The cold weather is here and we hope you’re bundling up with hot cocoa and holiday activities. It sure feels like the holidays are in full swing in our neighbourhood! Between the holiday decorating, and early-christmas-shopping, we’ve got you covered for the best places to see Santa in Edmonton, the best Christmas events and the best things to do - all season long.

Here are the best Family-Friendly Things to do in Edmonton this Weekend

Friday

Disney on Ice Hits the Arena This Weekend
Disney on Ice: Magic in the Stars arrives in Edmonton this weekend. Join Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Daisy and Goofy as they journey through the timeless stories of Cinderella, Aladdin, and Toy Story, and today's favorites including Encanto, Frozen 2, and Moana. Create enchanted memories with the Disney Princesses and celebrate Raya's on-ice debut at Disney On Ice!

Saturday

Join a Family-friendly Zumba Party
Celebrate the 10 year anniversary of the Meadows and Clareview Recreation Centre with the City of Edmonton and a Free, family-friendly Zumba class! Participants must be 8+ to attend, but you can find a fun, interactive Zumba party that’s beginner friendly - and a chance to warm up, and try something new with Edmonton Recreation Centres.

Learn Orienteering at City of Edmonton Play Rangers Drop-In
Play Rangers program leaders are excited to share an adventure with you that will include fun activities, all taking place during the fall season. Play Rangers focuses on children and family participation, with planned special outdoor recreational activities that can be enjoyed by all. Children (ages 6-12) are welcome to attend on their own.

Catch a Kid-friendly Improv at Rapid Fire Theatre
This Saturday afternoon show is for you! Rapid Fire Theatre’s hilarious performers create this entire show right off the top of their heads, but in order to pull it off, we’re going to need help from all the kids in the audience. In this show kids are invited to shout out and participate – it’ll never be the same show twice!

Meet a Burrowing Owl Up Close!
She's back!! This weekend you can meet Nina the Burrowing Owl, but donations to the observatory will be accepted! No registration required. Join us between 11 AM and 2 PM to meet a live bird of prey in the shop. This up close and personal experience is being offered in partnership the Beaverhill Bird Observatory. This is a cool animal meet and greet opportunity, for a cause!

Check out City of Edmonton Family Adventure Club North
Family Adventure Club North showcases the City of Edmonton’s new Northeast River Valley Park (903 153 Ave NE) through various outdoor and nature based learning activities. Leaders are excited to share an adventure with you in Edmonton's new North East River Valley Park, during a monthly drop-in play session.

Check out a FREE Kids Coding Class
Families, come create holiday cheer with the Peanuts gang. Enjoy clips from the beloved A Charlie Brown Christmas special and the Apple Original series The Snoopy Show. Then share your favourite traditions and draw your own festive scene using Pages on iPad with Apple Pencil Pro. Devices provided.

Need a new puzzle? St. Albert Library is hosting a puzzle and game swap!

Kick off the holiday season with these Christmas events popping up on Saturday

Celebrate Winter Downtown with Winterval
Chill in the heart of Festival City at Downtown Winterval! Edmonton’s newest winter festival is back for a second year and it’s giving Christmas nostalgia. The fun kicks off at 3pm, 104 St, north of Jasper Ave with free activities for the whole family through the afternoon and evening!

Catch Santa at the Elan Winter Festival
Pull down the winter basket from the top of your closet and dig out your favourite gloves and scarf. Get your letters to Santa penned and join us for a celebration of the season that brings us the sounds of crunchy new fallen snow, the scents of balsam and fir, and the sparkle of lights and holiday décor.

Make a Free Beaded Ornament at Mastermind Toys
Visit your local Mastermind Toys store for a free beaded ornament make and take. This is a great way to pack the weekend with crafts, and make it easier than ever. Stop by your local store, no registration required.

Santa Arrives at Mill Woods Town Centre
Santa’s arriving today at Mill Woods Town Centre. Join the fun in celebrating Santa’s arrival on the Holiday Express, then hop on the train yourself. Santa’s Express starts at 11:30am and goes until 3:30pm. There’ll also be live performances from local community groups after Santa arrives to keep the party going!

Explore a Festive Holiday Celebration at a Historical School
Friends of Historic McKay Avenue and 1881 Schoolhouse are hosting an afternoon of family fun. You can head down to the history landmark for storytelling, music, treats and hot chocolate. Come for an afternoon of family fun between 2-5pm, at McKay Avenue School, 10425 99 Ave.

Santa Arrives at Londonderry Mall
Get ready for the holiday season by grabbing your favourite PJs and joining us at Londonderry Mall! On November 22, we will be welcoming Santa Claus and you can get your family photo taken with him.  You’ll have to register in advance for this event to secure your spot. There are free activities in the Grinch’s Corner at the mall when you visit with Santa. You can visit the Grinch’s Corner for free.

Sunday

Landmark Cinemas Kids Day Out!
Every Sunday, it’s Kids Day out at Landmark Cinemas. Get your hands on an all inclusive ticket price for kids that includes their admission to the latest movies to hit the big screen, and a snack pack with popcorn, a drink and sweet treat. It’s only $13 to bring the kids to the movies on Sundays with this deal - and you can even get discounted adult admission passes when you catch a morning screening.

Teddy Bear Toss Day at Edmonton Oil Kings
It’s the most wonderful hockey-day of the year! This Sunday, join the Edmonton Oil Kings for the Teddy bear Toss! Bring a Teddy Bear to this iconic game, and toss it on the ice for charity when the game finishes. Not to mention there’s incredible kid-friendly food, fun and entertainment at Sunday’s editions of games in Edmonton! This is such an affordable day out with the whole family!

Have Breakfast with Santa at Prairie Gardens
Farm-to-table breakfast with Santa will become your new family tradition at Prairie Gardens. Bring the kids to visit with Santa at his Sleigh & enjoy a festive holiday brunch!! There’s something for everyone at the breakfast showcasing Made In Alberta producers – delectable pumpkin muffins with a side cinnamon pumpkin butter and honeyberry jelly, our famous garlic roasted hash with farm sausage, scrambled fresh farm eggs, and pancakes. Choice of steamy hot chocolate or coffee.

There are two sessions of Drop-in stand up paddleboarding this Weekend. Head over to Kinsmen Sports Centre and hop on a paddle board to extend the season, or practice for next! Just because it’s winter doesn’t mean that you can’t get on a board in the water!