Family-friendly Edmonton events to ring in the New Year
New Year’s Eve celebrations can start long before midnight, especially if you have kids (who may or may not stay awake until the clock strikes 12!). These Edmonton New Year’s parties are ideal for families. And, best of all, most of them are free!
World Waterpark
8882 170 St NW, Edmonton, AB T5T 4M2This indoor tropical paradise is the perfect place to splash around while waiting for 2017 to arrive. The waterpark’s annual New Year’s Eve Family Beach Ball takes place from 6 p.m. till midnight. A family of four can buy admission for $99 prior to December 25 or for $150 afterwards, so grab your tickets early. The waterpark is kept at a balmy 31 degrees Celsius, so you’ll forget all about the chill of winter while you whiz down the slides or chill in the wave pool.
Churchill Square
PO Box 2359, Edmonton, AB T5J 0K1The City of Edmonton’s annual New Year’s Eve Downtown celebration kicks off at 6 p.m. with family-friendly activities, including magicians, balloon artists, live music and more inside City Hall. At 8:30 p.m., an early fireworks show will kick-off the fun as revelers move outside into the square, where there will be musical entertainment on the main stage. At midnight, fireworks will light up Churchill Square during this alcohol-free event. There will be concession stands set up in the square for anyone who prefers watching fireworks with a tasty snack in hand.
Festival Place
100 Festival Way, Sherwood Park, AB T8A 5T2New Year’s Eve festivities start early in Sherwood Park, with events kicking off at 4 p.m. Outside festival place, little ones can ring in 2017 by enjoying a variety of activities, including face painting, remote control bobsled races and much more. The event will also feature other all-ages activities, including a photobooth, paper airplane construction, inflatables and more. Fireworks will light up the sky at 8 p.m., making this event ideal for little babes who will fall asleep long before midnight.
McDougall United Church
10025 101 St GD Stn Main, Edmonton, AB T5J 2G8This free concert will feature live music by the Gateway Festival City Fiddlers, Back Porch Swing, Justine Vandergrift Trio, Benjamin Williams, Twin Peaks and more. The event runs from 7:30 until 10:30 p.m. and includes face painting, crafts and games. There will be refreshments for sale. Guests are asked to bring a non-perishable food item for the Edmonton Food Bank.
Stony Plain & Parkland Museum Society
5120 41 Avenue, Stony Plain, AB T7Z 1L5Stony Plain’s annual Family Fest takes place from 6 p.m. till 9 p.m. on New Year’s Eve. Families can enjoy live entertainment, horse-drawn wagon rides, outdoor skating, crafts, fireworks and hot dogs, popcorn and hot chocolate. The Pioneer Museum will also be open, with displays of old-timey Christmas scenes set up for all to enjoy. Visitors are encouraged to bring a non-perishable food donation for the Parkland Food Bank.
Fort Edmonton Park
7000 143rd Street, Edmonton, AB T5J 2R7This living history museum puts on a pantomime play as a New Year’s Eve celebration. This year’s adaptation is Robin Hood. The December 31 matinee takes place at 2 p.m. at the Capitol Theatre and is ideal for families. Tickets can be purchased in advance online.
City Of St Albert
A free fireworks display at Mission Park will begin at 8:30 p.m. for everyone to enjoy. This year, the fireworks are being set off in commemoration of Canada’s 150th anniversary of confederation, guaranteeing a fabulously magical display to ring in 2017.
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