MAKING A LIST ...
A guide to local holiday happenings
There’s no shortage on the list of festive things to do this season. Here are just a few local options to partake in the joy.
CHRISTMAS MARKET: THE MAKERS KEEP & GLOW CHRISTMAS
Growing season is over but the greenhouses at St. Albert’s Enjoy Centre are staying open into the new year to host a sparkling indoor market and light gallery. For those needing gift ideas, the Glow Christmas is offering items from more than 20 local makers this season. For those finished shopping, there are plenty of other diversions to take in, including an illuminated tunnel, an interactive hanging light display, and even LED swings. There is also an indoor playground for youngsters, and a mini-train to ride.
When: Monday to Friday from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Where: The Enjoy Centre,
101 Riel Dr., St. Albert
Admission: Adults, $30; children and seniors, $17; children three and under, free; family, $70. Available from Glow Gardens website.
A CHRISTMAS CAROL
For the past 19 years, The Citadel has hosted the same adaptation of A Christmas Carol, but this is the production’s last run. This year’s story of Scrooge will be played by actors based out of Edmonton, making it a great way to support local talent. If you are planning to take in the show, keep an eye on ticket availability as the Citadel anticipates higher attendance for the production’s final year. But if you miss this year’s performance, don’t fret. A Christmas Carol will return to the Citadel next year, with a new adaptation.
When: To Dec. 23
Where: Citadel’s Maclab Theatre
Admission: Tickets start at $30, available from the Citadel Theatre.
ZOOMINESCENCE: A FESTIVAL OF LIGHT
Nights at the Valley Zoo come alive this month for Zoominescence, the attraction’s winter light festival. Fire dancers, a giant inflatable igloo, artist installations, ice displays, light exhibits and, of course, Santa, are featured. Those looking for a bit more activity can even plunge down the ice slide or meander around the skating rink. All proceeds from Zoominescence go to the Valley Zoo Development Society for the facility’s revitalization project, which includes a new urban farm and a fresh red panda exhibit.
When: Runs every weekend in December, plus Dec. 26 and Dec. 27, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Where: Edmonton Valley Zoo, 13315 Buena Vista Rd.
Admission: $6 to $10, available from Eventbrite.
FREE HORSE-DRAWN WAGON RIDES
Get cosy with some draft horses and head to one of the free wagon rides throughout the city this holiday season. The Old Strathcona ride is a classic, taking holiday revellers up and down Whyte Avenue and the surrounding area on a 20-minute circuit. Families looking for free wagon rides closer to their neighbourhoods can check out a number of other options being offered by various community and church groups. While the wagon rides are free, organizers are accepting donations for their chosen community groups.
When and where: Old Strathcona, Dec. 9, 15 and 22, 12-4 p.m., Ellerslie Road Baptist Church, Dec. 8, 5-8 p.m.
Admission: Free, though rides take donations.
If you’re an expert on The Simpsons or Die Hard, consider facing off in a series of Christmas-themed trivia nights this December. Just sign up, go out, and answer 50 questions about the night’s theme. Compete solo or make it a team of six people. Tipsy Trivia nights usually fill up before event night, so buy tickets ahead of time. Winning teams will receive between $300 and $400 worth of prizes.
When: Dec. 13 (Die Hard at 8 p.m.), Dec. 18 (Simpsons at 7:30 p.m.)
Where: Pubs around Edmonton
Admission: $10 to $15, available online at Eventbrite or at the door; Die Hard is free.
ALBERTA BALLET’S THE NUTCRACKER
Those in search of a Christmas performance can’t go wrong with the Alberta Ballet’s version of The Nutcracker. The ballet’s 120 performers will take to the beautifully designed stage while the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra plays the Tchaikovsky score. Runtime is one hour and 50 minutes, including a 20-minute intermission. Because this is the ballet’s 10th anniversary performance of the classic, it will contain new choreographic elements and guest cameo appearances.
When: Dec. 6 to Dec. 9
Where: Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium
Admission: $40 to $145, available from Ticketmaster
KRAMPUSNACHT
Folk culture is being revived for a night in Gazebo Park with Krampusnacht, an old German and Austrian Christmastime tradition. Krampus is a horned half-goat, half-demon who scares “bad” children into behaving. He is the opposite of the good St. Nicholas. The celebration at Gazebo Park is not meant to be scary, though. Instead, it is meant to be a revival of culture. The night will start with a fire spinner and a friendly gathering, followed by a “lauf” (a group walk) up and down Whyte Avenue with a number of costumed adults and kids portraying Krampus, St. Nicholas, minions, elves, and dark and good angels.
When: Dec. 8, gathering at 7 p.m., lauf at 8 p.m.
Where: Gazebo Park (Dr. Wilbert McIntyre Park), 8331 104 St.
Admission: Free
A CHRISTMAS PAST AT RUTHERFORD HOUSE
Check out a historical twist on the holidays at Rutherford House, which will be decorated just like the Rutherford family would have done in 1915. There, you’ll find snacks, cider, and an old-fashioned carolling choir. Kids will be visited by Father Christmas and can make a variety of vintage crafts to take home, including a nutcracker soldier clothespin and a pine cone bird feeder. Be sure to take in the unique traditions of the early 20th century in your visit, for example the Rutherford family had a Christmas cactus instead of a Christmas tree.
When: Dec. 9, 12-4 p.m.
Where: Rutherford House
Admission: Free to $20, available at the door.
Info: rutherfordhousephs.ca/ events/christmas-past
CP HOLIDAY TRAIN
Country singer-songwriter Terri Clark is headlining at this year’s CP Holiday Train, a decorated boxcar stage travelling across the country and holding free train yard concerts throughout December. Clark will be joined by Canadian singer-songwriters Sierra Noble and Kelly Prescott for a show that will last about a half an hour. The train only comes to Edmonton every couple of years, so be sure to catch the show if you can. This event accepts donations for the Edmonton Food Bank. If you’re planning to go this year, note that the yard will be blocked for the show, so plan for alternate parking.
When: Dec. 10, train arrives at 7:45 p.m., show starts at 8:15 p.m.
Where: South of the Edmonton CP Station, 7935 Gateway Blvd.
Admission: Free, Edmonton Food Bank donations encouraged
STUDIO SESSIONS AT THE ART GALLERY OF ALBERTA
It can be expensive to gather all the supplies needed to make your own cards, gifts and wrapping paper, so you may want to try heading to the Art Gallery of Alberta for a little help. The gallery’s studio events, held in midDecember, will allow people of all ages to personalize their Christmas. Kids three to five years old can paint a winter scene, while anyone older can attend Studio Y to make water colour cards or print their own wrapping paper. For adults only, there will be a drop-in session to make lastminute gifts as well.
When: Dec. 12 to 19
Where: Art Gallery of Alberta, 2 Sir Winston Churchill Square
Admission: Tours for Tots, free with admission; Studio Y, $5; Adult drop-in, $16 to $18; available at the door or online on the Art Gallery of Alberta’s website at youraga.ca.