Edmonton 
Holiday fun doesn’t need to break the bank. During this 2023 Christmas holidays, there are several great family-friendly activities which cost little-to-nothing.
Most of the activities on this list are completely free, with others about $10 per person.
Choose between outdoor light displays, river valley recreation, or the outdoor festivals. Many of these activities make for excellent family photo opportunities as well!
Visit the outdoor Light Displays
Below are free or inexpensive ideas for taking in the outdoor holiday light displays around Edmonton. We’ve included drive-through displays, walk-through displays, and one which offers the choice between both!
- The much-adored tradition of Candy Cane Lane is back again for 2023. As of December 8th, the west-Edmonton neighbourhood welcomes everyone back for walks or drives through the holiday light displays. There are key nights to consider, too, for sleigh rides and other activities. This is free but please bring a Food Bank donation if you can.
- The Grand Boulevard in Summerside (south Edmonton) is worthy to note for a walk-through holiday light experience. This is not a drive-through experience as this will disrupt regular traffic. It is, however, a gorgeous place for a winter walk!
- The Leduc Country Christmas Lights offers a chance to get away from the city for your experience. And, a chance at reasonably priced family fun. The walk-through experience is $2 per person with kids 2 and under free.
- Explore Legislature Grounds during Celebrate the Season, when Legislative Assembly celebrates the holiday season with Albertans by lighting up the grounds and featuring festive musical performances in the beautiful Legislature rotunda and grounds.
- Drive-through displays in St. Albert and RAD torque Raceway costs less than $33 (plus gst) per car (up to 8 capacity).
Photos with Santa & Cabela’s
There are several places in Edmonton for professional Santa photos. And where you go may depend on your budget. For those in need of some free memories made with Santa, head to one of two Cabela’s locations in Edmonton. Kids can visit with Santa and get a photo for free from now until Christmas Eve. The stores go all out, too, and welcome Santa by transforming Cabela’s into a North Pole wonderland.
Where: 15320 37 St. NW
6150 Currents Dr. NW
When: November 13-December 24, 2023
How much: free
Ice Skating
The ponds, lakes, and iceways are not yet frozen. But this is Edmonton, and we know winter is upon us either way. Rest assured, there will be opportunities for skating in Edmonton as we get closer to Christmas. Edmonton’s larger skating areas and maintained iceways are all colourfully lit with LEDs, while some include access to both a rink and iceway.
The Meadows Rec Centre, Victoria Iceway, and Rundle Park Iceway, are all locations with bright holiday lights.
Neighborhood Christmas Parties & Light-ups in Edmonton
Join these local Edmonton neighbourhoods as they celebrate the magic of the season. And join a few of the neighbourhoods for annual holiday light up events. These include an official switch on of the neighbourhood’s Christmas lights, and a range of other activities.
- The Old Strathcona Business Association will host their annual Winter Whyte Light Up this November 25. Take advantage of the mild 2023 winter we’ve had so far in Edmonton and spend the evening under the holiday lights.
- Light up Ada Boulevard is put on by Concordia University which is on the west side of Boulevard and Gretzky Drive. Join them on the front lawn of that campus for the light-up, caroling, and hot drinks (November 25, 2023).
- Christmas at Callingwood (in west Edmonton) surrounds the Callingwood Farmers’ Market on December 9th. This special market will have wagon and sleigh rides, musical performances, and an appearance from Santa.
- Choose between two downtown holiday light up events in 2023: the lighting of the Legislature Building, and that of the ICE District Plaza.
The Polar Express in IMAX
The Telus World of Science presents The Polar Express in their IMAX theatre to help families get excited for the holidays. This is a considerably inexpensive way to treat the family to a movie when considering the cost of a ticket for a chain movie theatre experience.
When: Saturdays & Sundays, November 25-December 24, 2023
Where: 11211 142 St NW
How much: $11.95 per person
Experience the new Downtown Winterval
Edmonton has another new winter festival to keep us celebrating throughout the winter. The Downtown Business Association’s Winterval will kick off December in Edmonton with tons of free family fun. There will be live music, deals and giveaways from local vendors, and the holiday lights will be switched on over 104th Street.
When: December 1-2, 2023
Where: 104 St., Jasper Ave. to 104 Ave. NW
How much: free
Edmonton Public Library Holiday Events
EPL is an excellent source of free fun in Edmonton for any season. Christmas is no different. This November and December, enjoy the fun from the Stanley A Milner and Whitemud Crossing branches. These include events like movie nights, craft time, and trivia. EPL offers a mix of drop-in events, and registered events.
When: November 28-December 22, 2023
Where: Stanley A. Milner library
How much: free
Exploring the River Valley
There are trails waiting in the river valley, no matter your chosen winter footwear: take to the river trails for snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, fat tire biking, or hiking. Plus, any of these activities can easily pair with wildlife viewing or photography.
- Rundle and Gold Bar Park in Edmonton’s east river valley have groomed cross-country ski trails courtesy of the Edmonton Nordic Ski Club. Plus, Rundle has a ton of space off the trails for snowshoeing.
- More space for snowshoeing is found near the Fort Edmonton Footbridge (central), or Terwillegar Park (southwest).
- Explore the views from above the river valley on trails around Saskatchewan Drive: Keillor Point on the west side of this long road has exceptional sunset views, while the east side of Sask. Drive, behind the U of A, offers beautiful views over the river with the downtown skyline.
Browse the Craft Fairs and Christmas Markets
Attending these craft fairs and markets are usually free and are a great way to get an idea of the locally made gifts available in Alberta. Plus, many craft fairs or Christmas markets in Edmonton include live entertainment, visits with Santa Claus, kids’ games and crafts, and other fun celebrations.
Christmas Markets in Edmonton for 2023.
Celebrate YEGWinterPatio Kick-off Weekend
This activity is not free, but a couple bucks towards these local businesses will go a long way over the holidays! Support local with a unique Winter City experience on Edmonton winter patios. Dress warm but expect a few amenities to help with the cold like space heaters or blankets.
When: December 1-3, 2023
Tobogganing
This activity is perfect for families any time during the winter, as long as we have snow. Celebrate Christmas, birthdays, or simply the weekend, with an afternoon on the hills. Edmonton has some top-notch toboggan hills, too.
- Gallagher Park (plus downhill skiing at Edmonton Ski Club): 9505 96 Ave. NW
- Rundle Park (plus ice skating, cross-country skiing, and snowshoe areas): 2909 113 Ave. NW
- Castle Downs Park (plus ice skating): 11520 153 Ave NW
- Whitemud Park North (plus downhill skiing at Snow Valley): 13204 Fox Dr NW
Deals on local Downhill Skiing
Edmonton’s ski hills have several ways to save on lift tickets this season. These hills also offer season passes, which assures some money is saved for those who get out on the hill a lot. A few of the hills now also offer snow tubing.
- Rabbit Hill, in Edmonton’s southwest River Valley, offer families a deal when purchasing lift tickets or rentals for two adults plus two children. Skiers and snowboarders can also save by heading there for the first or last two hours of the day.
- Snow Valley will host Servus Community Fridays for the month of December with a discount on lift tickets. Plus, $5 from every lift ticket sale on Community Fridays is donated to an Edmonton charity.
- Get $10 off lift tickets at Sunridge Ski Area for Monday Madness, every week from 5pm-9pm.
- Save on children’s lift tickets at the Edmonton Ski Club by combining the purchase with an adult ticket. Family Season Passes are another great way to save, especially if the kids are more serious about skiing or snowboarding.
