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Compiled by the Highway Journey Alberta crew
Final up to date on November 19, 2022
Christmas in Edmonton could be extremely magical. Vibrant vacation lights twinkle on the Legislature, craft markets are out in full pressure, skaters are bundled up and gliding alongside the brand new out of doors ice rink within the ICE District Plaza, plus rather more. There are such a lot of enjoyable issues to do and methods to benefit from the Christmas season in Alberta’s capital metropolis.
Celebrating Christmas in Edmonton
From November till January, be looking out for all types of occasions to entertain you and the entire household. We’ve obtained numerous concepts for you beneath.
Discovering the Finest Christmas Lights in Edmonton, Alberta
There are many locations in and round Edmonton to see stunning Christmas lights in November and December.
Glow Edmonton
GLOW Edmonton, one in all Edmonton’s most anticipated vacation occasions, presents A Fairytale Christmas for the 2022 Christmas season. The Edmonton Expo is embellished with over one million twinkly lights and fairytale favourites will lead visitors by means of a 100,000 sq. foot labyrinth of lights as you assist Santa discover his misplaced presents.
Take pleasure in particular leisure, Christmas snacks, a market and loads of family-friendly actions that may maintain you wanting extra. Tickets could be bought on-line, and also you’ll want to take a look at the web site for opening dates as they modify nearer to Christmas, however the occasion might be open from 12 – 7 pm on Christmas Eve.
Gentle up the Legislature
A vacation custom for a few years, beginning in late November the Legislature buildings get decked out in hundreds of lights. It isn’t a sight to be missed!
Edmonton Vacation Gentle up
Edmonton Vacation Gentle Up is shifting from the Churchill Sq. to Rice Howard Method in 2022. On December 3, there might be reside music music, free sizzling drinks, Instagrammable shows for that excellent vacation selfie, mild installations and many lights! There might be an enormous wooly mammoth named Bryson and a 30 foot humpback whale that might be embellished in LED’s. The get together begins at 3pm, runs till 8pm and there might be free parking.
Winter Whyte Gentle Up
The Winter Whyte Gentle Up occurs at McIntyre Park on November 26 from 4-7 PM. Along with this 12 months’s mild present, there might be a mini-market stuffed with tasty treats and sizzling drinks to take pleasure in. There may also be numerous free family-friendly out of doors actions, together with firepits on 83rd Ave, thrilling reside leisure, ice carvings and a beautiful Instagram-able mild show.
Sweet Cane Lane
The neighborhood of Crestwood in Edmonton’s north-west lights up their homes, garages, and canopied timber to carry you ‘Sweet Cane Lane’. Christmas spirit is plentiful every evening from 6-10 pm for everybody to take pleasure in. Take pleasure in sleigh rides and an evening devoted to strolling visitors solely.
Edmonton Valley Zoo
One in all Edmonton’s favorite vacation traditions is Zoominescence – the place the Edmonton Valley Zoo is aglow with mild shows, native artist performances, and different leisure. From December to January 1, visitors will take pleasure in an entire new perspective of the Zoo with their exhibition of creative mild installations. It will likely be a night of magical mild, ingesting sizzling chocolate, and enjoyable for the entire household!
Discovering the Finest Christmas Lights Close to Edmonton
Enchanted Forest
Northeast of Edmonton within the city of Fort Saskatchewan, you will discover stunning and distinctive Enchanted Forest with Christmas timber put collectively by locals at Metropolis Corridor, Dow Centennial, Shell Theatre and the general public library. It is without doubt one of the most celebrated vacation actions happening from November 25 – January 7.
Leduc Nation Lights
The Leduc Nation Lights show might be lit up for the whole month of December, together with Christmas Eve. It started as a humble mild show 15 years in the past and has since reworked into one in all Leduc’s most anticipated vacation actions. This occasion is 100% volunteer operated and takes a small $2.00 entrance price to pay for the price of electrical energy.
Brighten up Beaumont
Beaumont’s annual Christmas occasion, Brighten up Beaumont, takes place on December ninth from 4 – 9 pm at 4 Seasons Park. Take within the vacation lights down the Hall of Timber, then climb aboard a sleigh experience and take a look at ice sculptures which are hand-crafted by Alberta’s most interesting. The occasion is freed from cost.
Borealis Lights (St. Albert)
Marvel at hundreds of twinkling lights all within the consolation of your individual automobile at Borealis Lights. Positioned within the Kinsmen RV Park in St. Albert, guests might be dazzled by quite a few conventional, up to date, and kooky lights shows. The primary function features a 100 ft tunnel with 26,000 flashing animated lights. Santa might be making an look and waving to automobiles from November 18 to December 4.
Gentle up (Spruce Grove)
Spruce Grove’s ‘Gentle Up‘ in Central Park lights up on November 26. There are heaps of enjoyable household Christmas actions that youngsters and adults can take pleasure in, together with scrumptious Christmas treats, crafts, free sizzling chocolate, cookie adorning, and extra. After the tree is lit, flip your eyes to the sky for a spectacular fireworks present adopted by a disco get together and ice skating.
Different widespread mild shows close to Edmonton are:
Visiting the Edmonton Christmas Markets
You’ll be able to take a look at any of Edmonton’s Christmas markets for all of your procuring wants to seek out distinctive gadgets made and bought by native artisans and small companies.
Edmonton Christmas market
The Edmonton Christmas Market is an annual festive occasion that takes place at Fort Edmonton Park from November 30 – December 18. Tickets can’t be bought in particular person as they’re organized by means of time-slot bookings. Along with the various cubicles run by native distributors, there might be loads of Christmas occasions like carol singing, scrumptious meals and drinks and, after all, stunning Christmas decorations. Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for teenagers aged 10-17, and youngsters below 5 are free. Households can purchase a household cross for $45.
Alt After darkish: The Night time Market Earlier than Christmas
Alt After Darkish – The Night time Market Earlier than Christmas is a free occasion that takes place on November twenty fifth on the Bonnie Doon Corridor in NW Edmonton from 7 pm – 11 pm. Your free cross could be obtained in particular person on the door. With over 35 native artists and distributors, you may you should definitely full your vacation procuring with a unusual and various present to place below the tree.
Edmonton Previous Strathcona Farmers Market
Christmas spirit is plentiful and discovering the right vacation present is straightforward on the Previous Strathcona Farmers Market. The market is open from 8am – 3pm through the vacation season. Chances are you’ll even catch Santa and Mrs. Claus making an look, plus you may catch reside leisure from 11am – 2pm. This market is a neighborhood favorite that shouldn’t be missed over the vacation season.
Royal Bison Artwork and Craft Truthful
Artwork lovers will totally benefit from the Royal Bison Artwork and Craft Truthful, happening on November twenty fifth – twenty seventh and once more on December 2nd – 4th close to the Strathcona Farmer’s Market in Edmonton. Native literature, hand-made toys, woodworking and music are only a few issues you may stay up for. Come and get your craft on between the hours of 5 pm – 9 pm on Friday, 10 am – 5 pm on Saturday and 10 am – 4 pm on Sunday. Admission is $4 and youngsters get in free.
Different widespread markets in Edmonton embody:
Carols, Performs, and Christmas Live shows in Edmonton
Virtually a Full Moon (Citadel Theatre)
Head all the way down to the Citadel Theatre for some of the distinctive Christmas occasions in Edmonton: Virtually a Full Moon. Impressed by the beloved Christmas album of some of the acknowledged artists in Canada, Hawksley Workman, Virtually a Full Moon tells three tales of affection and household through the holidays. This particular present runs from Saturday, November fifth till Sunday, November twenty seventh and is one thing you gained’t need to miss. You may get your ticket instantly from the Citadel Theatre’s web site.
Handel’s Messiah
The Edmonton Symphony Orchestra and The Richard Eaton Singers will placed on a spectacular present of Handel’s Messiah this Christmas season on the Winspear Centre on the coronary heart of the town on Friday, December third and Saturday, December 4th at 7:30 pm. Hear the joyful sounds of Handel’s basic arias to get within the Christmas spirit. You may get your ticket on-line by visiting the Winspear Centre’s web site.
A Christmas Carol
Charles Dickens’s conventional Christmas favorite, A Christmas Carol, involves life on stage on the Citadel Theatre in Edmonton. Opening evening is Saturday, November twenty sixth and the present runs till Friday, December twenty third. Tickets could be bought on the Citadel Theatre’s web site.
Alberta Ballet
Some say that Edmonton is Alberta’s cultural capital, and nobody visiting Edmonton through the holidays ought to miss The Alberta Ballet’s annual presentation of that basic Christmas story, The Nutcracker. Operating from December 7 – December eleventh, The Nutcracker tells the story of Klara as she goes on a enjoyable and magical journey at Christmas.
With performances in Edmonton and Calgary, this can be a present that everybody in Alberta appears ahead to yearly and tickets promote out quick, so don’t neglect to get yours. They are often bought instantly from the Alberta Ballet’s web site.
The place to Discover Santa in Edmonton
What higher technique to get within the spirit of holidays than a go to with the person within the huge purple swimsuit! Huge Santa secret: he likes to spend time in Alberta, particularly at most malls all through the town. In case you can’t discover him on the mall, it’s possible you’ll discover him at any of those places all through the town to seize these festive Santa images.
The Kingsway Vacation Parade
The Kingsway Vacation Parade takes place on November 26 beginning at 5pm and is a enjoyable and free technique to catch a glimpse of Santa as he makes his method from the east Airport Highway entrance to the Kingsway Mall within the Northwest a part of Edmonton. Arrange a chair and don’t neglect to decorate warmly!
Christmas within the Park
Hosted by the small city of Devon, a few 40-minute drive southwest of Edmonton, Christmas within the Park is your likelihood to fulfill Santa and inform him all the pieces in your Christmas checklist. Moreover, there might be scrumptious meals, together with maple syrup taffy and sizzling chocolate, an ice slide, and a warming bonfire. Come on all the way down to this particular small city. Value is $8 a head.
St. Albert Centre
Youngsters (and adults) can go to Santa on the St. Albert Centre from November seventeenth proper up till Christmas Eve. Take a photograph with him after ending up your Christmas procuring, plus you’ll even get a particular cellphone name from the person himself.
Different Christmas Occasions and Actions in Edmonton
There are sufficient Christmas occasions happening all through Edmonton and the smaller surrounding cities to fill any day of the week with Christmas cheer. Listed below are only a few extra:
The Muttart Conservatory
Throughout the holidays on the Muttart Conservatory you may attend one (or each) of the particular vacation occasions happening proper inside. Their twentieth annual Candelight Christmas options musical performances by the McDades. Tickets price $42 and have to be bought prematurely. You’ll be able to catch this particular efficiency on the ninth, eleventh and twelfth of December, Saturday the nineteenth or Sunday the twentieth.
Additionally, on Friday, November 18th, the conservatory opens its doorways to the general public for the annual poinsettia sale. Discover your favorite white or purple Christmas flower whereas provides final.
Christmas Tea
Participate in a particular Nutcracker Afternoon Christmas Tea on the Fairmont Resort MacDonald each Saturday and Sunday from November tenth till December thirty first. Tea takes place within the Harvest Room of the Resort MacDonald and contains conventional finger sandwiches, scones, all kinds of loose-leaf tea, sweets, champagne and glowing cocktails. Tickets have to be bought prematurely and price $79 per visitor.
Skating
There are a variety of spots all through the town for ice skating, each out of doors and indoor. Head on all the way down to Edmonton’s metropolis corridor or over to the brand new out of doors ice rink within the ICE District Plaza. It’s open to the general public from 10 am – 10 pm, throughout which period skating is totally free.
For these freezing chilly days head to West Edmonton Mall Ice Palace, the place you may spend a snowy Saturday or Sunday skating within the heat of the mall. $16 will get you a normal ticket.
Sledding
Edmonton actually has no scarcity of snow, and sledding is a enjoyable and free household occasion that you are able to do any day of the week, all winter lengthy. Whereas some argue that parks are extra pleasurable in the summertime, the hilly terrain of NW Edmonton makes for some spectacular sledding. Notable places embody Emily Murphy Park, William Hawrelak Park, Gallagher Park, Authorities Home Park, and Whitemud Park North.
In search of extra vacation cheer?
And can you continue to be within the metropolis on the finish of the month? If that’s the case, don’t miss our article with enjoyable concepts for tips on how to have a good time New Yr’s Eve in Edmonton.