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.
Get Ready, Shredmonton!
Carve your way to Commonwealth Stadium to cheer on the world's best snowboarders at The Style Experience Big Air World Cup, the most epic snowboarding event in Canada! This will be the first stop on the 2023 / 2024 Shred the North Series run by Canada Snowboard.
December 9
To get your Style Experience tickets, follow these steps:
- You will first need to select your seat. Please Note: Field VIP tickets need to select a seat.
- Select the type of ticket you would like to purchase. Children under 12 can attend The Style Experience for free! They will still need to select a ticket. To access these tickets, select 'FILTERS' and adjust this to list 'Child Under 12 Free with Paid Standard Admission Adult'
- Click 'UNLOCK' and enter your promo code if applicable.
- Select 'NEXT' to continue the payment process. Add your credit card information, and place your order!
It's YEGMAS!
Downtown Winterval
Explore the historic 104 Street and embrace the festive spirit at the Downtown Winterval! Local establishments will offer delightful giveaways, ensuring your stockings are brimming and your appetite is satisfied. Put on your coziest attire and take part in the lively atmosphere featuring live music, dazzling lights, inviting beer gardens, and much more!
December 1-2
Let it Glow!
Experience the enchantment of the season at Glow! Delight in over 100,000 square feet of family fun 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 1-January 1
The Zoo is Lit
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. Join us for an evening of holiday fun for the whole family!
December 1-17 (open Friday to Sunday)
December 18 - January 1 (open all week except Christmas Eve & Christmas Day)
A Drive-Thru Holiday Celebration
Two and a half kilometres of over 1.5 million Christmas magic await at Rad Torque Raceway's Canadian Tire Magic of Lights! Pile the family into the 'ol minivan and head out on a drive-thru experience fit for the season. Don't forget to tune into 88.7 FM to sing along to your favourite holiday tunes as you cruise through the festive course.
November 23 - January 6
Local Holiday Shopping
The Royal Bison
This eclectic and tightly curated art and design fair showcases some of the best of Edmonton's art! This Winter 2023 season is the final season for Royal Bison, who has been hosting the fair to Edmontonians for 16 years. Stop by and say thank the vendors and organizers while getting one last experience at the beloved fair. Admission is $5, and kids under 12 get in free!
December 1-3
Edmonton Christmas Market
The Edmonton Christmas Market is returning to the magical Fort Edmonton Park this holiday season! Featuring local Alberta vendors, captivating light displays, unique culinary experiences, festive performances, horse-drawn wagon rides, and a healthy dollop of holiday cheer, this is a can't miss.
November 30-December 18
A Very Indigenous Holiday Market
I.A.M. Collective is proud to present A Very Indigenous Holiday Market at the iconic Edmonton Downtown Farmers Market! This event features 75+ Indigenous vendors/artists sharing their holiday gift ideas with you. With free admission and free prize draws, you can't go wrong adding this market to your holiday bucket list!
December 3-4
Outdoor Adventures
Ice, Ice, Baby!
Edmonton’s first and only ice climbing facility, operated in the beautiful river valley with a gorgeous view of downtown in sight, is open for the season! Head to Edmonton Ski Club for the adventure of a lifetime. The wall even lights up at night, adding a touch of magic to your expedition.
Take a Yule Tide Segway Tour
Why explore the Alberta Legislature on foot when you can ride a Segway? Enjoy the beautiful sights of the Legislature grounds, lit up with over 100,000 Christmas lights this holiday season with River Valley Adventure Co. Learn about the rich history of Edmonton's capital while taking in the magical feeling of the holiday spirit, all onboard your very own Segway. Bundle up and enjoy all the beauty that our city has to offer.
December 2-January 7
Snowshoe & Stargaze
Escape the city and gaze upon the stars from the heart of the Beaver Hills Dark Sky Preserve at Elk Island National Park. A short, guided snowshoe hike around the shore of Astotin Lake takes you atop the snow while stars twinkle overhead during the Snowshoe & Stargaze tour. With a park interpreter and Orion as your guide, you can learn to navigate the night sky. For daytime adventures, embark on a snowshoe tour led by Talking Rock Tours to hear the stories of the land with a Métis guide and geologist!
Plays, Performances, and Productions
Sashay Your Way Through the Holiday
The ISCWR Winter Holiday Pageant is back, more enchanting than ever before! Come and be a part of an extraordinary night filled with fierce competition as drag performers vie to represent their chosen winter holiday. The holiday joy is bound to be in abundance!
December 2, 2023
A Holiday Classic at the Jubilee
What better way to celebrate the holiday season than with Alberta Ballet’s annual production of The Nutcracker? Catch this holiday classic at the Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium from December 6-10.
Experience the enchantment of Canada's Ukrainian Nutcracker at the Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium from December 15-16! This beautiful production blends classical and Ukrainian character dance. Featuring grand orchestral versions of the classic score, Ukrainian traditions, and intricate sets and costumes.
Symphonic Magic at the Winspear
Give the gift of music with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra! Catch these December performances:
- Handel's Messiah: December 8-9
- A Lightly Classical Christmas: December 15-16
- A Very Merry Pops: December 22-23
- Hollywood For The Holidays: December 28-29
A Christmas Carol
Watch A Christmas Carol, the classic holiday story come to life at the Citadel Theatre! Packed with your favourite Christmas tunes, this adaptation of the beloved tale of a miserly old man who is invited to change his ways by the Ghosts of Christmas, will carry you away to a magical era.
November 25 - December 23
Die Harsh
The hilarious musical hit, Die Harsh, returns this December to give you a good laugh during this holiday season. Based on a favourite Christmas classic, the ridiculously funny Die-Hard-Christmas-Carol comedy is packed with action, tap dancing FBI agents, and even more excitement. Catch this show at the Varscona Theatre!
December 14-23
Cirque De Solei
Experience an enchanting spectacle of acrobatic wonder! Cirque du Soleil's acclaimed arena production, Corteo, returns to North America, making its debut in Edmonton at Rogers Place for an exclusive run of seven performances.
December 27-31
Get Together is Back
The celebrations don't have to stop once the holiday season wraps up! The Edmonton Convention Centre plays host to Get Together, featuring two days of incredible electronic music. This year's lineup is stacked with amazing artists, including ZEDD, Dabin, MAU P, and more.
December 27-28
Winter Patios
In Edmonton, we embrace the season with year-round patios that are perfect for chillin' (literally!). But don't get cold feet, these outdoor dining options are often equipped with heaters, blankets, geodomes, and fire pits to keep you cozy. A few of our favourites include Little Brick, Riverside Bistro, Cafe Bicyclette, and Tiramisu Bistro. Check out our winter patios blog for more inspiration!
Edmonton's Best Hotels
Edmonton’s Best Hotels offers the best accommodations at the best price! Book and receive free rewards:
- Stay one night and receive $50
- Stay two nights and receive $150
- Stay three nights and receive $225