Happy December and welcome to the Most Wonderful Time of the Year! This month is chock-full of exciting holiday events to discover, including Santa sightings, spectacular light displays, holiday shows, and more.
New events are being added all the time, so be sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram to stay in-the-know. You can also check for all the events listed each day on our monthly calendar.
āļø Magic of Lights at Rad Torque Raceway | November 20 – January 3
FEATURED Is there anything more magical than the twinkle of lights during the winter holidays? We donāt think so! And winter being what it is, thereās no better way to enjoy that magic than from the comfort of your warm vehicle! The Canadian Tire Magic of Lights at RAD Torque Raceway allows visitors to drive a sparkling route, enjoying vibrant holiday displays and multiple light tunnels, including a stunning 400-foot light tunnel (the longest in Alberta)!
For all The Best Christmas Lights in Edmonton & Area head here.
Edmonton Christmas Market | November 29 ā December 21
The annual holiday market has even more local vendors, delicious food, captivating light displays, live theatre and holiday entertainment, carousel & trolley rides, and, of course, visits with Santa! It is the perfect family outing or date night activity during the holiday season.
āļøĀ Light Up The Legislature | December 3
FEATURED 
Get into the holiday spirit as they Light up the Legislature grounds on Tuesday, December 3, Celebrate the Season with free musical performances on weekends, enjoy complimentary tours of the festively decorated Alberta Legislature building, and discover whatās new at the Visitor Centre. There is always something fun to discover!
Butterdome Craft Sale | December 4-7
We have a list of Holiday Markets and Craft Shows happening all month long, but this one deserves special mention. The Butterdome Craft Show is an Edmonton tradition and Alberta’s largest craft show with over 220 of the best artists, makers, crafters and designers.
For the Best Craft Fairs & Markets head here.
āļø Edmonton Oil Kings Teddy Bear Toss | December 7
FEATURED Donāt miss the annual Teddy Bear Toss at Rogers Place! Cheer on the Edmonton Oil Kings and toss your stuffed animals (in clear plastic bags) onto the ice after their first goal to support 880 CHED Santas Anonymous. Enjoy WHL hockey with Family Fun Sunday activities including a Concourse Carnival zone with face painting, bouncy castles, and more!
Zoominescence at the Edmonton Valley Zoo | December 5 – January 4
Book your evening visit in December 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.
āļø Barbie and Ken Save Christmas | December 6 – January 10
Itās time to jingle all the way to family fun with the newest Jubilations Junior production! Barbie and Ken Save Christmas zooms onto the stage this fall with Jubilations Dinner Theatreās signature mix of a laugh-out-loud show and a tasty multi-course meal. Join Barbie and Ken on a musical adventure filled with energy, laughs, and toe-tapping tunes. Itās family giggles and holiday magic in one festive outing.
For all The Best Holiday Shows & Concerts headĀ here.
The Polar Express IMAX 3D Experience | December 6-24
Immerse yourself in the magic and wonder with a 3D viewing of The Polar Express on Alberta’s largest IMAX screen at the Telus World of Science – Edmonton. Pajamas are encouraged! It is just one of several fantastic activities happening at the Science Centre for the holidays.
The Blank Who Stole Christmas | December 6, 13, & 20
During each laughter-filled show at the Rapid Fire Theatre, the beloved Christmas classic is given an improvised twist with the cast of characters not knowing who the āblankā is until the performance begins live on stage. Past characters have included everything from Shrek, Barbie, Batman, Wario, Jack Skellington, and more!
āļø Marketplace at Callingwood Christmas | December 7
FEATURED From jingle bells to sugarplums, itās time to celebrate the season! The Marketplace at Callingwood is hosting a FREE holiday event, filled with festive delights. Youāre invited to make merry memories with family fun that includes Santa photos, live entertainment, kidsā activities, and horse-drawn hay rides.
Leduc Country Christmas Convoy | December 13
The young and young at heart are going to love seeing big wheelers decked out in festive Christmas lights during the annual Leduc Country Christmas Convoy! The trucks will be meeting at Blackjacks Roadhouse from 12 pm to 4 pm, and will roll out at 4:30 pm to make their way through Leduc and on to the Leduc Country Lights.
The Nightmare Before Christmas in Concert | December 14
Experience Disney Tim Burtonās The Nightmare Before Christmas live in concert at the Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium! For one magical performance, the FILMharmonique Orchestra will provide live musical accompaniment to Jack Skellingtonās classic adventure as it plays on the big screen.
āļø Santa vs. The Grinch in The Race to Save Christmas | December 20
FEATURED Watch Santa face off against the Grinch in a thrilling holiday race at Century Mile Racetrack and Casino. There will be face painting and balloon art for the kids, delicious free hot chocolate to keep everyone warm, plus photo ops with Santa and his reindeer. The main event will take place after the live horse racing when Santa faces off against the Grinch in an epic head-to-head race!
āļøĀ Canadaās Ukrainian NutcrackerĀ | December 20 & 21
FEATURED Thereās the Nutcracker, and then thereās Canadaās Ukrainian Nutcracker presented by Shumka. This spectacular annual Christmas production takes the beloved Christmas classic and offers it with a uniquely Ukrainian twist. Experience all the magic this December as it returns live to the Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium Stage, complete with re-imagined set pieces and stunning new costume designs.
āļøĀ NYE Beach Ball at World Waterpark | December 31
FEATURED Spend New Yearās Eve on the beach without having to shell out big bucks for plane tickets ā and enjoy an amazing fireworks show without having to stand in the cold! The World Waterpark at West Edmonton Mall is once again hosting a New Yearās Eve Beach Ball. Ring in 2026 in a 31-degree tropical paradise with a party filled with food, fun, friends, and the LARGEST indoor fireworks show! This family-friendly event will feature live entertainment, hourly beach ball drops, a delicious buffet, and plenty of character appearances all night long!
The Best Christmas Light Displays in Edmonton & Area
Brighten your nights and warm your hearts with our handy list of The Best Christmas Light Displays in Edmonton & Area. Whether you like to view the lights from the warmth of your vehicle or prefer to take it in during a stroll in the cool winter air, we can point you to all the fun and festive options! For more information, click here.
Holiday Light Ups and Santa Parades
Bundle up and make plans to see the parade floats and twinkling lights at one of the many Holiday Light Ups and Santa Parades in Edmonton and the surrounding communities. If you are lucky, you may even spot Santa and his merry friends! For more information, click here.
Best Places To See Santa in Edmonton
Is it reallyĀ ChristmasĀ without a visit and photos with Santa? Here’s a few more options on top of all the great Santa’s listed in this post. For more information, clickĀ here.
Where to Get a Grinchy Photo this Holiday Season
Santa will always be the main attraction at Christmas, but this holiday season there are also plenty of opportunities to get a fun Grinchy holiday photo! Check our list for some of the amazing events the green Christmas-hating character is popping up at. For more information, click here.
All Aboard! Holiday Events for Train & Automobile Lovers
While Santaās usual mode of transportation is his sleigh & reindeer, we often see him using other ways to get around town during the Christmas Season! Whether itās by car or by train, itās All Aboard for fun at these great Holiday events. For more information, click here.
Breakfast with Santa
This holiday season, your family can fill their bellies and warm their hearts at one of the great Breakfast with Santa Christmas events in Edmonton & Area. Tickets sell out quickly, so don’t miss out on one of these great opportunities for the kids to visit with Santa while you enjoy the gift of one less meal to cook during this busy time of year! For more information, click here.
Sensory-Friendly Holiday Events
If your child would benefit from some extra support during holiday activities, our guide to Sensory-Friendly Holiday Events is here to help. Each event is planned with comfort and inclusivity in mind. Because these events typically have limited capacity, we do recommend checking the event website and booking your spot in advance to ensure you donāt miss out. For more information, clickĀ here.
The Best Holiday Shows & Concerts 2025
A live theatre show or concert is a wonderful family experience to share any time of year, but it becomes extra magical during the holiday season! Get your tickets now for an afternoon or evening out ā there is guaranteed to be something for everyone to enjoy in our handy guide. For more information, click here.
Shop Local at the Best Craft Fairs & Markets
The kids, spouse, parents, nieces, nephews, friends, coworkers, neighbours – the Christmas shopping list is long! Find great gifts from local artisans for everyone on your list. Handmade crafts, homemade foods, unique clothing items, and more can be found at markets throughout the city. For more information, click here.
Christmas Events at Local Greenhouses
Local greenhouses are some of the best spots to find Holiday Cheer! We are thrilled that several local greenhouses are adding to the Christmas magic with special Events and seasonal activities ranging from Santa photos and sleigh rides to scavenger hunts and grouchy visits with the Grinch. For more information, click here.
[FREE Printable] Letter to Santa
Writing a letter to Santa is a part of many householdsā holiday traditions. It is a fun and exciting activity for the kids, and can play a key role in helping āSantaā determine what to put on the shopping list! Head to our website to download our doodle-inspired FREE Printable Letter to Santa and set the kids loose with the toy catalogues and colouring supplies! For more information, click here.
[FREE Printable] Celebrate the Season BINGO
Ed and Yeggey, our Family Fun Edmonton elves, have created a Celebrate the Season BINGO card for you and your family to print off and complete as you make your way through the holiday season. Enjoy spending time together and creating special holiday memories with all these fun and inexpensive Christmas-themed activities. For more information, click here.
Love seeing the Family Fun Events in Edmonton in December, but want MORE?Ā Sign up for the monthly Family Fun Edmonton enewsletter! Also, keep tabs on everything happening in #YEG with ourĀ calendar, and stay tuned to all the best local family events through ourĀ Facebook, Instagram andĀ TikTok.
