Embrace winter in Edmonton and get out to enjoy the great outdoor festivals and snow-fueled activities happening in the month of January! You can still catch the tail end of a few great holiday events at the beginning of the month, or plan to check out the Deep Freeze Festival or Flying Canoë Volant in the upcoming weeks. Our top picks for fun this month are below, with plenty more waiting to be discovered on our Events Calendar.
Where to Find Christmas Break Fun | Dec 31 – Jan 4
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.
⭐️ ESO Symphony for Kids: Kiwis Can’t Play the Violin | January 25
FEATURED Enjoy a fun-filled musical experience with Symphony for Kids by the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra. Get your tickets for Kiwis Can’t Play the Violin, and join Kiwi on the journey to get a violin, join the orchestra, and discover just how far a little encouragement can take you. Arrive early to enjoy free crafts and activities in the lobby, and treat yourself to some fresh popcorn to enjoy during the performance!
Edmonton Oil Kings Promo Nights | January 1 & 25
Cheer on the Edmonton Oil Kings at your choice of 2 fun themed promotional games this month!
- Thursday, January 1 | New Year’s Day Fireworks Frenzy vs Red Deer Rebels
- Sunday, January 25 | Wrestling Night vs Saskatoon Blades
Additionally, Sunday games are always Family Fun Sundays! Most start an hour earlier, and feature a Concourse Carnival with bounce castles, face painting, balloon twisting, and more! Sunday games this month are January 4 & 25.
Alberta Legislature Building Guided Tours | Wednesday – Sunday
🆓 Did you know FREE Alberta Legislature tours are offered year-round as a fun and informative experience for all ages? It is easy to book online or in person for a free 45-minute guided tour to discover the history, art and architecture of the iconic domed building. Add to the fun with a stop at the nearby Visitor Centre, home to Borealis Gallery, Capital Gifts, the Democracy Discovery Centre, and Pehonan Theatre. The 11-minute immersive 4D film Our People, Our Province, shown on the 360-degree screen in the Pehonan Theatre, is a must-see!
Winter City Weekend at City Hall | All Month
City Hall Plaza is the place to skate, dance, and groove in downtown Edmonton! Enjoy free skate rentals, drop-in lessons, live DJs, and Swing ‘n Skate dance parties for the whole family.
Ice Castles in ICE District Fan Park | All Month
After a multi-year absence, Ice Castles is back with an all-new build at ICE District’s Fan Park. Explore sparkling ice tunnels, slide down frozen stairs, and wander glowing caverns — a magical winter adventure for families and fans of all ages.
Kidding Around with Rapid Fire Theatre | January 3, 10, 17, 24, & 31
Kids can experience all the fun of Improv comedy with Rapid Fire Theatre’s show Kidding Around on Saturday afternoons. It is never the same show twice, with the performers creating the entire show from the top of their heads, along with a few suggestions from the audience!
FREE Skating with Strathcona County | January 4, 11, 18 & 25
🆓 Get out and get active this January with FREE recreational skate times every SUNDAY courtesy of Strathcona County. There are several options this month to hit the ice with the family at absolutely no cost to you!
Watch The Chronicles of Narnia at CO*LAB | January 4
🆓 Don’t miss the FREE Family Movie Sundays in Boyle on the first Sunday of every month! All are welcome to come watch a family-friendly movie and enjoy free snacks and drinks during these afternoon matinee events at CO*LAB. This month’s featured movie is The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.
Chiseled Ice Carving Competition | January 15 – 17
🆓 Bundle up and check out the beautiful carved ice sculptures at the Chiseled International Ice Carving Competition by Activate Arts Alberta! Visit ICE District from January 15 to 17, to watch five Canadian teams create their sculptures. If you miss the live carving, you can still see the finished pieces on display until January 27, weather permitting.
Deep Freeze: A Byzantine Winter Fête | January 17 & 18
🆓 Deep Freeze: A Byzantine Winter Festival returns to the Alberta Avenue District January 17 & 18, with an “Olde New Year” theme! Enjoy the coming together of Ukrainian, French Canadian, Franco-African, Indigenous (Métis, Inuit, and First Nations), Latin American, and Asian cultures with light installations, ice sculptures, cultural stories, bannock by the fire, artistic workshops, street hockey, and the famous Deep Freezer races!
Edmonton Pet Expo | January 17 & 18
If your family loves animals, don’t miss the Edmonton Pet Expo on January 17 and 18! You can meet all kinds of furry, feathered, and scaly friends, and explore a variety of vendors and demonstrations. While this year’s full schedule isn’t out yet, past events have included a petting zoo, pony rides, and bounce houses, so there is sure to be plenty of fun for everyone.
Feel the Joie de Vie at the Flying Canoë Volant | Jan 28 – 31
🆓 Inspired by the legend of The Flying Canoe, the Flying Canoë Volant is a creative and interactive cultural event that celebrates French Canadian, First Nations and Métis traditions. This year, the festival will take place from January 28 to 31 in three different locations. Walk the colourful illuminated trails in Millcreek Ravine, enjoy games, entertainment and activities in Edmonton’s French Quarter, and check out the canoe races at the Ecole Rutherford.
Winter Wagon Rides at Fort Edmonton Park | Fridays and Saturdays
Take a horse-drawn Winter Wagon Ride through the historic streets of Fort Edmonton Park on Fridays and Saturdays throughout January. The provided blankets will keep you cozy as you enjoy the 30-40 minute journey through the twinkling lights, plus there will be hot chocolate and a warming bonfire to look forward to after the ride!
Prehistoric Paradise at the Muttart Conservatory | Opens January 2026 – Date TBA
Escape the cold with a visit to see the upcoming Feature Pyramid at the Muttart Conservatory. Those who enjoyed the 2024 “Giants in the Mist” feature pyramid with dinosaurs galore will be delighted to check out “Prehistoric Paradise” this winter. More details to be announced soon!
Outdoor Winter Fun
| All Month
Winter is such a magical time of year, and Edmonton is filled with safe and fun places to enjoy this magic outdoors! Bundle up and embrace the snow and cold weather with some of the fantastic ideas on our Get Outside Winter Fun Guide. For more information, click here.
Make-and-Take Events | All Month
The best things in life are FREE! We are big fans of store make-and-take events that offer us the chance to get out of the house and enjoy a fun activity with the kids. Find all our favourite spots offering FREE (and almost free) events right here!
Love seeing the Family Fun Events in Edmonton in January, but want MORE? Sign up for the monthly Family Fun Edmonton enewsletter! Also, keep tabs on everything happening in #YEG with our calendar, and stay tuned to all the best local family events through our Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok accounts.
