Sponsored by The Canadian Tire Magic of Lights at RAD Torque Raceway
Family Fun Edmonton is your one-stop shop for holiday plans! We’ve got the inside scoop on all the best family-friendly Christmas Events in Edmonton and Area. Find your yearly dose of Christmas magic, lights and decorations, Santa sightings, Christmas concerts and more right here!
New Christmas events are being added often, so check back often to keep tabs on all things Ho! Ho! Ho! and Merry Christmas!
Canadian Tire Magic of Lights at RAD Torque Raceway
November 21 – January 4 | Hit the RAD Torque Raceway for a “Slow Ride On a Fast Track” through a 2.5 km long drive-through Christmas lights display. Delight in holiday scenes like the 12 Days of Christmas, Big Foot Monster Trucks, The Towering Dinosaurs of Prehistoric Christmas, plus a GIANT Barbie holiday light display and “Oh, Canada” tribute tunnel. For more information, click here.
Celebrate the Holidays at West Edmonton Mall
November 16 – January 1 | Enjoy a fun Swim with Santa when he arrives to the World Waterpark via zipline on November 16, or visit him at North Pole Place all the way up until Christmas Eve. Whether it be for shopping, entertainment, or New Year’s Eve celebrations, West Edmonton Mall is the place to be this holiday season! For more information, click here.
St. Albert Centre Santa Welcomes Santa Claus
November 21 – December 24 | The bells will be ringing November 21, 2024 as St. Albert Centre welcomes Santa back for another season of visits with all the good little girls and boys. Be sure to check out the special event days like Storytime with Santa, Sensory Friendly Santa, and the Pet Party. For more details, click here.
Borealis Lights Christmas Drive-Thru Light Display
November 22 – January 5 | Enjoy close to 1 MILLION twinkling lights in this brilliant Christmas drive-thru light display in St. Albert’s Kinsmen RV Park. Borealis Lights is ready to light up your family’s faces this holiday season with more lights, more animations, and more holiday cheer, including a brand NEW 85′ Animated Christmas Tree of Light! For more information, click here.
Santa’s On His Way to Londonderry Mall
November 22 | Santa Claus and a special guest will be arriving at Londonderry Mall on Friday, November 22, 2024. Everyone is invited to come dressed in their favourite holiday pajamas and join in an evening of photos and festive fun! There will be milk and cookies for those who have their photo taken with Santa, and FREE storytime and activities for all in the Grinch’s Craft Corner. For more information, click here.
Fun with Santa at Bonnie Doon Centre
November 23 – December 24 | Bonnie Doon Centre is excited to welcome Santa back to his Workshop on Saturday, November 23, 2024. Be at the mall’s Promo Court at 11:00 am to join in the fanfare alongside the caroling Sugarplum Trio, the Ice Queen, and Spidey! #itallrighthere with a wide selection of retail shops, dining, entertainment, and visits with Santa right up until Christmas Eve! For more information, click here.
Christmas at Mill Woods Town Centre
November 23 – December 24 | All aboard! This holiday season Mr & Mrs Claus will arrive at Mill Woods Town Centre on The Holiday Express! Be there to welcome them on November 23 and enjoy a ride on the jolly little train, or plan your visit with Santa throughout the holiday season. There are event pet nights and a sensory friendly Santa experience! For more information, click here.
Jubilations Junior presents Wally Wonka and the Candy Cane Factory
November 23 – January 18 | Celebrate the holiday season with a SWEET new production from Jubilations Junior! Wally Wonka and the Candy Cane Factory hits the stage this November with Jubilations Dinner Theatre’s winning combination of a laughter-filled show and a delicious multi-course meal. For more information, click here.
Edmonton Christmas Market
November 28 – December 15 | Edmonton’s most festive event will return to Fort Edmonton Park this November with even more local vendors, delicious food, captivating light displays, live theatre and holiday entertainment, carousel & trolley rides, and, of course, visits with Santa! It is the perfect family outing or date night activity during the holiday season. For more information, click here.
Festival of Trees Santa’s Breakfast
December 1 | The University Hospital Foundation invites you to celebrate the season with loved ones at the Festival of Trees Santa’s Breakfast on Sunday, December 1, 2024! The annual holiday celebration will return to the Edmonton Convention Centre with a waffle breakfast, pictures with Santa, and fun activities, all in support of a great cause. For more information, click here.
Celebrate the Season with the Legislative Assembly of Alberta
December 3 – January | Get into the holiday spirit as they Light up the Legislature grounds on Tuesday, December 3, Celebrate the Season with free musical performances on weekends, enjoy complimentary tours of the festively decorated Alberta Legislature building, and discover what’s new at the Visitor Centre. There is always something fun to discover! For more information, click here.
Glow Edmonton Christmas Carnival
December 4 – December 31 | Experience all the splendor of the big top with Glow Edmonton’s Christmas Carnival. Run away to the Edmonton Expo Centre to experience this magical mash-up of holiday lights and carnival fun! Glow Edmonton is a holiday tradition for Edmonton families, with more then a million twinkling lights to see and discover! For more information, click here.
South Pole Holiday Workshop
December 7 & 8 | The North Pole comes South with this full weekend of holiday fun in South Edmonton Common. Make fun holiday memories with Santa, Mrs. Claus & the Grinch during this exciting pop-up event that includes a vendor market, free hot cocoa and maple taffy, live music, photo ops, giveaways, and more. Pets will even be invited to join in the fun on pet-friendly Sunday! For more information, click here.
Christmas at Callingwood
December 14 | The Marketplace at Callingwood invites you to celebrate the season with this free and festive annual holiday event! Christmas at Callingwood promises holiday delights galore including Santa photos, horse-drawn wagon rides, kids activities, and live entertainment with The Sugarplums. For more information, click here.
Home Alone in Concert
December 14 | Enjoy a holiday movie classic alongside a concert performance from FILMharmonique Orchestra! Home Alone in Concert offers a unique and memorable experience with the beloved Christmas movie enhanced by a live musical performance of John Williams’ spectacular soundtrack. For more information, click here.
Santa vs. The Grinch in The Race to Save Christmas
December 21 | Alberta Standardbred Horse Association invites your family to a holiday showdown like no other when Santa faces off against the Grinch at Century Mile Racetrack and Casino. This FREE family event includes photo ops with Santa and his reindeer, face painting, balloon art, and hot chocolate. For more information, click here.
Winter City Weekends at City Hall
December – February | City Hall Plaza ice rink is the coolest spot to hang out this winter with the return of Winter City Weekends! The Edmonton Arts Council will have FREE skate rentals available daily beginning December 15, followed by the return of Ice Grooves, Learn to Skate, and Swing’n’Skate on January 3! Visit Churchill Square every weekend in January & February to enjoy free programming and live music. For more information, click here.
Experiences Gift Guide
This holiday season we encourage you to re-think your holiday shopping with the Family Fun Edmonton Experience Gift Guide. Show the same love and spirit of giving when you give the gift of a memorable activity or outing they can look forward to after the holidays. For more information, click here.
The Best Christmas Light Displays in Edmonton & Area
Brighten your nights and warm your hearts with our handy list of The Best Christmas Light Displays in Edmonton & Area. Whether you like to view the lights from the warmth of your vehicle, or prefer to take it in during a stroll in the cool winter air, we can point you to all the fun and festive options! For more information, click here.
Holiday Light Ups and Santa Parades
Bundle up and make plans to see the parade floats and twinkling lights at one of these 18 Holiday Light Ups and Santa Parades in Edmonton and the surrounding communities. If you are lucky you may even spot Santa and his merry friends! For more information, click here.
Best Places To See Santa in Edmonton
Is it really Christmas without a visit and photos with Santa? Here’s a few more options on top of all the great Santa’s listed in this post. For more information, click here.
Where to Get a Grinchy Photo this Holiday Season
Santa will always be the main attraction at Christmas, but this holiday season there are also plenty of opportunities to get a fun Grinchy holiday photo! Check our list for some of the amazing events the green Christmas-hating character is popping up at. For more information, click here.
Breakfast with Santa
This Holiday Season your family can fill their bellies and warm their hearts at one of the great Breakfast with Santa Christmas events in Edmonton & Area. Tickets sell out quickly, so don’t miss out on one of these great opportunities for the kids to visit with Santa while you enjoy the gift of one less meal to cook during this busy time of year! For more information, click here.
The Best Holiday Shows & Concerts 2024
A live theatre show or concert is a wonderful family experience to share any time of year, but it becomes extra magical during the holiday season! Get your tickets now for an afternoon or evening out – there is guaranteed to be something for everyone to enjoy in our handy guide. For more information, click here.
All Aboard! Holiday Events for Train & Automobile Lovers
While Santa’s usual mode of transportation is his sleigh & reindeer, we often see him using other ways to get around town during the Christmas Season! Whether it’s by car or by train, it’s All Aboard for fun at these great Holiday events. For more information, click here.
Shop Local at the Best Craft Fairs & Markets
The kids, spouse, parents, nieces, nephews, friends, coworkers, neighbours – the Christmas shopping list is long! Find great gifts from local artisans for everyone on your list. Handmade crafts, homemade foods, unique clothing items, and more can be found at markets throughout the city. For more information, click here!
FUN & (mostly) FREE Christmas Events at Local Greenhouses
Local greenhouses are some of the best spots to find Holiday Cheer! We are thrilled that several local Greenhouses adding to the Christmas magic with special Events and seasonal activities ranging from Santa photos and sleigh rides to scavenger hunts and grouchy visits with the Grinch. For more information, click here.
Kids Only Shopping Experiences
Make plans to set your kids loose at one of these great local Kids Only Shopping pop-ups to shop for their favourite adult(s) and have a fun surprise for everyone to look forward to on Christmas morning. For more information, click here.
[FREE Printable] Letter to Santa
Writing a letter to Santa is a part many household’s holiday traditions. It is a fun and exciting activity for the kids, and can play a key role in helping “Santa” determine what to put on the shopping list! Head to our website to download our doodle-inspired FREE Printable Letter to Santa and set the kids loose with the toy catalogues and colouring supplies! For more information, click here.
[FREE Printable] Celebrate the Season BINGO
Ed and Yeggey, our Family Fun Edmonton elves, have created a Celebrate the Season BINGO card for you and family to print off and complete as you make your way through the holiday season. Enjoy spending time together and creating special holiday memories with all these fun and inexpensive Christmas themed activities. For more information, click here.
We wish you and yours a Holiday Season filled with joy! Click HERE to discover even more Christmas Events in Edmonton.
Canadian Tire Magic of Lights at RAD Torque Raceway
Plan a visit to RAD Torque Raceway this holiday season to experience all the wonder of the Canadian Tire Magic of Lights! Enjoy the comfort of your warm vehicle as you drive this magical path lined with vibrant LED holiday displays and a stunning 200 foot light tunnel.
This year’s Canadian Tire Magic of Lights will run from Thursday, November 21, 2024 until Saturday, January 4, 2025! Did you know it takes a Team of Festive ‘Elves’ over 3750 hours to set up the over 2 MILLION lights in this impressive drive-through display? Delight in holiday scenes like the 12 Days of Christmas, Big Foot Monster Trucks, The Towering Dinosaurs of Prehistoric Christmas, plus a GIANT Barbie holiday light display and “Oh, Canada” tribute tunnel. Each brilliant, themed scene can run several hundred feet long and stand as high as 32 feet tall!
Tickets can be purchased online, with prices starting at just $30 (+ fees) per carload! Weekend nights can get busy so we recommend taking advantage of Double Drive Toy Tuesday, or booking a DASH PASS to avoid the long line-ups.
