Fun Stuff to do over Winter Break in Edmonton
“Fun Stuff to do over Winter Break in Edmonton 2025-26” is brought to you with the support of Laser City! They’re offering EXTENDED HOURS over the break so you can drop in with family and friends to stay active and have fun with games of laser tag! Drop in or check them out online at LaserCity.ca
Don’t want to hear “I’m boooooooored…”? Then this is the list for you! Read on for all the best ideas on holiday activities in Edmonton that will keep your kids excited, active, engaged and having FUN over the winter break in Edmonton 2025-26.
- LASER CITY
Laser City is open with extended hours over the holidays so you can drop in for Laser Tag fun! Drop in for laser tag and arcade games and enjoy active fun with family & friends!
BONUS – Laser City is offering three days of Winter Break Camps! choose from Laser Tag, Mini Paintball or Minecraft!
Extended hours Friday, December 19 to Sunday, January 4 – closed Dec 24-26 & Jan 1 – More info HERE
- HOLIDAY FUN AT THE SCIENCE CENTRE
Special holiday activities are always part of the season at TELUS World of Science Edmonton! This season, help build a MASSIVE cardboard dinosaur theme park, learn about the science of snowflakes; make Gingerbread-flavoured ice cream using liquid nitrogen, and MORE!
Be sure to check out the amazing “Jurassic World by Brickman” feature exhibition – the Jurassic World series brought to life in LEGO! (extra ticket required)
Visiting before Christmas? Don’t miss Laser Holiday Magic in the Zeidler Dome or snag a ticket to catch The Polar Express 3D in IMAX!
Ringing in the New Year? The Science Centre is the perfect place to do it with the littles, as they celebrate NOON Year’s Eve on Dec 31 AND Jan 1!
December 20 to -January 4 – 9am-5pm (Closing early Christmas Eve and Closed Christmas Day) – more info HERE
- FREE ADMISSION WITH THE CANADA STRONG PASS
The Canada Strong pass is back and that means FREE admission to Canada’s National Parks and FREE admission for kids 17 & under to participating museums including Royal Alberta Museum in Edmonton and Royal Tyrrell Museum in Drumheller.
The Canada Strong pass is back from December 12, 2025 to January 15, 2026. It will also be returning from June 19, 2026 to September 7, 2026, so you can start planning some summer adventures!
December 12 to January 15 – more info HERE
- DROP-IN WINTER FUN AT ROYAL ALBERTA MUSEUM
Take advantage of that FREE kids’ admission and visit the Royal Alberta Museum! Their calendar is packed with fun scheduled and self-guided activities.
Drop-in at specific times for “Winter Dance, Play and Learn” (daily at 10:30am) or to “Make a Pinecone Bird Feeder” (daily at 1pm). Or check out the self-guided activities like the “Cardboard Workshop” and the “Fishing Pond” that you can try anytime!
December 20 to January 4 (closed Dec 24, 25 & Jan 1) – 10am-4pm (Plus Thursdays 10am-8pm) – more info HERE
- HOLIDAY MOVIES ON THE BIG SCREEN
Support your local independent movie theatre and take in a holiday movie this season at Metro Cinema! Some of these options are *Reel Family Cinema selections, meaning that kids 12 and under get in FREE with a paying adult!
–Thu, Dec 18 – ”Elf” – 7pm (Free admission for all students with valid ID)
–Sat, Dec 20 – ”A Christmas Story” – 12:30pm*
–Sun, Dec 21 – “Miracle on 34th Street” – 3:30pm | “Home Alone” – 6:45pm
–Mon, Dec 22 – ”National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” – 9:30pm
Wed, Dec 24 – “The Muppet Christmas Carol” – 12:45pm | “It’s A Wonderful Life” – 3pm (Admission by food or monetary donation for Edmonton’s Food Bank.)
–Sat, Dec 27 – “Ice Age” – 1pm*
Full calendar available online – more info HERE
- SWIM WITH SANTA
Celebrate the first day of Winter Break with a Swim with Santa at Emerald Hills Leisure Centre in Sherwood Park! There will be photos with Santa, plus pool games, mermaids (!) and more! Toonie admission rates apply.
Saturday, December 20 – 10am-1pm – More info HERE
- SKATE WITH SANTA
Head to Kinex Arena in St. Albert to skate with Santa and the Grouch! Ugly Christmas sweater attire is recommended. This skate is FREE!
Sunday, December 21 – 1:45pm-3:15pm – More info HERE
- ROGERS PLACE HOLIDAY SKATE
Have you ever wanted to skate on the ice at Rogers Place? Here’s your chance! Hit the ice, check out the Oilers Hall of Fame Room, snap photos in the locker room and meet mascots Hunter the Lynx and Louie the Lion!
Sunday, December 28 – 10am-11:30am – More info HERE
- GLOW EDMONTON
From December 17 to 31 Glow is open every day except Christmas Day! Enjoy this magical indoor holiday light display with photo ops, an indoor playground, a market, food and drinks, character visits, Santa and MORE! Be sure to check the Glow Calendar for their fun theme days including the Enchanted Christmas Ball, Glow Grinchmas and the Glow New Year’s Eve Bash! Use my PROMO CODE: EnchantedPlayground to save 10%
Daily December 17 to 31 (excludes Dec 25) – More info HERE
- STRATHCONA COUNTY SPORTZONE
Visit Millennium Place or Ardrossan Rec Centre for drop-in active fun featuring inflatables, giant building blocks, mini-sticks hockey, sports equipment and much more!
Millennium Place – Mon, Dec 22 to Sun, Jan 4 (Omit Dec 25) – 10am-4pm – More info HERE
Ardrossan Rec Centre – Sat, Dec 27 to Sun, Jan 4 (Omit Jan 1) – 10:30am-4pm – More info HERE
- TRY A GREAT WINTER PLAYGROUND!
Playgrounds can still be SNOW much fun in the winter! Check out our list of BEST WINTER PLAYGROUNDS IN EDMONTON!
- OR TRY AN INDOOR PLAYGROUND!
Some days it’s just too cold or snowy for the outdoor playgrounds. Use our list of BEST INDOOR PLAYGROUNDS IN EDMONTON!
- FORT SASKATCHEWAN ICE SLIDE
The Fort Saskatchewan Ice Slide is back for the 2025-26 Winter Season! Find the Bobslide in the same location as last year, in Peter Ream Park behind the Fort Heritage Precinct.
Opens Tuesday, December 23 – More info HERE
- SKATE ON AN O-D-R
Outdoor Rinks in Edmonton and area are starting to open for the season! Double check, using the links below, to see the status of the skating surface, and to make sure your desired location is open before you go! (And remember that most Community League skating rinks require Skate Tags for use.)
City of Edmonton outdoor ice – More info HERE
ICE District outdoor ice – More info HERE
Strathcona County outdoor ice – More info HERE
St Albert outdoor ice – More info HERE
Spruce Grove outdoor ice – More info HERE
Stony Plain outdoor ice – More info HERE
Devon outdoor ice – More info HERE
Leduc outdoor ice – More info HERE
Beaumont outdoor ice – More info HERE
Fort Saskatchewan outdoor ice – More info HERE
- WINTER CITY WEEKENDS
The Edmonton Arts Council is bringing back Winter City Weekends starting January 2, 2026! On Friday and Saturday evenings (6pm-9pm) skate at City Hall Plaza to the tunes of local DJs! Sunday afternoons (1pm-4pm) you can dance inside City Hall or skate outside to the music of great local groups! Skate rentals are FREE during these times!
January 2 to February 28 – Fridays & Saturdays 6pm-9pm | Sundays 1pm-4pm – More info HERE
- LEARN TO SKI AT SNOW VALLEY
Snow Valley offers 2-hour-long learn-to-ski programs for Mites (ages 5-6) and Juniors (ages 7-12). Already a skier? The hill is open daily for skiing, with the exception of Christmas Day and New Years Day.
Daily – hours vary – More info HERE
- TRY TUBING!
Edmonton Ski Club and Sunridge offer winter tubing! Book a time slot to check it out! (Tip: You can save a couple dollars at Edmonton Ski Club with their Tubing Tuesday evening promo!)
- EDMONTON OIL KINGS
The Edmonton Oil Kings have a two theme games and one Family Fun Sunday game over the Winter Break! Check out these fun options to enjoy major junior hockey in Edmonton!
Sunday, December 28 – 4pm – Dino Day (also a Family Fun Sunday game!) – More info HERE
Thursday, January 1 – 2pm – Fireworks Frenzy – More info HERE
Sunday, January 4 – 4pm – Family Fun Sunday Game – More info HERE
- WINTER BREAK AT EDMONTON PUBLIC LIBRARIES
Check out fun drop-in programs like LEGO at the Library, STEAM Lab, Pet Rocks, Slime, Rowdy Robots and more. There are also some registered programs like 3D Printing Club for Kids and Cricut Club for Kids.
Heading to the Stanley A Milner Library? Video Games created by local students are now featured on THE WALL on select days! Find the schedule for THE WALL here! And book the Children’s Makerspace HERE!
Days and times vary – More info HERE
- ENCHANTED ILLUMINATION AT SOUTHGATE CENTRE
Totally FREE to visit! Until December 28, 2025, check out the indoor light and art pop-up in Southgate Centre! Snap some photos with your family or friends or check out the fun interactive game stations for kids!
New for 2025 – Kidz Kingdom has a pop-up indoor playground in the back of the light display! It’s $15 per child on weekdays and $20 on weekends for an all-day wristband that lets you come and go as you please.
Until Sunday, December 28, 2025 – More info HERE
- GET YOUR NINJA ON AT ELEMENTAL NINJA
Try a half-day or full-day camp at Elemental Ninja! Balance, swing, climb and jump! Half-day and Full-day camps are available on Dec 22, 23, 29 & 30. Use my PROMO CODE: EdmontonPlaygrounds15 to save 15% on your first camp booking!
December 22, 23, 29 & 30 – More info HERE
- DAY CAMP PARTIES WITH A CHARMED AFFAIR
“Holiday Luau Celebration” (Dec 22, 1pm-4pm) , “Grouchmas with the Holiday Grouch & Cindy” (Dec 29, 1pm-4pm), and “Noon Year’s Eve PIzza Party” (Dec 31, 10am-1pm) are the themes of the Winter Break character camps offered by A Charmed Affair! All camps run at their Charmed Party Room in Sherwood Park and spaces fill fast!
December 22, 29 & 31 – More info HERE
- CLAY AND CUPCAKES
Check out Clay and Cupcakes for some fun DIY painted ceramic projects! Book a time, choose your piece and get painting to create your own work of art! You can event enjoy delicious desserts while you work!
Daily sessions available – More info HERE
- CHEERY CAT CO
Love cats? Book a time to cuddle and play with the kitties in the Cheery Palace at Cheery Cat Co! We suggest checking them out on Toonie Tuesdays, when you can get a second admission for $2 when you purchase one regular admission, or on Thursdays, when one child can get in FREE with one paying adult!
Daily bookings available – More info HERE
- SNAP AWAY AT SID’S SELFIE WORLD
Check out all the creative sets and props and take the kids for a fun photo and video session at Sid’s Selfie World!
Open Thursdays through Sundays – More info HERE
- TRY THE INDOOR ZIPLINE AT WE ROCK THE SPECTRUM
We Rock The Spectrum inclusive kids’ gym is a fabulous place where neuro-diverse and neuro-typical children can play together in a safe indoor environment. We love the indoor zipline, the massive selection of swings and the awesome climbing wall!
Daily drop-in sessions available – More info HERE
- CLIMB THE WALLS
Instead of climbing the walls at your house, let the kids climb a local climbing gym or bouldering wall! A few of our favourites are Clip ‘n Climb, Vertically Inclined and The Arch in Beaumont.
- GO INSIDE A VIDEO GAME AT ACTIVATE
Visit one of Activate’s 2 Edmonton locations for an hour of active fun – it’s like being inside a real-life videogame!
More info HERE
- OR TRY A NEW BOARD GAME AT TABLE TOP CAFE
Play games from their massive game library. Need some help? Their staff members are game experts and are happy to help you learn a new game!
More info HERE
- DROP & SHOP AT MARINE LIFE IN WEM
This 2-hour mini-camps feature crafts, activities and an animal encounter! Parents can drop kids aged 6-12 off for this program.
Various days – 10am-12pm or 1:30pm-3:30pm – More info HERE
- TRY A NATURE ADVENTURE
We love a winter walk through Grey Nuns White Spruce Park in St. Albert or Battery Creek in Devon! Check out all our nature adventures HERE.
- OBSIDIAN WINTER WONDERLAND FESTIVAL
Enjoy skating, sledding, light displays, a holiday train, a market and more – plus fireworks on New Year’s Eve! – when you visit the Winter Wonderland Festival at Obsidian Ridge, east of Edmonton.
December 27-31 – More info HERE
- NEW YEAR’S BLOOM AT MUTTART CONSERVATORY
Enjoy an early celebration of the new year at Muttart Conservatory! New Year’s Bloom happens from 10am-2pm with crafts, airbrush tattoos and two performances from children’s entertainer Beppie!
Wednesday, December 31 – 10am-2pm – More info HERE
- NOON YEAR’S EVE AT THE SCIENCE CENTRE
Celebrate the New Year early at TELUS World of Science – Edmonton with Noon Year’s Eve happening on both Wed, Dec 31 and Thu, Jan 1 at 12pm.
December 31 & January 1 – 12pm – More info HERE
- NEW YEAR’S EVE IN ICE DISTRICT
Head to ICE District for a pre-game tailgate party, Oilers watch party, live music and a fireworks show at midnight!
December 31 – 6pm – More info HERE
- RING IN THE NEW YEAR
Ring in the New Year with the City of Edmonton Fireworks! Enjoy family activities in Churchill Square with fireworks at 8pm or 12am.
New Year’s Eve in Sherwood Park starts with a family celebration at 6pm and ends with fireworks at 8pm.
Stony Plain New Year’s Eve starts with Family Fest at 6pm which ends with a fireworks show at 9pm.
St. Albert has a fireworks show at 8:30pm. Recommended viewing locations are in the link!
Wednesday, December 31 – Times vary by location
- HOLIDAY LIGHTS
From drive-through holiday light displays, like the Magic of Lights and Candy Cane Lane; to walk-through favourites, like the Alberta Legislature Grounds, Leduc Country Lights, Lights in the Park, Zoominescence, Maisie’s Magical Christmas House and Glow Edmonton (GLOW PROMO CODE: ENCHANTEDPLAYGROUND) – there are many opportunities to enjoy the spirit of the Holiday Season into late December and early January!
More info HERE
- BOOK A DAY CAMP
The kids can stay active, have fun and learn something new with Winter Break camps! A few Day Camp options we love include Elemental Ninja, TELUS World of Science – Edmonton, A Charmed Affair, and YMCA locations. The Edmonton Elks have a brand new winter break camp too!
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Laser City is the place to be this Winter Break! Enjoy exended hours for more laser tag fun! Simply drop in for a game or two with friends.
Bonus – enjoy full days of fun with their Holiday Day Camps! Choose from Laser Tag, Mini Paintball or Minecraft for just $74.99 per kid!
Visit LaserCity.ca or drop in to play at 5104 – 67 Avenue in Edmonton.