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FREE Learn to Skate, A Puzzle Battle, Pandas Volleyball, Try Curling & much more
Thanks for reading! I hope you have a happy and prosperous New Year = )
What’s Up Edmonton! (And surrounding areas)…
Thanks for tuning in. Here’s your local ad-free action report for: Tuesday, December 31, 2024 through Monday, January 6, 2025.
I cover: Events & Entertainment happening in & around YEG.
Note: All links are non-monetized. They simply lead to event info.
If you’re enjoying this informative ad-free publication, please share it with your friends.
____________________________________________________________________
My friend, happy new year!
Thanks for checking in. I hope your week is splendid.
Jonah
Some Things To Do This Weekend:
Tuesday, December 31:
Noon - 8pm | New Years Eve with BCL | MOSTLY FREE EVENT | Enjoy skating, a family-friendly movie ($2/family), fireworks & more | Bring a lawn chair |
2pm - 3:45pm | The Princess Bride | FREE EVENT | "Have fun stormin' da castle" as you all make your way down to catch this epic classic |
2pm - 3:45pm | Inside Out | FREE EVENT | Bring the kids to hang out with Riley as she navigates a scary new world |
5pm - midnight | New Years Eve at the AGA | FREE EVENT (I’m pretty sure) | Enjoy multiple musical performances, two fireworks shows & more |
6pm - 8pm | New Years Festival (Strathcona County) | FREE EVENT | Enjoy floor hockey, snow shoeing, holiday games & about 20 other activities |
6pm - 9pm | Family Fest (Stony Plain) | FREE EVENT | Enjoy horse drawn wagons, dance to a live DJ, hit the photo booth, get your face painted & more |
6pm - 10pm | NYE Celebration @ WCC (Edmonton) | FREE EVENT | Enjoy a potluck dinner (definitely bring something), skating, games, fireworks & more |
6pm - 11:45pm | New Years @ RHW | FREE EVENT | Enjoy live music, roving performers, roasted chestnuts, games, Indigenous storytelling & much more |
6pm - midnight | New Years Eve Fireworks (Edmonton) | FREE EVENT | Enjoy cultural performances, live music, food trucks, activities & much more |
6pm - 12:30am | New Years Eve @ Ice District Plaza | FREE EVENT | Catch live performances from Jade Eagleson & Dawson Grey, activities & more |
8:30pm start | New Years Eve Fireworks (St. Albert) | FREE EVENT | Release your oohs & ahhs under a (hopefully) starry night sky |
9pm - 2am | Bollywood New Year’s Eve | Ring in the new year with a Bhangra Party | $25.29/person | 18+ |
All Night | Various New Year’s Eve Parties in YEG | SOME FREE EVENTS | For a comprehensive list, smash that link button |
Wednesday, January 1:
10:30am start | Morning Hike @ Government House Park | FREE EVENT | Make new friends and enjoy a 6-7km walk | Bring water, spikes, etc. |
2pm start | Mission Impossible I, II & III | Head to the Met to see this legendary series played back to back to back | FREE-$14/person, per film |
2pm start | Oil Kings vs Hitmen | Catch an affordable game of high level hockey for only $24.25+/person |
3pm - 6pm | New Years Day Celebration | FREE EVENT | Ring in the new year with a sled race, skating, a live DJ, fireworks & more |
5:30pm - 7:30pm | Feed The Need Elite Charity Game | BY DONATION | Catch some rising soccer talent and help support those in need |
Thursday, January 2:
10am - 10:45am | R.E.A.D. with the RCMP (Leduc) | FREE EVENT | Enjoy fun, interactive stories (and crafts) read by a local RCMP constable |
10am - noon | Play Cafe & Toy Library | FREE EVENT | A chance for young children to make new friends while parents/caregivers connect over coffee |
2pm - 3:45pm | Soul | FREE EVENT | Follow along as middle-school band teacher Joe tackles one existential crisis by solving another |
6:30pm - 8:30pm | The Great Gatsby | FREE EVENT | Nick Carraway is mesmerized by Jay Gatsby’s lifestyle (and honestly… aren’t you?) |
6:45pm start | Puzzle Battle | FREE EVENT (to watch) | Grab 2-3 friends & be the first team to build an 500 piece puzzle | Prizes for 1st place | $75/team |
8pm - 11pm | Laurelle K & Adam Kidd Feat. Darlin | Enjoy an evening of fun and relaxing tunes for $16.72-20/person |
January 2 - 3 | Freeze The Day! (St. Albert) | FREE EVENT | Steep yourself in history & explore the Little White Schoolhouse | Plus crafts, games & more |
January 2 - 4 | Pandas New Years Classic | Cheer on U of A Pandas V-Ball as they take on a host of formidable foe | $20+/non-student/day | Day 2 | Day 3 |
January 2 - 5 | Kick Off The New Year | FREE EVENT | Four days of kid-friendly activities including a scavenger hunt, paint party, game demos & more |
January 2 - 5 | Northern Lights Mini Golf Village | Try your luck at snow golf, plus enjoy skating, XC ski trails, a dog park & more | FREE - $16/person |
Friday, January 3:
9:45am - 11:30am | Conversation Café | FREE EVENT | Join & enjoy meaningful conversations about health and wellness |
2pm - 3:45pm | Hitchiker’s Guide to the Galaxy | FREE EVENT | Explore the galaxy with impromptu traveller Arthur Dent |
2pm - 3:45pm | Flushed Away | FREE EVENT | The tail.. err.. tale of an uptown rat who experiences an abrupt change of scenery (and eventually, attitude) |
2pm - 3:15pm | Flin Flon: A Hockey Town | FREE EVENT | Learn all about a Canadian hockey team that empowers their community & vice versa |
7pm - 10pm | Griffins vs Pandas (Women) | Cheer for your alma mater & get rowdy as two local teams take to the ice | FREE-$14.19/person |
7:30pm - 9pm | Bachata Dance Class & Social | FREE EVENT | Get those boots on & get down here for an evening of dance & fun | Epic date night idea |
7:30pm - 9:30pm | West Coast Swing Dance Lesson & Social | Make new friends and learn to swing dance in this beginner-friendly class | $10/person |
7:30pm start | MPW: Doomsday | Get your fill of semi-pro wrestling for only $20-25/person |
January 3 - 4 | Ice Grooves | FREE EVENT | Lace up your skates & enjoy a skate with live DJ’s from 6-9pm both evenings |
January 3 - 4 | Michael Harrison | Catch a hoot from this world renowned Canadian born comedian | $22/person plus tax |
Saturday, January 4:
10am - noon | Women’s Circle | FREE EVENT | Gather with other women, make new friends & discuss anything at your leisure |
11am start | Thunder vs CMU | Cheer Concordia’s women’s volleyball team on as they take on the Canadian Mennonite University | FREE-$10/person |
11:30am start | Golden Bears vs Lewis Flyers | Kick off the weekend with some awesome volleyball action | FREE-$20/person |
Noon - 3pm | Newcomer Skate | FREE EVENT | Grab a hot chocolate & catch some laps on the ice while meeting new friends | Some gear available for loan |
12:30pm - 3:30pm | LEED Town Hall | FREE EVENT | Learn about high school programs, scholarships, volunteer opportunities & much more | FREE snacks |
1pm start | The Land Before Time (1988) | Unlock a core childhood memory & watch as Littlefoot discovers the Great Valley | FREE-$14/person |
5pm - 8pm | Griffins vs Golden Bears (Mens)| Watch & cheer as a bunch of well-rested athletes take to the ice | FREE-$14.19/person |
7pm start | Oil Kings vs Hurricanes | Don your crocs & join the croc party as Oil Jr takes on our windy neighbours | $24.25+/person |
7:30pm start | Avatar: The Last Airbender in Concert | Immerse yourself in a live performance featuring this masterpiece’s score | $70.36+/person |
9:30pm - 11pm | Maestro | Elimination improv comedy | 12 performers line up & are picked off one by one until a champion is crowned | $11-22/person |
January 4- 5 | Learn to Skate | FREE EVENT | Lace up and learn how to skate during these FREE instructor-led classes |
Sunday, January 5:
Noon - 2pm | Bachata Solo Shines Workshop | Hone your technique so you can step up your game @ the Bachata Socials | $20+/person |
12:30pm start | Walk in South Edmonton | FREE EVENT | Meet new friends & enjoy some easy exercise in the great outdoors |
1pm - 3pm | Recreational Skate | FREE EVENT | Get your skates on & enjoy a few laps on engineered ice |
1pm - 5pm | Try Curling (Fort Sask) | FREE EVENT | Hurry hard & right off as you learn the art of the rock toss | Bring your cleanest shoes |
1:30pm - 3pm | Ernest & Celestine | FREE EVENT | A mouse & a bear forge an unlikely friendship | Bring the kids & enjoy a movie at the library |
1:30pm - 4pm | Hula Meetup | FREE EVENT | Grab your ukulele & prepare for a barrel of laughs and lots of fun | Some loaner ukuleles available |
1:30pm start | Book Signing | FREE EVENT | Meet Heather McKenzie & get your copy of “Atomica between Sea and Sky” signed |
2pm - 3:30pm | Uke It Up @ The Library (St. Albert) | FREE EVENT | There’s not much that doesn’t sound good on a ukulele | Bring yours & join the crowd |
2pm - 4pm | Inside Out 2 | FREE EVENT | Grab the family & head down to C0-Lab for a FREE movie & refreshments | FCFS until capacity reached |
2:15pm - 3pm | Recreational Skate | FREE EVENT | Lace up your bladed boots & take the arena ice by storm |
3:30pm start | Dune (1984) | Catch this classic on the Met’s jumbo screen for only $11-14/person |
4pm - 6pm | Make New Friends (Meetup Group) | FREE EVENT | Looking for new pals? | Join the conversation right here | 18+ |
January 5 - 19 | Try Naginata | FREE EVENT | Give this popular Japanese sport a try | Sundays only & at specific times | 10+ |
January 5 - February 23 | Swing ‘n Skate | FREE EVENT. | Select Sundays, see link | Dance along with some of YEG’s best live talent or take a skate |
Monday, January 6:
10am - 11am | Storytime Explorers (ages 2-5) | FREE EVENT | Take your little one to the Leduc Public Library for stories & playtime |
1pm - 2:15pm | Seniors Skate | FREE EVENT | Adults 50+ are invited to take to quiet ice that’s completely unencumbered of those meddling 49 & under… ers |
7pm - 8pm | Silent Book Club (St. Albert) | FREE EVENT | Join the group & read in unadulterated silence, enjoying the remainder of your Happy Monday |
Thanks for reading. Have a good one folks!