Fireworks, waterparks and horse-drawn carriages: Here are New Year's Eve events happening in Edmonton
With Christmas 2024 in the books, there's only one more holiday for families to enjoy before opening the 2025 cat calendar you received from a distant relative: New Year's Eve.
Here are some of New Year's Eve events happening in and around the capital city to ring in 2025.
City of Edmonton’s New Year’s Eve Downtown Festival and Fireworks
The City of Edmonton is saying goodbye to 2024 with a free night of family fun.
Guests can expect family friendly activities, entertainment, live music and cultural performances, fire twirlers, art installations, skating, food trucks and a fire pit to stay warm.
Mayor Amarjeet Sohi will lead the countdown to the new year followed by a fireworks display.
When: 6 p.m. to midnight; fireworks at 8 p.m. and midnight
Where: Sir Winston Churchill Square and City Hall Plaza
Admission: Free
New Year's Eve Party at Ice District
Watch some hockey, cheer on the Edmonton Oilers, have some food and drinks, and get your country music fix, all in one night.
The Oilers will be taking on the Utah Hockey Club for the first time on home ice at 6 p.m.
After the watch party, Ice District will transform into a New Year's Eve party featuring country singers Dawson Grey and Jade Eagleson. Fireworks will light up the downtown sky after the countdown.
Fans are advised to come early to ensure a spot inside the plaza.
When: 6 p.m. for watch party, New Year's Eve party to follow
Where: Ice District Plaza, 10360 102 St.
Admission: Free
St. Albert New Year’s Eve Fireworks
St. Albert's New Year's Eve fireworks show will take over the Meadowview Ball Diamonds, but will be closed to the public to ensure a safe perimeter.
The best locations to watch the show are available here.
When: 8:30 p.m.
Where: St. Albert
Admission: Free
Sherwood Park's New Year's Festival
Family friendly and free are common themes when it comes to throwing a decent New Year's Eve celebration.
Sherwood Park's New Year's Festival offers plenty of activities for everyone to enjoy including snowshoeing, free glow sticks, holiday games, cabane à sucre, shinny hockey, skating and more.
Guests will be treated to s'mores, hot chocolate, ice sculptures, fire dancers and early fireworks at Broadmoor Lake Park beginning to close out the night.
More information can be found at the Strathcona County website.
When: 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Where: Broadmoor Lake Parkin Sherwood Park
Admission: Free
Family Fest in Stony Plain
Families can head to Heritage Park In Stony Plain for loads of New Year's fun.
The New Year's Eve party will consist of a live DJ, a barbecue dinner, popcorn, a photo booth, skating, face painting, horse-drawn wagon rides, a bonfire and fireworks to cap off the year.
The event is free, however guests are encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item for the Parkland Food Bank.
When: 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., fireworks at 9 p.m.
Where: Heritage Park, 4204 50 St. in Stony Plain
Admission: Free
World Waterpark’s New Year’s Eve Family Beach Ball
At the World Waterpark’s New Year’s Eve Family Beach Ball, spend the last remaining hours of 2024 in balmy conditions.
Partygoers can expect a foam pit party, a buffet, music and entertainment including a fire breather.
Once it's time for the year-end countdown, a giant beach ball will act as the "ball drop" to signal the new year with the city's largest indoor fireworks show to kick off 2025.
If you're more in it for the buffet, tickets can be sold separately to enjoy the all-you-can-eat treat.
Tickets are available online.
When: 6 p.m. to midnight
Where: World Water Park at West Edmonton Mall, 8882 170 St.
Admission: $89, $319 for a family pass
New Year’s Day Levee
On New Year's Day, guests can take in the sights of the Government House and meet Lt.-Gov. Salma Lakhani, who will be hosting the event.
The annual tradition is celebrated by all Vice Regal offices in Canada.
Festive music and treats will be on hand as well as postcards to support members of the Canadian Armed Forces who are deployed overseas. A guestbook will be available for those who wish to sign.
When: Jan. 1 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m, doors open at 12:45 p.m.
Where: Government House, 12845 102 Ave.
Admission: Free
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