Holiday Activities in Central Alberta

Central Alberta is bursting with holiday cheer. Explore this guide to discover holiday activities to celebrate this magical season!

Christmas Markets: 

If you’re looking for festive holiday activities, Central Alberta has you covered with a variety of Christmas markets:

Blue Grass Garden Centre Christmas Market 

• Every Sunday until Christmas 
• Blue Grass Garden Centre

Christmas Crafts & Markets at Parkland Nurseries & Garden Centre

• Every Saturday until Christmas 
• Parkland Garden Centre

Red Deer Festival of Trees

• November 29 - November 30, 10:00am-9:00pm, December 1, 10:00am-4:00pm 
• Westerner Park

Merry & Bright Market 

• November 30, 11:00am-4:00pm 
• Cenovus Learning Common - Red Deer Polytechnic 

Winterlust: A Very Merry Market 

• December 1, 11:00am-4:00pm
• Bo’s Bar & Stage

Red Deer Christmas in the County Festival 

• December 7, 10:00am-5:00pm, December 8, 10:00am-4:00pm 
• Westerner Park - Parkland Pavilion 

A Westerner Christmas 

• December 14-15, 10:00am-4:00pm 
• Westerner Park - Stockmens Pavilion 

Central Alberta Treasures Market 

• December 22, 2:00pm-6:00pm
• Red Deer Resort & Casino 
• Admission is a Food Bank Donation

Evening Christmas Market

• December 5 & 12, 4:00pm-8:00pm
• Gasoline Alley Farmers Market

The Winter Market 

• December 6, 3:00pm-7:00pm, December 7, 12:00pm-7:00pm
• Millennium Centre

Santa at the Market

• December 7 & 21, 1:00pm-3:00pm 
• Gasoline Alley Farmers Market

Events & Entertainment: 

Make the most of the season with these fun-filled holiday activities and events:

Red Deer Lights the Nights

• November 22 - Mid January 
• City Hall Park

Winter Night Lights Tour

• November onwards
• Heritage Ranch

Polar Express Train Ride 

• November 16- December 23
• Alberta Steam Train - Located in Stettler
• Booking information here

The Christmas Pickle 

• November 15 - December 23
• Various Downtown Red Deer Businesses

Drop’N’Hop Play Cafe - Play Time with Santa & Mrs. Claus 

• November 29, 10am-12pm 
• Purchase tickets here

Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley 

• November 29-December 15
• Central Alberta Theatre
• Purchase tickets here

Find the Snowman, Win a Shopping Spree

• November 29-December 8
• Parkland Mall 

Festival of Trees - Mistletoe Magic

• November 29, 7:00pm-11:00pm 
• Westerner Park - Prairie Pavilion 
• Purchase tickets here

Festival of Trees - Pajama Breakfast

• December 1, 8:00am-10:00am
• Westerner Park - Neeralta Pavilion
• Purchase tickets here

Family Showshoeing 

• December 1, 12:00pm-3:00pm
• Kerry Wood Nature Centre 
• Drop-in, $3/person or $10/family

Letters to Santa with Hot Cocoa

• December 2, 9:30am-11:00am
• Red Deer Museum + Art Gallery
• Drop-in, 5 & under

Capstone Kindness Tree

• December 3 - early January
• Capstone

Seasons Greetings An Improvised Hallmark Movie 

• December 5-7, 8:00pm-10:00pm
• Scott Block Theatre
• Purchase tickets here

Kids Night Out - Christmas Party

• December 6, 4:00pm-7:00pm
• Color Me Mine
• Register here

Downtown Twinkle Tour & Late Night Shopping

• December 7-23
• Downtown Businesses

Santa’s Bus Tour 

• December 6 & 7, 13 & 14, 5:30pm-8:30pm
• Red Deer Neighbourhoods 

Santa’s Bus Viewing Party 

• December 7, 6:30pm-8:00pm
• Red Deer Arts Council 

Paint and Be Merry Christmas Party

• December 7, 6:00pm-9:00pm
• Color Me Mine
• Reserve your seat here

Woven Tree Craft

• December 9, 1:00pm-2:30pm
• Red Deer Museum + Art Gallery
• Drop-in, all ages

Winterlust: Wine Whisperer 

• December 10 
• Bo’s Bar & Stage
• Purchase tickets here

Embrace the Dark

• December 12, 6:30pm-8:30pm
• Kerry Wood Nature Centre
• Drop-in, $3/person or $10/family

Oh Snap Gingerbread House Party

• December 14, 10:00am-12:00pm
• Troubled Monk
• Purchase tickets here

The Nutcracker Ballet

• December 12-15
• Red Deer Polytechnic’s Arts Centre, Main Stage 
• Purchase tickets here

CandyLand - Forum Family Aerial Brunch

• December 15, 9:30am-1:00pm
• Bo's Bar & Stage
• Purchase tickets here

Red Deer Public Library Adult Storytime: Hilarious Holiday Hijinks

• December 17, 6:30pm-8:00pm
• Red Hart Brewing
• Register here

Candlelight: Christmas Classics 

• December 19 & 20
• Scott Block Theatre
• Purchase tickets here

Woven Decorations

• December 21, 1:00pm-4:00pm
• Red Deer Museum + Art Gallery
• Drop-in, all ages

Stars on Ice Holiday Tour

• December 22, 4:00pm-8:00pm
• Westerne Park, Peavey Mart Centrium
• Purchase tickets here

Holiday Lights

For a sparkling experience that captures the magic of the season, check out our dedicated Holiday Lights blog post. Explore the most dazzling displays and light tours—perfect for an evening of festive holiday activities with family and friends.

Workshops: 

Get into the festive spirit with hands-on holiday activities through these creative workshops! Whether you're crafting wreaths, arranging centrepieces, or building a whimsical Grinch tree, there’s something for everyone to enjoy this season.

Blue Grass Garden Centre: 

• From grapevine wreaths to charcuterie boards and Whoville trees, Blue Grass offers a variety of hands-on workshops perfect for creating holiday decor and gifts.

Parkland Garden Centre: 

• Choose from fresh wreath-making, entry planters, or festive table centerpieces. Their creative workshops make it easy to bring the season’s charm to your home.

Kerry Wood Nature Centre: 

• Enjoy cozy, family-friendly sessions like felt ornament crafting or a special kids' holiday workshop designed to spark creativity and fun.

Stems: 

• Dive into unique offerings like metal wreaths, gnome-making, and natural tablescapes. Don’t miss their “Wreathinking and Drinking” sessions at the A Very Merry Market workshops for a festive twist.

Photos with Santa Claus:

Capture the magic of the season with a quintessential holiday activity—photos with Santa!

Bower Mall 

• November 16 - December 24
• Hours:
  • Monday - Saturday: 11:00am - 1:30pm, 2:00 - 5:00pm, 5:30 - 7:30pm
  • Sunday: 11:00am - 1:30pm, 2:00 - 5:00pm
  • Christmas Eve: 11:00 am - 1:30 pm, 2:00 - 4:00pm

Parkland Mall 

• December 5 - December 21 
• Hours (Santa takes a break every 2 hours):
  • Monday - Saturday: 10:00am-7:00pm
  • Sunday: 11:00am-5:00pm
  • NO Santa Days: December 7, a special green guest is taking over... & December 9, professional holiday photos without Santa available.

Drop’N’Hop Play Cafe - Play Time with Santa & Mrs. Claus 

• November 29, 10am-12pm 
• Purchase tickets here

A Westerner Christmas 

• December 15 from 11:00am-3:00pm
• ‍FREE Santa Photos

Gasoline Alley Harley Davidson Pictures with Santa & The Grinch 

• December 7, 10am-4pm
• Register here

Santa at the Market

• December 7, 1pm-3pm, December 21, 1pm-3pm 
• Gasoline Alley Farmers Market

Blue Grass Garden Centre Christmas Market 

• Stay up to date with their socials Santa, Mrs. Claus, & the Grinch and known to stop by…

Christmas Shopping Gift Guide

Local Shops

Support local this holiday season with this fantastic list of unique shops —perfect for finding one-of-a-kind gifts for everyone on your list!

Alta

Blue Grass Sod, Nursery & Garden Centre 

Crystals and Sun Signs 

Gasoline Alley Farmers Market 

Gasoline Alley Harley-Davidson 

Glen’s Family Restaurant & Gift Shop

Parkland Nurseries & Garden Centre 

Stems Flower & Cafe

Sweet Home in the City 

Malls

Discover all your favorite stores in one place for the ultimate holiday shopping experience!

Bower Mall 

Parkland Mall

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For more holiday activities, check out our indoor fun and outdoor activities blog posts for ideas on how to enjoy the season. You can also explore our full events calendar for even more exciting things happening in Central Alberta this holiday season.