Christmas outings in Edmonton to bring out your inner child
The holidays are a wonderful time to try new activities or to explore your community for Christmas-themed outings that only happen at this special time of year. These activities in Edmonton are appropriate for both kids and adults, and will leave you full of holiday cheer.
William Hawrelak Park
9330, Groat Rd NW, Edmonton, AB T6G 2A8From December 30, 2015, to approximately March 2016 (weather permitting) an enormous ice castle will take over Hawrelak Park. The company Ice Castles will construct, by hand, a one-acre winter wonderland featuring ice walls, tunnels, slides and mazes, plus a waterfall and throne room. Millions of icicles will glow with the light of LED bulbs, illuminating the entire castle. Visitors can check out this winter wonderland Sunday to Thursday from 2 p.m. till 9 p.m., Fridays from 2 p.m. till 10 p.m. and Saturdays from noon till 10 p.m.
Country Christmas Lights
Township Road 492, Leduc, AB T9E 2X1Every year, there is one family that puts all of their time and energy into their Christmas display. The Ruel acreage lights up with thousands of twinkling white and coloured lights strung from trees and buildings, not to mention plenty of snowmen and Santa and his sleigh. The family, with some help from Leduc’s Junior B Hockey Team, starts decorating in October, with the lights staying up until the beginning of January. They collect donations for the Leduc Food Bank, and people come from all over the county to take in the glow. Plus, Santa makes an appearance on weekends.
Candy Cane Lane
9915 148 St NW, Edmonton, AB T5N 3G1The west end of Edmonton lights up with decorations and Christmas cheer aplenty from December 11 to January 3, 2016. Hundreds of thousands of people visit the lane every year, and it’s become a tradition for many families. There are bins put up to collect donations for the food bank, too. Nothing says Merry Christmas like a walk in the snow while viewing holiday decorations that someone else worked really hard to put up.
Edmonton Valley Zoo
13315 Buena Vista Rd, Edmonton, AB T5J 2R7The annual Festival of Lights at the Edmonton Valley Zoo runs for 10 days every December. In 2015, it goes from Dec 4 to 13 from 5 p.m. till 9 p.m. The event allows people to come to the zoo at night, and see it in a different light. The event includes a scavenger hunt, winter crafts, ice skating and fire dancers. There’s also light installations set up all over the zoo. The entrance fee is $5 a person or $20 for a family.
Enchanted Forest
Every year from December to Orthodox Christmas, local businesses decorate their own trees and display them around town at the Dow Centennial Centre, Shell Theatre, City Hall and the public library. Children and adults will get in the festive spirit during this tour of trees, which has become an annual tradition in Fort Saskatchewan. Every tree is different, and tells the story of the business that decorated it through its colour and theme. Tours go until January 8, 2016.
Citadel Theatre
9828 101A Ave NW, Edmonton, AB T5J 3C6A yearly tradition for many Edmonton families, nothing quite puts me in the Christmas mood like seeing the classic tale of A Christmas Carol come to life on the stage. The tremendously talented cast mostly remains the same year after year, meaning they know this play like the back of their hands. The cast also collects donations for the Edmonton Food Bank after every show, so it’s a chance to give back to the community. You’ll leave feeling all warm and tingly and slightly wary of ghosts. The production goes until December 23, 2015.
Crankpots Ceramic Studio
10702 82 Ave NW, Edmonton, AB T6E 6P4Painting mugs or ornaments at Crankpots Ceramic Studio is a great way to get ready for the holidays. You can go with a friend or book a kid’s birthday party or an adult party (bridal shower, birthday, office Christmas party, et cetera) to paint your own ceramic masterpiece. It’s a lovely activity to do with friends and you end up with a wonderful memento of your day together, plus you actually made something. You’re a craftsman!
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