Nanton Lights the Way is the overarching theme for all sorts of fabulous experiences in Nanton throughout the holiday season. Get in the spirit of Christmas with personalized, friendly, small-town service and many one-of-a-kind shops to choose from. Get away from the traffic, big box stores, and crowded shopping centers and instead get free parking, unique stores, and a town you can walk in. Make a day of it and catch the holiday lighting display on the sides of our iconic grain elevators or take a stroll through the Christmas lights in the Lions Campground.

Lots of businesses have specials, activities, and promotions going on. Check in with them to get details and/or check their listings in the business directory on the website here.

Come for the drive, stay for the magic.

It's small business week from Oct 17-23, a celebration of small businesses here and across Canada. Small and medium sized businesses are significant contributors to the Canadian economy. They in fact made up 98.0% of all employer businesses in Canada in 2020, employing 9.7 million individuals in Canada - approximately 64% of the total labour force. In other words, small businesses are the driving force in our economy.

How can you support Nanton's small businesses? In multiple ways...

-grab your morning coffee

-pick up a gift for a neighbour that has helped you out

-pick up a bottle of wine or locally made gin or beer

-do takeout or dine in this week

-book a photo session

-sign up for a course or class

-grab some sweet treats

-visit a gallery

-take your car in for an oil change

-order something online from a local merchant

-pick up a house-warming present

-follow one new business on social media every day this week

-donate to a local not for profit

-pick up some goodies from one of the agrifood businesses

-buy a gift card for the holidays

-fill your tank with gas from a local station

-meet your partner for a drink at the end of the day

-buy some groceries

-set a goal for yourself to visit a different business every week

-buy a new outfit

-stock up on thank you cards

-check out the almost 200 businesses who have Nanton business licenses to see what services you might want to access (click here for a link to the listing)

When you buy local, you keep the economic engines in Nanton running. You support your neighbour and the family down the street. Support local and keep the businesses here.

"Thank you to all the businesses in Nanton who participated in the #FilmFriendlySouthWestAlberta pictures last week, sponsored by Alberta SouthWest Regional Economic Development and Community Futures Alberta Southwest. With unique historic buildings, welcoming businesses, and a variety of beautiful residential properties Nanton is a perfect backdrop to promote for film and television projects who wish to come shoot in Alberta in the future. The warm personalities of the people in town made me feel at home & I can't wait to encourage all of our followers to check out the town for creative projects as well as amazing local shopping. If you missed getting your photo taken or I was unable to meet you in your shop this go around please reach out to me or Becky and I will stop in next time I am in town." - Brock Skretting, Keep Alberta Rolling