Edmonton 
As you probably might have come to know, there are no fireworks or Christmas tree lighting ceremony at Sir Winston Churchill Square this year.
Photo Credit: Downtown Business Association of Edmonton
As per the Sunday evening news release by the city of Edmonton, this decision follows the move by the Downtown Edmonton Business Association to hold the celebrations at Rice Howard Way this year.
Though there will not be any fireworks or tree lighting, the Downtown Business Association says they are planning art installations, live music, a Christmas market, games, maple taffy and hot bevvies, and in-store events on December 3rd from 3:00 pm – 8:00 pm at Rice Howard Way. The event is part of of the EDBA’s ongoing work to create memorable experiences and support downtown vibrancy.
Regarding the festivities on Churchill Square, the city said, “all of the trees surrounding Churchill Square will be lit and decorated as a ‘festive forest,’ complemented with lanterns and a special art installation of ‘Forest Guides’ and ‘Peace Under Pressure’ by Ken Hacke Arts.”
During the course of the winter season, the City Hall ice rink will be open for skating and weekend programming provided by the Edmonton Arts Council, including free skate rentals and music.
The news release by the city reads, “While we understand that some are disappointed by the evolution of these holiday celebrations, we want to reassure Edmontonians that there will be fun and family-friendly holiday activities throughout December — including the illumination of living holiday trees in both Churchill Square and Rice Howard Way. To be clear, these were our decisions, and were not made by the Mayor or City Council.
“We are charting a new path. In retrospect, we should have communicated these activities better, and we apologize that some people were led to believe that Churchill Square would not be a festive place. However, that oversight did not justify some of the activities which followed. A small number of people are using this situation to make racist attacks on the staff of the Edmonton Downtown Business Association and the Mayor. Those actions do not reflect the views of either the vast majority of Edmontonians or the organizations we lead. They are inappropriate. We do not tolerate online hate and bullying, and we will not be swayed by such behaviour.
“We are genuinely excited by the programming that has been developed for Rice Howard Way and Churchill Square and invite you to join in these events, and to celebrate the true spirit of the holidays.”
The City Hall will also be filled with seasonal holiday decor. Holiday Magic, the annual Christmas concert by Edmonton school children will be held from December 5 to 9, 2022.
If you want to enjoy a tree-lighting ceremony and associated festivities, Old Strathcona Business Association is holding its annual tree-lighting ceremony at Dr. Wilbert McIntyre Park on November 26th, St. Albert and Fort Saskatchewan on November 25th, Morinville and Spruce Grove on November 26th (fireworks at both places) and Stony Plain on December 1st.
The big guy in the red suit will also be visiting various cities and towns in the area on November 26th.
Alberta has not yet officially announced the dates (expected to begin the first week of December) for the province’s annual Celebrate the Season at the Alberta Legislature.
