Edmonton 
Photo Credit: Edmonton Tourism
A list of 20+ family things to do for Christmas holidays/winter break in Edmonton & Alberta Capital Region.
December 20, 2019 – January 5, 2020
See Christmas / Holiday Lights
Though a bit pricey (and intended mainly for tourists), why not explore Legislature grounds on a segway. Join for a 60 minute segway adventure through the beautiful legislative grounds and see over 300 trees extravagantly decorated with over 3000 gleaming christmas lights.
In case you don’t have a car or want to go out with a large group to explore Edmonton holiday lights, you can take a bus tour for about $11. The tour will take you to Candy Cane Lane, Christmas at Bobs, and Alberta Legislature.
Attend a Holiday Family theatre performance
Enjoy Christmas theatre or a festive holiday live performance with the whole family.
Events include
- It’s a Wonderful Christmas Carol ~A Pantomime Radio Play: Enjoy a delicious brunch and a saucy retelling of a quintessential holiday tale. Sure to delight all members of every family, from young to old! Until Dec 24.
- Cinderella: A Christmas Pantomime: You’ve probably heard the classic fairy tale of Cinderella, but this version is unlike any other you’ve ever heard before. Filled with songs, jokes and laughs watch this unique story unfold as Cinderella tries to find her Prince Charming. Until Dec 29.
- Oklahoma!: A Festival Place tradition, the Festival Players continue their 17 year history of outstanding theatre over the Christmas season! OKLAHOMA! launched a new era in the American musical. It also began the most successful songwriting partnership (Rodgers and Hammerstein) in Broadway history. Until Dec 30, 2019.
Yule Ave
A weekend of FREE and FUN activities for you and yours aimed at CREATING YOUR OWN CHRISTMAS, not buying it! Take in the Yule: Have A Blast Christmas Concert, the lighting of the Giving Tree, Santa’s Horse and Wagon Ride, Antler Dancing and so much more! On Dec 21 & 22, 2019 @ Alberta Avenue Community League, 9210 118 Avenue, Edmonton
Explore Winter Landscape
Enjoy a glorious winter day with family exploring Edmonton and surrounding natural areas by snowshoeing, tobogganing the many hills, skiing down the ski hills (you can even meet Santa) or hiking the many River valley trails.
Holly Jolly Hunt – Holiday Scavenger Hunt: Explore Edmonton through Holly Jolly Hunt, a scavenger hunt done on your smartphone, that brings your entire family and friends together for holiday cheer. During the adventure you’ll be seeking out all the traditional, and even the non-traditional holiday items we all see this time of year. @ Starts from: Sir Winston Churchill Square, Edmonton
$5 Laser Tag Games
Enjoy $5 games from December 18th to January 5th at Laser City.
Free Skiing for Kids on Boxing Day
Free skiing & snowboarding for kids at the Edmonton Ski Club during the Grand Re-Opening on Boxing Day: December 26!
Telus World of Science
There are plenty of holiday themed activities during Christmas holidays at TWOSE.
Checkout the brand new exhibition, Marvel: Universe of Super Heroes, which features more than 300 artifacts, including some of Marvel’s most iconic and sought-after pages, costumes, and props. Spectacular artifacts to thrill both avid collectors, and casual fans—while immersive set pieces, soundscapes, and interactive elements bring the comic book world to life!
Hours:
Friday, December 210 2019 – Sunday, January 5, 2020
Sunday – Thursday: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Friday – Saturday: 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
December 24 – 9:00 am – 3:00 pm;
December 25 – CLOSED;
CHROMA YEG
See Edmonton’s first CHROMA pop-up, a massive art installation that spans across the mall’s lower level! Curated by PARK, #CHROMAYEG features original artwork by four local artists and creators. From painted murals to multi-dimensional displays, CHROMA is a place where we can come together to this holiday season to experience and support public art, build community and snap the perfect holiday photo!
Through December 24 @ Kingsway Mall, 109 Street & Kingsway, Edmonton | Free
Chanukah Celebration
Join for the annual Candle Lighting Ceremony and associated celebrations at the Alberta legislature on Sunday night December 22, 2019.
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 23–26: Closed
December 31, January 1 | Closed
Rest of the days:
Monday: closed
Tuesday & Wednesday: 11 am-5 pm
Thursday & Friday: 11 am-8 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 20: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
December 21, January 1: Noon. to 7 p.m.
December 22: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
December 23: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
December 24: 10:00 a.m. to 5 p.m.
December 25: Noon to 05:00 PM.
December 26,27,28, 30, & January 2 to 4: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
December 29: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
December 31: 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
January 5: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
World Water Park:
Open Every Day. December 25: Noon to 05:00 PM.
December 20, 21: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
December 22:11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
December 23: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
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 4: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
January 4: 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!
December 30, January 2 & 4 drop in between 11 am–3pm @ Little White School, 2 Madonna Drive , St Albert
Birding during Winter
Why not go on a winter hike around river valley and other Edmonton natural areas and discover birds that winter over locally. See whether your little ones can spot Black-capped Chickadee, Pine Grosbeak, Pileated Woodpecker and other birds.
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: Klaus on December 20, 2019 | 4:00 pm, December 21, 2019 | 1:00 pm, December 23, 2019 | 3:30 pm
Family Christmas
Join for a Christmas party on December 25 at the Westin Edmonton. Extensive food menu and entertainment will make this year special! On the offer is grand buffet with carving, seafood, kids, dessert, appetizer, salad and entree stations. For other options to eat out on Christmas Day, see here.
On New Year’s Day
- Dress warmly, bring a mug and head to the Strathcona Wilderness Centre for a day of winter fun!
- 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.
Winter Shakespeare Festival
Take the whole family to enjoy “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”during Edmonton’s Winter Shakespeare Festival, which features 2 exciting full-length, site-specific productions.
Winter at Elk Island National Park
Elk Island National Park is ready to welcome you with lots of different ways to spend the day and create lasting memories. Enjoy snowshoeing, stargazing, join for Christmas bird Count and more!
Resolution Run
Join for the annual resolution run with the whole family and squeeze a little more fitness into your busy lives on January 1, even if you can’t follow them through the rest of the year.