Around Town - December 2007

Our newsletter editor (Shay) and her elves do such a wonderful job collecting information on events around town that may be of interest to Newcomers, we decided to put the suggestions on the web. This is not an exhaustive list of everything going on around town and may not be completely accurate as things change, but we hope it gives you some ideas. Links have been added to sites with more information.

Alberta Legislature Building (free)

Visit the beautiful Alberta Legislature Building and learn about Alberta’s history! There are tours every hour, on the hour, from 9am to 3pm Mon-Fri, noon to 4pm weekends and holidays (or you can wander around by yourself). Also, check out the Interpretive Centre where kids can try on ceremonial robes and adults can browse the gift shop. Info at: www.assembly.ab.ca. Parking available on 107th Street between the Legislature Building and 99th Avenue. Alberta Legislature Preview.pdf

Bright Nights Winter Family Festival at Hawrelak Park

Canada’s largest Christmas Festival of Lights. Over 500 giant displays at Hawrelak Park. Friday, November 23 – Sunday, January 6. Gates open from 5:00 - 11:00 pm every evening throughout the festival. Admission is just $15 per family vehicle, Mini Bus $25 / Motor Coach or Bus $75. Bright Nights visitors are encouraged to bring a donation for Edmonton's Food Bank. Collection bins are stationed at the main festival entrance in Hawrelak Park. Edmonton Chamber Info.

There are also light displays at both Sir Winston Churchill Square and at the Alberta Legislature and admission is free.

Butterdome Craft Sale

The Butterdome Craft Sale is Western Canada's favourite craft sale, attracting visitors from all over Alberta and neighbouring provinces. Here, you will find unique and quality, hand-made gifts. Thursday, December 6th to Sunday, December 9th, 2007. Thursday and Friday 11:00am to 10:00pm, Saturday 10:00am to 6:00pm, Sunday 10:00am to 5:00p.m.. University of Alberta Butterdome 87 Avenue & 114 Street. www.worldofcrafts.ca

Candy Cane Lane

For three magical weeks in December, a stretch of 200 Edmonton homes is transformed into a dazzling display of lights and decorations. Candy Cane Lane has become a must-see attraction of the Christmas season, wowing thousands of delighted visitors every year. The best way to enjoy Candy Cane Lane is to walk it, if at all possible. Traffic can be very congested at peak times, particularly on weekend nights just prior to Christmas.

Candy Cane Lane runs the length of 148th Street from 92nd Avenue to 100th Avenue. Candy Lane lights up daily at 5:00pm from December 15 – January 2. www.ee.ualberta.ca/~kees/cclane

Citadel Theatre

Every year, the Citadel Theatre downtown presents A Christmas Carol - a simply wonderful production for the whole family (though a few parts might be a bit scary for very young children). According to Karen H, ’it ain't cheap, but it is well worth every penny!’ Call 452-1820 for ticket info. The theatre is located on 99th Street and Shocter Alley (just up from Jasper Avenue). There is a parking garage right underneath the theatre. www.citadeltheatre.com

Christmas Craft Sale

Vendors will showcase handcrafted gifts, baking, stained glass angels, preserves and more at the annual Christmas Craft sale in the Legislature Pedway. (December 6-7, 2007 10am -2pm). Alberta Legislative Assembly. 10820 - 98 Avenue.

Edmonton Metropolitan Chorus

A (non-Christmas) concert of music by Gershwin and from the musical Les Miserables, sung by the Edmonton Metropolitan Chorus (which includes our own Newcomer soprano, Amy Nelson, and alto, Karen Herschell!). December 2 @ 2 pm at Strathearn United Church, on 95th Avenue, near the corner of 85th Street (not far from the Bonnie Doon Mall). Tix are $10 for adults, $8 for seniors and kids, available from Amy or Karen, or at the door. edmetrochorus.ca

Fort Edmonton Park

Another lovely Edmonton Christmas tradition is Christmas Reflections, evenings in December at Fort Edmonton Park. Enjoy Christmas as it was a century ago! Tix are $10 & $15. Call 496-2925 to order, and for dates and times. www.edmonton.ca/fort

Fort Edmonton's 1905 Street is open every Saturday & Sunday from 11-4 in December. There will be different family activities with costumed interpreters each weekend. You can park right inside Fort Edmonton Park on these days. The entrance to the fort is off Fox Drive, near the Whitemud.

Horse Drawn Carriage Rides (free)

The Marketplace at Callingwood wants to Celebrate the Season with an annual holiday tradition - horse-drawn wagon rides! On the first four Saturdays of December, patrons will be able to enjoy a FREE sleigh ride from 1pm - 4pm around The Marketplace at Callingwood! Participants will also receive gifts, including a coupon for free hot chocolate, candy canes and an activity book (while supplies last.) www.callingwoodmarketplace.com

John Janzen Nature Centre

Take a snowshoe walk during the school break at the John Janzen Nature Centre! At 2pm, every day from December 26-29. (Note: the Centre’s snowshoes usually don't fit kids under six, but the little ones can always walk along in their regular boots!) The Centre is right by Fort Edmonton, just off Fox Drive. Only $5.10 for the whole family! www.edmonton.ca/johnjanzen

John Walter Museum (free)

Make Christmas ornaments from materials that would have been available in Edmonton in the 1890's at the John Walter Museum on December 9. (Bottom of Walterdale and Queen Elizabeth roads) www.edmonton.ca

Royal Alberta Museum

Complimentary ‘Moe, the Mammoth’ will be given to the first 75 guests with valid proof of a birthday or anniversary on December 6, 7, 8 or 9 of ANY year! FREE cake for the first 500 Museum visitors each day. Museum Characters – The Museum Alive! See some of our signature exhibitions come to life: Teddies, Bats, Model Soldiers and more. Bring your family and bring your camera! December 6 from 10am – noon; December 7, 8 & 9 from 11 am – 5 pm. 12845 - 102 Avenue. www.royalalbertamuseum.ca

Rutherford House Christmas

Event Dates and Times: Sundays, December 9 & 16, 2007, noon – 4:00pm. Join us for a traditional Rutherford House Christmas. Experience the unique sparkle of this elegant house, where the halls are decked for the holidays. Enjoy the sweet harmonies of seasonal music. Make a craft, help bake cookies in the historic kitchen and sample some hot apple cider. Spice up your season with a visit to Rutherford House. Admission: $5 adult, $4/ senior & youth (7-17 yrs), $14/family; Children 6 years and under are FREE. Rutherford House, 11153 Saskatchewan Drive. www.rutherfordhouse.ca

Santa Claus Indoor Parade (free)

20th Annual Indoor Santa Claus Parade – Stake your spot December 2 (10:00am – 12:00pm) as mascots, dancing groups, marching bands and floats parade through the second level Downtown Pedway system. The route begins in Commerce Place, winding its way into Manulife Place, through Edmonton City Centre West towards the Bay and finally finishing at the Edmonton City Centre East Pedway entrance to The Sutton Place Hotel. There’ll be treats for everyone and it’s all free.www.edmontondowntown.com

West Edmonton Mall – Christmas Wonderland

Let West Edmonton Mall transport you to Christmas in Wonderland this holiday season! It all kicks off November 22 when Santa arrives at the Mall, coinciding with the release of the major motion picture Christmas in Wonderland, filmed on location at WEM. The entire Mall will be decorated to look just as it did in the movie, including Santa’s Village, where kids can come and tell Santa their Christmas wishes. Guests can visit and shop in the same locations where actors including Chris Kattan, Carmen Electra and Patrick Swayze filmed their scenes. And while enjoying the excitement and spectacle of the movie magic, you will also find all your holiday gift-buying needs from our hundreds of exclusive and brand-name retailers. www.westedmall.com

Winspear (free)

A great Christmas tradition here in Edmonton is the wonderful lunchtime concert and holiday singa- long downtown at the Winspear! Several Edmonton choruses join together to present seasonal music and the audience will also be able to join in for several Christmas songs! Last year the concert was broadcast live, coast to coast! Noon on Friday, December 21. If you have never been to this beautiful concert hall, take this opportunity to see it! The Winspear is located at the corner of 102nd Avenue and 99th Street. Park in the garage under the Citadel Theatre on 99th Street. www.winspearcentre.com

Leduc Holiday Festivities

Santa’s Gone Loonie - Great family fun awaits at the 2007 Santa's Gone Loonie event in Leduc on December 2, 2007 at City Centre. Craft vendors will be on hand, selling unique Christmas gifts ($0.25 - $5.00 meant just for kids). Once your treasures are purchased, you can put your personal touch on the gifts by wrapping and decorating at our wrapping centre. As well, Santa Claus will drop by and children can visit with him and pass along the letter they made at one of the many activity tables. Join in the Christmas carol sing-a-long before hearing the story of the Night Before Christmas in the storytelling corner. Share in the holiday spirit by bringing an item for the Food Bank. www.leduc.ca/Leduc/News_and_Events/Events

Directions to City Centre: Take the 'City Centre' exit off of Highway 2 and head east into the heart of Leduc. Follow 50 Avenue to 50 Street and turn right (south). Go 3 blocks and turn left (east) onto 47 Avenue. After 2 blocks turn right (south) onto 48A Street. The Leduc Civic Centre is a grey and red building on your right.

Christmas Wreath Display - Christmas wreaths come in many styles and sizes and are a wonderful way to celebrate and generate excitement for the Christmas season! The City of Leduc will 'deck the halls' of City Hall with unique wreaths submitted by creative residents. People can view these beautiful submissions during regular office hours (Monday thru Friday, 8:30am - 4:30pm). December 3 - January 4, 2008.

To locate City Centre, see directions above.

Muttart Conservatory

Buy your holiday poinsettias at the Muttart Conservatory at its annual one-day sale on December 9 from 1pm - 4pm. Fun activities for the kids, too! Regular admission price. The conservatory is at 9626-96A Street. www.edmonton.ca/muttart

New Year & New Years’ Eve Events

Sherwood Park

New Year’s Eve Family Celebration at Broadmoor Lake Park, Oak Street (in the heart of Sherwood Park). Ring in the New Year with fun for the whole family at Broadmoor Lake Park. Hay rides, music, bonfire, games, skating and tobogganing (weather permitting) beginning at 4pm. Stay for the FIREWORKS starting at 8pm!

Sir Winston Churchill Square

On the evening of December 31, 2007, Sir Winston Churchill Square will come alive with a free, non-alcoholic family event! Clowns and musicians will delight you. Hot chocolate and a roaring fire will keep you cozy. Bring your skates and your loved ones and have a party. www.edmonton.ca

West Edmonton Mall

Celebrate New Year’s Eve as a family in a fun, exciting way at World Waterpark’s New Year’s Eve Family Beach Party. In addition to playing in the surf, you will enjoy a live band, fabulous prizes, free party favours and a spectacular indoor fireworks display. 6:00pm – 12:00am. www.westedmall.com

Valley Zoo

Start your new year at the Zoo! Special activities for both kids and adults are offered on Jan. 1 from noon - 3pm. Regular winter admission price ($18.50 for the whole family) The zoo is at the end of Buena Vista Ave. www.edmonton.ca/valleyzoo