School’s out, the holidays are here, and it’s time to kick back and make some merry memories! Little ones aren’t always the best at simply relaxing, so if your family needs to get out of the house and burn off some energy, we’ve put together a list of festive activities to keep everyone entertained (and sane) all holiday long.
Get Outside Winter Fun Guide
Embrace winter fun in the great outdoors! Our Get Outside Winter Fun Guide is filled with safe and fun destinations to enjoy outdoor fun with the family, including:
- Skating
- Sledding & Snow Tubing
- Skiing & Snowboarding
- Cross-Country Skiing & Snowshoeing
- Parks, Pathways & Playground
- and MORE!
Holiday at the HUB
December 22 – January 2 | Find FREE family fun at Castle Downs Family YMCA with Holidays at the HUB! North Central Family Resource Network (HUB) invites you to enjoy a full line-up of activities from December 16 to January 3, including gingerbread house building, ornament painting, diamond art, BINGO, board games, ice skating, and more! Space is limited, and registration is required through ymcanab.ca/familyworkshops.
SportZone Inflatables at Millennium Place or Ardrossan Recreation Centre
December 22 to January 4 | Enjoy all the usual fun in the SportZone, with the added bonus of large-scale inflatable mazes and bouncy castles to jump in! Entrance into the SportZone is included with your regular recreation centre admission. For more information, click here.
Neon Nights at Launchpad Trampoline Park
December 29 – January 2 | Warm up this winter break with a visit to Launchpad Trampoline Park. Enjoy indoor jumping fun, including daily deals (Monday to Thursday) PLUS Neon Nights and a live DJ EVERY on December 29 – January 2, from 8:00 pm to close!
Edmonton Oil Kings Promo Nights & Family Fun Sundays
Edmonton Oil Kings games are a fun and affordable option for live hockey action with your entire crew! For added fun, choose from several exciting themed games over the Christmas break, including a fantastic New Year’s Day game complete with indoor fireworks:
- Sunday, December 28, 2025 | Dino Day vs Lethbridge Hurricanes
- Thursday, January 1, 2026 | New Year’s Day Fireworks Frenzy vs Red Deer Rebels
Hollywood for the Holidays
December 29 & 30, 2025 | The ESO has even more big screen favourites for your movie-loving family to enjoy this holiday season! Hear your favourite tunes from KPop Demon Hunters, Wicked, Moana, Harry Potter, and more. This would make a great experience gift!
TELUS World of Science – Edmonton
Holiday Fun at the Science Centre | Visit the Science Centre from December 20 to January 4 to enjoy various exciting winter activities included as part of your regular Science Centre admission! Design your own cardboard Holiday resort in the Science Garage, learn about winter wildlife, join in storytime, and enjoy some gingerbread-flavoured liquid nitrogen ice cream!
IMAX Movies | There’s always something new and exciting playing on Alberta’s Largest IMAX screen. Catch The Polar Express (until December 24), Elephants: Giants of the Desert, T.Rex, and more. Separate ticketed events.
Laser Shows | Enjoy your favourite music and watch a spectacular laser light show in the Zeidler Dome. The current schedule includes your choice of Taylor Swift, Stranger Things, Led Zeppelin, and more. Separate ticketed events.
Royal Alberta Museum
Winter Drop-In Activities | The Royal Alberta Museum is open year-round, making it the perfect escape from our frigid winters. Enjoy all the museum has to offer while enjoying seasonal activities like making your own Spiced Playdough or Pinecone Birdfeeder, making a New Year’s Noisemaker, a Bubble Wrap Dance Party, and more! Admission to the museum is free for children under 17 through the Canada Strong Pass until January 15, 2026. Find more info here.
Fun at West Edmonton Mall
West Edmonton Mall Attractions | When the weather turns cold, West Edmonton Mall is the perfect spot to find family fun! Treat the kids to a trip to the World Waterpark or Galaxyland, enjoy a round of minigolf or bowling, or have a blast playing all the games at the Rec Room.
Jubilations Dinner Theatre
Step into a world of pure imagination with the latest production from Jubilations Junior! Barbie and Ken Save Christmas is now playing with Jubilations Dinner Theatre’s winning combination of a laughter-filled show and a delicious meal.
Plan an Afternoon or Evening Out at the Movies
Reel Family Cinema at Metro Cinemas | During Reel Family Cinema events, Kids 12 and under get in FREE! You can watch Ice Age on December 27. Plus, check the full calendar for other Christmas classics playing over the holidays, including The Muppet Christmas Carol, Home Alone, Miracle on 34th Street, It’s a Wonderful Life, and National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.
Landmark Cinemas | Our family always loves to watch a new release (or two!) together over the Christmas Break! We like to take advantage of the Morning Movies, or Kids’ Day Sunday Deals, for extra savings. Here are some of our picks for family-friendly new releases:
- Wicked: For Good | November 21; PG
- Zootopia 2 | November 26; G
- SpongeBob Movie: The Search for Squarepants | December 19; PG
- Avatar: Fire and Ash| December 19; PG-13
Fort Edmonton Park
Indigenous Peoples Experience Winter Admission | If you haven’t experienced the Indigenous Peoples Experience at Fort Edmonton Park, weekends this winter are the perfect time to visit. Explore the rich diversity and cultural beauty of the First Nations and Métis in this award-winning indoor exhibit.
Winter Wagon Rides | Take a horse-drawn Winter Wagon Ride through the historic streets of Fort Edmonton Park on select dates in November, December, January and February. The provided blankets will keep you cozy as you enjoy the 30-40 minute journey through the twinkling lights, and there will be hot chocolate and a warming bonfire to look forward to after the ride!
Edmonton Valley Zoo
Zoominescence | Don’t miss your chance to see the zoo transformed into a magical and bright winter wonderland, complete with brilliant light displays, a nightly Creature Feature, roaming fairytale characters, and all your favourite zoo animals. Zoominescence will be open nightly (excluding December 23-25) until January 4, 2026 and is an excellent opportunity to see the zoo and some of its animals in a completely different light.
Take a Drive to see all the Merry & Bright Christmas Light Displays
The Christmas Break is the perfect time to load the family in the car and go check out some of the amazing outdoor light displays around the city! See our list of recommendations to find some of the best and brightest in Edmonton and the surrounding communities. For more information, click here.
Family Friendly New Year’s Events in Edmonton
Use our guide to Family-Friendly New Year’s Events in Edmonton to plan your celebration and enjoy ringing in 2025 with the family! Whether you want to celebrate day or night, indoors or out, there is an event for you this December 31 or January 1. For more information, click here.
Indoor Playgrounds
There is plenty of fun to be had at these indoor playgrounds around the city! Grab a gift card and give the kids somewhere fun to go burn off the energy this winter. For more information, see here.
Indoor Fun for Tweens & Teens
From rock climbing and laser tag, to escape rooms and mini golf, there’s something for everyone on this list! For more information, click here.
