The chill in the air and the changing colours around Edmonton signal the fall season, and the many things to do around the city. So, when planning a date to help make the best of this pretty time in Edmonton, you’ll want to consider costs, indoor/outdoor, and all the things we can celebrate during fall. No matter your budget there are several ways to make a memorable date out of the festivals, live performances, Halloween events, local food and drink celebrations, or even the scenery in Edmonton.
Please check each business ahead of time for their own rules around vaccines, negative COVID-19 tests, social distancing, and masks.
Walks through the River Valley
Fall is when Edmonton’s North Saskatchewan River Valley is the most colourful and scenic spot in Edmonton. While Spring brings a solid and lush green, there is no beating the variety of warm colours our city’s urban parks offer. And many of the paved paths and trails running alongside the river can connect you to bustling city neighbourhoods like Downtown, Old Strathcona, Glenora, Windermere, or Terwillegar.
Where:
Southwest: Terwillegar Park, Patricia Ravine Trail
South-central – MacKinnon Ravine Park, Whitemud Equestrian Park
Central – Government House Park, Kinsmen Park, Gallagher Park & Muttart
Northeast – Kinnaird Park, Gold Bar Park, Rundle Park
Music at the Muttart
Experience a quieter Muttart Conservatory for your next night out! They offer Adult Only evenings every Wednesday and allow you to prebook your time slot. Take a slow stroll through the gardens, take advantage of photo ops, and stop to smell a lot more than just roses- there are over 700 plant species within the three pyramids/biomes. The Muttart also runs a Feature Pyramid in which the biome and thus plant species are always changing. This fall, the Feature offers live music; stay tuned to their Facebook for performance updates.
When: Adults Only – every Wednesday until October 6th
Music at the Muttart – from now until mid-November
Where: Muttart Conservatory – 9626 96a St NW, Edmonton
How Much: $14.95 per person; $12.95 per senior 65+
Edmonton Corn Maze
An evening or dusk trip to the Edmonton Corn Maze creates a perfect fall date from the drive out to the farm, the photo opportunities once you’re there, and the challenge of finding your way through the large maze.
When: Until October 16
Where: 26171 Garden Valley Road, Spruce Grove
How Much: $13.50 to $15.00
Indigenous Peoples Experience
Visit Fort Edmonton Park and explore life through the exhibit that explores the rich and beautiful cultures of First Nations and Métis Peoples. you will also receive one free general admission ticket of equal or lesser value for the 2022 summer season.
When: October 2 to December 19
Where: Fort Edmonton Park
How Much: $20
Gateway to the Stars
Experience the wonder of Elk Island’s night sky together this Fall season. In the heart of the Beaver Hills Dark Sky Preserve, escape the city to gaze upon the countless stars in our galaxy and learn to navigate from one constellation to the next with a Parks Canada Interpreter.
When: Fridays & Saturdays until October 30, 2021
Where: Elk Island National Park, 1-54401 Range Road 203
How Much: $11.70 per person
Food & Drink
Fall Picnics
Have a catered picnic with all the luxury while enjoying Fall colours in River Valley parks. True North, YEG Posh Picnics, YEG Picnic will bring all that you need for a cozy picnic outdoors.
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Fall Seasonal Cider Launch
As this is a drink launch for Broken Spoke Cider, you and your date get the chance to be the FIRST to try their new small-batch ciders. Your ticket gets you a seat for the launch, one pint of the new cider, and some live music/entertainment. There will also be a host of local snacks, their other ciders, and off-sales for purchase.
When: October 1; tickets on sale September 22
Where: Broken Spoke Cider: 11625 163 St. NW, Edmonton
How Much: $67.90 per person
Biermeister Dinner at CRAFT
Treat yourself and your date to an Oktoberfest-inspired four-course meal at the downtown CRAFT. Each course is paired with a unique or seasonal European beer with an expert host to guide you through each beer. You’ll each get a gift to take home, too! You can make it a double or triple date with CRAFT offering tables of two, four, or six.
When: October 7
Where: CRAFT Beer Market 10013 101A Avenue NW, Edmonton
How Much: $75.28 per person
Afternoon Tea at Brew & Bloom Café
What’s more romantic than afternoon tea in a secret garden? Brew & Bloom is hosting a special Afternoon and Outdoor Tea in October which brings you into their own secret garden. This will be a luxury picnic experience complete with plenty of fresh florals and seasonal blooms.
When: October 17
Where: Brew & Bloom Café – 10550 115 St. NW, Edmonton
How Much: $75 per person
Edmonton Craft Beer Festival
Even though many of the Oktoberfest celebrations were sadly cancelled in Edmonton, you can still celebrate all things beer this October: the Edmonton Craft Beer Festival is back for 2021. The event allows you to sample beers from all around the world, and the newest and trendiest drinks on the market. In addition to the beer there are multiple places to get snacks, or try other things like hard sodas, liqueurs and spirits, and coolers.
When: October 22 & 23
Where: Edmonton Expo Centre – 7515 118 Ave NW, Edmonton
How Much: $19.99 to $49.99
Dinner Theatre
Mayfield Dinner Theatres
You can catch more dinner theatre events at Mayfield’s two fall shows: A Closer Walk with Patsy Cline, or Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story. The dinner and brunch are each a buffet of local cuisine and all courses. You can extend your date over night as well with the Theatre’s hotel-stay specials.
When: A Closer Walk with Patsy Cline September 14 to October 31
Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story November 9 to January 23
Where: Mayfield Dinner Theatre: 16615 109 Ave. NW, Edmonton
How Much: $114.45 per person
Jubilations Dinner Theatre
Over the fall season you can take in two unique and different evenings of good food and live entertainment. Purchase your tickets online to get access to the Jubilations Dinner Theatre productions of Rockin’ the Jukebox, or Girls Just Wanna Have Fun. Each will include laughs, music, a 3-course dinner, and your choice of two desserts.
When: Rockin’ the Jukebox Until October 31
Girls Just Wanna Have Fun November 5 to January 23
Where: Jubilations Dinner Theatre: 2061, 8882 170 St., Edmonton
How Much: $51.25 to $75.95
Weds, Thurs, & Sun
A Magic Show and Dinner Event
This ultimate date night package includes not only dinner and a show, but also a stay at one of Edmonton’s top hotels. Your magic show is courtesy of Sheldon Casavant alongside a three-course dinner provided by the restaurant. Then enjoy your stay in a king room with a complimentary bottle of wine.
When: October 23
Where: the Westin: 10135 100 St. NW, Edmonton
How Much: $389.83 per 2 guests; includes one night stay
Spotlight Cabaret
Enjoy a show inside the Spotlight Cabaret or dine on the patio while you still have time! Spotlight’s fall lineup of shows include a little bit of all sorts of live performances like comedy, music, drag, dance, theatre, and more. You can book your spot for the shows in advance. Watch for each night’s themed drink specials to go along with the entertainment.
When: Fall season
Where: 8217 104th St., Edmonton
How Much: tickets $10-$15 per person depending on the show; plus, cost of your food and drinks
Live Shows
The Citadel Theatre
Two shows are set to grace the stage of the Citadel this September and October. First up is the Garneau Block by local author Todd Babiak, followed by Bears, a dark comedy filled with dance and multimedia displays. Both shows run about 90-minutes.
When:
The Garneau Block runs September 18 to October 10
Bears runs October 21 to 31
Where: The Citadel Theatre – 9828 101A Ave, Edmonton
How Much: call the Box Office (780) 425-1820 or toll free 1(888) 425-1820 for details
Ballet Edmonton and the AGA Present Program One
The AGA and Ballet Edmonton are presenting a special musical and artistic event this fall taking place in the gallery. Program One will feature the choreography of Wen Wei Wang that is based on the art in gallery and will take you across all three levels of the beautiful building. Your ticket gets your general admission to the AGA, so you can make time to browse before or after the performance.
When: October 14 to 16
Where: Art Gallery of Alberta – 2 Sir Winston Churchill Sq, Edmonton
How Much: $13.33 per person
The Dark Eighties at 9910
The International Tour of The Dark Eighties is making their debut premiere in Edmonton, right in time for the spooky season. It is a celebration of the underground 80s music we didn’t hear on the radio all that much, including tunes from dark wave, pop punk, synth pop, deathrock, and other genres.
When: October 15
Where: 9910
How Much: $20 per person
Jubilee Auditorium Fall Shows
The Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium is perfect for its variety of types of shows you’ll get to pick from for your next date at the theatre.
In November you can take in Swan Lake presented by the Alberta Ballet, the live pop-rock of Martin Kerr, or the folk rock of City & Colour. No matter your seat selection, the ‘Jube’ is known for amazing acoustics and the great views of the stage from all around the auditorium. And before or during intermission you can grab beer, wine, coffee, and small snacks.
When: three shows in November
Where: 11455 87 Avenue NW, Edmonton
How Much:
Swan Lake $62-$131
Martin Kerr $25-$61
City & Colour $52-$298
Festivals
Edmonton International Film Festival
Choose from a cozy night in with movies, or a night out at the theatre with the 35th Annual EIFF. They are featuring 20 films online between October 1 and 10th, as well as
When: October 1 to 10
Where: Landmark Cinema City Centre 102 Ave. & 102 St. NW, Edmonton
How Much: $10 to $15
Edmonton Comedy Festival
Laugh out loud with the Edmonton Comedy Festival as the festival brings a stellar line-up of comedians from across North America at venues throughout Edmonton.
When: October 13 to 16
Where: Various venues, Edmonton
How Much: $10 to $50
All Is Bright Festival
Welcome holiday season together with the lighting up of 124 Street with illumination, live music, night market, street performers, food trucks, s’mores around the fire, fun winter activities, and more!
When: November 20
Where: 124 Street (at 107, 109, and 103 Ave)
How Much: Free
Halloween
Ghost & Haunted Pub Tours
Hold on to one another tight as you tour some familiar parts of Edmonton with a spooky new perspective. As you walk Edmonton’s oldest streets together, you’ll learn of ghost stories, murderous tales, and hauntings of our city’s landmark buildings.
When: September 22 – November 2
Where: U of A and Old Strathcona
How Much: $16.93 – $22.23
Deadmonton Haunted House
Prepare for Halloween together with some serious scares. This annual haunted house is back for one of their most terrifying experiences yet with two different houses to tackle. Warped promised a mind-bending scare, while Dusk welcomes the rise of the dead.
When: September 24 to November 7
Where: 7031 Gateway Blvd., Edmonton
How Much: $29.99 – $49.99
DARK Fort Edmonton Park
DARK takes you into the dark corners of Fort Edmonton and the River Valley to reveal haunting stories of our city’s past. Your date include three different haunted walk-throughs and access to their onsite Halloween festival featuring food and drink.
When: October 7 to 31
Where: Fort Edmonton Park – 7000 143 St NW, Edmonton
How Much: $45 per person
Halloween Markets
Some of Edmonton’s local vendors are focusing on all things Halloween for the Night Market. You’ll get to shop handmade goods in a spooky atmosphere, in addition to being near Whyte Ave. where you can access a ton of restaurants.
When:
Edmonton Pop Culture Night Market on October 15
Alt After Dark Fright Night Market on October 29
Where: Old Strathcona Performing Arts Centre – 8426 Gateway Boulevard NW, Edmonton
How Much: free
Tarot For Two
Take a trip to Stony Plain to enjoy a ghost tour and get a personalized tarot reading. You will also get wine & a charcuterie to share.
When: October 30
Where: Continental Inn and Suites – 16625 Stony Plain Road, Edmonton
How Much: $22.23 per person