Tourism Smithers

The Story of Alpine Al

It’s a little slice of Hallmark-movie sweetness with a dash of rugged, small-town cool.

The annual Christmas Truck Parade adds even MORE dazzle to our winter wonderland of twinkling lights, festive vibes, and hometown charm! Massive trucks, tractors, busses and bikes will be decked out in sparkling holiday lights, their horns tooting, cruising through our cozy streets with Santa-worthy cheer.

Why You’ll Love It:

• Family-friendly fun with ooh-and-ahh-worthy photo ops.
• Sip some hot cocoa, load up some holiday tunes, and maybe dive in to a snowball fight or two!
• A perfect excuse for a mini getaway to our scenic mountain town. Bundle up and bring your crew.

2024 Dates

• WHEN: December 21, 2024 starts at 7pm • A dedicated night sometime during the week before Christmas each year.
• WHERE: Downtown Smithers, BC. The route starts on Railway Avenue,  winds through residential neighbourhoods, and makes its grande finale down Main Street in Smithers.
• SCROLL: for Route Map, Photos, Video and more details.

The History of the Smithers Christmas Parade

“The parade was started by a trucker and a mechanic,” says Ben Webb, who created the event with friend Wally Vangrootheest in 2020 as a way to gather community in a celebratory Christmas event during the pandemic lockdown.

“We started this whole event because of Covid, you bet, but it gets better every year… We don’t have extra volunteers, everything you see has been done between two blue-collar men after hours. The route does go down Main Street, just like the Fall Fair parade, but everyone has the option to stand along whichever residential street they choose… ultimately it would appear many folks enjoy the comfort of staying at their own home, out on the front lawn or enjoying the community of a warm fire etc. at their neighbour’s home. Not everyone wants to stand outside if it’s -25. Over the few years we’ve done it, it’s been amazing to see the fires set up in front yards, the groups gathered at the end of driveways or kids yelling “here they come!” and everyone running for the window. What you may not see as a bystander, we see.”

The event is sponsored by Walkat Holdings Ltd. and Ben Webb Trucking