It’s the last weekend before Christmas, and there’s lots of festive fun to be had in Edmonton! Here are 25 things to do on December 20, December 21 and December 22, including Edmonton Oilers, Chanukah Fest, and more.
For more things happening around town check out our events section.
Friday, December 20
Alt After Dark: Alternative Night Market
What: Alt After Dark is a showcase of over 40 alternative vendors, including artists, makers, designers and businesses. There will also be food trucks, door prizes, and live entertainment throughout the evening.
When: December 20, 2019
Time: 7 to 11 pm
Where: Old Strathcona Arts Centre — 8426 Gateway Blvd, Edmonton
Tickets: Online, Free
Rapid Fire Theatre – The Blank Who Stole Christmas
What: The world premiere of Rapid Fire Theatre’s new semi-scripted show to celebrate the holidays. Each performance features a happy, musical Christmas town invaded by a different guest improviser portraying a villain set on stealing Christmas.
When: December 20 and 21, 2019
Time: 7:30 pm
Where: Rapid Fire Theatre — 9828 101A Ave, Edmonton
More Info: Online
INVISIBLE
What: A group exhibition by artists of the non-profit arts organization PAINTER8, curated by Contact C.. Featuring artwork from Craig Talbot (Cardston), Tim Rechner (Edmonton), Beth Pederson (Edmonton), Tom Cummins (Vancouver), Chrissy Cheung (Vancouver), Rafael Sottolichio (Montreal), miss hatt (Montreal) and guest artist, Kai Chan (Toronto).
When: Now until January 11, 2020
Time: 7 am to 9 pm (Monday to Friday), 8 am to 9 pm (Saturday), 9 am to 5 pm (Sunday)
Where: Galerie Cité, La Cité Francophone – 8627 Rue Marie-Anne Gaboury (91 St. N), Edmonton
More Info: Online
Edmonton Oilers vs Pittsburgh Penguins
Edmonton Oilers / Facebook
What: The Edmonton Oilers take on the Pittsburgh Penguins on December 20 at Rogers Place.
When: December 20, 2019
Time: 7 pm
Where: Rogers Place – 10220 104 Ave NW, Edmonton
Tickets: Online
All Tease All Shade presents: Fake Santa!
What: All Tease All Shade: A Queer Cabaret celebrates the holidays with burlesque, boylesque, drag and more.
When: December 20, 2019
Time: Doors 8 pm, show 9 pm
Where: Evolution Wonderlounge – 10220 103 Street Northwest, Edmonton
Tickets: Online
Saturday, December 21
PetSmart Photos With Santa
@adventuresofbrowndog / Instagram
What: Canadian pet parents can bring their favourite four-legged friends to PetSmart locations for free Santa photos on December 14, 15, 21 and 22. The annual event will be taking place at all Canadian PetSmart stores.
Pet parents can get a digital photo from PetSmart taken or take photos on their own mobile devices. From dogs, cats, guinea pigs, bunnies, lizards and more, all pets are welcome to meet Santa and let him know what is on their holiday wish list.
When: December 21 and 22, 2019
Time: 12 to 4 pm
Where: At all Canadian PetSmart stores
Price: Free
The Witchery Market
What: The Witchery Market features vendors, tarot readers, crafts, presentations, and more. Plus the first five people in the door each day will receive The Witchery Swag bag filled with items from vendors.
When: December 21 and 22, 2019
Time: 10 am to 8 pm (Saturday), 10 am to 4 pm (Sunday)
Where: Acacia Hall -10433 83 Avenue Northwest, Edmonton
Admission: Free
Zoominescence
What: Valley Zoo Development Society hosts Zoominescence, stunning light installations at Edmonton Valley Zoo. Celebrate the season by exploring the light displays, visiting the animals, ice skating, hot chocolate, and more.
When: Fridays to Sundays until December 29, 2019, plus Boxing Day
Time: 5 to 9 pm
Where: Edmonton Valley Zoo – 13315 Buena Vista Road, Edmonton
Tickets: Online
St. Albert Indoor Christmas Market
What: The 2019 St. Albert Indoor Christmas Market features over 75 vendors each Saturday from November 23 to December 21. Shop for fresh produce, baking, Christmas gifts, home décor, and more.
When: Every Saturday until December 21, 2019
Time: 10 am to 3 pm
Where: St. Albert Place — 5 St. Anne Street, St Albert
Admission: Free
Edmonton Oilers vs Montreal Canadians
What: The Edmonton Oilers face off with Montreal Canadians on December 21 at Rogers Place.
When: December 21, 2019
Time: 5 pm
Where: Rogers Place – 10220 104 Ave NW, Edmonton
Tickets: Online
Edmonton Christmas Market
Christmas Market/Shutterstock
What: Edmonton Christmas Market will be open every week from Thursday to Saturday, and will feature delicious food and traditional drinks, festive light displays, games, activities, vendors, workshops, and more.
If you’re in the mood for some DIY, you can get creative on site and learn how to make Christmas gifts with love in workshops for all ages and skill levels. You can also get pictures taken with Santa, or roam around with beverages from local Bent Stick Brewery, or some traditional mulled wine — the signature drink of the market — and enjoy some great music and drinks with friends and family. There will also be a variety of vendors, so you can purchase unique gifts for the special people in your life, and some delicious food on hand to make sure you don’t leave hungry.
When: Now until December 21, 2019
Time: 3 to 8 pm (Thursday to Friday), 12 to 6pm (Saturday)
Where: ATB Place — 10025 Jasper Ave, Edmonton
Admission: $3 to $10, admission packages available online
Cinderella – A Christmas Pantomime
What: A British pantomime version of the classic fairytale, follow along as Cinderella tries to find her Prince Charming. The show is very audience interactive, so come prepared to cheer, laugh, and play along.
When: Various dates until December 29, 2019
Time: Various times
Where: Capitol Theatre at Fort Edmonton Park
Tickets: Online
Old Strathcona Farmers’ Market
What: Edmonton’s first indoor farmer’s market. The Old Strathcona Farmers’ Market showcases over 130 vendors every Saturday, including vendors with locally grown produce, arts and crafts, specialty foods, clothing, and more.
When: Every Saturday
Time: 8 am to 3 pm
Where: 83rd Avenue and 103 Street NW (just off Whyte Avenue)
Admission: Free
Caribbean Christmas Fiesta 2019
What: Caribbean Christmas Fiesta features live music and performances, gourmet buffet, door prizes, and dancing all night. Proceeds go to support Stollery Children’s Hospital Foundation.
When: December 21, 2019
Time: 6 to 10 pm
Where: Canadian Druze Ctr – 14304 134 Avenue Northwest Edmonton
Tickets: Online
Holiday Bazaar
What: Shop over 30 vendors at the Holiday Bazaar. The little ones will also enjoy visiting with Marshall from Paw Patrol, Olaf from Frozen, and The Grinch and Max.
Plus special visits from our friends Marshall from paw patrol, Olaf from Frozen and yours truly The Grinch & Max
When: December 21, 2019
Time: 11 am to 5 pm
Where: Our Lady of Fatima Parish Hall – 12311 55 Street Northwest, Edmonton
Admission: Free
Sunday, December 22
Candlelight Christmas with the McDades
What: The McDades have performed Candlelight Christmas at John Walter Museum for over 20 years. Enjoy two 45-minute musical performances in the 19th centurey home on evenings and select afternoons throughout December.
When: Now until December 22, 2019
Time: 7:30 pm (plus 2 pm on December 21 and 22)
Where: John Walter Museum – 9180 Walterdale Hill, Edmonton
Register: Online
The Singing Christmas Tree
Singing Christmas Tree – John Cameron Changing Lives Foundation / Facebook
What: The Singing Christmas Tree is an annual fundraiser in support of John Cameron Changing Lives Foundation. The event features ballerina,s dancing Santas, holiday classics, and a 35-foot singing Christmas tree of 150 choir members.
When: Now until December 22, 2019
Time: 7 pm (Friday, Saturday), 1 pm (Saturday and Sunday)
Where: Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium — 11455 — 87 Avenue, Edmonton
Tickets: Online
The Canadian Tire Magic of Lights
What: The Canadian Tire Magic of Lights is two kilometres of festive and vibrant LED-light displays that you can enjoy as a drive-through experience. At every turn, and in every direction, the magical route is overflowing with spectacular displays and animations, with multiple holiday themes coming to life through hundreds of thousands of sparkling lights.
A portion of proceeds from every vehicle goes to support 630 CHED Santas Anonymous and Canadian Tire Jump Start charities. You can also tune your radio to 88.7 FM to enjoy merry melodies and get in the holiday spirit with Christmas music provided by 96.3 The Breeze.
When: Daily until January 4, 2020
Time: 5 to 10 pm
Where: Castrol Raceway – 50342 Range Rd 253 Edmonton International Airport, Leduc County
Tickets: Online
CHROMA YEG
What: CHROMA YEG is an interactive pop-up taking place this holiday season inside Kingsway Mall, featuring colourfully painted murals designed to brighten up the mall and serve as fun backgrounds for your indoor photoshoots. From now until December 31, stop by the mall to check out each of the four installations. A map of where the murals will be located in the mall can be found here. The murals were created by Hayley Wright from Edmonton, Rhys Douglas Farrell, Tyler Lemermeyer, and Michelle Hoogveld from Calgary.
When: Now until December 31, 2019
Time: Mall Hours
Where: Kingsway Mall – 109 Street and, Princess Elizabeth Avenue NW, Edmonton
Admission: Free
Celebrate the Season at the Alberta Legislature
Alberta legislature building (Jeff Whyte/Shutterstock)
What: Musical ensembles from across Alberta will perform festive music in the Legislature rotunda throughout the holiday season. Over 40 groups will perform in 2019, including singers, fiddlers, and more.
When: Now until December 23, 2019
Time: 6:30 pm daily, plus 12 pm on weekdays
Where: Alberta Legislature Building – 107 St and 97 Ave NW, Edmonton
Admission: Free
Bountiful Farmers’ Market
What: Bountiful Farmers’ Market offers a wide variety of fresh goods, including local vegetables and meat, coffee roasters, and beer and wine. There is also an ethnic food hall, children play area, live entertainment, and more.
When: Every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday
Time: 9 am to 5 pm
Where: 3696 97 Street, Edmonton
Admission: Free
The Best Little Newfoundland Christmas Pageant…Ever!
What: Whizgiggling Productions presents The Best Little Newfoundland Christmas Pageant…Ever!, a holiday show about turning the worst pageant ever into the best one, and discovering the true meaning of Christmas.
When: Now until December 22, 2019
Time: 7:30 pm (2 pm on Sundays)
Where: Backstage Theatre – 10330 84 Ave, Edmonton
Tickets: Online
Yule Ave
What: Theatre Prospero presents Yule Ave, free festive activities for the whole family on December 21 and 22. Enjoy Santa’s Horse Wagon Ride, community dinner, Christmas concert, and more activities throughout the weekend.
When: December 21 and 22, 2019
Time: Various times for various events
Where: 118th Ave around 92nd street at Alberta Avenue Community League, The Nina Haggerty Centre and various locations
Admission: Free
Chanukah Fest 2019
What: Temple Beth Ora hosts Chanukah Fest, with a play performed by Or Shalom kids, food and refreshments, games, cookie decorating, building a giant “canorah” and more.
When: December 22, 2019
Time: 2 to 4:30 pm
Where: Temple Beth Ora – 12313 – 105 Avenue, Edmonton
Admission: Free
Eastwood Skate
What: Strap on the skates and take part in Eastwood Community League & Centre’s Eastwood Skate. There will also be street and shinny hockey with local police officers, and gifts for the children.
When: December 22, 2019
Time: 1 to 5 pm
Where: Eastwood Community League & Centre – 11803 86 Street Northwest, Edmonton
Admission: Free, tickets online
Urban Tavern Comedy Night
What: Urban Tavern Comedy Night is an open mic, and is downtown Edmonton’s longest running comedy show. Hosted by Ryan Short.
When: December 22, 2019
Time: 9 to 10:30 pm
Where: Urban Tavern YEG 11606 Jasper Avenue Edmonton
Admission: Free