We confirmed 12 Christmas events for kids in Edmonton for 2026. The season starts on November 21 with Celebration of Lights and runs until January 3 (Classic Christmas at the Muttart). 5 of them are free. Every listing links straight to the host. This page is part of our guide to Christmas events for kids in Canada.
The short version
- 12 kids’ Christmas events confirmed for 2026 in Edmonton, Sherwood Park, St. Albert and Strathcona County
- First: Celebration of Lights, Sherwood Park, November 21
- Free events: Celebration of Lights, Snowflake Festival, Light Up the Legislature and Celebrate the Season, Christmas in the Country and New Year's Festival
Below is every event we could confirm, grouped by town, with the date, time, cost and the small things parents ask about (sign-ups, ages, what is included).
Edmonton Christmas events for kids at a glance
- Kids’ Christmas events
- 12 confirmed for 2026
- Cities and towns
- Edmonton, Sherwood Park, St. Albert and Strathcona County
- Season
- November 21 to January 3
- Free events
- 5
- Last checked
Christmas events for kids in Edmonton
4 confirmed events in Edmonton, soonest first.
Classic Christmas at the Muttart
Christmas lightsMuttart Conservatory (City of Edmonton) · Edmonton
- Host
- Muttart Conservatory (City of Edmonton) (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Muttart Conservatory, 9626 96A Street NW, Edmonton T6C 4L8
- When
- Daily, Nov 21 to Jan 3 (closed Dec 25)
- Cost
- General admission: $7.75 child (2 to 12), $14.95 adult, under 2 free
- Ages
- All ages
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
From November 21, 2026 to January 3, 2027, the Muttart Conservatory's feature pyramid hosts Classic Christmas, a holiday display the City describes as capturing the nostalgia and warmth of a traditional Yuletide season. Expect decorated trees, lights and poinsettias, along with a wooden train, and a Santa's chair set up for festive family photos.
The show is included with general admission, which the conservatory lists at $7.75 for children 2 to 12 and $14.95 for adults, with children under 2 free. Tickets can be bought at the door or online, and the conservatory is open every day except Christmas Day. It is a warm, indoor holiday outing that works well on a cold Edmonton day, and the other pyramids are open to explore too.
Parent tip: Bring a camera for the Santa's chair photo spot; the conservatory is closed on December 25.
See dates and details from Muttart Conservatory (City of Edmonton) (opens in a new tab)Festival of Trees Santa's Breakfast
Breakfast with SantaUniversity Hospital Foundation · Edmonton
- Host
- University Hospital Foundation (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Edmonton Convention Centre, 9797 Jasper Avenue NW, Edmonton T5J 1N9
- When
- Sun, Nov 29, 9 am to noon
- Cost
- Ticketed, see host page for prices
- Ages
- Whole family
- Sign-up
- Required ahead of time
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
The University Hospital Foundation's Festival of Trees returns in 2026 with three signature events, and Santa's Breakfast is the one the foundation recommends for the whole family. It runs on Sunday, November 29, from 9 a.m. to noon at the Edmonton Convention Centre, and the festival's famously decorated Christmas trees are on display during the breakfast.
Tickets are sold through the foundation's online ticketing page, and proceeds support health-care advancement in Alberta, including research and patient care for the brain and heart. The other two Festival of Trees events, the Gala and the Silver Bell Soiree, are adult evenings, so Santa's Breakfast is the option to choose with children. Check the event details link for current ticket prices and availability before you go.
Parent tip: Buy tickets in advance through the foundation's event details link; it is the only family-oriented event in the series.
See dates and details from University Hospital Foundation (opens in a new tab)Light Up the Legislature and Celebrate the Season
Tree lightingFreeLegislative Assembly of Alberta · Edmonton
- Host
- Legislative Assembly of Alberta (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Alberta Legislature Grounds, 10800 97 Avenue NW, Edmonton T5K 2B6
- When
- Light Up Tue, Dec 1, 6 to 8 pm; performances Dec 4 to 19
- Cost
- Free
- Ages
- All ages
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
Every December the Legislative Assembly of Alberta celebrates the season by lighting up the Legislature Grounds and hosting free festive musical performances in the Legislature rotunda and on the grounds. For 2026, the Assembly lists Light Up the Legislature on December 1 from 6 to 8 p.m., and the Celebrate the Season performance series from December 4 to 19.
The Light Up evening is the moment the grounds and their holiday lights are switched on, which makes it a natural family outing to start the season. The Assembly says the 2026 performance schedule will be posted soon, so check the page closer to the date for the exact performers and times. The grounds sit just south of downtown Edmonton, near Grandin LRT station.
Parent tip: The 2026 performance schedule had not been posted yet; check the page before you go for exact times.
See dates and details from Legislative Assembly of Alberta (opens in a new tab)Family Films at the Library: Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas
Christmas showEdmonton Public Library · Edmonton
- Host
- Edmonton Public Library (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Edmonton Public Library, Londonderry branch, Londonderry Mall, Suite 166, 137 Avenue and 66 Street NW, Edmonton T5C 3C8
- When
- Sat, Dec 12, 2 to 4 pm
- Cost
- No fee listed
- Ages
- Families
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
Edmonton Public Library runs Family Films at the Library through the season, and on Saturday, December 12 the Londonderry branch is showing the live-action How the Grinch Stole Christmas in its program room. The library describes the story of the reclusive Grinch who sets out to ruin Christmas for the cheerful citizens of Whoville. The film is rated PG and runs 95 minutes.
The branch is inside Londonderry Mall in northeast Edmonton, which makes it easy to pair with holiday errands. The calendar lists the audience as families and does not show registration. Because the film is PG, parents of very young children may want to consider whether it suits them. Other EPL branches are showing different holiday family films on other December weekends.
Parent tip: The film is rated PG and runs about 95 minutes; the branch is inside Londonderry Mall.
See dates and details from Edmonton Public Library (opens in a new tab)Christmas events for kids in Sherwood Park
4 confirmed events in Sherwood Park, soonest first.
Celebration of Lights (Sherwood Park)
Visit with SantaFreeStrathcona County · Sherwood Park
- Host
- Strathcona County (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Festival Place, 100 Festival Way, Sherwood Park T8A 4X3 (near Edmonton)
- When
- Sat, Nov 21, 3 to 5 pm
- Cost
- Free
- Ages
- Family-friendly
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
Strathcona County's annual Celebration of Lights is a free, family-friendly afternoon at Festival Place in Sherwood Park. The county lists an LED tree show, holiday music, activities and games, plus special appearances from Santa, Mrs. Claus and the Grinch. Wagon rides with Santa and Mrs. Claus and a Letters to Santa station are part of the activity list, and families are invited to wear a holiday sweater or elf hat.
Most of the activities happen outdoors, so plan for the weather and dress the kids in layers. Festival Way closes from 2 to 6 p.m. and there is no parking on Festival Lane or at Festival Place that day. The county points visitors to nearby lots instead, including the Sherwood Park Arena and Sports Centre and the Community Centre and Centre in the Park parkades, where the first two hours are free.
Parent tip: Park at the Sherwood Park Arena and Sports Centre or the Community Centre parkade, since Festival Place parking is closed for the event.
See dates and details from Strathcona County (opens in a new tab)Christmas Around the World (Sherwood Park)
Family Christmas eventStrathcona County Library · Sherwood Park
- Host
- Strathcona County Library (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Strathcona County Library (Readmore Hall), 401 Festival Lane, Sherwood Park T8A 5P7 (near Edmonton)
- When
- Thu, Dec 10, 4 to 5 pm
- Cost
- No fee listed, registration required
- Ages
- Kindergarten to grade 6, parents welcome
- Sign-up
- Required ahead of time
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
Strathcona County Library's Christmas Around the World is an after-school program for children from kindergarten to grade 6, and parents are welcome to come along. The library says kids will discover how Christmas is celebrated in places like Greece, Mexico, Italy and Venezuela, and may find a new tradition to bring home and share with the family.
The hour-long session takes place in Readmore Hall at the library on Festival Lane in Sherwood Park. Space is limited and the library asks families to register each adult and each child who plans to attend, so book ahead through the library's online calendar. It is a nice fit for curious grade schoolers who enjoy learning about other cultures during the holidays. Children should be in kindergarten or older to attend.
Parent tip: Register every adult and child who will attend; spaces are limited.
See dates and details from Strathcona County Library (opens in a new tab)New Year's Festival (Sherwood Park)
Christmas showFreeStrathcona County · Sherwood Park
- Host
- Strathcona County (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Festival Place and Broadmoor Lake Park, 100 Festival Way, Sherwood Park T8A 4X3 (near Edmonton)
- When
- Thu, Dec 31, 6 to 8 pm, fireworks at 8
- Cost
- Free
- Ages
- Family-friendly
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
Strathcona County's New Year's Festival is a free, family-friendly way to ring in the new year without staying up until midnight. From 6 to 7:50 p.m. there are activities across Festival Place, the Sherwood Park Arena and Sports Centre and Broadmoor Lake Park, including a LEGO display, aerial artist shows, recreational skating, a skating club performance, s'mores and hot chocolate stations, snowshoeing, holiday games, ice sculptures and fire dancer shows.
The night wraps up with a fireworks show over Broadmoor Lake Park at 8 p.m. If you watch from your car, the county says you can tune to 107.5 FM for the synchronized music. Donations for the Strathcona Food Bank are collected at the festival. Festival Way is closed to through traffic from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Parent tip: Glow sticks are handed out at Festival Place and the arena, and a Lost Child Station is set up at the arena.
See dates and details from Strathcona County (opens in a new tab)Noon Year's Eve Party (Sherwood Park)
Christmas craftsStrathcona County Library · Sherwood Park
- Host
- Strathcona County Library (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Strathcona County Library (Readmore Hall), 401 Festival Lane, Sherwood Park T8A 5P7 (near Edmonton)
- When
- Thu, Dec 31, 11:30 am to noon
- Cost
- No fee listed, registration required
- Ages
- Children of all ages with their adults
- Sign-up
- Required ahead of time
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
Strathcona County Library invites children of all ages and their grown-ups to ring in the new year a little early at its Noon Year's Eve Party. The library lists crafts, activities and a special countdown at noon, which lets young children enjoy the excitement of New Year's Eve without staying up late.
The party takes place in Readmore Hall at the library in Sherwood Park and lasts about half an hour, ending with the countdown at 12 o'clock. The calendar lists toddlers, preschoolers, school-age kids and families as the audience. Registration is required, and the library asks you to register each adult and child attending, so sign up in advance through the online calendar. It is a cheerful way to end the winter break for preschoolers who will be asleep by midnight.
Parent tip: Register each adult and child ahead of time; the countdown happens right at noon, so arrive on time.
See dates and details from Strathcona County Library (opens in a new tab)Christmas events for kids in St. Albert
3 confirmed events in St. Albert, soonest first.
Snowflake Festival (St. Albert)
Visit with SantaFreeCity of St. Albert · St. Albert
- Host
- City of St. Albert (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Downtown St. Albert (Perron District and St. Albert Place), 5 St. Anne Street, St. Albert T8N 3Z9 (near Edmonton)
- When
- Fri, Nov 27, 5:30 to 9 pm
- Cost
- Free
- Ages
- All ages
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
The Snowflake Festival fills Perron Street, St. Thomas Street, St. Albert Place and, new this year, Red Willow Place with holiday activities as the city switches on its downtown Christmas lights. The city lists sleigh rides, a Santa appearance, a petting zoo, street hockey, craft areas and surprise visits from costumed characters, plus a Christmas market at Red Willow Place. Food trucks and downtown restaurants are on hand for a warm meal.
The St. Albert Public Library's Downtown branch inside St. Albert Place stays open until 9 p.m. that night and promotes free activities and photos with Santa, which gives families an indoor spot to warm up. The event is free to attend. It runs into the evening, so younger children may want to arrive close to the 5:30 p.m. start.
Parent tip: The Downtown Library at St. Albert Place stays open until 9 p.m. for the festival and is a good indoor break from the cold.
See dates and details from City of St. Albert (opens in a new tab)Holiday Bedtime Storytime @ Venvi River Ridge Retirement Living (St. Albert)
Christmas story timeSt. Albert Public Library · St. Albert
- Host
- St. Albert Public Library (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Venvi River Ridge Retirement Living, 78c McKenney Avenue, St. Albert T8N 7M3 (near Edmonton)
- When
- Fri, Dec 11, 6:30 to 7 pm
- Cost
- No fee listed, registration required
- Ages
- Geared to ages 3 to 7, all ages welcome
- Sign-up
- Required ahead of time
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
St. Albert Public Library brings a holiday bedtime storytime to Venvi River Ridge Retirement Living, where children share the program with the residents. Kids are encouraged to bring a favourite stuffed animal, cuddle up and listen to bedtime stories, then sing some songs together. The library notes that storytime is geared to ages 3 to 7, though all ages are welcome.
Storytime starts at 6:30 p.m., and families are invited to come a few minutes early to play with some of the library's toys before it begins. Registration is required through the library's event page, so sign up ahead of time. The program lasts about half an hour, which suits a pre-bedtime outing for younger children. The venue is a retirement residence in St. Albert, not a library branch, so check the address before you leave.
Parent tip: Bring a stuffed animal for your child to cuddle, and arrive a few minutes early to play with the library's toys.
See dates and details from St. Albert Public Library (opens in a new tab)Christmas Family Drop-In Storytime (St. Albert)
Christmas story timeSt. Albert Public Library · St. Albert
- Host
- St. Albert Public Library (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- St. Albert Public Library, Downtown Library (Forsyth Hall), 5 St. Anne Street, St. Albert T8N 3Z9 (near Edmonton)
- When
- Wed, Dec 23, 11 to 11:30 am
- Cost
- No fee listed, drop-in
- Ages
- For all ages
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
St. Albert Public Library hosts a Christmas Family Drop-In Storytime in Forsyth Hall at the Downtown Library, inside St. Albert Place. The library describes it as a time for special stories to put everyone in the Christmas spirit, and it is open to all ages, so siblings of different ages can come together.
The program runs for half an hour on the morning of December 23, which makes it an easy outing during the busy days just before Christmas. It is a drop-in program, so there is nothing to book ahead. The library is closed on December 24 and 25, so this is one of the last library family programs before the holiday. Forsyth Hall is inside the Downtown Library at St. Albert Place, right in the centre of town.
Parent tip: No registration needed; the library is closed December 24 and 25, so this is a good last-minute holiday outing.
See dates and details from St. Albert Public Library (opens in a new tab)Christmas events for kids in Strathcona County
1 confirmed event in Strathcona County, soonest first.
Christmas in the Country (Strathcona County)
Visit with SantaFreeStrathcona County · Strathcona County
- Host
- Strathcona County (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Fire Station #2 (evening event) and stops across south rural Strathcona County, 22142 South Cooking Lake Road, Strathcona County (near Edmonton)
- When
- Sat, Dec 5, 10 am to 4 pm, evening event 4 to 6 pm
- Cost
- Evening event has free hot chocolate; bus tour $10 per adult, 12 and under free
- Ages
- Whole family
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
Christmas in the Country brings country markets and family activities to several locations in south rural Strathcona County, just east of Edmonton. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. the county lists Santa visits, sleigh rides, fun activities and festive food. From 4 to 6 p.m. the celebration moves to Fire Station #2 on South Cooking Lake Road for free hot chocolate, more Santa visits, cookie decorating and a fireworks display.
If you would rather not drive between stops, the county runs a bus tour from the Bethel Transit Terminal at 650 Bethel Drive in Sherwood Park, leaving at 9:45 a.m. and returning at 4 p.m. It costs $10 per adult, and children 12 and under ride free. The bus tour does not include the evening event, and tickets went on sale October 26.
Parent tip: The bus tour from Bethel Transit Terminal is free for kids 12 and under, but it does not include the evening fireworks event.
See dates and details from Strathcona County (opens in a new tab)A story for the trip home
Our picture book follows Rally the corgi on his first train ride to see his grand-paw-rents, and every page is hand-painted in watercolour. It is a cozy five-minute read after a big day out.
A bedtime story after seeing SantaRally Takes the Train is a five-minute rhyming picture book about a corgi’s first train ride, hand-painted in real watercolour. Ages 0 to 8.
Buy on Amazon.ca (opens in a new tab)Edmonton Christmas events for kids: questions parents ask
What Christmas events for kids are in Edmonton in 2026?
We confirmed 12 Christmas events for kids in Edmonton for 2026, each on its host’s own page, including Celebration of Lights (Sherwood Park), Classic Christmas at the Muttart, Snowflake Festival (St. Albert), Festival of Trees Santa's Breakfast, Light Up the Legislature and Celebrate the Season, Christmas in the Country (Strathcona County), Christmas Around the World (Sherwood Park), Holiday Bedtime Storytime @ Venvi River Ridge Retirement Living (St. Albert), Family Films at the Library: Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Christmas Family Drop-In Storytime (St. Albert), New Year's Festival (Sherwood Park) and Noon Year's Eve Party (Sherwood Park). Each one is listed above with times, cost and a link to the host.
Are there free Christmas events for kids in Edmonton?
Yes. 5 of the 12 events here are free, including Celebration of Lights (Sherwood Park), Snowflake Festival (St. Albert), Light Up the Legislature and Celebrate the Season, Christmas in the Country (Strathcona County) and New Year's Festival (Sherwood Park). Some free events still ask you to register, so check each listing.
Where can kids see Santa in Edmonton this year?
Santa appears at Celebration of Lights (Sherwood Park), Snowflake Festival (St. Albert), Festival of Trees Santa's Breakfast and Christmas in the Country (Strathcona County). Times and booking rules are in each listing above.
Where are there Christmas story times for kids in Edmonton?
Christmas story times on this page: Holiday Bedtime Storytime @ Venvi River Ridge Retirement Living (St. Albert) and Christmas Family Drop-In Storytime (St. Albert). Library story times are usually free; ones with a meal or show are ticketed.
How do you confirm these events?
We list an event only after we find this season’s date on the host’s own website or an official city, library or tourism calendar. We last checked every listing on November 2, 2026. Hosts change details, so always confirm on the host’s page before you go.
Event names belong to their hosts. Rally Takes the Train is a family picture book and is not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by any host listed here. Confirm dates, times and prices on each host’s own site before you go.
