Downtown Lethbridge is set to sparkle as the 2025 holiday season officially kicks off on Thursday, November 20th.

The festivities begin with the much-loved tree lighting ceremony at Festival Square, a powerful symbol of community spirit.

This magical evening will feature an 18-foot tree, horse-drawn wagon rides, and a special appearance by Santa himself, making it a perfect family outing.

The Downtown Lethbridge BRZ is encouraging residents to support local businesses with several exciting initiatives this year.

Shoppers can enjoy late-night hours and participate in the Merry Merchant Map contest to explore local retailers.

There's also a chance to win a grand prize gift basket valued at $500 through the Snow Much Love contest.

This season represents a pivotal moment for local merchants, and community support is more important than ever.

Lethbridge will honour its veterans with two distinct Remembrance Day services on Tuesday, November 11, giving the community a choice of how to pay their respects.

An indoor ceremony, hosted by the General Stewart Branch #4 of the Royal Canadian Legion, will take place at the Lethbridge Trade & Convention Centre.

Doors open at 10 a.m. for the 10:45 a.m. service.

Simultaneously, the 20th Independent Field Battery will lead a traditional outdoor service at the Cenotaph on Veterans Avenue, also beginning at 10:45 a.m.

Weather permitting, a spectacular fly-by is planned for the downtown service, featuring a vintage aircraft and an RCAF C-17 Globemaster.

Remembrance week will officially commence on November 4 with a poppy flag raising at City Hall and the dedication of a new Veteran Commemorative Crosswalk.

Following the ceremonies, the Lethbridge Military Museum will welcome the public with free admission from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.

The results for the 2025 Lethbridge Municipal and School Election are now official.

Mayor-Elect Blaine Hyggen is set to lead the next City Council, joined by councillors Belinda Crowson, Jenn Schmidt-Rempel, Rajko Dodic, Ryan Wolfe, Al Beeber, Rufa Doria, Mark Campbell, and Ryan Parker.

This election was significantly impacted by new provincial legislation known as Bill 20, which required a manual hand-count of all ballots.

The procedural changes led to a substantial financial impact, doubling the election's cost by more than $300,000 compared to 2021.

Voter turnout was also alarmingly low, with just 19.35 per cent of eligible voters participating—a sharp decline from previous years.

Trustees for both the public and Catholic school divisions have also been confirmed.

The new Mayor and Council will be sworn in on October 27 to begin the 2025-2029 term.

Two essential Lethbridge non-profits have earned major national recognition for their outstanding service and operational excellence.

The Interfaith Food Bank and the Fresh Start Recovery Centre were both named to a prestigious list of Canada's Top 100 Charities.

This honour is not applied for; it results from an independent assessment of financial transparency and proven community impact.

For the Interfaith Food Bank, this marks its third consecutive year on the list.

The organization was praised for its efficiency, with about 90 cents of every dollar donated going directly to its programs.

Similarly, Fresh Start Recovery Centre, which offers addiction treatment, was recognized for its profound impact.

An impressive 86 percent of its funding is channeled directly into providing recovery and rehabilitation services for residents in our community.

This national distinction places a well-deserved spotlight on the critical work happening right here in Lethbridge to support our most vulnerable citizens.

Great news for anyone who frequents Popson Park in Lethbridge.

The familiar frustration of finding a parking spot on a busy weekend is about to become a thing of the past.

The City of Lethbridge is launching a significant project to expand and upgrade the park's two gravel parking lots, aiming to ease congestion and boost safety for all visitors.

To allow crews to work safely, the park will be fully closed to the public beginning on Monday, October 20.

This upgrade directly responds to public feedback about overcrowding near the popular off-leash dog area and the boat launch on the Oldman River.

Planned improvements include more parking spaces, new accessible stalls, and better signage for a smoother traffic flow.

While the month-long closure is an inconvenience, the city anticipates reopening the improved park on November 17, weather permitting.

The Galt Museum is unveiling a unique, community-driven exhibit called “Treasures and Curiosities” on October 18.

Showcasing nearly 200 objects, the collection was curated with help from local participants and dedicated volunteers.

It is a true reflection of Lethbridge heritage.

To celebrate the opening, ‘Canadian Pickers’ star and Lethbridge-native Sheldon Smithens will host a special antique appraisal event.

The “What’s it Worth?” session runs from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. during the launch party.

Smithens, a respected appraiser with deep local roots, notes that the most compelling finds are often those with an incredible story, not just a high price tag.

This event offers a fantastic opportunity for residents to connect with their own history and celebrate the amazing work of the community.

Autumn has arrived in Lethbridge, and with it, the city's annual Fall Leaf Collection program is now underway.

This free service provides a convenient way for residents to manage their seasonal yard cleanup.

To participate, you must schedule a pickup by calling the city's 3-1-1 line before the booking window closes on November 7.

Crews will be collecting bags from October 7 through November 14.

It is essential that leaves are placed in paper yard waste bags, as plastic bags will not be collected.

Bags should be set out at your normal collection spot 24 hours before your scheduled pickup day.

Each household can request up to two separate collections.

Residents can also use their green carts or take leaves directly to a city yard waste depot before they close for the season on November 16.

The countdown is on for the next Lethbridge municipal election, a vital opportunity for residents to shape our community's future.

Every four years, citizens choose the mayor and councillors who will make critical decisions impacting everything from local infrastructure to community services.

These decisions are made right here at City Hall.

For those considering a run for a seat on Lethbridge City Council, it's essential to understand the strict nomination and campaign finance rules.

Meanwhile, voters must ensure they are eligible by being at least 18 years old, a Canadian citizen, and a resident of Lethbridge on election day.

Proper identification will be required at the polls.

Beyond casting a ballot, residents can also contribute by becoming an election worker, playing a crucial role in the democratic process.

Informed participation is key, so get ready to make your voice heard.

The Lethbridge arts community is honouring the legacy of visionary director Fran Rude with a special tribute concert this fall.

Titled To Fran, With Love, the show will celebrate her 50-year career that shaped southern Alberta's cultural landscape.

Set for October 3rd and 4th at the iconic Yates Theatre, the event is a collaboration between friends of the late director and the Rotary Club of Lethbridge Sunrise.

All proceeds are dedicated to funding new scholarships for the Lethbridge and District Music and Speech Arts Festival, an organization Rude passionately supported.

Attendees can expect a spectacular evening revisiting musical numbers from 27 of Fran's most famous shows.

The production features a massive cast of 32 singers and a full 34-piece live orchestra—a hallmark she always insisted upon.

This final act of community service ensures her incredible legacy will continue to support young local artists for years to come.

Postal service across the country has come to a sudden halt as the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) launched an immediate nationwide strike.

The walkout is a direct response to the federal government ordering a massive overhaul of Canada Post to address its financial crisis.

Citing staggering financial losses of over $5 billion since 2018, Public Works Minister Joël Lightbound announced sweeping measures to modernize the service.

The core of the plan involves converting as many as four million homes from traditional door-to-door delivery to community mailboxes.

The union has called the government's move an attack on both postal workers and the public service they provide.

While essential mail like government cheques will continue, Canadians should expect a complete stop to all other mail and parcel delivery for the duration of the strike.

Lethbridge is preparing for its second annual Run to Remember, a unique event that blends community recreation with heartfelt remembrance.

On Sunday, October 5, 2025, residents are invited to walk or run through the scenic pathways of Mountain View Cemetery.

This powerful event offers a space to celebrate life and honour the memory of loved ones in a meaningful setting.

Participants can choose a 2.5K or 5K route, making it accessible for all fitness levels.

Before the run, a moment of silence will be held for reflection.

Attendees can also write the names of those they are remembering on their race bibs and a special community memory board.

Organized by the City of Lethbridge, the event aims to reframe the historic cemetery as a beautiful destination for both reflection and active living.

The race will feature chip timing and custom medals, with registration closing on October 4th.

A foundational shift is underway for one of the city's most storied institutions.

The Lethbridge and District Exhibition is splitting into two distinct entities: a new municipally-controlled corporation named Excite Lethbridge and the newly independent Lethbridge and District Agricultural Society.

Excite Lethbridge, led by CEO Kim Gallucci, will now operate the Agri-Food Hub, officially renaming it the Lethbridge Trade and Convention Centre.

Its mission is to attract major events and conventions, boosting the local economy.

The Agricultural Society is returning to its 1897 roots, focusing on championing Southern Alberta’s deep farming heritage.

Mayor Blaine Hyggen expressed strong support, emphasizing the goal of running the new convention centre efficiently for taxpayers.

The two groups will partner on beloved legacy events like Whoop-Up Days and the Ag Expo, ensuring community traditions continue to thrive under this new structure.

The University of Lethbridge is launching a pivotal new study into the health effects of space travel.

A prestigious research team, led by Dr. Gerlinde Metz at the university’s Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience, has secured a $225,000 grant from the Canadian Space Agency.

This funding allows local scientists to join a major collaboration with NASA, conducting a first-of-its-kind analysis of astronauts.

The study will examine how the human body adapts to extreme stressors like intense vibrations, radiation, and the loss of gravity.

While protecting the health of future space travelers is the primary goal, the research has powerful local implications.

The findings could also provide profound insights into aging and disease processes here on Earth.

This mission places Southern Alberta science on a galactic stage, reinforcing the university's reputation as a leader in neuroscience.

Lethbridge celebrated a major milestone on April 26, 2025, as ground was broken for the new Lethbridge Alberta Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

This marks Alberta’s fourth and Canada’s tenth temple, promising to be a center of faith, unity, and community activity.

Elder Randall K. Bennett led the ceremony, encouraging attendees to embrace the temple as a space for spiritual growth.

The diverse crowd of more than 550 guests included local officials, interfaith leaders, business representatives, and Indigenous leaders, underlining the temple’s broad significance.

Mayor Blaine Hyggen shared enthusiasm for the project, highlighting its expected boost to Lethbridge’s economy.

The multistory, 45,000-square-foot temple will generate construction jobs, support local businesses, and draw visitors from across the region.

With accessible location and landscaped grounds, the temple aims to enhance city life for all, fostering unity, peace, and sustainable growth in Lethbridge.

Alberta’s countryside transforms into a vibrant autumn playground, inviting locals to embrace the season’s beauty through festive farm adventures.

Top destinations like Edmonton Corn Maze and Kraay Family Farm near Lacombe offer sprawling corn mazes, interactive sunflower fields, and fun activities such as petting zoos, giant slides, and pumpkin cannons.

Bowden SunMaze at Eagle Creek Farms stuns with its endless sunflower fields and offers U-Pick vegetables for families eager to enjoy a countryside harvest.

In Calgary, the Farmyard delights with its 11-acre maze, family-friendly attractions, and picture-perfect photo spots among blooms.

The Sunny Spot in Drumheller Valley pairs nature with adventure—from its 5-acre maze and pumpkin picking to a special “Field of Screams” night.

Down south, Lethbridge Corn Maze rounds out this list with creative pathways, hayrides, and classic fall fun, making each destination a must-visit for unforgettable memories this autumn.