Edmonton
Photo Credit: Edmonton Tourism
A list of 20+ family things to do for Christmas holidays/winter break in Edmonton & Alberta Capital Region.
December 21, 2018 – January 6, 2019
See Christmas / Holiday Lights
Go for a winter wonderland drive and enjoy great Christmas displays in Edmonton & Alberta Capital region. Hike the twinkling Candy Cane Lane, meet Santa and have hot chocolate at Leduc Country Christmas Lights or enjoy skating amongst twinkling light at Alberta Legislature grounds.
The final night of Leduc Country Christmas Lights is on December 30 and the celebrations will end with fireworks.
Attend a Holiday Family theatre performance
Enjoy Christmas theatre or a festive holiday live performance with the whole family.
Events include
- Singin’ in the Rain – December 15 to 30, 2018 @ Festival Place, 100 Festival Way, Sherwood Park
- Little Red Riding Hood: A Christmas Pantomime — December 14 to 31, 2018 @ Fort Edmonton Park
- Clara’s Dream…Edmonton’s Ukrainian Nutcracker! – December 22 & 23, 2018 @ Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium, 11455 87 Ave NW, Edmonton
- A Christmas Carol — Through December 23, 2018 @ Maclab Theatre, 9828 101A Avenue Northwest, Edmonton
Free admission day at Elk Island National Park
Explore Elk Island National Park for free on December 22.
Explore Winter Landscape
Enjoy a glorious winter day with family exploring Edmonton and surrounding natural areas by snow shoeing, tobogganing the many hills, or along the many River valley trails.
Go geocaching in the River Valley and have a unique outdoor experience with this fun scavenger hunt! One can rent (free of charge) GPS units at John Janzen Nature Centre.
See here for Fun Outdoor Winter Activities in Edmonton
Telus World of Science
There are plenty of holiday themed activities during Christmas holidays at TWOSE.
Checkout the brand new exhibition, BODY WORLDS: ANIMALS INSIDE OUT: From goats to giraffes, elephants to eels and octopuses to ostriches visitors will discover the form and function of animals both exotic and familiar. Animal biology textbooks spring to life in this unforgettable museum learning experience.
Hours:
Friday, December 21, 2018 – Sunday, January 6, 2019
Fri & Sat: 9:00 am – 6:00 pm
Sun – Thu: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Holidays: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
December 24 – 9:00 am – 3:00 pm;
December 25 – CLOSED;
December 26 to January 6 daily 9:00 am – 6:00 pm
Muttart Conservatory
Explore holiday themed feature pyramid – Santa’s Workshop Get in the holiday spirit and visit Santa’s Workshop. See a stunning display of poinsettias of all sizes and colours and become Santa’s little helper in the process.
Through December 31 | Muttart Conservatory | Regular Admission (Closed on Dec 25, other days: 10:00 am – 05:00 pm, Wednesday & Thursday: 10am-9pm)
Winter Wagon Nights
Enjoy a mesmerizing trip through Fort Edmonton Park’s 1920s Street in a cozy horse-drawn wagon. Make lasting memories as you enjoy hot chocolate, shimmering lights, and beautiful sights.
December 20 to 29 @ Fort Edmonton Park
Also see – 50 Fun Winter Activities in Alberta
Full Moon Birkie Series
Cross country ski under the light of the full moon!
Saturday, December 22, 2018 | 6:00 – 10:00 p.m. @ Waskahegan Staging Area, Cooking Lake-Blackfoot Provincial Recreation Area
Escape the Cold
If you are not a fan of Jack Frost’s season, visit an indoor attraction like WEM‘s World Water Park, Galaxyland, Sea life Caverns, or Laser Quest, Paintball venues, Mini Golfs or other indoor arcade game venues.
Holiday Hours at Select Edmonton ATTRACTIONS
Royal Alberta Museum
Closed on Mondays, December 24, December 25
Daily: 10 am – 5 pm
Thursday: 10 am – 8 pm
Edmonton Valley Zoo:
10am-4pm daily
Closed on Christmas Day
John Janzen Nature Centre:
Dec 21 – Jan 6, 2019 11am – 4pm, daily.
Closed:January 1 and December 25
Art Gallery of Alberta:
December 24–26: Closed
December 27–28 | 11am –5pm
December 29–30 | 10am–5pm
December 31, January 1 | Closed
January 2 | 11am – 5pm
Rest of the days:
Monday: closed
Tuesday & Wednesday: 11 am-8 pm
Thursday & Friday: 11 am-5 pm
Saturday & Sunday: 10 am-5 pm
Alberta Aviation Museum:
CLOSED Mondays (holiday Mondays open 10am to 5pm)
Tuesday to Friday 10am to 4pm
Saturday and Sunday 10am to 5pm
Closed December 25, 26 and January 1
Galaxyland Amusement Park:
Open Every Day.
December 21, 22, 30: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
December 23 & January 1: 11:00 a.m. to 6 p.m.
December 24: 10:00 a.m. to 5 p.m.
December 25: Noon to 05:00 PM.
December 26 & January 2 to 6: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
December 27 to 29: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
December 31 & January 6: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
World Water Park:
Open Every Day. December 25: Noon to 05:00 PM.
December 24: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
December 26: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.,
December 27 to 30: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
December 31: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
January 1: Noon to 06:00 p.m.
January 2 to 5: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
January 6: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Go Skiing
Get active, and go skiing and snowboarding at Ski clubs in and around Edmonton: Snow Valley Ski Club, Sunridge Ski Area, Rabbit Hill Snow Resort. Ski Hills are closed on Dec 25.
The ski hills also host camps for kids.
Ice Castles Edmonton
Marvel at the acre-sized winter wonderland is crafted by hand, using only icicles and water, that resembles frozen waterfalls, glaciers or ice caves brought to Edmonton by Ice Castles.
Hours: from Late December/Early January Weather Dependent.
Photo Credit: Edmonton Tourism
Drop in Holiday Programs in St Albert
Visit Little White School for three days for some winter fuuuuun! Discover which animals sleep all winter and how they stay warm during the cold season, play some board games, make your own bonhomme de neige and finger weave a scarf to colour up your snowman!
Wednesday, January 2–Friday, January 4 drop in between 11 am–4 pm @ Little White School, 2 Madonna Drive , St Albert
Snowshoe & Stargaze
Trek over snow and gaze into a star-filled sky. Following a short guided hike on snowshoes you’ll enjoy snacks around a fire and learn about the night sky above. @ Elk Island National Park
Cheer Oil Kings
Enjoy watching an affordable hockey game!
Recreation & Library
Your city’s/town’s recreation department (Edmonton) and local library offers plenty of low cost (free programs) during Christmas break.
Get a great book and read it with your child, OR download an audiobook from EPL (or your town’s library), gather round the fireplace and enjoy listening to the story. The library also holds plenty of holiday programs – check out the calendar and plan to attend a family program.
See a movie
Enjoy a holiday movie at Cineplex or Landmark Cinemas – Winter Season Family Movies
Every Sunday, kids can get out of the house, a movie ticket and Snack Pack (popcorn, drink, choice of candy treat) @ Edmonton City Centre/St Albert/Spruce Grove location. @ Landmark Theatres
Family Movies at Metro Cinema: Home Alone on Dec 22 | 1:00 PM
Winter Freeze Fest
Celebrate the start of the New Year through Winter Freeze Fest activities! The Winter Freeze Fest week features a number of activities, including free indoor skating times, as well as outdoor skating at three pathways located at Emerald Hills (Cowan Skating Pathway), South Cooking Lake and new this year, the Sin Bin Skating Track located in Broadmoor Lake Park.
December 30 to January 4 @ Various venues, Strathcona County
On New Year’s Day
- Dress warmly, bring a mug and head to the Strathcona Wilderness Centre for a day of winter fun! Enjoy a blazing campfire, hot chocolate, and tasty treats for the whole family. Monday, January 1, 2018 | 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. @ Township Road 530 and Range Road 212
- Glastonbury New Years Day Family Fun: Join for Glastonbury Community Leagues Annual New Years Day Family Fun Event. There will be sleigh rides, skating, hot chocolate and fireworks. Monday, January 01, 2018 | 3:00 PM to 5:30 PM
The Illusionists – Live From Broadway
Direct from Broadway, the world’s best selling magic show is coming to Edmonton. This mind blowing spectacular showcases the jaw dropping talents of five of the most incredible Illusionists on earth. January 1 to 6, 2019 @ Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium
Mini Pop Kids
Don’t miss this high energy concert that will inspire all ages to SING, DANCE, and PARTY along with Canada’s best- selling kids’ music group, MINI POP KIDS! Wednesday, January 02, 2019 | 2:30 PM & 6:30 PM @ Arden Theatre
Rogers Hometown Hockey weekend
This free, family-friendly hockey celebration features two days of live entertainment, NHL alumni, local celebrities and hockey-themed activities for all ages.
January 5 and 6 @ Sherwood Park Arena and Sports Centre parking lot, 2015 Oak Street.