Looking for family friendly things to do with the kids this weekend? We’ve got you covered with a full list of fun events in & around Edmonton for December 1 to December 3.
Glow Edmonton
Come experience the magic under the twinkle of more than a million lights with Glow Edmonton! This holiday spectacular offers live entertainment, the Merry Maker’s Market, food and drink, meet and greets with various special guests such as Santa and The Grinch and more! Discover something for every member of the family and get into the holiday spirit with Glow Edmonton.
When: December 1, 2023 – January 1, 2024
Where: Edmonton Expo Center
Zoominescence: Festival of Light
Wander through our spectacular exhibition of artistic light installations within the unique setting of the Edmonton Valley Zoo, sip hot chocolate, interact with performers, take in an animal talk, and enjoy winter life in the North.
When: December 1, 2023 – December 17, 2023; Friday to Sunday | December 18, 2023 – January 3, 2024; Daily with the exception of Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
Where: Edmonton Valley Zoo
Edmonton Oil Kings – Teddy Bear Toss
Head on over to Rogers Place with a couple of new teddy bears to join the Oil Kings in their 16th annual Teddy Bear Toss! This season, it is expected that the Oil Kings and their fans will eclipse 150,000 all-time bears collected. You don’t want to miss this spectacle! Help out a child in need this holiday season!
When: December 1, 2023; 7PM
Where: Rogers Place
Magic of Lights – RAD Torque Raceway
Experience the ultimate holiday magic with the Canadian Tire Magic of Lights! This incredible event boasts a mesmerizing 2.5 kilometers of over 1.5 MILLION festive and vibrant LED-lighted displays, creating a truly enchanting drive-through experience that you can enjoy from the comfort of your own car.
When: November 23, 2023 – January 6, 2024
Where: RAD Torque Raceway, 50342 Range Rd, Edmonton International Airport
Borealis Lights – St. Albert Kinsmen RV Park
Come experience the magic of the season from the warmth of your vehicle! For 2023, Borealis Lights Christmas drive-thru lighting display offers dazzling new light displays that are sure to bring smiles to family, friends and colleagues! You don’t want to miss this beautiful holiday event boasting 800,000 twinkling lights!
When: November 17, 2023 – January 7, 2024
Where: St. Albert Kinsmen RV Park; 47 Riel Dr, St.Alert
Edmonton Christmas Market – Fort Edmonton Park
Experience the magic, fill your belly and shop the market at the Edmonton Christmas Market at Fort Edmonton Park. Enjoy offerings from over 100 vendors, partake in family workshops, listen to live entertainment and more!
When: November 30, 2023 – December 17, 2023; Thursday 3PM – 9PM; Friday 3PM – 10PM; Saturday 12PM– 10PM; Sunday 12PM – 8PM
Where: Fort Edmonton Park
Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree – Muttart Conservatory
Surround yourself with beautiful Muttart-grown poinsettias and a Christmas tree so big and beautiful that you’ll have to see it to believe it! There will be many lights creating a magical holiday glow throughout the pyramid. Stop and take a photo of your loved ones in Santa’s throne chair; if you time it just right you might even get your photo with Santa himself!
When: November 25, 2023 – January 2, 2024
Where: Muttart Conservatory; 9626 – 96A Street
Sensitive Santa
When: Sunday, December 3; 9AM – 11AM
Where: Millwoods Town Center
A Very Merry Moosemas
Kompany Family Theatre is proud to present their 45 production A Very Merry Moosemas, filled with stories, songs, and holiday adventure! Join us for a free show!
When: Friday, December 1; 4PM – 5PM
Where: Strathearn Community Hall; 9511 90 Street
St.Albert Snowflake Festival
Join us in the heart of downtown St. Albert as we light up the Perron District with the warm glow of the Christmas lights. Enjoy all the festivities as we welcome the holiday season with our annual Snowflake Festival.
Santa will make an appearance, with train rides and a petting zoo to keep you busy. There will be street hockey, craft areas and some surprise appearances from various characters. Plus many more things in store, to help you get into the holiday spirit.
When: Friday, December 1; 6:30PM – 9PM
Where: Perron District, St.Albert
Winter Light Up – Stony Plain
Bundle up and head down to Main Street anytime between 6:30PM and 8:30PM for Winter Light Up. The tree lighting takes places at 8:00PM sharp! Visit participating businesses for a treat or treasure, take a photo with Santa, shop local for Christmas gifts, and see the tree in-person all while listening to live festive music. Don’t forget your Stony Plain Kinsmen Christmas Hamper donation, drop off is at the Kinsmen BBQ tent!
When: Friday, December 1; 6:30PM – 8:30PM
Where: 50 Street and 51 Avenue, Stony Plain
Try Skiing Day
Come try cross-country skiing! FREE and open to all ages and abilities. Fort Saskatchewan Nordic Ski Club is hosting its annual Try Skiing Day! Equipment will be available to borrow. Volunteers will be on hand to get you sized and ready to go, and provide some basic instruction. Join us upstairs for coffee, tea and hot chocolate!
When: Sunday, December 3, 2023; 12:30PM – 4PM
Where: West River’s Edge Pavilion; River Valley Drive, Fort Saskatchewan
The Reluctant Dragon
Back by popular demand, our fun and hilarious family-friendly production of John Rutter’s classic tale of a poet dragon and the plot to fake his slaying! Kids are admitted free of charge!
When: Saturday, December 2, 2023; 3PM – 4:30PM
Where: The King’s University, Atrium; 9125 50 Street NW
Kids Only Shopping – The Makers Keep
Kids only shopping at The Makers Keep is back! You provide us with a budget, then we’ll help your kids find the perfect gift and send them off with it wrapped and ready! Kids will have the opportunity to shop in secret for anyone and everyone on their list!
When: Sherwood Park: Saturday, December 2; 10AM – 4PM and Sunday, December 3rd; 11AM to 4PM | The Enjoy Centre: Sunday, December 3rd; 10AM – 2PM
Where: Sherwood Park; Unit 112 – 2755 Broadmoor Boulevard; The Enjoy Centre, St. Albert, 101 Riel Dr
A Christmas Carol
A Christmas Carol is back at The Citadel. Based on the Charles Dickens classic, Edmonton’s favorite Christmas tradition is a perfect way to celebrate the holidays. Your favorite Christmas tunes adorn this version with a 1950s feel that will remind you of all the nostalgia of the season.
When: November 25, 2023 to December 23, 2023; 7:30PM, 1:30PM for matinee on select days
Where: The Citadel
Christmas in the Country
Get in the Christmas spirit with country markets and activities for the whole family in south rural Strathcona Country. Visit Santa, enjoy a sleigh ride, partake in various delicious food offerings and more! You won’t want to miss this rural Christmas spectacle.
When: Saturday, December 2; 10AM – 4PM, Fireworks from 4PM – 6PM
Where: Various locations in South Strathcona County
Photos with “The Mean One” – West Edmonton Mall
Come one, come all, and experience the magic of the Grinch’s takeover at Northpole Place! The “Mean One” will be there with Max for a heartwarming and heart-stealing experience for all who come visit!
When: Saturday, December 2, 2023; 12PM – 8PM
Where: West Edmonton Mall, North Pole Place (Located in Phase 1 by the Bay)
Milk ‘n’ Cookies with Santa – Fort Saskatchewan
Come and share some special time with Santa. Listen to Santa read a special story and then share delicious cookies and milk. Have fun coloring Christmas pictures. Each child will go home with a treat bag. The event is limited to 25 children for each session.
When: November 25 & 26, December 2, 3, 16 & 17, 2023; 10AM and 1PM
Where: Fort Saskatchewan Historical Society NWMP Program Room
Leduc County Winter Festival
Take part in Leduc County’s annual breakfast with Santa for a morning of fun, cheer and our famous kids-only Santa shop! Activities include holiday crafts, pictures with Santa, sleigh rides and outdoor games. Breakfast includes pancakes, sausage and fruit! Later in session 2, join Leduc County for a winter festival full of holiday activities, including pictures with Santa, sleigh rides, a story telling on snowshoes, outdoor games, a bonfire and our famous kids-only Santa store!
When: Saturday, December 2, 2023; Breakfast Session 9AM – 11AM; Session Two 11AM – 1PM
Where: Rolly View Community Hall; 49402 Range Road 234, Leduc County
Leduc Country Lights
Bundle up and head on over to Leduc Country Lights. This festive event is a 100% volunteer coordinated Christmas Light Display located within Leduc County, Alberta. Immerse yourself with the holiday spirit that will prove to become a tradition for your family, as it has with many families over the last 15 years. This event is pet friendly, so feel free to bring your furry family members! Santa makes appearances on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings.
When: December 1 – December 31, 2023; Sunday – Thursday from 5PM-9M; Friday – Saturday from 5PM – 10PM
Where: 49541, Range Rd 260, Calmar, AB
South Pole Holiday Workshop 2023
Don’t miss out on this free event! Enjoy free holiday photos, choosing “naughty” with the Grinch on December 2 and “nice” with Sugar Plum Fairies on December 3. The weekend festivities also boast a holiday market, complimentary gift wrapping and giveaways!
When: Saturday, December 2 and Sunday, December 3, 2023; 12PM – 5PM
Where: South Edmonton Common in the former Nordstrom Rack Store; 1910 102 Street NW
The Blank Who Stole Christmas – Rapid Fire Theatre
Rapid Fire Theatre’s annual holiday tradition returns to the stage in December 2023. The Blank Who Stole Christmas is a somewhat-familiar but always original improvised take on the holiday classic by a similar name.
When: Saturday, December 2, 9, 16 and 23; 1:30PM-2:30PM
Where: Rapid Fire Exchange; 10437 83 Avenue
Rad Dad’s Christmas Pizza Party
This family-friendly ALL AGER RAGER features pizza, pictures with punk rock Santa , amazing raffle prizes, and music! The toddler mosh pit will be off the chain! Cover is $10 for grown-ups and kids are free – with all the proceeds going to WIN House, who provide a safe place for women, children, and non-binary individuals fleeing violence.
When: Saturday, December 2, 2023; 4:30PM – 8PM
Where: SOHO Yeg; 11454 Jasper Ave
Edmonton Oil Kings Family Fun Sundays
The Oil Kings are Edmonton’s first choice for family fun with great seats starting at $20 and season seats for as low as $9 per game for an entire season of thrilling WHL action! Meet Louie the Lion, enjoy the concourse carnival and meet the team and get an autograph after every Family Fun Sunday!
When: Sunday, December 3, 2023; Game starts at 4PM
Where: Rogers Place
Family Days at the Depot!
Sundays are Family Day at Santa’s Depot! Family Days are open to ages 6+, each child must bring an adult helper who will stay with them through the entire shift. Volunteers may be involved in any of the following activities: preparing gifts for individual children, bagging gifts for specific families, sorting toy donations, condensing sorted toy bins, and putting batteries in toys.
When: November 26, December 3 and December 10 from 9:30AM – 11:30AM or 12:00PM – 2:00PM
Where: Santa’s Depot; 12122 68 Street NW
Greenland Garden Center Country Christmas
Capture the feeling of an old fashioned Christmas at Greenland Garden Center’s Country Christmas. Enjoy an afternoon of hay rides, crafts, face painting, cookie decorating and a marshmallow roast! Loonie and toonie donations for some activities support the Strathcona Christmas Bureau. Unwrapped toys and Food Bank donations will also be accepted.
When: Sunday, December 3; 1PM – 4PM
Where: Greenland Garden Centre; 23108 Highway 16, Sherwood Park
Winter Wagon Rides – Fort Edmonton Park
Can you hear those sleigh bells jingling? Discover the magic of winter in Edmonton’s scenic River Valley. Admire twinkling lights strung up around Fort Edmonton Park’s historic streets, while bundled up in a festive horse-drawn wagon ride throughout the entire park. Enjoy a cozy hot chocolate stop to warm up before you continue your tour. Wrap up your tour with a toasty bonfire.
When: Select dates and times from November 21, 2023 to February 24, 2024
Where: Fort Edmonton Park
Polar Express IMAX Experience PJ Party
The tradition continues at the TELUS World of Science in Edmonton with IMAX screenings of The Polar Express on Saturday and Sundays from November 25 to December 24, 2023. Come dressed in your warmest Christmas pajamas and enjoy family time at the movies watching the holiday favorite on Alberta’s largest theatre screen.
When: Every Saturday and Sunday from November 25 to December 24, 2023
Where: Telus World of Science Edmonton
Enchanted Forest in Fort Saskatchewan
The Enchanted Forest is a favorite holiday tradition in Fort Saskatchewan. Local organizations and businesses create unique, beautiful, and fun Christmas trees that represent them and reflect the holiday season.
When: Various times throughout the week from November 24, 2023 to January 7, 2024
Where: City Hall 10005 – 102 Street; Fort Saskatchewan Public Library 10011 – 102 Street; Dow Centennial Centre 8700 84 Street; Shell Theatre 8700 84 Street
Free Family Films at the Library
This weekend: Elf
When: Sunday, December 3; 2PM to 4PM
Where: Whitemud Crossing Library
Laser Taylor Swift
Taylor Swift is one of the biggest pop stars on the planet. With over 200 million records sold, a shelf full of Grammys, and an army of fans, Taylor Swift is an inspiration for generations. Laser Taylor Swift takes her biggest hits and brings them to life in dazzling laser light. If you can’t score tickets to her concert, Laser Taylor Swift is the next best thing.
When: Select evenings from November 2023 to February 2024; 7PM
Where: Telus World of Science Edmonton
Breakfast with Santa – Southfork Community
Southfork Community Connections welcomes you to their 2nd annual Breakfast with Santa. Alongside breakfast, enjoy making friendship bracelets and the silent auction. Bring your biggest and brightest smile to take a picture with Santa!
When: Saturday, December 2, 2023; 9AM – 11AM
Where: Father Leduc Catholic School Gymnasium; 400 Sheppard Boulevard, Leduc
Christmas at Reynolds…Hawaiian Style – Wetaskiwin
Come on down for a Hawaiian Christmas experience. Dig out your beachiest shirt and take a photo with Santa, with a tropical twists! Other activities include Hawaiian dance performances, cookie decorating, letters to Santa, beach themed games and more!
When: Saturday, December 2, 2023; 10AM – 4PM
Where: Reynolds Museum; 6426 – 40 Avenue, Wetaskiwin
Christmas in the Country Market – South Cooking Lake
Head over to South Cooking Lake Hall where you’ll enjoy more than 35 vendors with tons of fantastic Christmas gift ideas, baking and more. This market will also feature the Kids’ Christmas Store where kids can shop for gifts for their loved ones with the help of our elves. Santa will also be there from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. and will be available for photos and visits, with his helper Buddy the Elf.
When: Saturday, December 2, 2023; 10AM – 4PM
Where: South Cooking Lake Hall, 100 22106 South Cooking Lake Road, Strathcona County
Santa Claus Parade – Fort Saskatchewan
Santa Claus has jumped at the chance to return to the city when he was invited to the Saturday, December 2, 2023 Christmas kick-off parade. He will once again ride through the downtown streets of neighborly Fort Saskatchewan aboard his magical sleigh. Local youngsters will once again have the chance to deliver their letters to Santa by handing them to one of his elves as his float passes through the streets.
When: Saturday, December 2, 2023; 11AM – 12PM
Where: Traditional parade route through Downtown Fort Saskatchewan starting at the corner of 99th and 108th Street
See a Movie
Landmark Cinemas Kids’ Day Deal Sundays:
When: any Sunday
Time: any movie
Where: Landmark Cinemas:
- Edmonton City Centre: 10200 – 102 Avenue NW, Edmonton
- St. Albert: 800 St. Albert Trail, St. Albert
- Spruce Grove: 130 Century Crossing , Spruce Grove
- Tamarack: 955 Tamarack Way NW, Edmonton
Family Movies playing in the Cineplex Theatres this weekend:
- Wish
- Elf: 20th Anniversary
- Taylor Swift The Eras Tour
- Butterfly Tale
- Paw Patrol: The Mighty Movie
- Trolls Band Together
- Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes
- The Marvels
- The Land Before Time 30th Anniversary : $2.99 Saturday morning Family Favorite Special
Cost: General Admission prices