It’s the most wonderful time of the year — unless you’re a parent. I’m kidding … sort of. If you’ve got little ones, the holidays are your time to add sparkly lights and holiday magic to the hustle and bustle of the season. Luckily, Edmonton is buzzing with family friendly seasonal activities — and Edify is here to pare down some choices.
Nothing brings out your inner child like careening wildly down snow-covered hills. Round up your kids, grab a toboggan and (after you wrestle your toddler into snowpants and find mitts without the poky tag) check out a local hill.
For a more intense ride head over to Gallagher Park (9505 96 Ave. NW), home to Folk Fest. Rundle Park (2903 113 Ave. NW) has both a smaller hill and, just a little to the west, a steeper offering as well. Looking to sneak in some steps? Whitemud Park, between the Grandview Staircase and Alfred H. Savage Centre, is your choice. Slide down and then march up the stairs. And if you’re close to downtown, Government House Park (9938 Groat Rd NW) is an Edmonton classic.
The holiday season isn’t complete until you add a little music to the mix. Join the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra for A Very Merry Pops to take in all your favourite Christmas carols and join in on a sing-along or two. This family friendly show, running December 19, 20, 22 and 23, includes soprano Mikaela Bennett and some top local choirs.
Your kids can only run so many basement laps. Lace up those skates and burn some of that excess advent-calendar energy at one of Edmonton’s many, many rinks. Community leagues across the city maintain their own outdoor rinks, but the City of Edmonton also takes care of a handful of the bigger ones. (Their status varies day-to-day based on conditions.) The Rundle Park Iceway (2909 113 Ave NW) winds its way through the forest, Victoria Park Oval (12030 River Valley Rd.) is tucked into the trees, and the City Hall Skating rink (1 Sir Winston Churchill Square) offers a quintessential Edmonton view.
Yes, the Edmonton Christmas Market has more than 200 vendors — both sprinkled throughout the site and in an indoor venue — but even if you skip shopping, it’s worth a visit. Meet the big guy (Santa, obvi), hop on the carousel and grab some mulled wine while your kids take 30 trips down the ice slides. Located in Fort Edmonton Park until Dec. 21, this experience is especially spectacular after dark when the lights pop.
If you manage to pre-bake all the pieces for your own gingerbread house, please sign up to give a TED Talk. I want to hear your secrets. For the rest of us mere mortals, local bakeries are here to pick up the slack.
Bon Ton Bakery has a particularly cute pre-made gingerbread house available in limited quantities — complete with coconut snow and sugar cookies for decoration.
The Art of Cake, meanwhile, offers a gingerbread family kit with two adults, two kids, two pets and some extra goodies.
For our celiac friends and family, Celebrate, a gluten-free bakery and cafe, has both a gingerbread people kit and a mini gingerbread house kit up for grabs.
