28 FREE things to do in Edmonton this February

Jan 30 2020, 11:46 pm

February fun without breaking the bank! Here are 28 things to do in Edmonton this month, including Family Day, Edmonton Story Slam, and more.

For more things happening around town, check out our events section.

Explore the city and the great outdoors

Calgary Pioneers vs Edmonton Rage – Battle for Alberta

What: The inaugural Battle for Alberta is a friendly competition with the Edmonton LGBT+ hockey team Edmonton Rage versus The Calgary Pioneers and Calgary Villagers!

When: February 1, 2020
Time: 9:15 to 10:30 pm
Where: West Edmonton Mall — 1755, 8882 170 Street, Edmonton
Admission: Free

Jasper in January 2020 Winter Festival

What: The 31st Jasper in January is full of art, music, dance, food, and winter activities. There are over 40 different things to do, with some free events and some ticketed events to enjoy. A few of the highlights are a brewery tour, ice climbing lessons, dark sky snowshoe tours, sleigh rides, and a pond hockey tournament.

When: Now until February 2, 2020
Time: Times vary by event
Where: Jasper, Alberta
Tickets: Varies by event, some are free to attend

Birkie Hot Chocolate Sundays

What: Head out on a cross-country ski adventure on the track-set trails in Birkieland and enjoy a warm fire and complimentary hot chocolate. Provided by the Friends of the Blackfoot and the Canadian Birkebeiner Society in advance of the Canadian Birkie Ski Festival.

When: February 2, 2020
Time: 11 am to 4 pm
Where: Cooking Lake — Blackfoot Provincial Recreation Area, Waskahegan Staging Area, Edmonton
Price: Free

Live Active Day in Rundle Park

november 26

Outdoor skating/Shutterstock

What: Head to Rundle Park for a celebration of active living, recreation and sport in Edmonton. The city’s Live Active partners will host an afternoon of activities including skating, tobogganing, snowshoeing, and more. There will be free skate rentals, plus food trucks on location.

When: February 2, 2020
Time: 12 to 2 pm
Where: Rundle Park – 2909 113 Ave NW, Edmonton
Admission: Free

Cricut 101: Valentine’s Day Cards

What: Edmonton Public Library hosts a Valentine’s craft evening for adults. Design and create a valentine’s card using cardstock, paper, and the Cricut cutting machine.

When: February 5, 2020
Time: 6:30 to 8:30 pm
Where: Edmonton Public Library – Whitemud Crossing – 145 Whitemud Crossing Shopping Centre, 4211 – 106 Street, Edmonton
Register: Online, Free

Window Wanderland

What: Residents of Westmount turn their neighbourhood windows into an outdoor gallery. Stroll around and see the artistic displays in windows of homes, shops, offices, schools, and more.

When: February 7 and 8, 2020
Time: 6:30 to 9 pm
Where: Westmount Neighbourhood, Edmonton
Admission: Free

Silver Skate Festival

What: The 30th annual Silver Skate Festival features a variety of winter activities for the whole family. Enjoy winter sports, snow sculptures, horse-drawn sleighs, live performances, competitions, and more.

When: February 7 to 17, 2020
Time: Various times
Where: Hawrelak Park, Edmonton
Price: Various, including free

The Sweatlife Series – Recover

What: lululemon Southgate hosts The Sweatlife Series, a different workshop, discussion or class each Sunday. On February 9, learn about self-massage with Dustin Ring of The Wellness Lab YEG.

When: February 9, 2020
Time: 9:30 to 11 am
Where: lululemon Southgate — 5015 111 St NW Unit 412, Edmonton
Register: Online, Free

International Festival of Winter Cinema

What: Bundle up and enjoy free outdoor movies projected onto a giant block of snow during Edmonton’s International Festival of Winter Cinema at Hawrelak Park. The films shown at the snow theatre reflect polar and alpine themes, or can surface an Indigenous viewpoint or explore stories about climate change. The festival will also screen local movies made in Edmonton. There are benches so viewers can watch, and there’s also a little fire to provide some much-needed warmth.

Throughout the film festival there are events such as screenplay feedback sessions, screenplay readings, and a 24-hour filmmaking competition.

When: February 13 Until February 16, 2020
Time: Various times. More info online
Where: Just behind the fire sculpture in Hawrelak Park — 9330 Groat Road, Edmonton
Admission: Free

Edmonton Outdoor Skating and Ice Rinks

santa

Holiday ice skating/Shutterstock

What: Edmonton has a variety of outdoor skating and ice rinks to enjoy during the season. City-operated ice surfaces are monitored and maintained daily and will be closed if conditions are unsafe. Make sure to bring your skates and helmet, and check the rink status and conditions before heading out.

When: Open daily until the end of the season based on weather and ice conditions
Time: Various times
Where: Various locations
Admission: Free

The Romance Travel Show

What: The 10th annual Romance Travel Show is Canada’s only national destination wedding and honeymoon expo. Meet international bridal and travel suppliers, check out presentations, enter for prizes, and more.

When: February 12, 2020
Time: 5 to 9 pm
Where: Holiday Inn Conference South — 4485 Gateway Boulevard, Edmonton
Tickets: Online, Free

Front Yards In Bloom: Winterscapes

What: Edmontonians are encouraged to brighten their neighbourhood by making a winter wonderland in their front yard, community hall, office/business building, or school. Use lights, plants, snow, and ice in a winterscape-building party then a 2020 Winterscapes Photo Contest.

When: Now until February 17, 2020
Time: Various times
Where: Various locations
Price: Free

Fire and Ice Festival

What: St. Albert Firefighters Local 2130 present the Fire and Ice Festival at Lacombe Lake Park. The Family Day event includes hockey, fire dancers, campfires, and firefighter obstacle course. There will also be hotdogs donated by Save On foods, and coffee and hot chocolate donated by Tim Hortons. Park and ride from St. Albert Centre is provided free by St Albert Transit.

When: February 17, 2020
Time: 12 to 4 pm
Where: Lacombe Lake Park — 151 McKenney Avenue, St. Albert
Admission: Free. Donations will be collected to support the fight against Muscular Dystrophy.

Family Day at Alberta Legislature

Edmonton Skyline (Jeff Whyte / Shutterstock)

What: Alberta Legislature hosts a Family Day celebration with an open house full of performances and activities. Enjoy a show by CBC Kids’ Will’s Jams, then make some crafts and play some games. There will also be special screenings of Edmonton International Film Festival Family Shorts and storytime with Rocky the Ram. A number of food vendors will also be on-site.

When: February 17, 2020
Time: 11 am to 4 pm
Where: Alberta Legislature Building — 107 Street and 97 Avenue NW, Edmonton
Admission: Free

Edmonton Story Slam

What: Edmonton Story Slam is an uncensored, competitive storytelling event. Up to 10 storytellers will take the stage to tell fiction or non-fiction tales, with five random audience members acting as judges. The winner will receive money from a hat passed around after the show.

When: February 19, 2020; March 18, 2020 (Slam Off) ​April 15, 2020
Time: Sign-up 7 pm, show 7:30 pm
Where: 9910-109 Street, Edmonton
Admission: Free, donations collected for the winner after the show

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: February 22 and 23, 2020
Time: 10 am to 8 pm (Saturday), 10 am to 4 pm (Sunday)
Where: Acacia Hall — 10433 83 Avenue Northwest, Edmonton
Admission: Free

No Place by Emmanuel Osahor

What: An exhibition by Emmanuel Osahor at McMullen Gallery made up of recent paintings of real and imagined landscapes in Edmonton, a living wall of tropical plants, as well as a soundscape of the Edmonton River Valley.

When: Now until February 25, 2020
Time: 11 am to 7 pm (Monday to Friday), 11 am to 5 pm (Saturday and Sunday). Evening and weekend hours are subject to volunteer availability.
Where: McMullen Gallery — 8440 112 Street NW, Edmonton, Alberta
Admission: Free

Because We Are Girls

Because We Are Girls

What: Because We Are Girls tells the story of a conservative Indo-Canadian family in small-town British Columbia who must come to terms with a devastating secret: three sisters were sexually abused by an older relative beginning when they were children. After remaining silent for nearly 25 years, the sisters decide to come forward, not only to protect other young relatives but to also set an example for their daughters.

Filmmakers in attendance include director Baljit Sangra, Jeeti Pooni, Kira Pooni and Salakshana Pooni. Presented by Metro Cinema with the National Film Board, Edmonton Movie Club, and the Sexual Violence Advocacy + Accountability Network.

When: February 27, 2020
Time: 7:30 pm
Where: Metro Cinema — 8712 109 Street, Edmonton
Admission: Free

John & Maggie Mitchell Art Gallery: Grasping at the Roots

What: Grasping at the Roots showcases work by Debbie Ebanks Schlums, Serena Lee, Eugenio Salas, Shawn Tse along with recent video by Scott Portingale. Curated by Christine Battle.

When: Tuesday to Saturday until March 28, 2020
Time: 12 to 5 pm,
Where: John & Maggie Mitchell Art Gallery – Room 11-121
Allard Hall – 11104 104 Ave NW, Edmonton
Admission: Free

Traditional Arts & Crafts with the Canadian Native Friendship Centre

What: Learn a a variety of traditional crafts from Tanya Rushton from Driftpile First Nations. Attendees can try leatherwork, make dream catchers, and bead leather lanyards. Suitable for ages 7 and up.

When: Every Tuesday until April 28, 2020
Time: 5:30 to 7:30 pm
Where: Edmonton Public Library – Strathcona Branch — 8331 104 Street, Edmonton
Admission: Free

Wide Open Mic Wednesdays

What: A weekly open mic series at Grindstone Bistro, hosted by David Dempsy and showrunners Will Hannigan and Natasha Lyn Myles.

When: Every Wednesday
Times: 10 pm to midnight
Where: The Grindstone — 10019 – 81 Avenue NW, Edmonton
Admission: Free

Open Mic at Anvil

festivals

Comedy mic (Fer Gregory / Shutterstock)

What: Anvil Coffee House hosts an open mic night every Friday. Poets, musicians, comedians, and more are all welcome to perform.

When: Every Friday
Time: 7 to 9 pm
Where: Anvil Coffee House — 6148-90 Avenue, Edmonton
Admission: Free

Schmoozy Boozy Singy Thingy Sing-Along

What: The Schmoozy Boozy Singy Thingy is a weekly musical theatre open mic hosted and produced by Twin Flames Theatrical Productions at Grindstone Theatre. Attendees are welcome to bring sheet music, and accompanist Simon will sight read and accompany on piano.

When: Every Sunday
Time: Doors 8:30 pm, signup 9 pm, show 9:30 pm
Where: Grindstone Theatre — 10019 81 Avenue NW, Edmonton
Admission: Free

Eat fresh at farmers’ markets

Edmonton Downtown Farmers Market

Farmers Market / Shutterstock

What: The longest-running farmers market in Edmonton. Shop over 60 vendors at Edmonton Downtown Farmers Market indoor location, including fruit and vegetables, crafts, and more. There will also be entertainment and live music for the whole family to enjoy.

When: Every Saturday
Time: 9 am to 3 pm
Where: Edmonton Downtown Farmers Market — 10305 97 Street NW, Edmonton
Admission: Free

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 Ave), Edmonton
Admission: Free

Sherwood Park Farmer’s Market – Fall/Winter Season

What: Sherwood Park Farmer’s Market fall/winter season is held inside of Strathcona County Community Centre. Shop for fresh local produce, baking, meats, crafts from local artisans, and more while enjoying live music from buskers.

When: Every Wednesday until May 2020
Time: 4 to 8 pm
Where: Strathcona County Community Centre — 401 Festival Lane, Sherwood Park
Admission: Free

Salisbury Farmers’ Market

farmers’ markets

Maram/Shutterstock

What: Shop for local fresh foods and arts and crafts every Thursday at Salisbury Farmers’ Market. Every week there is a new Feature Vendor. The first 20 customers to make a minimum $5 purchase at the Feature Vendor of the week will each receive $5 in Salisbury Market Bucks towards their next vendor purchase at the market that Thursday.

When: Every Thursday year-round
Time: 4 to 7:30 pm
Where: Salisbury Greenhouse — 52337 Range Road 232, one mile South of Wye Road, Sherwood Park
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, a children’s play area, live entertainment, and more!

When: Every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday year-round
Time: 9 am to 5 pm
Where: 3696 97 Street, Edmonton
Admission: Free

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