His North Pole duties keep him hopping, but Santa still finds plenty of time to visit his young friends in these parts every November and December. Wondering where the best places are to see Santa in Edmonton and area? We’re here to help you get the perfect holiday photo with the Jolly Old Elf with another great Family Fun Edmonton Christmas guide!
Breakfast with Santa Events
Various Dates | 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!
FUN & (mostly) FREE Christmas Events at Local Greenhouses
This holiday season, we are thrilled to see several local Greenhouses adding to the Christmas magic with special Events and seasonal activities. From Santa photos and sleigh rides to scavenger hunts and grouchy visits with the Grinch, there is something fun for everyone!
Santa’s Wonderland at Cabela’s
November 12 to December 24 | Share in the wonder of Christmas and get a free 4×6″ photo with Santa at his winter Wonderland in both Edmonton Cabela’s Stores. Make sure to bring your letters to Santa to drop in his special mailbox and grab a free holiday craft activity kit, while supplies last.
Pottery & Santa at Clay and Cupcakes
November 16 | Santa is coming to Clay & Cupcakes for some creative Christmas fun! Book a spot for your child to paint their own holiday ornament, enjoy a cupcake and drink, take holiday photos, and go home with a free gift bag from Santa.
Meet Santa on the Coca-Cola Holiday Caravan Tour
November 16, 29 & 30 | Coca-Cola knows Christmas – after all they are the ones that created our current image of Santa Claus! During the Holiday Season Santa trades in his sleigh to spread cheer in communities across Canada with the Coca-Cola Holiday Caravan Tour. This year he’s popping up at the Strathcona County Celebration of Lights (November 16), A Very Vegreville Christmas (November 29), and Canadian Tire Magic of Lights at RAD Torque Raceway (November 30).
Pembina Holiday Toy Drive
November 22 | Bring your new, unwrapped toys for the Strathcona Christmas Bureau and join in a fun afternoon of free Santa Photos with WEM’s Santa Chris (printed on site), character guest appearances from A Charmed Affair, crafts, treats, door prizes, and more.
Milk ‘n’ Cookies with Santa in Fort Saskatchewan
November 30, December 1, 7 & 8 | Join the Fort Saskatchewan Historical Society for Milk ‘n’ Cookies with Santa at the Fort Heritage Precinct! Book your session through Eventbrite to come listen to Santa read a story, enjoy delicious cookies and milk, and make some fun holiday crafts. Cost is just $5/person!
Maisie’s Magical Christmas House
November 8 – December 24 | Maisie’s Magical Christmas House will be lit up daily starting Friday, November 8, 2024! Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus will join in the fun most evenings (weather permitting) to hand out candy canes and spread Christmas Cheer. Come see the spectacular holiday display, and make a donation to Second Chance Animal Rescue Society (SCARS).
Edmonton Christmas Market
November 28 – December 15 (Wednesday through Sunday ) | The Edmonton Christmas Market is Edmonton’s most festive event! The annual holiday market and festival will return to Fort Edmonton Park this November with even more local vendors, delicious food, captivating light displays, live theatre and holiday entertainment, carousel & trolley rides, and, of course, visits with Santa! Santa will join in the fun every Wednesday to Friday from 4-8 pm and each Saturday and Sunday from 2-8 pm!
Bent Arrow Community Christmas Party
December 1 | Celebrate the festive season at Bent Arrow’s FREE Community Christmas Party! Register via Eventbrite to join in all the festive fun including visits with Santa, crafts, games, cookie decorating, presents for youth (0-12 years), plus delicious soup, bannock, and refreshments.
Glow Christmas Carnival
December 4 – 24 | Don’t miss the chance to visit with Santa amongst the 100,000 sq ft of twinkling light displays at the Edmonton Expo Centre! It is just one of many activities Glow Christmas Carnival, including an exciting quest to help Santa’s elves, an interactive Kids Fun Zone, live entertainment, and special character appearances.
Santa’s Food Bank Drive at Twice Cream
December 7 | Join Twice Cream and Timberhaus Developments for some winter fun during their annual Santa’s Food Bank Drive. Bring your food bank donations to Twice Cream and enjoy free hot chocolate, sleigh rides, and special appearances by Santa and the Grinch!
CANDORA Presents: Santa’s Village
December 7 | The CANDORA Society of Edmonton invites you to Riverview Crossing for fun with Santa. Santa’s Village is a FREE family-friendly event featuring photos with Santa (by donation), festive holiday displays, the chance to write your letter to Santa, delicious treats, and more! Reserve your free spot via Eventbrite.
South Pole Holiday Workshop
December 7 & 8 | The North Pole comes South with this full weekend of holiday fun in South Edmonton Common. Make fun holiday memories with Santa, Mrs. Claus & the Grinch during this exciting pop-up event that includes a vendor market, free hot cocoa and maple taffy, live music, photo ops, giveaways, and more. Pets will even be invited to join in the fun on pet-friendly Sunday!
Cookie Decorating with Santa at Gather Bakery
December 7 & 21 | Gather Bakery in Spruce Grove is kicking off Christmas with two fun days of Cookie Decorating with Santa! Reserve your spot via Eventbrite for this magical and merry opportunity to sit one-on-one with Santa and decorate 6 festive Christmas cookies together. Don’t forget the camera!
Santa Claus at the Muttart Conservatory
December 12, 14, 15, 19 & 21 | Santa Claus is coming to the Muttart Conservatory on select days in December! They have decked the halls in the new Christmas-themed Feature Pyramid and welcome everyone to come snap your own photos with Santa in the poinsettia-filled wonderland.
Meet Santa at Borealis Lights
December 13-15 & 20-25 | See the big man in red as you enjoy the almost 1 MILLION twinkling lights in this spectacular Christmas drive-thru light display in the St. Albert Kinsmen RV Park. There is so much to see and discover on the 30 minute driving loop, including two bright and beautiful tunnels of dancing lights and a show-stopping 85 foot Animated Christmas Tree of Light!
Christmas at Callingwood
December 14 | Callingwood Farmers’ Market invites you to celebrate the season with this free and festive annual holiday event! Christmas at Callingwood promises holiday delights galore including Santa photos, horse-drawn wagon rides, kids activities, and live entertainment with The Sugarplums.
Terwillegar Community League Holiday Spectacular
December 14 | Join the Terwillegar Community League for their annual Holiday Spectacular! This free family-friendly event will include cookie decorating, crafts, sleigh rides, and photos with Santa.
Christmas Past Rutherford House
December 15 | Come deck the halls and carol along as the Rutherford House celebrates A Christmas Past. During this traditional holiday celebration, guests will be treated to warm cider and old-fashioned treats from the historic wood-burning oven, topped off with a visit from Father Christmas!
Santa Photos with The Ryan Dutka Team
December 15 | Join the Ryan Dutka Team at Kentwood Ford on Sunday, December 15 for photos & holiday fun with Santa! Reserve your free spot via Eventbrite for this festive afternoon of treats, crafts, and prizes – including the opportunity to win a signed Connor McDavid jersey if you RSVP before December 5!
A Very Merry Pops: Celebrating Family Traditions
December 20-23 | Enjoy a holiday concert with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra AND a visit with Santa! A Very Merry Pops is joyous concert filled with holiday songs from your childhood including festive hits like Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, O Come, All Ye Faithful, Winter Wonderland, Carol of the Drums, Silent Night, Jingle Bell Rock, and more!
Santa (and Mermaid) Swim at Emerald Hills Leisure Centre
December 21 | Dive into Christmas with the Santa Swim at Emerald Hills Leisure Centre. Take some time to enjoy fun and games in the water with special mermaid guests, and take a photo with Santa just before he needs to head back to the North Pole for Christmas Eve!
Santa vs. The Grinch in The Race to Save Christmas
December 21 | Alberta Standardbred Horse Association invites your family to a holiday showdown like no other when Santa faces off against the Grinch at Century Mile Racetrack and Casino. This FREE family event includes photo ops with Santa and his reindeer, face painting, balloon art, and hot chocolate. It’s the perfect way to kick off the Christmas Break with the kids!
Winter Wonderland at Westlawn Funeral Home
December 22 | Join Westlawn Funeral Home & Cemetary for some holiday cheer during the Winter Wonderland event! This FREE family-friendly event will include photos with Santa, hot cocoa, a screening of How the Grinch Stole Christmas with popcorn, and more. RSVP via Eventbrite.
Skate with Santa and the Beaumont Chiefs
December 22 | Skate with Santa and the Beaumont Chiefs at the Ken Nichol Recreation Centre! Bring your own camera for photos with Santa while you enjoy skating, hot chocolate, and other festive fun at this free event.
🎅 Edmonton & Area Malls
Santa for All at West Edmonton Mall
November 16 – December 24 | Enjoy a fun Swim with Santa when he arrives to the World Waterpark via zipline on November 16, or visit him at North Pole Place all the way up until Christmas Eve. This holiday season West Edmonton Mall is excited to offer “Santa for All” with your choice of five jolly Santa’s. Learn more about each unique Santa here and use the schedule to plan a visit with the one that resonates best with your family. Edmonton Oilers fans will also want to check out the Slapshots and Snapshots holiday photos on November 25 with Ryan Nugent-Hopkins.
St. Albert Centre Welcomes Santa Claus
November 21 – December 24 | The bells will be ringing November 21, 2024 as St. Albert Centre welcomes Santa back for another season of visits with all the good little girls and boys. Be sure to check out the special event days like Storytime with Santa, Sensory Friendly Santa, and the Pet Party. Photo sessions before December 9 will also get you in the draw to WIN tickets to an Edmonton Oilers game!
Santa’s On His Way to Londonderry Mall
November 22 – December 24 | Everyone is invited to come dressed in their favourite holiday pajamas and join in an evening of photos and festive fun when Santa arrives on November 22! There will be milk and cookies for those who have their photo taken with Santa, and FREE storytime and activities for all in the Grinch’s Craft Corner. Santa will then be stationed at the mall throughout the season for visits and professional photos.
Fun with Santa at Bonnie Doon Centre
November 23 – December 24 | Bonnie Doon Centre is excited to welcome back the Man in Red on Saturday, November 25 with fanfare alongside the caroling Sugar Plum Trio, the Ice Queen, and Spidey! He will be available at the mall all holiday season, including some special dates with fairytale princesses and pets!
Christmas at Mill Woods Town Centre
November 23 – December 24 | All aboard! This holiday season Mr & Mrs Claus will arrive at Mill Woods Town Centre on The Holiday Express! Be there to welcome them on November 23 and enjoy a ride on the jolly little train, or plan your visit with Santa throughout the holiday season. There are event pet nights and a sensory friendly Santa experience!
Would you prefer a Grinchy holiday photo? Head to our post here to discover where you can get a photo with The Mean One this festive season!
