Edmonton 
Have you been to Edmonton’s indoor Glow Festival of Lights, yet?
There are more than a few ways to enjoy Edmonton’s indoor Glow Festival of Lights. At its core, Glow is a celebration of the holiday spirit through the wonder of lights.
The largest part of Glow YEG is its Light Garden, visible before you even enter the hall doors. You might not know where to start, but that’s okay! You can enter the Light Gardens from any side and take your time to gaze at the multiple displays. You’ll need to gaze all around, too, as the exhibits encompass parts of the hall floor to ceiling.
Credit: Bernadette Gallagher
Beyond the Light Gardens, and within them, are several activities for kids to enjoy and that can get the whole family in the Christmas mood. Within the Garden, you can get interactive with a few of the displays, get lost in a forest of icicles, revel in the endless photo ops, and make your way to more family-friendly fun. This includes live entertainment on the ‘snowflake’ stage, train rides, meet and greets, and some stress-free holiday shopping.
For any family or group planning to attend Glow, these are some of the best ways to get the most out of their magical Festival of Lights. Here are six of them:
Family or Christmas Photos in the Light Gardens
Rather than one single display fit for selfies and family photo ops, Glow offers their entire exhibit! Throughout the walkways are at least 15-20 places that could make beautiful family Christmas photo backdrops. Some of the light-up exhibits are even set up to be more interactive: you could snap your pics from inside a glowing gold hot air balloon, from behind a glamourous LED frame, under the enormous tunnel of lights, or within a two-story tall Christmas gift!
Train & Swing Rides
Glow Edmonton
One lit exhibit stands out among the rest as the tallest and most impressive: a gigantic Frosty the snowman, complete with fog effects, welcoming you into the exhibition hall. The snowman is the centrepiece for Glow train rides which take kids around the fog and lights. You’ll also find a much smaller but just as fun and interactive way to enjoy the lights with little ones via the LED swings! There are several moon-shaped swings set up, allowing each kid to have a few rides while giving parents enough time to grab candid pics.
Meet and Greets: Princesses, Santa Clause, and the Reindeer
Glow Edmonton
Keep your eyes open as you take in the lights: there are princesses in the crowd! Your children can meet with familiar characters and get to know the Glow princesses. But the star of the entire show, Santa himself, will make appearances too! Meet-and-greets are organized with a lineup and feature his fully lit sleigh. His reindeer won’t be with him though. He lost them in a sleigh crash, and it’s up to you and your kids to find them. When you do, you’ll get to know each one and see what you may have in common with Comet, Dasher, or even Rudolph.
Mocktails & Cocktails from the Glow Cup
For a tailor-made souvenir of your family outing, you can purchase the exclusive Glow Cups- suitable for alcoholic or non-alcoholic drinks. Adults can fill their light-up-bulbs with Glow’s feature tequila drink, made especially for the cups, or your own choice of available spirits. This is one of the many ways you can use your Glow Bucks.
Shop the Merry Makers Market
The Merry Makers Market could be your last stop for Christmas shopping. Beyond the hall of lights are rows of booths that feature local makers from all over the Capital Region. The Market hosts crafters, jewelry makers, bath and beauty products, handmade clothing, and all sorts of fun Glow swag and souvenirs like balloon animals or glow wands. The Merry Makers Market is also where you ENTER TO WIN.
When you arrive at Glow, you’ll notice a classic, shiny, and eye-catching classic car parked in the hall. This restored Ford is up for grabs via the purchase of raffle tickets.
Welcome 2022
Glow Edmonton is hosting two new year’s eve events – for family and adults – this year complete with a countdown, a DJ dance party to celebrate bringing in the New Year. On top of it all, you can enjoy all the delicious food and refreshments beneath the twinkle of a million lights.
Plan Your Trip – Glow Edmonton
GLow Edmonton
When: The Glow Holiday Festival of Lights runs until January 2nd, 2022,
Where: Edmonton Expo Centre, Edmonton
How Much: $16.99 to $25.99
Other Information:
- Glow Bucks can be used to purchase items from licensed bars (including the Glow Cups), food vendors, the Glow Store, or any of the booths in the Merry Makers Market.
- Parking is available for $10, and the Coliseum LRT station is within walking distance of the Expo Centre
- Food is available on site
- Bring a mask
- Adults need to provide Covid-19 Vaccine QR Codes and valid ID upon entry
- Special packages can also be booked for proposals, birthdays, or work Christmas parties.
