Christmas 2021: Fun and Festive Events Happening Around Edmonton

November 19, 2021 7:00 am Published by Terry Paranych Real Estate Group

Celebrate the season in Alberta’s famous “Winter City.” Here are just a few many holiday events Edmonton has to offer in 2021.

Canadian Tire Magic of Lights

When: Nov. 19th – Jan. 8th, 2022, 5pm-10pm

Where: RAD Torque Raceway, Leduc County, AB

Take in 2.5 km of vibrant and festive LED displays and digital animations from the comfort of your own vehicle. The Canadian Tire Magic of Lights offers visitors a unique way to stay warm and safe this season with a 30-min drive-thru enchanted light experience – featuring over 1 million lights! Admission rates also include the option for a “drive-up” photo meet and greet with Santa.

The Winter Wonder Forest

When: Nov. 19th – Jan. 9th, 2022, 5pm – 10pm

Where: Longriders RV Park, Gibbons, AB

The capital region’s own enchanted Christmas forest! Located just off Hwy 28 in Gibbons, the Winter Wonder Forest features seven acres of illuminated forest, highlighted by ice sculptures, light displays, enchanted characters, and more. The event will also offer horse-drawn sleigh rides, a snow-maze, holiday express train and vendor market. Just don’t forget to stop by Santa’s workshop along the way.

All is Bright Festival

When: Nov. 20th, 2021, 4pm -8pm

Where: 124th Street between 107th and 109th Ave.

What better way to welcome winter than by enjoying a few tasty treats, live music, street performers, winter activities, face painting and more. A free light-up festival hosted by the 124th Street Business Association, the All is Bright Festival returns for one night of family-friendly fun. Winter activities include a Santa Selfie Booth, face painting, cookie decorating, an Indigenous Pavilion, etc. Light-Up Ceremony begins at 6pm.

Edmonton Downtown Holiday Light Up

When: Nov. 20th – January 2nd, 2022, family-friendly programming every Saturday, 11am – 8pm

Where: Sir Winston Churchill Square

The Downtown Holiday Light Up is back for another year! Head to Churchill Square in the heart of downtown Edmonton to view this season’s massive Christmas tree, adorned with hundreds of twinkling lights. While the tree is available for viewing any day of the week, every second Saturday will feature live music, movies and performances, hot meals, warm treats, DJ After Dark Parties and more. Click here to see the full Saturday schedule.

For more information on Light Up festivals and parade events taking place in and around Edmonton, check out FamilyFun Edmonton’s Holiday Light Up and Parade Guide.

Glow Christmas Festival

When: Nov. 24th – January 2nd, 2022

11am – 10pm (weekends)
4pm – 9pm (weekdays)

Where: Edmonton Expo Centre

Get your Christmas glow on as you attend Edmonton’s largest indoor Christmas festival. Located at the Edmonton Expo Centre, Glow Edmonton allows visitors to immerse themselves in over 100,000 square feet of lighted gardens (Santa’s Sleigh Adventure, Light Tunnel, Selfie Walls and Mural, etc.) and family fun. From delicious food and live entertainment to children’s activities and the famous Merry Maker’s Market, you’ll soon discover there’s plenty to see and do under the twinkle of a million lights.

Edmonton Christmas Market

When:

Army and Navy Location:

Nov. 26th – Nov. 28th, 2021
Dec. 3rd – Dec. 5th, 2021
Fridays 4pm – 8pm
Saturdays and Sundays 10am – 5pm

Fort Edmonton Park Location:

Dec. 8th – 12th, 2021
Wednesday to Friday, 3pm – 9pm
Saturday and Sunday, 12pm – 9pm

Edmonton’s annual Christmas Market returns to two locations for the 2021 holiday season! For 11 days, visit over 50+ local vendors and artisans at either the old Army and Navy department store in Old Strathcona or historic Fort Edmonton Park. In addition to family-friendly beverage gardens, games, and local food experiences, this year’s market will include stunning light installations, live entertainment, sleigh rides, workshops and outdoor market huts (Fort Edmonton Park).

Find a Christmas market near you by checking out this local Holiday Markets and Crafts Shows guide.

Luminaria

When: Nov. 27th – Jan. 9th, 2022, 5pm -10pm

Where: University of Alberta Botanic Garden

Edmonton’s Winter Celebration of Light. Bask in the wonder of the great outdoors as you wander the candle-lit pathways of the city’s own Kurimoto Japanese Garden. You may even catch a glimpse of a dancing winter sprite or two as you make your way to the gardens’ animated musical display. Hot apple cider, strolling acapella singers and the light of a thousand glimmering candles and stars make Luminaria a genuinely magical experience.

Leduc Country Lights

When: Dec. 1st – Jan. 2nd, 2022

Where: Calmar, AB

For many families, the Leduc Country Lights have become nothing short of a holiday tradition. Featuring a breathtaking display spread across eight acres of open countryside, the Leduc Country Lights have entertained countless visitors for the last 15 years. 100% volunteer-run, the display is also pet-friendly (on-leash), with an affordable admission rate of just $2 per person. Leduc Food Bank donations are also welcomed on site.

Zoominescence

When:

Dec. 3rd – 12th, 2021 (weekends), 430pm – 9pm
Dec. 17th – Jan. 2nd, 2022 (open all week, closed Dec. 24th and 25th), 430pm – 9pm

Where: Edmonton Valley Zoo

Take a walk on the wild side this holiday season at Zoominescence. This year’s highly-anticipated event will feature a dazzling display of artistic light installations accompanied by skating, ice sculptures, fire dancers and of course, the many furred, finned and feathered creatures that call Edmonton home. Treats, hot chocolate, an ice slide and additional seasonal entertainment will also be available on site.

Bonus: Candy Cane Lane

When: Start date TBA

Where: 148th Street between 99th and 92nd Ave.

YEG Candy Cane Lane has been a much-loved Edmonton Christmas custom for over 50 years. One of the city’s must-see events of the holiday season, Candy Cane Lane is a residential neighbourhood committed to keeping the spirit of Christmas alive with over-the-top outdoor decorations and unforgettable displays. Even better, the event represents the second largest contributor to the Edmonton Food Bank (organizers kindly request your donation of a non-perishable food item).

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Photo credits: shutterstock.com

Tags: events

Categorised in: Lifestyle

This post was written by Terry Paranych Real Estate Group