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
- November 29 - November 30, 10:00am-9:00pm, December 1, 10:00am-4:00pm
- Westerner Park
- 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
- 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
- December 5 & 12, 4:00pm-8:00pm
- Gasoline Alley Farmers Market
- December 6, 3:00pm-7:00pm, December 7, 12:00pm-7:00pm
- Millennium Centre
- 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:
- November 22 - Mid January
- City Hall Park
- November onwards
- Heritage Ranch
- November 16- December 23
- Alberta Steam Train - Located in Stettler
- Booking information here
- 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
- 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
- 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
- December 6 & 7, 13 & 14, 5:30pm-8:30pm
- Red Deer Neighbourhoods
- 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
- December 9, 1:00pm-2:30pm
- Red Deer Museum + Art Gallery
- Drop-in, all ages
- December 10
- Bo’s Bar & Stage
- Purchase tickets here
- December 12, 6:30pm-8:30pm
- Kerry Wood Nature Centre
- Drop-in, $3/person or $10/family
Oh Snap Gingerbread House Party
- December 14, 11:00am-9:00pm
- Troubled Monk
- Purchase tickets here
- 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
- December 21, 1:00pm-4:00pm
- Red Deer Museum + Art Gallery
- Drop-in, all ages
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Enjoy cozy, family-friendly sessions like felt ornament crafting or a special kids' holiday workshop designed to spark creativity and fun.
- 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!
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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!
Blue Grass Sod, Nursery & Garden Centre
Gasoline Alley Harley-Davidson
Glen’s Family Restaurant & Gift Shop
Parkland Nurseries & Garden Centre
Malls
Discover all your favorite stores in one place for the ultimate holiday shopping experience!
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.