go :: City and Dale Guide to December Events
Seasonal Classics
Scrooge, Ghosts & Tiny Tim
A Christmas Carol
What: A brilliant adaptation of Charles Dickens’ classic tale.
Why: An unforgettable holiday tradition.
Where: Citadel Theatre.
When: Nov 30 – Dec 23. Show starts at 7:30pm. Weekend matinees at 1:30pm.
Legislative Light Up
Winter Wonderland
What: The Legislative Grounds are transformed into a winter wonderland with trees sparkling with lights and free skating on the skating rink.
Why: Free hot chocolate is served in the evenings while the choir performs from 6-9pm. You can also take in the choir sounds from noon to 1pm.
Where: Alberta Legislative Grounds (10820 - 98 Avenue)
When: Christmas Light Up takes place on Thursday, Dec 6 at 4pm. You can enjoy the festivities from Dec 6-23.
Holidays of Decades Past
Christmas Reflections
What: Celebrate the holidays of decades past with charming Christmas displays, twinkling lights, horse-drawn wagon rides and cups of hot cider.
Why: Time travel makes Christmas magical.
Where: Fort Edmonton Park - $16 per person. Purchase tickets online.
When: Tickets available on dates between Dec 4 to Dec. 23
A Whyte Christmas
Santa Saturday
What: Hop onboard Santa’s wagon and take a ride while admiring the eight animated window displays along the avenue.
Why: Take a ride, stop for hot chocolate and do some local holiday shopping along Whyte Avenue.
Where: Whyte Avenue. Catch rides from the Old Strathcona Farmers' Market and from the parking lot across from the Keg on 105 Street and 81 Avenue. {Route}
When: Saturday, December 1, 8, and 15. 10am – 3pm
Sugar Plums fairies danced in their heads...
What: A ballet classic (over a hundred years old) that transports the audience to a magical world filled with dancing mice, a nutcracker that comes to life and of course, a beautiful sugarplum fairy. (All set to the beautiful music of Tchaikovsky.)
Why: You'll be dazzled by the costumes and setting, not to mention the dancing!
Where: The Jubilee Auditorium
When: December 14-16 (matinees and evenings)
This Weekend: November 30 - December 2
Deck the Halls
Festival of Trees
What: Beautifully decorate trees, a North Pole Post Office, cooking decorating, and a special Secret Shop for kids only where volunteers will help them complete their holiday shopping (nothing is over $5).
Why: Be inspired with magical sights, hundreds of tress and festival decoration.
Where: Shaw Conference Centre (9797 Jasper Avenue). Admission is $6 for adults, $1 for youth and seniors.
When: Thursday, Nov 29 to Sunday, Dec 2. Daily from 9am-9pm, Sunday from 9am-5pm.
Glitter & Snowflakes
Snowflake Festival
What: Light up the holidays with the city of St. Albert .
Why: The whole downtown core comes alive with cookie decorating, ice sculptures, horse and wagon rides, live reindeers, and snowflakes everywhere!
Where: St. Albert Place, Perron Street and Community Hall.
When: Friday, November 30 from 6:30pm-9:30pm
Holiday Season Spirits
Christmas Open House Extravaganza
What: A Christmas extravaganza of wines, appetizers and musical entertainment.
Why: Finish your shopping with gift baskets brimming with fine wines, scotch, beer and specialty spirits.
Where: Crestwood Fine Wines & Spirits (9658 142 Street)
When: Saturday, December 1 from 2pm-5:30pm
Whisky Warm Up
Annual Fall Scotch Tasting
What: Enjoy a wide variety of single malts from around the world.
Why: Steer the cold away and warm the cockles of your heart.
Where: DeVines Wines & Spirits (10111 - 104 Street). Tickets $50.
When: Saturday, December 1 at 7pm
The Artsy Type
Royal Bison Craft & Art Fair
What: Over 70 of Edmonton’s most gifted artists, crafters and creative talent sell their wares.
Why: A locals-only focus and a careful vendor selection that gravitates towards what hasn’t been given a shot elsewhere.
Where: 8426 Gateway Blvd. $2 entrance fee.
When: Saturday, Dec 1 from 10am-5pm to Sunday, Dec 2 12pm-5pm.
Jazzy Holiday Tunes
The Duke's Nutcracker Suite
What: Jazzy reincarnations of Duke Ellington's portrayal of Tchaikovsky's "The Nutcracker Suite including "Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy" and "Toot Toot Tootie Toot".
Why: The entire suite is filled with holiday joy.
Where: The Yardbird Suite (11 Tommy Banks Way). Tickets.
When: Friday, Nov 30 and Saturday, Dec 1 at 9pm
Santa on Parade
Annual Jingle On Parade
What: A warm and colourful parade featuring festive floats, marching bands, mascots dancers and, of course, Santa in his sleigh.
Why: Who doesn’t love a parade? Especially one inside on a chilly snowy weekend!
Where: Edmonton’s downtown pedways starting at Commerce Place, to Manulife Place and through City Centre Mall from The Bay (West side) to SportChek (east side). All on the second/ pedway level.
When: Sunday, December 2nd, 2012. 10am - 12pm
Holiday Shop
4th Street Promenade Customer Appreciation Day
What: Festive joy with special offers and holiday activities to say Thank You!
Why: Smashing sales on food, couture clothing, baking, spirits, coffee and gift certificates.
Where: 4th Street Promenade (104 Street between 100 Avenue & 104 Avenue)
When: Tuesday, December 4 – All Day
More fun filled events to come...