✨ Edmonton Mama’s Weekend Guide ✨
Ice sculptures. Twinkle lights. Santa’s on his way.
November 12 to 15, 2026
Family fun · Holiday kickoffs · Free things to do · All in one place.
All Is Bright lights up 124 Street on Friday and Saturday with ice sculptures, carriage rides and twinkle lights, all for free. Catch a free family movie at Cineplex Community Day on Saturday morning, say hi to Santa at Bass Pro and Hello Pretty, then wander the glowing paths at Greenland’s Lights in the Park. ☕
⭐ This Weekend’s Edmonton Mama Pick
⭐ Edmonton Mama Pick
All Is Bright Winter Festival on 124 Street
📍 124 Street & area, Edmonton
About 20 ice sculptures, free horse carriage rides, dazzling light displays, lion dancers, fire performers and visits from Paw Patrol, Anna, Elsa and Olaf make this the best free night out in the city. Don’t miss the light-up ceremony on Saturday evening and the free ice carving lessons!
📅 Thursday, November 12
Evening Observing at the U of A Observatory
📍 University of Alberta Observatory, Edmonton
Drop in to the rooftop observatory on the University of Alberta campus to peek through real telescopes on clear nights. No tickets needed, and it is a fun after-dinner outing for curious kids!
📅 Friday, November 13
Crossroads Winter Festival: Light Up the Night
📍 Inglewood & Sherbrooke, Edmonton
The Crossroads neighbourhoods kick off the holidays early with horse-drawn sleigh rides, live bands, winter princesses and an early visit from Santa. The evening wraps up with a tree lighting!
Build a LEGO Reindeer at the LEGO Store
📍 LEGO Store at West Edmonton Mall and Southgate Centre, Edmonton
Kids 6 and up can build a LEGO reindeer to take home, and it is a model you can’t buy in stores. It is first come, first served and one per guest while supplies last, so go early!
📅 Saturday, November 14
Cineplex Community Day: Free Family Movies
📍 Participating Cineplex theatres, Edmonton
Catch The LEGO Movie, Paddington 2, A Minecraft Movie or Tom & Jerry for free on Saturday morning, with free game bands at participating Rec Room locations too. Tickets are first come, first served at the theatre, so get there early!
Butterfly Wings n’ Wishes Wildlife Encounter
📍 Backyard Birds Nature Shop, Spruce Grove
Kids can meet a tortoise, snakes, geckos, frogs, a tarantula, a hissing cockroach, butterflies and caterpillars up close. It is free to drop in, and donations support butterfly education programs across Canada.
The Winter Art Market at Orange Hall
📍 Orange Hall, Old Strathcona, Edmonton
Nine Edmonton artists share original art, prints and fibre art, just steps from the Old Strathcona Farmers’ Market. Heads up: the hall is up a flight of stairs, so leave the stroller in the car.
Edmonton Potters’ Guild Show & Sale
📍 Alberta Avenue Community Centre, Edmonton
Browse handmade mugs, bowls and ornaments from local potters, with free admission and free parking. A lovely spot to pick up teacher gifts early!
Never miss a weekend of family fun 💌
Get the Edmonton Mama weekend guide delivered straight to your inbox.
🎄 All Weekend Long
PBR Canada National Finals
📍 Rogers Place, Edmonton
Canada’s top bull riders battle for the national championship at Rogers Place over two big nights. A thrilling pick for older kids who love a little rodeo action!
A Very Indigenous Holiday Market
📍 Alberta Aviation Museum, Edmonton
More than 100 Indigenous vendors, artists and entertainers fill the museum’s hangar, with traditional drumming and dancing, a fashion showcase and free prize draws. Bring gently used clothing or outerwear to donate to people in need.
Hello Pretty Holiday Market
📍 River Valley Event Centre, Northeast River Valley Park, Edmonton
Holiday shopping with Santa visiting both afternoons for complimentary photos, plus free sleigh rides on Sunday. Kids 12 and under get in free!
Musical Mornings: Dragons and Wizards
📍 Winspear Centre, Edmonton
Ms. Kate and ESO musicians bring a magical dragons and wizards theme to this sing-along concert made for ages 1 to 5. Bring a pillow or blanket for floor seating in the upstairs lobby!
The Polar Express Train Ride
📍 Alberta Prairie Railway, Stettler (about 2 hours southeast)
Opening weekend for the Polar Express, where kids ride in their pyjamas, sip hot chocolate with a cookie and meet Santa when he boards at the North Pole. Every child 12 and under gets a silver sleigh bell, and each family takes home a souvenir mug!
Santa’s Wonderland at Bass Pro Shops
📍 Bass Pro Shops, South Edmonton Common and north Edmonton
Santa is already settled in at Bass Pro, with a free photo and shareable video for every family plus free festive crafts and a letter drop for Santa’s mailbox. Reserve a free spot online up to a week ahead, or walk in!
The Mikado, Reimagined
📍 La Cité Francophone, Edmonton
Foote in the Door Productions puts a fresh, topsy-turvy spin on Gilbert and Sullivan’s comic operetta, full of mistaken identities and catchy songs. It is billed for all ages!
Rock Around the Clock with Elvis & Friends at Jubilations
📍 Jubilations Dinner Theatre, West Edmonton Mall, Edmonton
A 1950s rock and roll dinner show with an Elvis-themed cast, a multi-course meal served by characters and plenty of audience fun. It’s a live show, so somebody at your table might just end up in the act!
The Great Gatsby at the Citadel Theatre
📍 Citadel Theatre, Edmonton
Erin Shields’ stage adaptation of the Jazz Age classic comes alive with a live jazz band. It is recommended for ages 14 and up, so save this one for date night or a teen outing.
🚗 Edmonton Mama Road Trip Pick
🚗 Edmonton Mama Road Trip Pick
Lights in the Park at Greenland Garden Centre
📍 Greenland Garden Centre, Sherwood Park
Greenland’s botanical garden glows with lit pathways, polar bears, narwhals and photo spots, and proceeds support the Strathcona Christmas Bureau and the Salvation Army. It is closed Sundays and Mondays, so plan your visit for Thursday, Friday or Saturday night!
🎟️ Coming Up
Disney On Ice
📍 Rogers Place, Edmonton
Disney On Ice skates into Rogers Place for one weekend only. Don’t forget to enter my giveaway for a chance to win four tickets!
Canadian Tire Magic of Lights
📍 RAD Torque Raceway, near Edmonton International Airport
A drive-through holiday light show you can enjoy from the warmth of your car, open every night of the season. Watch for an Edmonton Mama ticket giveaway!
Edmonton Christmas Market
📍 Fort Edmonton Park, Edmonton
Fort Edmonton Park’s historic streets fill with local makers, festive treats and holiday fun. Mark your calendar for opening weekend!
Glow at the Edmonton EXPO Centre
📍 Edmonton EXPO Centre, Edmonton
This year’s Magic Toy Shop theme sends families hunting for clues to help Santa find his lost presents among a million lights. Use code EDMONTONMAMA at checkout for 10% off tickets!
Never miss a weekend of family fun 💌
Get the Edmonton Mama weekend guide delivered straight to your inbox.
Written by Jana Konelsky, Edmonton Mama 💜
Your trusted guide to Edmonton family fun since 2011.