January 1
Start the new year on a spy note with a visit to the 1940s retro Metro Cinema for a Mission Impossible marathon all afternoon on New Year’s Day.
January 1, ongoing Sundays
If you miss your favourite summer paddleboarding afternoons, the Kinsmen Leisure Centre has you covered with drop-in sessions on the weekends.
January 2
Drop off your kids (aged 6 to 12) at Marine Life in West Edmonton Mall for the afternoon. They’ll learn all about the sea lions, and you can shop, eat or relax for a few hours.
January 4
What better way to stay warm than listen to a two-hour special recap of Avatar: The Last Airbender in concert at the Jubilee. Iconic scenes on the big screen are accompanied by a live orchestra playing Eastern and Western instruments.
January 5
Swing, big band, soca and salsa yourself warm at Churchill Square’s outdoor rink and inside City Hall with Swing ‘n Skate afternoons. Various skating events and free learn-to-skate lessons with rentals are also happening on-site in January, through the Edmonton Arts Council.
January 11
Twelve talented artists compete in Art Battle Edmonton at Pure Casino Edmonton. Each wants to be declared the ultimate champion of high-speed masterpiece making where you can be the judge.
January 11 to February 6
This witty, whimsical take on Macbeth offers an interactive spin on the classic at the Citadel Theatre, making the tragedy into a fantastical comedy.
January 11 to April 27
A touring artwork by Luke Jerram, Mars, lands in Edmonton on January 11 in the feature pyramid of the Muttart Conservatory.
Mid January, ongoing
Take a road trip to Abraham Lake near Nordegg to see bubbles frozen beneath the surface of the ice. Natural decomposition causes methane gas to create stunning images through the ice. Be ice-safe, but when it’s cold enough, you can walk on the surface for amazing photos.
January 14 to 19
Beetlejuice!, the live musical based on Tim Burton’s film, comes to Edmonton with Broadway Across Canada at the Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium.
January 17
Now’s your chance to see Sum 41 at Rogers Place on the last leg of its last world tour, with special appearances by PUP and Gob.
January 17, ongoing Fridays
Sunridge Ski Hill hosts Hops on the Hill with rotating weekly breweries on tap and live music, all in between rides on its snow-tubing course.
Ongoing
Finding a way to enjoy the cold — it’s how we survive Edmonton winter. Check the city parks map of maintained tracks and trails.
January 17-19
The first River City Bluegrass Festival will take place at the Edmonton Inn on Kingsway featuring eight different international, Canadian and local bands, including Edmonton music royalty — a one-time performance by three generations of the Myhre Brothers.
January 18
The Friendship Fun-time Show places improvisers with standup comedians at Rapid Fire Exchange for the ultimate comedy show.
January 18, ongoing
Afrofuturistic artist Ekow Nimako’s exhibition Building Black Civilizations – Journey of 2000 Ships will arrive at the Art Gallery of Alberta. The Toronto artist reimagines ancient African kingdoms using Lego as his medium.
January 18 to 19
Ukrainian, French Canadian, Franco African, Indigenous, Métis, Inuit, First Nations, Latin American and Asian cultures celebrate the beginning of the year at Deep Freeze: a Byzantine Winter Festival held by Arts on the Ave. Find winter magic through axe throwing, snowshoeing, bannock by the fire, ice sculptures, street hockey and storytelling.
January 19
Ms. Kate is back to take your little ones to in the upstairs lobby of the Winspear. Meet professional musicians and their instruments at this classical concert for kids.
Ongoing
Opening this January, Edmonton will have a year-round outdoor climbing facility at Louise McKinney Park. YEG Ice will host the Ice Climbing World Cup later in the year and it’s open to the public for recreation and lessons.
January 19
If you’ve ever wanted to try your hand at comedy, Rapid Fire Exchange offers Public Improv Jams where you can play around in ice-breakers, scenes, exercises and games with its cast members.
January 22
Dr. Shawna Pandya, Canada’s first female commercial astronaut, speaks on how to Level Up to both survive and thrive in humanity’s extreme experiences at Allard Hall.
January 22-26
Winterruption YEG in Downtown Edmonton is an inclusive, diverse showcase of music, drag and comedy in multiple indoor and outdoor venues.
January 24-26
The Official Edmonton Renovation Show at the EXPO will teach, showcase, model and gear you up for your next home-reno project with over 200 vendors.
January 29 to Feb 1
The Flying Canoë Volant is a free, family friendly, magical event in Mill Creek and the French Quarter, put on by La Cité Francophone and inspired by the legend of the flying canoe and French Canadian traditions. Celebrate the enchantment of long, dark winter nights.
January 31
Eat your way into the lunar new year with outdoor night markets brought to life in South Edmonton Common with food, music and festive entertainment by Asiafest YEG, (formerly Taste of Asia).
