian Clinic, 1465 Cariboo Pl. Cost: Pet food donation

Kamloops Christmas Cabaret

Not all events on this list are family-friendly. Featuring dancers from Femme Fatale, a local dance group focusing on cabaret and helping women feel confident and sexy, these two performances will give dancers a chance to show what they've learned. There's an early bird and a night owl performance.

When: 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 30  Where: CJ's Nightclub Cost: $25 to $35

Gingerbread House Competition

Are you a baker with experience in structural engineering? Then this year's gingerbread competition might be for you. For those less likely to bake and build, you can visit and vote on the different displays in the hotel lobby. 

When: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 1 to Tuesday, Dec. 24  Where: Coast Kamloops Hotel  Cost: Free (donations to the food bank are appreciated)

Seniors Light Tour

Some events are adults-only, some are super-adults-only. As in, this bus tour of lit-up houses around Kamloops is for the 55+ crowd.

When: 6 to 10 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 5  Where: Pickup at Sandman Centre  Cost: Free

Spirit of Christmas

It's the third annual event at Privato Winery, now featuring Woodward Cidery. A bonfire will be lit to keep people warm, along with mulled wine and apple cider. The winery will have Christmas decorations, and of course, wine and wine-related things will be on sale.

When: 5 to 8 p.m., Friday, Dec. 6 Where: Privato Winery Cost: Free

Spirit of Christmas Train

The annual Christmas event on the ol' 2141 is coming up. The one-hour train ride includes cookies and carols, along with the magical trip on the 107-year-old engine through Kamloops.

When: 4 p.m., Dec. 8 and 14; 7 p.m., the rest of December (Dec. 6, 7, 13, 15, 20 and 21)  Where: Kamloops Heritage Railway, 510 Lorne St. Cost: $29 for adults, $17 for kids ages three to 17

Free Film/Community Day

If you're up for some Saturday morning films, Cineplex will be showing five Christmas classics: A Christmas Story, Elf, National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, The Polar Express and Gremlins.

When: 9 to 11 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 7  Where: Aberdeen Mall Cineplex  Cost: Free

Christmas on the Shore NSBIA Annual Family Event

Santa will be on hand with candy for the little ones, carolling is encouraged and there will be s'mores and free hot chocolate at this family-oriented event. Four-legged companions will be treated to snacks, too. 

When: 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 7 Where: 115 Tranquille Rd. Cost: Free

Caravan Farm Winter Sleigh Ride Show

The Caravan Theatre in Armstrong is holding its annual horse-drawn sleigh show, where audience members will watch The Nutcracker in five different locations, taken to each spot by a horse and sleigh.

When: 5 p.m. and 7 p.m., Dec. 10 and 11; 4 p.m., 6 p.m., 8 p.m., Dec. 12 to Jan. 4  Where: 4886 Salmon River Rd. Cost: $57.75

Night Out for Parents 

If you're looking for a holiday evening away from the kids, Lil' Monkey's Treehouse might be the place to put them. They're open for an evening, providing kids with dinner, entertainment and seasonal crafts (and parents some time off).

When: 5 to 8 p.m., Friday, Dec. 13 Where: Lil' Monkey's Treehouse Indoor Playground Cost: $25 for first kid, $17.50 for siblings

BC Wildlife Park Wildlights

The annual celebration of Christmas lights at the wildlife park has grown over the years and includes train rides, fires to sit around, a cookie contest and a scavenger hunt. This year, there's a new tunnel of lights to check out.

When: 5 to 9 p.m., Dec. 13 to Jan. 5 Where: BC Wildlife Park Cost: $12.45 for adults, $8.45 for children

Animal Holiday Ornaments

Participants will have a chance to create their own Christmas ornament inspired by the museum's taxidermy show.

When: 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. (ages three to six) and 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. (ages six to 12), Saturday, Dec. 14 Where: Kamloops Museum and Archives Cost: $10 

Christmas with the Kamloops Symphony Orchestra

The KSO will be playing two nights of classical Christmas music with a Quebecois twist. The Quartom vocal quartet will be joining as well, from Montreal.

When: 7:30 p.m., Dec. 14 and 15 Where: Sagebrush Theatre Cost: $45 ($10 for youth under 19)

CP Christmas Train

The annual concert by train roles into Kamloops with Terri Clark.

When: 4:30 to 5:30 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 15 Where: Next to the Sandman Centre Cost: Free (donations to the food bank are appreciated)

Choral Rhapsody

Local choral groups will be sharing their collective voices at the Sagebrush just a week before Christmas with this performance. Before the two-hour show officially starts, a children's choir will great guests.

When: 7 to 9 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 17 Where: Sagebrush Theatre  Cost: Free (donations to the food bank are appreciated)

O Christmas Tea

On tour throughout B.C. and Washington, this play is making a one-night stop in Kamloops, bringing a British sense of humour to the local stage.

When: 8 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 18 Where: Sagebrush Theatre Cost: $29

Breakfast with Santa

Just a couple days before the big day, Santa will be in Kamloops to have breakfast in support of the hospital's neonatal intensive care unit. Along with a breakfast buffet, there will be crafts, face painting, cookie decorating and more.

When: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 22 Where: Coast Kamloops Hotel  Cost: $20 

Is there an event we missed? Email us at [email protected] with all the details, including date, time and cost (if there is one) to attend.