Anyone else feel that chill in the air? Spooky season is kicking off this weekend with the launch of Pumpkins After Dark, The Great Pumpkin Drop - time to start thinking about those Halloween costumes. In addition to spooky season, we’ve got plenty of activities this weekend that will get the whole family outside for a day (or night) of fun.

Here’s what to do in Edmonton this weekend with kids:

Friday

Pumpkins After Dark
Explore a magical pathway of pumpkin sculptures & displays, with music, sounds & effects. Magnificent works of artistry, thousands of hand-carved pumpkins illuminate the skies. Pumpkins After Dark debuts in Edmonton this year, and we like to hit the Halloween festivals early, to take advantage of that warmer fall weather.
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Get FREE admission to UofA Botanical Gardens
Kids get FREE admission to UofA Botanical Garden until the end of the fall season, on October 5, 2022. Fall is the perfect time to explore the garden before the transition to Christmas lights and winter fun. Don’t skip the ponds or the Aga Khan garden, and make your way through the winding paths looking for those bright, gorgeous, fall colours.
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Saturday

FREE Fire Station Open House
Each year, Edmontonians have an opportunity to meet firefighters and fire prevention officers in their community, check out the fire trucks and learn important fire safety information during the Fire Station Open Houses.
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City of Edmonton Play Rangers
Every weekend, City of Edmonton is hosting a play rangers drop-in playdate for kids in the city with free group programming like orienteering, playground games and fire making. It’s a fun way to encourage older kids to get outside with the programs led by local engaging program leaders. Plus, every week the program changes to rotating playgrounds, giving you a new place to explore every week!
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Giant Pumpkin Drop and Weigh off in Smoky Lake
Take a day trip to Smoky Lake for some of the biggest pumpkins you’re going to see in a lifetime. The Pumpkin Drop is a great way to get out of town on a fall festival day-trip, and there’s a whole day of activities to explore and discover while you’re there!
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Color Me Rad in Edmonton
You begin the 5k all nice and clean, and each Kilometer gets blasted with the Raddest color around, to then finish the Race with your fellow RAD runners to celebrate at the stage with an EPIC Celebrate! Register before you get on site to save time, and run through those colors!
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Fall Harvest Festival in Charlesworth
Join award-winning home builder, Jayman BUILT in celebrating the fall season with its Parade of Showhomes. Enjoy FREE catered food, live music, crafts and much more all while getting an exclusive look at Jayman’s latest showhomes. In addition, complete the Path to Net Zero scavenger hunt for the chance to win some awesome prizes.
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Gateway to the Stars at Elk Island National Park
Experience the wonder of Elk Island’s night sky. In the heart of the Beaver Hills Dark Sky Preserve, escape the city to gaze upon the countless stars in our galaxy and learn to navigate from one constellation to the next. Campfire and a friendly park interpreter are included. Registration is required in advance.
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Wibit Obstacle Course in the Pool at Grant MacEwan
On the first Saturday of the month at Grant MacEwan, you can climb in the Wibit in the pool between 2-4pm. This miniature Wibit obstacle course is a fun way to spend a couple of hours in the pool!
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Sunday

Landmark Cinemas Kids Day Out
Every Sunday, kids can get out of the house and score a movie ticket and Snack Pack (popcorn, drink, choice of candy treat) for one great, low price. Adults buying movie tickets for the morning will also receive discounted tickets.
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Explore the Vegreville Corn Maze
Just outside of the city, the Vegreville corn maze is a low cost family fall adventure in Edmonton. Find the corn maze located just east of Vegreville on Hwy 16A, and enjoy the inexpensive admission, while you enjoy the maze.
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Climb the Biggest Slide in the City
There’s a brand new playground in town and you can climb the highest slide. The new playground in the Elan community in Beaumont has the record for being the largest slide in Edmonton, and the tower is one that every kid is going to love. You can learn more, and visit the neighbourhood website, here. You can find this incredible playground at 72 Street and 52 Avenue in Beaumont, in the new Parc Reunis.