There’s no shortage of things to do in Edmonton and surrounding areas on New Year’s Eve. Read on to see a list of places you can go.
Edmonton New Year’s Eve celebrations
Earlier in the day, a free screening of The Princess Bride is happening at the Stanley A. Milner Library at 2:30 p.m.
There will be free outdoor performances in Sir Winston Churchill Square from 6 p.m. on. There are fireworks in the square at 8 p.m. and midnight. You can watch the fireworks on CBC Gem.
Also in Churchill Square is an art installation, skating, some street performers and free maple taffy while supplies last.
The Winspear Centre is featuring percussion group Sticks and Stones from 6 p.m. on, and The Citadel is having a DJ dance party as well as some other activities and free cookies for the first 200 guests. The Art Gallery of Alberta is hosting a craft session and some musical performances from Asiah Holm, Eric Kane as well as Jed and the Valentine.
Food trucks will be parked on 99th Street, and indoor spaces will have concessions available.
On Rice Howard Way, there’s performances by magicians, musicians and more street performers from 6 p.m. on. There will also be ice carving and a teepee raising.
Read more details here.
The Ice District is also hosting an Oilers watch party starting at 7 p.m. as the team faces off against Utah Hockey Club. After the game, the plaza will transform for performances by Jade Eagleson and Dawson Gray. Admission to Ice District Plaza is free, but space is limited.
Transit riders can board buses, LRT and DATS for free starting at 6 p.m. on New Year’s Eve, until the end of service at around 3 a.m. on Jan. 1.
West Edmonton Mall is also hosting a ticketed party at the water park. There will be a foam pit, a buffet, roving entertainment and an indoor fireworks show.
Surrounding cities and towns
Strathcona County is hosting a myriad of events, mostly centred in Sherwood Park. There will be games, crafts, shinny, skate performances, snowshoeing and street performers. To top it all off, there is a fireworks display at 8 p.m.
St. Albert is also hosting a fireworks display at 8:30 p.m. There are viewing locations on the city’s website.
Leduc is not hosting a fireworks display, but has a couple different Christmas light displays to see.
Stony Plain is hosting a New Year’s Eve festival called Family Fest. It’s taking place at Heritage Park from 6 to 9 p.m. There will be a live DJ and dance party, a barbecue dinner, photo booth, skating, horse-drawn wagon rides and fireworks to top it all off at 9 p.m.