Things to Do in December in Edmonton
In Edmonton, we send off the year in style! December is packed with winter lights, starry nights, and joyful festivals like Glow, the Edmonton Christmas Market, Zoominescence, and more! Check out our event calendar for a full list of holiday happenings.
Twinkling Lights and Glittery Sights
Magic Of Lights
The Canadian Tire Magic of Lights® Holiday Display returns to RAD Torque Raceway, offering a magical drive-through experience from the warmth and comfort of your own vehicle. Set out on a 2.5 km journey, where over two million twinkling LED lights bring multiple holiday themes to life. Around every corner, visitors will be, dazzled by spectacular displays and animations, including an enchanting 200-foot tunnel of lights. This year, guests can also enjoy the towering, animated 32-foot Barbie—adding a touch of festive wonder to this radiant celebration. Let the Magic of Lights brighten your holiday season!
November 21, 2024 - January 4, 2025
Let it Glow!
Experience the enchantment of the season at Glow! Delight in over 100,000 square feet of family fun at the Edmonton EXPO Centre, surrounded by millions of twinkling lights! Then, take a leisurely stroll through the market to find the perfect holiday gifts crafted with love by local artisans.
December 4 - December 31, 2024
Luminaria
Don't miss your chance to take in the candlelight, starlight, peace and tranquility at Luminaria. A short forty-minute drive from downtown Edmonton you'll find the University of Alberta Botanic Garden — the largest botanical garden in the province. When the snow falls, the garden transforms into a true winter wonderland with snow sprites, glowing light sculptures, musical performances and more.
December 13-15, December 20-22, & December 27-29, 2024
Zoominescence
Zoominescence sets the stage for a spectacular exhibition of artistic light installations within the unique setting of the Edmonton Valley Zoo! The festival celebrates light, artistry, imagination, and the essential strong spirit of community in the winter.
November 29, 2024 - December 12, 2024 (open Friday to Sunday)
December 13, 2024 - January 1, 2024 (open every day except Christmas Eve & Christmas Day)
Holiday & Christmas Markets
Hello Pretty Holiday Market at The Enjoy Center
Discover stunning jewelry pieces, unique gifts, and luxury treats that will make your holiday sparkle even brighter this year. The Hello Pretty Holiday Market takes place in the beautiful Moonflower Room of the Enjoy Center, located in St. Albert, a 25-minute drive from downtown Edmonton.
November 30 - December 1, 2024
Edmonton Christmas Market
Get captivated by a magical weekend at the Edmonton Christmas Market! With a treasure trove of family-friendly attractions, including live theatre, musical performances, and roaming entertainment, the festivities are great for kids and adults alike. The festival showcases twinkling light displays, interactive art installations, creative ice sculptures, and a diverse array of crafted goods from Edmonton’s vibrant arts scene. Slip on your mittens and experience a magical night of twinkling lights and beautiful entertainment.
November 28 - December 15, 2024
OddBird Art & Craft Fair
Edmonton’s chirpiest indie art market, OddBird Art & Craft Fair, is landing in Old Strathcona! Ther winter lineup features 100+ artists and community arts organizations from Edmonton and beyond. Get ready for colourful ceramics, indie literature, intricate beadwork, hand-dyed textiles, kid's toys, art prints, and much more! They'll have fresh coffee and snacks on site all weekend long to sip on as you peruse the vendors for your Christmas shopping.
December 6-8, 2024
A Very Indigenous Holiday Market
I.A.M. Collective is presents the annual market - A Very Indigenous Holiday Market! Support local artisans while you shop for your loved ones—and, of course, for yourself too! It’s the perfect place to find unique gifts for everyone on your list.
December 6-8, 2024
Plays, Performances, and Productions
A Christmas Carol at the Citadel Theatre
David van Belle’s adaptation of the Charles Dickens classic, A Christmas Carol, returns to the Citadel! Ebenezer Scrooge has been given just one night to redeem himself but will the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future help him overcome a lifetime of indifference before all hope is lost? Transport yourself to the mid-1950s with nostalgic songs like I’ll be Home For Christmas and White Christmas and experience the magic of the season.
November 23 - December 24, 2024
The Singing Christmas Tree at the Edmonton EXPO Centre
Experience the wonder of being surrounded by millions of glittering lights and a 35-foot-tall Christmas tree, brimming with 150 of Alberta’s finest choir singers. The Singing Christmas Tree is a beloved, annual event that showcases a full orchestra, professional choir, and some of Alberta’s most celebrated stage singers and dancers.
December 12-15, 2024
Die Harsh: A Christmas Musical with Grindstone Theatre
Laugh your way through the annual Die Harsh, a parody performance based off the (debatable) Christmas film, Die Hard. Sexy German criminal Alan Rickman-I-mean-Hans-Gruber leads an international gang of terrorists to seize an office tower during a Christmas party. John, a cop from New York, is trapped on the upper floors and needs a Christmas miracle to save his power-dressing wife Holly and the other hostages. This ridiculously funny Die-Hard-Christmas-Carol comedy is packed with action, tap dancing FBI agents, and is guaranteed to sell out again this year!
December 13-29, 2024
A Drag Queen Christmas at the Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium
A Drag Queen Christmas is a holiday performance featuring contestants who appeared on the Emmy-Award winning television show, RuPaul’s Drag Race. Your favorite queens will be performing live on-stage including Plasma, Q, Shea Coulee', Trinity The Tuck, Miz Cracker, Manila Luzon, Venus and Gisele Lullaby. Prepare for a whole lot of glitter and glam at the Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium!
December 17, 2024
Handel's Messiah at Winspear Theatre
Handel's Messiah has long been a beloved holiday staple at the Winspear Theatre. This classic Christmas tradition, composed in 1741, will put you in the holiday mood with its splendid arias, powerful recitatives, and glorious choral sections, including the famous "Hallelujah" chorus! This performance will be conducted by the talented Timothy Shantz and features the Richard Eaton Singers with our Edmonton Symphony Orchestra.
December 13-14, 2024
Home Alone in Concert at the Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium
A true holiday favorite, this beloved comedy classic features renowned composer John Williams’ charming and delightful score performed live to picture by the FILMharmonique Orchestra! Macaulay Culkin stars as Kevin McCallister, an 8-year-old boy who’s accidentally left behind when his family leaves for Christmas vacation, and who must defend his home against two bungling thieves. Hilarious and heart-warming, the Home Alone in Concert is holiday fun for the entire family!
December 14, 2024
Legendary Attractions
Muttart Conservatory
Visit the Muttart Conservatory for live music, rejuvenating nature, and good food! Start by perusing the four greenhouses and breathe in the fresh air of each environment. Take selfies in the feature pyramid, currently showcasing a seasonal display of lights and holiday decor. Then enjoy dinner with your group in a cozy dome at Café Bloom, readily prepared for you with blankets, heating, and pillows. (Be sure to book ahead!) If you visit one of the adult-only nights, you can listen to live music as you sip on your cocktail of the night. Treat yourself to a magical visit!
Elk Island National Park
Thirty-five minutes east of Edmonton lies a calm, wild oasis. Elk Island National Park is the perfect place to day-hike, snowshoe, skate, and more. This is also a designated dark sky preserve – meaning it's an incredible place to spot the Northern Lights during the winter. Get your cameras ready! Canada’s largest fully enclosed park is a refuge for moose, elk, lynx, black bears, gray wolves, 250 species of birds, and of course, herds of plains bison.
Artists Live in Edmonton
Local Music Venues
With so many great music venues across town, there are always must-see artists performing in Edmonton every month. Here are some performances to look forward to this December:
- HYPROV: Improv Under Hypnosis with Asad Mecci & Colin Mocrie - December 1, River Cree Resort and Casino
- Rich The Kid – December 6, Union Hal
- Funk The Halls – December 7, Union Hall
- Marianas Trench - December 7, Midway Music Hall
- EDX – December 13, Union Hall
- Mobb Deep – December 19, Union Hall
- Danny Avila – December 20, Union Hall
- Marten Horger – December 21, Union Hall
- NYE Without The E: Emo Night Edmonton - December 31, Starlite Room