Campbell River is kicking off the holiday season with a full weekend of events as the city invites everyone to Deck the Downtown.

The Deck the Downtown celebration begins tonight evening from 5:00 to 8:00, with the Big Truck Parade, tree light-up, and fire pit at Spirit Square.

Santa and Mrs. Claus will be on site, along with a welcome from the Mayor, live music from Easy Street and Pacifica Ukes, food trucks, crafts, and the start of the community gingerbread contest.

On Saturday, the focus shifts to Small Business Saturday, with downtown shops offering festive specials, live entertainment, window painting, strolling carollers, and ongoing gingerbread displays.

Sunday wraps up the weekend with more activities across the community — including a Toy and Craft Fair continuing at the Sportsplex from 10 to 4, a holiday minimarket and live music at Beach Fire Brewing from 12 to 4, and A Very Merry Heistmas performance at the Tidemark Theatre beginning at 2:00 p.m.

As the celebrations continue, the City has brought back its Holiday Lights Map, helping residents and visitors find festive displays across Campbell River.

Anyone can add their decorated home to the map - no names or personal contact information required - and the tool is now live for this year’s holiday season at City of Campbell River Holiday Lights.

It’s also been a successful week for community giving, with the Campbell River OCC Collection Centre announcing another strong year for the holiday shoebox campaign.

Volunteers loaded 1,145 shoeboxes bound for children in Costa Rica, El Salvador, and Nicaragua - many donated from across the region, including Black Creek, Gold River, Tahsis, Sayward, Port Alice, Port Hardy, and Campbell River. Organizers thanked residents for their generosity, along with everyone who helped sort, organize, and transport the boxes.