Merritt Country Christmas wraps up with Giant Light Up Parade

Mother Nature cooperated with near-perfect weather conditions on Friday as hundreds of spectators, young and old alike, gathered throughout downtown Merritt to witness the music, lights, and holiday magic of the annual Christmas Light Up Parade.

The parade featured dozens of floats, lights, music, and of course, a visit from the one and only Santa Claus.

“It couldn’t get any better than this for a parade,” said Merritt Country Christmas (MCC) organizer Carrie Ware. “We had 55 entries in this year’s parade; there was a lot of hard work done on them, so my congratulations to the groups, businesses, and everyone who was a part of the parade.”

The 2025 Merritt Country week of events kicked off with the lighting of the giant Christmas Tree in Spirit Square on Monday night. Revelers enjoyed hot chocolate provided by the Merritt Basques Society and the City of Merritt, with entertainment by Just Jerry Karaoke.

 

On Tuesday night, movie-goers were treated to the animated Christmas favorite “The Grinch”  at NVIT  at the campus theatre.

On Wednesday, it was standing room only for both performances of Love to Dance Academy (LTD) Society’s dance recital “Adventures In Toyland” with dancers from three to sixteen years of age participating.

 

On Thursday night, it was standing room only as Q101’s Roger White presented a Nicola Valley musical showcase at the annual Community Christmas Concert featuring soloists, choirs, duos, of all ages and genres, including the Snee Brothers, Nicola Valley Community Band, Merritt Youth Choir, and the MSS Grade 9 Concert Band.

 

Friday afternoon, the doors opened for the annual Christmas Craft sale at the Merritt Civic Centre, which preceded the Light Up Parade.

The following is a list of the ribbon winners in this year’s parade:

Best Community Organization/ Community Club/Team (Adult)

• -Winner – Merritt Stock Car Association
• -Runner Up- Nicola Valley ATV Club

Best Service Club or Not-For-Profit

• -Winner – Ciitxw Nlaka’pamuk Assembly (CNA)
• -Runner Up- Angels Animal Rescue Society

Best Youth Group/Team/Organization/School

• -Winner-Grasslands 4-H Club
• -Tumbleweed Playschool Society

Best Government Agency/ Organization (Federal/Provincial/Regional/Municipal)

• Winner City of Merritt
• Runner Up-Ministry of Forests/ Lands/Mineral Operations

Best Small Business

• Winner -Breathe Bikes
• Runner-Up-Murray Chevrolet Buick GMC ( Santa)

Best Large Business

• Winner- K’en T’em Limited Partnership
• Runner-Up- Klassen Group

Best-Other-Individual

• Winner- The Grinch  (AKA Christopher Jones)
• Runner-Up – Patrick Cullen

Best Light

• Winner- Merritt Ready Mix
• Runner-Up- Merritt Stock Car Association

Most Enthusiastic

• Winner-Nicola Valley Search and Rescue
• Runner-Up- Merritt Centennials

Most Original

• Winner-The Grinch (AKA Christopher Jones)
• Runner-Up-Fisheries and Oceans

Best Overall

• Winner-Merritt Stock Car Association 
• Runner-Up- Murray Chevrolet Buick GMC (Santa)

 

The Country Christmas Week activities concluded on Saturday with day two of the Country Christmas Craft Fair began while parents brought their little ones to have their pictures taken with Santa as well.

“It was a terrific week of entertainment,” added Angela Duhy, MCC publicity chair. “There was so much to do, and take in, we have already started making plans for next year’s Country Christmas activities.”

The Merritt Country Christmas  committee wants to thank the many volunteers, participants and volunteers who joined together to make this year’s event one of the most talked about in years.

Incidentally , the 2026 Merritt Country Christmas week is November 23-28.