15 Free Holiday Activities in Edmonton for Kids + Families in 2015

The holiday season is expensive. Gifts and entertaining and holiday supplies and decor, it adds up quickly. Here are a few Edmonton holiday activities to let you enjoy the magic of Christmas, without breaking the bank. Here are our favorite free kids Christmas events, Christmas lights and Christmas decorations in Edmonton, for 2015:  

Downtown Holiday Light Up

November 14. Watch the magic unfold at Churchill Square during the light up ceremony. Kick off the holiday season at the DBA Holiday Light Up! Enjoy an afternoon of live entertainment including music and dance, and delicious treats from local food trucks! Join Santa and his helpers in a countdown at 6:30 pm to light up the massive Christmas tree and launch a spectacular fireworks display.

All Is Bright 124 Street Festival

November 21. On Saturday, November 21, 2015 the businesses of 124 Street and High Street invite you to our annual light up festival, celebrating the coming of the winter season by bringing light to our thriving community. With a host of activities from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. – and beyond – All is Bright will provide illumination, fun and entertainment to patrons of all ages.

Santa’s Arrival at West Edmonton Mall

November 14. Join us as we welcome Santa Claus to West Edmonton Mall’s North Pole Place, his home away from home during the holiday season. Enjoy a variety of entertainment while awaiting the jolly man in red’s arrival. Centre Stage (Level One, Phase I), Activities start at 10 a.m.; Photos: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. & 5 to 8 p.m.

Christmas in Central Park

November 28. Embrace the start of the festive season with the magical transformation of Central Park. Join in the FREE family activities, enjoy a hot beverage, watch the fireworks and take a stroll through the lights. Celebrations run from 2:30 – 5:30 p.m. Skating and crafts will be held in the Agrena, selfies with Santa are in the Lions Log Cabin and all other activities will be based around Central Park.

Bundle Up to See the Santa Clause Parade

November 21. Celebrate the glow of lights, the wonder of winter and the arrival of Santa Claus at 2015 Santa’s Parade of Lights presented by Canadian Tire! The parade gives the opportunity for families to experience and participate in the joy of the holiday season as a community, outdoors and enjoying winter. Bundle up, sip on hot chocolate and gather with friends and family on November 21, 2015 at 4:30 p.m. to watch the bright lights of the parade on Jasper Avenue and 99 Street!

Celebrate Christmas at Martin Deerline and Get Free Photos with Santa

November 21. Martin Deerline’s Annual Green Christmas event. Come by to get your picture with Santa, partake in some crafts, enjoy some treats and do some Christmas shopping. Green Christmas events will be taking place at West Edmonton 9am – 3:30pm, Edmonton 9am – 3:30pm, Westlock 9am – 12 Noon, Mayerthorpe 11am – 2pm

Country Christmas at Greenland Garden Center

December 6. An afternoon of old fashioned family fun in support of the Strathcona Christmas Bureau. Decorate cookies, sing carols on a hay ride & warm by the fire. We also accept Food Bank & toy donations. Activities will include hay rides, kids rides, marshmallow roasting, and cookie decorating.

Hay Rides & Santa Photos at Callingwood Market

December 12 & 19. The Marketplace at Callingwood and Bulger Insurance invite you to bring the family to meet Santa Claus who’ll be visiting us in the lobby of the Professional Centre, 6650-177 Street. Get your photo taken with him and get it printed instantly. Let the kids colour some festive pictures with the folks from Bulger Insurance, decorate some cookies and enjoy FREE hot chocolate from The Tea Place. Then hop on a FREE horse drawn hay ride around the parking lot (pick up point is in front of Shoppers Drug Mart).

Celebrate at the Alberta Legislature

December 3. Enjoy holiday music throughout the season at your Alberta Legislature! From December 3 to 23, 2015, take in performances in the Legislature Rotunda, at noon and 6:30 p.m. daily. Celebrate the Season kicks off with the traditional Light-Up Ceremony on Thursday, December 3, and a performance by the University of Alberta Mixed Choir.

Take a Walk down Candy Cane Lane

December 11. The best way to enjoy Candy Cane Lane is to walk it if at all possible. It can get very congested at peak times such as on weekend nights just prior the Christmas and you can end up spending a lot of time in traffic. This causes accumulations of exhaust fumes which becomes unpleasant for the residents as well as for the walkers. Park it and walk it so we can all enjoy the fresh air or  to make your sleigh ride reservation through our online scheduler. Don’t forget your donation for the Edmonton Food Bank. Season begins December 11, 2015.

Walk Through an Enchanted Forest

November 27. The Enchanted Forest is a favourite holiday tradition in the City of Fort Saskatchewan. Local organizations and business create unique, beautiful, fun Christmas trees that reflect the wonderful colours and themes of the holiday season with a special touch that tells the story of the organization.

Strathcona County Celebration of Lights

November 21. Kick off the holiday season at Strathcona County’s Celebration of Lights Festival. Remember your donation for the Strathcona County Food Bank. At 5 p.m. join Santa and the Mayor as the magic of the season comes alive with the digital Christmas tree and community holiday lights outside the Community Centre.

St. Albert Snowflake Festival

November 20. Join us in the heart of downtown St. Albert, the Perron District, to welcome the beginning of the Christmas season with our annual Snowflake Festival. As we light up the Perron District with the warm glow of Christmas lights, you and your family can admire the live ice sculpture display, take a ride in a horses drawn wagon, mingle with live reindeer, and soak in other unique entertainment and displays in this winter wonderland. Each year our festival is visited by a certain special someone – bundled up with his own piece of the North Pole brought right into downtown St. Albert. Santa and his elves will be waiting in Santa’s Village to greet the children of our community and spread Christmas cheer.

Holiday Themed Mall Activities

Through the month of November and December, you’ll find holiday themed activities at the local Malls. You can find the themed monthly activities on our events calendar, updated frequently with the latest events and fun things to do with kids in Edmonton.