Things to Do in January in Edmonton
New year, new exciting festivities heating up Edmonton's winter season! January brings ice climbing walls, amazing shows, ODRs, legendary winter festivals and much more. Kick off 2023 like a true Edmontonian and experience all the city has to offer.
Brrr-ing in the Year with a Winter Festival
A Byzantine Winter Bash
Forge your way to the Deep Freeze Festival to celebrate all things winter! Celebrate Ukrainian, Indigenous, and French-Canadian cultures with winter panache, food, art, culture, and fun, including races in actual deep freezers! Take a stroll through the Alberta Avenue District (90-95 Street, 118 Ave) and be enchanted by magnificent ice sculptures, song, dance, and tasty delights.
January 21-22
The Spirit of Celebration
Whisky lovers, get ready to experience whisky drinking in a whole new light! From distillers and master blenders, to a variety of other whisky experts, the Edmonton Whisky Festival is your signature event to meet and greet experts in the field. For one night only, this event features over 175 globe-trotting varieties including selections from Ireland, Scotland, Canada, and the USA.
January 18
Chiseled: Edmonton's International Ice Carving Competition
Edmonton’s International Ice Carving competition – formally Ice on Whyte – is moving to the ICE District! See the work of some of the world’s elite carvers starting January 24th. Artists have thirty-four hours to complete their work, with the full splendour revealed on January 27th!
January 24-27
Activate Arts Alberta
Looking to try your own hand at ice carving? Ice on Whyte – now named Activate Arts Alberta – will be returning to McIntyre Park with ice sculpting demonstrations, lessons, and more.
January 27-29
Winterruption
Get ready to embrace the cold and celebrate the arts at Winterruption YEG! This multi-venue music and arts festival brings a range of indoor and outdoor events to downtown Edmonton. Don't forget to bring your parkas and dancing shoes!
January 25-29
Outdoor Thrills
The Full Moon Birkie
Experience a magical evening of cross-country skiing under the light of the full moon at the Full Moon Birkie! The trails at Cooking Lake Blackfoot Provincial Recreation Area are the perfect place to enjoy a winter adventure. Whether you're a seasoned skier or new to the sport, you'll love the chance to explore Birkie-land in the heart of the beautiful outdoors.
January 7
ACC Edmonton Ice Wall
This winter adventure will take you to cool new heights! The ACC Edmonton Ice Wall is the perfect activity for frosty thrill-seekers. Strap on some climbing gear and ascend a towering wall of ice like the fearless explorer you are. The wall even lights up at night, adding a touch of magic to your expedition! Located at the Edmonton Ski Club in the heart of the river valley, this is a frozen adventure you’ll never forget.
Snow Way Out
Get ready for an unforgettable winter adventure in the ICE District! Snow Way Out, the 75'x75' Oilers-themed maze is jam-packed with fun and excitement. Explore the locker room, slide down the snow slide, and warm up by the fire pits as you make your way through the winding corridors. And when you need a break, grab a hot chocolate and a snack before striking a pose for the perfect holiday Instagram moment. Be warned, the walls of this maze are a whopping 6' tall and 3' deep, so you'll need all your wits to navigate your way through. Are you up for the challenge?
Discover Elk Island
All that a glorious winter has to offer is just a 35-minute drive from downtown! If you’re into outdoor winter sports, hiking, stargazing, or snowshoeing, Elk Island National Park has it all. Book a guided snowshoe tour with Talking Rock Tours to discover little-known facts about the park and its wildlife, or take matters into your own hands and ice skate on Astotin Lake for hours.
The ODR Awaits
Edmonton's options for outdoor skating are incomparable! Glide through the trees of the river valley along Victoria Park or Rundle Park's ice paths (skate rentals are available at Rundle Park Family Centre), or skate under the downtown lights at City Hall (free skate rentals are available on Saturdays and Sundays). The ICE District Plaza is home to Edmonton’s newest outdoor rink and is open to the public daily! No matter where you're headed, make sure to check out the City of Edmonton website for locations, hours, and conditions before you go.
Arts & Culture
Mansplaining with Drag Kings
Turn up the heat this January at Evolution Wonderlounge! The latest episode of All the King's Men: Mansplaining with Drag Kings will be an extravaganza of singing, dancing, and pure macho manliness. The talented panel of drag kings will be on hand to answer questions and provide insight on life, the universe, and everything in between!
January 14
Uptown Girls
Get ready for an unforgettable evening with Uptown Girls: the all-female tribute to Billy Joel and Elton John! Patricia Zentilli, Ruth Alexander, Chariz Faulmino, and Jameela McNeil are bringing their fresh take on iconic hits like 'Crocodile Rock,' 'Benny and the Jets,' 'Candle in the Wind,' 'Piano Man,' and 'New York State of Mind' to the stage. Don't miss your chance to experience these talented musicians as they bring the house down at the Citadel Theatre!
January 5-8
Illuminature at the Muttart
Experience the magic of Illuminature, an immersive night of house music, custom visuals, live art, and handcrafted cocktails and food by the Muttart cafe. The vibrant oxygen from the lush flowers and foliage will fuel your dancing as you sway to the beats of local DJs: JYVY, 40oz. and Joluca. Take a break from the dance floor to refresh at the tequila bar, or admire the live art inside the pyramids!
January 27
Jim Gaffigan at the Winspear
Just for Laughs presents Jim Gaffigan at the Winspear! With six Grammy nominations, multiple Emmy awards, and a devoted international following, Jim's performances are always a hit. Known for his clever wit and relatable humor, this show will have you belly-laughing all evening. Don't miss this entertainment powerhouse!
January 14-15
Get Ready to Cheer
Nothing but Net
You don’t want to miss the unrivalled giants in the family fun entertainment game – The Harlem Globetrotters are taking over Rogers Place on January 8! This incredible show gives you the chance to get face-to-face with the world-famous crew. You can't help but laugh along with their action-packed basketball game filled with pranks and hilarious hi-jinks. Get your tickets today, a Globetrotters show is unlike any other.
January 8
Triathlon Alberta Mad Moto Series
The Triathlon Alberta Mad Moto Series is great for the whole family! Those from the age of 6 and up can participate in the swim and run relay, making it a fantastic way for anyone to dip their toes into the sport of triathlon. With distances increasing as age groups increase, there's a challenge suitable for every member of the family. Gather your loved ones and get ready to have some fun and test your endurance!
January 22
Let's Go, Oilers!
Going to a sporting event in person is always a good time, even if you don’t know all the rules. Luckily, Edmonton has an overwhelming amount of hockey action for you to cheer for! Catch the Edmonton Oilers or the Oil Kings as they race to win their respective leagues. Between the two teams, you'll find plenty of slapshots and penalties to make for an action-packed January.
Various Dates in January
Metis Crossing
Take a day trip to Métis Crossing to discover how the Métis lived as trappers, learn about historical families and their homes, understand how plants are used as medicine, and much more. Take in inspiring experiences including the 'Visions, Hopes and Dreams Wildlife Park', the horse-drawn wagon ride, and 'Tales from the Trapline'. There is so much to discover!