This time of year can be expensive so knowing where the free Holiday Events around Edmonton can be found is important! Here are some fun activities for the whole family!
Free Holiday Events Around Edmonton
Santa’s Arrival at WEM – Nov 17th
Mayfield Toyota Ice Palace
10:00am-4:00pm
Enjoy a day of exciting holiday activities like cookie decorating, petting zoo, hot chocolate stand, letters to Santa, coloring station and much more.
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Santa’s Arrival with Guests – Nov 17th
Boonie Doon Shopping Center
10:30am-5: 30 pm
Christmas music, caroling, stilt walkers, cookie decorating and more! Cinderella, Spider Guy, and Snow Queen will also be there along with Santa!
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Martin Deerline Green Christmas – Nov 17th
West Edmonton – 17104-118ave
9:00 am – 2:00pm
Have your picture taken with Santa on a John Deere tractor, build Christmas crafts, enjoy Christmas treats and save 10% on all John Deere toys and clothing! Pictures with Santa by donation to either Santa’s Anonymous or the local Food Bank.
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Santa’s Wonderland – Nov 17th-Dec 24th
Every Cabela’s Canada & Bass Pro store
Times vary (see link below)
Visit Santa at Santa’s Wonderland and get your free 4×6 photo. Every week will also bring a different holiday-themed craft such as Santa felt bag, Santa stocking or cookie decorating.
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Santa’s Arrival Brunch – Nov 18th
Londonderry Mall
10:30am – 1:30am
Enjoy a pancake breakfast from 10:30-11:30 with a donation to Kids Kottage plus other activities such as sparkle tattoos, balloon artist, and a visit with Mr & Mrs. Claus as well as Santa’s Elves. The first 200 kids will also receive goodie bags. The event is first come, first serve.
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Light Up The Nite Festival – Nov 23rd-Nov 25th
Morinville
Celebrate the season with a fun festive weekend including community group events, free family festival featuring crafts, photos with Santa and entertainment followed by the Town Christmas parade, Lite up the St. Jean Baptiste Park and fireworks.
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Snowflake Festival – Nov 23rd
Perron St, St Albert
6:30pm – 9:00pm
Visit with Santa and his elves, enjoy live classic Christmas movies, horse-drawn wagon rides, petting zoo, decorate cookies, warm up while watching the fire dancer, and more.
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Build a Gingerbread Man Ornament – Nov 24th
Home Depot closest to you
10:00am-12:00pm
If you are looking for a fun activity to do with the family, we’ve got a great workshop for kids that will teach them about building. Kids can learn how to build their very own gingerbread Man Ornament. You must register for this event.
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Santa Claus Parade – Nov 24th
Starts on 108st & 98ave, Fort Saskatchewan
11am
Watch Santa aboard his magical sleigh along with many other friends on their holiday inspired floats! Don’t forget your letter to Santa, his elves will be collecting them during the parade!
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Santa’s Parade of Lights – Nov 24th
Jasper Avenue starting from 108 Street to 101 Street
12:00pm-1:30pm
Watch preparade fire dancers starting at 11:10 am then watch for Santa as well as other holiday-themed floats in this years Santas Parade of Lights.
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Christmas Parade – Nov 24th
Mill Woods Town Centre
11:30am-2:00pm
Take photos with your own camera at Peppa Pig and George station, live performances, enter to win prizes. First, 50 families registered at the Santa photo booth will get 1 free 5”x7”Santa photo per family
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Santa Arrives at Northgate Centre – Nov 24th
Centre Court
11:00am-4:00pm
The first 200 people get a free gift and a 5×7 photo with Santa. While you’re there check out the free holiday workshops which include crafts, face painting, balloons, and hot chocolate!
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Winter Whyte Light Up – Dec 1st
8303 104 St NW
4:00pm-6:00pm
Join the first annual Winter Whyte Light Up! The Old Strathcona Business Association is lighting up McIntyre Park. There will be tons of fun activities lights, shop at the Farmers’ Market, take a picture with Santa, or warm up by the fire and enjoy the ambiance.
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Winter Wonderland – Dec 1st
Southwest Community Church
2:00pm-4:00pm
Free sleigh rides, hot chocolate, homemade cookies, games, Santa, and more!
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Sleigh Rides in Old Strathcona – Dec 2nd, 9th, 15th & 22nd
#402, 10314 Whyte Ave
12:00pm-4:00pm
Ring in the holiday season with a festive holiday sleigh ride around Old Strathcona! Donations accepted for Mustard Seed!
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Country Christmas
Greenland Garden Centre
1:00pm-4:00pm
Visit with Santa, roast marshmallows, make some holiday inspired crafts, face painting, cookie decoration, and hay rides! (Please note cookie decorating and hayrides require loonie & toonie donations)
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Build a Sled with Reindeer – Dec 8th
Home Depot closest to you
10:00am-12:00pm
If you are looking for a fun activity to do with the family, we’ve got a great workshop for kids that will teach them about building. Kids can learn how to build their very own sled with reindeer. You must register for this event.
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Bright Lights Christmas Festival – Dec 8th
Ellerslie Road Baptist Church
5:00pm-8:00pm
Enjoy beautiful lights, food, music, entertainment, craft, horse-drawn wagon ride and more.
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Martin Deerline Green Christmas – Dec 8th
South Edmonton – 4630 – 51 Avenue
9:30am – 3:30pm
Have your picture taken with Santa on a John Deere tractor, build Christmas crafts, enjoy Christmas treats and save 10% on all John Deere toys and clothing! Pictures with Santa by donation to either Santa’s Anonymous or the local Food Bank.
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Hayrides & Santa Photos – Dec 8th
Marketplace at Callingwood 6655-178 Street
11:00am – 4:00pm
Enjoy free hayrides around the callingwood parking lot! While you’re there get your photos with Santa (cost for photos is $18, packages are available for $26-35 that include multiple photos / USB stick)
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CP Holiday Train – December 9th
3915 50 Avenue, Leduc
8:15pm-9:00pm
See the beautifully decorated holiday train, enjoy live music from Terri Clark, Sierra Noble, and Kelly Prescott, hot chocolate and more.
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CP Holiday Train – December 10th
South of the Edmonton CP Station, 7935 Gateway Boulevard
7:45pm-8:45pm
See the beautifully decorated holiday train, enjoy live music from Terri Clark, Sierra Noble, and Kelly Prescott, hot chocolate and more.
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Know of other free family holiday events that aren’t on the list? Comment below to have them added!
Christmas at Bobs – one of the most lit of houses in Edmonton! Just google “Christmas at bobs” and you will get his address! They let you walk through their yard, They have had interactive displays where you can change the colours of the lights. Sometimes hot chocolate is served.
Just outside Edmonton, Christmas in the Country in Strathcona County! December 1…..craft sales, activites, and so much fun!! See the Strathcona County website for details.