Good to know: Santa’s Anonymous and the Christmas Bureau are two different entities and applications for each are separate.

Santa’s Anonymous

What is available:

• An assortment of gifts for each child in your family ages 12 & under
• Packages for each child typically include a book, a stuffy and a couple of other age-appropriate toys, everything brand new
• Toys are delivered sometime around mid-December

Families who qualify need:

• To live in the City of Edmonton
• Be the primary caregiver for one or more child aged 12 and under
• Have a household income that falls within the qualifying limits for 2024

Income verification and ID for each person on the application is required

How to apply:

• Gather your documents (more info on what is accepted can be found on their website)
• Fill out the online application HERE and submit!

Applications are open from October 14 to December 2, 2024

The Christmas Bureau:

What is available:

• Food hampers or gift cards from the Food Hamper program
• Gift cards for teens ages 13 to 17 from Adopt-A-Teen Program
• Food hampers are delivered on December 21 and an adult applicant must be home to receive the hamper – gift cards are typically send in the mail and should arrive somewhere around this date as well

Who qualifies:

• Must be a resident of the City of Edmonton
• Combined household income is taken into consideration
• Only those permanently residing in the household applying qualify (visitors cannot be added to an application)

How to apply:

• Gather your proof of income, proof of residency and ID for each person on the application
• Call in: 780.414.7695 or apply online on the Christmas Bureau website HERE

Applications must be received no later than December 2!

Both entities are non-denominational and people from any background and religion are allowed to and encouraged to apply for services if their families are in need and qualify for them. Whatever you celebrate, happy holidays, everyone!

The post Applying for Santa’s Anonymous + The Christmas Bureau, Edmonton – What You Need to Know for 2024 appeared first on Family Friendly Edmonton.

Several options for tickets, but these tend to sell out quickly every year – book yours sooner than later! Two location options available.

Note that every train ride in both locations typically sell out completely – so get your tickets sooner than later!

Polar Express Stettler

When: Various dates throughout November & December, 2023

Where: Alberta Prairie Railway Excursions, 47 Avenue, Stettler (approx 2 hours drive from Edmonton)

Ticket prices: Start at $65

More info/Buy Tickets

Good to know: There are no bathrooms aboard this train

Polar Express Aspen Crossing

When: Various dates throughout November & December, 2023

Where: Aspen Crossing, Mossleigh, AB (less than 1 hour Southeast of Calgary – approx 4 hours from Edmonton)

Tickets: Tickets for this train ride vary based on cart and are only sold this year in pairs (2) or in groups of 4

More info/Buy tickets

Tickets sold out? Keep checking back! They sometimes add more times/dates to the schedule due to its popularity

Check out a peek of what to expect during the ride here:

Photo credit: telfordsteamrailway.co.

Follow us on Instagram for more family friendly things to do this season: Yeg.Family | IG

The post Polar Express: Real Train Rides With Santa On Board Themed From the Classic Movie, 2024 appeared first on Family Friendly Edmonton.

Edmonton’s 2024 stop: December 12th from 8:15 pm – 8:45 pm

Where: Just south of the CPKC Station – 7935 Gateway Boulevard.

The magical Holiday Train will be touring across North America, collecting food and monetary donations for local food banks while putting on free live concerts. This year’s lineup includes big-name artists like: American Authors, Magic!, Sofia Camara, and Tyler Shaw.

Full Alberta schedule for the Holiday Train:

• December 8: Medicine Hat, Tilley, Brooks, Gleichen
• December 11: Blackfalds, Lacombe, Ponoka, Wetaskiwin, Millet, Leduc
• December 12: Josephburg, Edmonton
• December 13: Innisfail, Olds, Didsbury, Airdrie
• December 14: Calgary
• December 15: Cochrane, Stoney Nakoda, Canmore, Banff

For more information on the Holiday Train, schedule and more, see the CPKC website here.

As always, dress for the weather and enjoy your time! Follow us on Instagram for more fun things to do with the kids in & around Edmonton.

Photo credit: CP Holiday Train | Facebook

The post CPKC Holiday Train Stops in Alberta for December, 2024 appeared first on Family Friendly Edmonton.

2024 Treat Accessibly Halloween Villages made possible by Canadian Tire are happening THIS weekend in two locations in the Edmonton area!

They are intended for children with disabilities and their families, allowing them to experience curb-side and accessible trick-or-treating with each other and with local neighbourhood kids.  No need to approach houses, talk to strangers, climb steps or do anything outside of the children and families’ comfort zones at these events!

Get more info / register for this event / sign up to host your own event on the treat accessibility website here.

Photo credit: treataccessibility.com

The post Treat Accessibility Villages for Children With Disabilities in & Around Edmonton appeared first on Family Friendly Edmonton.

Family friendly things to do in October:

Pumpkins After Dark

Family friendly pumpkin / Halloween themed walkway with thousands of carved pumpkins and themed displays. 3D maze, roving entertainment and more. Tickets are approximately $20 per person

When: Now until October 31, 2024

Where: Borden Park

More info/tickets

See a Family Friendly Movie for just $3.99/ticket!

Cineplex is hosting $3.99 family friendly movies every weekend in October!

When: Saturday mornings, usually 11 am showtimes

Where: Participating Cineplex theatres

More info

Visit a Corn Maze / Adventure Farm

This is the end of the season for most adventure farms & corn mazes and we put together a list of the most fun ones closest to Edmonton!

Details / Full list

Edmonton Elks Game (Spooktacular theme)

Come down dressed up if you’d like – “Spooktacular” is the theme for this game against Toronto

When: Friday, October 25

Where: Commonwealth Stadium

More info/tickets

Play Rangers

FREE drop-in play – all ages welcome, and families can come all together, or kids ages 6-12 are welcome to attend on their own.

When: Every Saturday from 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm

Where: Whitemud Park

More info

Prairie Gardens Haunted Pumpkin Festival

Farm activities, playgrounds, animals, tours and more. Kids get in FREE on Halloween day if they show up in costume!

More info

See the Original Ghostbusters Movie & More Halloween classics on Alberta’s largest screen

Watch the 1984 classic Ghostbusters, Gremlins, The Addams Family and more this month at the IMAX  – see the TWOSE website for showtimes.

When: September 13 to September 15

Where: The IMAX at Telus World of Science

More info/tickets

Half Price Family Friendly Event at the WEM World Waterpark

Family friendly and guaranteed low crowd – tickets to this private event are just $35 each! (Regular price to the WEM Waterpark is $64+gst – so this is a steal!) Kids aged 2 and under get in for FREE! We’re talking slides, wave pool, water-side beach chair seating, hot tubs, spray park, aerial park, kiddie pool, concession & more for half price and little-to-no line ups for slides!

When: October 25, starting at 5:30 pm

Where: West Edmonton Mall World Waterpark

More info/tickets

Check out a Haunted House

Haunted houses are “creeping” up all over Edmonton! We have the Ultimate list of least-to-most scary (list will be updated as more are confirmed!)

More info/full list with details

Follow Family Friendly Edmonton on Instagram for more fun things to do with the kids!

The post Fun Family Friendly Things to do With the Kids in Edmonton in October, 2024 appeared first on Family Friendly Edmonton.

Maisie’s Halloween (Christmas) House

Located in North Edmonton – this decked out house is typically decorated for the Holidays, but has recently also started doing Halloween displays for the month of October – come walk by (and up the driveway) to see larger than life anamatronic displays! This year, they are accepting donations for SCARS

When: October 11 to October 31 (Then the Christmas decor will come out!)

Where: North Edmonton, the corner of 144 Avenue and 97 Street

More info

Halloween Jacks

No jump scares – this Halloween themed walk through includes a fun disco dancing room, magnetic wall space where you can leave messages and a fun 3D maze, all indoors!

When: October 4 to October 31, 2024

Where: City Centre Mall right next to the Delta Hotel

More info

Century 21 Spooktacular Acreage

Low scare fun just West of Edmonton – inflatables, animatronics and Halloween themed decor

When: October 17-19 & October 24-31

Where: 54020 Range Road 275, Spruce Grove

More info/Official FB page for Century 21

Kiwi’s Haunted House

Walk the Halloween themed trail for some fun and spooky surprises. Admission is $8 per person (kids 8 and under go free) or $4 per person if you bring a donation to the food bank. You can also buy a $15 ticket to skip the line on busy nights; a portion of the proceeds goes to the Parkland Food Bank

When: See their event page (linked below) for operating days/hours

Where: Kiwi Nursery – 31313 118 Avenue, Spruce Grove

More info

Lago Lindo Haunted Hall

Free all-ages Halloween fun experience; collecting donations for the Food Bank

When: October 25 to October 27, times TBA, typically runs from 6 pm to 8 pm

Where: Lago Lindo Community Hall – 17123 95 Street, Edmonton

More info

Delwood Annual Fright Nights Haunted House

Fright fund raiser at the Halloween themed rink in Delwood – with volunteers and scare actors hiding to give visitors a fun scare! $5 admission.

When: Various dates/times in October; see their event listing linked below

Where: Delwood Community League – 7515 Delwood Road, Edmonton

More info

Dark: Fort Edmonton

Immersive scary experience through multiple “haunted” houses on site as well as live roving Halloween themed entertainment.

When: October 4 to November 2, 2024

Where: Fort Edmonton Park 7000 143 Street, Edmonton

More info

K3 Corn Maze Field of Scares

Two nights only! Field of screams; all adventure farm activities will be open. $10/person

When: Saturday, October 19 & Friday, October 25 – 7:30 pm to 10:30 pm both days

Where: K3 Farms – 19425 Township Road 512, close to Tofield

More info

Deadmonton

Edmonton’s most terrifying haunted house experience. Gruesome props, live “monsters” jump scares and more – recommended for ages 12+ – visit at your own discretion!

When: Now until November 9, 2024 – operating dates and hours vary, see the calendar on their website for details

Where: Deadmonton Haunted House – 7031 Gateway Boulevard, Edmonton

More info

Follow us on Instagram to find more family friendly things to do with the kids this season!

The post Haunted Houses in & Around Edmonton to Visit This Halloween – From Most Kid-Friendly to Scariest, 2024 appeared first on Family Friendly Edmonton.

When: Friday, October 25, 2024 – 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm

Where: West Edmonton Mall World Waterpark – 8882-170 Street, Edmonton

Good to know:

• Regular general admission to the Waterpark is $64+gst; we have tickets available for $35 – note that kids aged 2 and under don’t need tickets and get in for free!
• There are 17 different slides, including tubing slides to enjoy
• There is a toddler section with a dolphin slide and warmer water
• There is a spray area/huge climbing structure in the back
• Concession for food and drinks will be available
• Cabanas are available to rent
• There are tons of lounge chairs poolside
• There are hot tubs, the wave pool and so much more to enjoy
• The event on this day is private and exclusive and not open to walk-ins on event day. You need pre-purchased tickets to be able to attend this event
• This is a super-low capacity event and will be kept that way – tickets are very limited to keep the lines short for the slides and to avoid a large crowd – so once tickets are sold out, there will be no more available! Get yours sooner than later, as these events do tend to sell out completely.

Buying tickets:

Tickets are available on a first come, first serve basis for this discounted day. To see more information on the event or to purchase tickets online, see our Eventbrite website here.

Contact for questions or to ask about optional alternative purchase via e-transfer, which will skip the website fees, email: michellee13@hotmail.com

Follow us on Facebook to get updates on more upcoming discounted events!

Photo credit: @officialwem | Instagram

The post How to Get West Edmonton Mall World Waterpark Tickets for HALF Price in Fall, 2024 appeared first on Family Friendly Edmonton.

When: July 19 to July 28, 2024; Open daily from Noon to midnight.

Where:  Edmonton Expo Centre – 7515-118 Avenue

Admission/passes

Admission: Everyone entering the grounds aged 7+ needs to have an admission pass to come in

• Kids 6 and under are free
• Youth 7-17 and seniors – $12
•  Adults – $18

*Prices may be subject to fees, gst and are sometimes higher on site than online*

Ride-all-day passes: Ride all day passes include unlimited rides for the single day of your choice and include admission to the grounds

• Get ride-all-day passes in advance for in person at Costco, Save-on-Foods or message Family Friendly Edmonton on IG to purchase ride-all-day passes or admission passes at a discount + have them sent over to you digitally *while supplies last, must be purchased by July 20 to get this price*
• Ride-all-day passes and “fast passes” that allow you to jump the line are available on site for which ever day you come to K-Days

Ways to get in for FREE

• Opening day: Friday, July 19 – check those backpacks! Most school-aged kids received a free admission pass for this day only from their school
• FREE admission on Sunday, July 21 with your Edmonton Public Library Card! Kids 6 & under always get in free at K-Days – and this day only, everyone aged 6+ who has their own EPL card gets in free too! Just show your card at the gate to get in free of charge
• Sign up for Summer at EPL and receive 2 K-Days admission passes upon sign up (while supplies last!)

Family friendly things to do

• The Kidway: located in the North Plaza, this area is full of rides and games made especially for younger kids
• The Midway – rides, games and food galore!
• Visit the Klondike Park – train rides, games and more
• Discovery Hall: Located in Hall C in the  Expo Centre – Sing along with some of your favourite characters on the Stage, get up-close with real life farm friends, bask in the twinkling lights of the Glow Zone and more
• Super Dogs: Located in Hall D in the Expo Centre, this show is entertaining and fun for everyone
• Inside the Expo Centre – Check out the Market Hall, Indigenous experience, Innovation zone, game discovery and more
• EAT – although we love the classics like mini donuts, don’t forget to check out some of the new foods competing to be the best on site this year! Lookin’ good: Sweet Chili Chicken Perogies, tiramisu pineapple ice cream, coconut little donuts, Korean BBQ fries and fried Oreo ice cream sandwiches.
• Fireworks: Nightly at 11 pm

Plan your trip: Find the full schedule of events going on and things to do each day here.

Ways to save

• Bring your own refillable water bottles – Epcor has set up FREE water refill stations on the grounds
• Purchase your ride and admission tickets in advance to save!
• Ride-all-day passes will stretch your dollar further than single tickets
• Use public transport or get a ride to avoid paying parking fees on site (parking starts at $20, no free re-entry allowed once you’ve left the lot)

Good to know/Tips on going with the kids

• All ride-all-day passes INCLUDE general admission – you need both to get in + ride
• Fast Passes are available daily onsite only
• Parking on site is $20 per vehicle
• The Kidway and inside the  Expo Centre (across from Ballroom 106) both have designated quiet areas for breastfeeding, changing kids, etc
• Save on the ATM fees by bringing some cash – a lot of vendors take card payments, but there are a select few things that are cash only
• Some shows are paid and some require tickets to be purchased in advance – see the K-Days website before coming to see show times and plan your day accordingly!
• Bring those refillable water bottles to save on the cost of drinks
• Wear comfy shoes and bring layers in case the weather turns suddenly

Be safe & have fun!

The post Your Guide to K-Days 2024 & Tips to Save Cash This Year appeared first on Family Friendly Edmonton.

St. Albert Fair

When: May 10-12, 2024

Where: St. Albert Centre – 375 St. Albert Trail

Millwoods Carnival

When: May 17-20, 2024

Where: Millwoods Towne Centre – 2331-66 Street

Londonderry Mall Fair

When: May 24-26, 2024

Where: Londonderry Mall, Edmonton

St. Albert Rainmaker Rodeo

When: May 24-26, 2024

Where: Kinsmen Club of St. Albert; various locations depending on activity

Beaumont Carnival

When: May 24-26, 2024

Where: Beaumont Sport and Recreation Centre

Black Gold Rodeo

When: May 30 – June 2, 2024

Where: Leduc

Farmers’ Days

When: May 31 – June 2, 2024

Where: Stony Plain – 5100-41 Avenue

Sustainival

When: June 8-11, 2024

Where: Ice District Fan Park

Devon Days

When: June 7-9, 2024

Where: 27 Athabasca Ave, Devon

Kingsway Carnival

When: June 14-16, 2024

Where: CCT Golf Centre – 11925 Kingsway NW

Millwoods Town Centre Mall

When: June 28 – July 1, 2024

Where: Millwoods Town Centre – 2331-66 Street

Sherwood Park Mall Carnival

When: July 5-7, 2024

Where: Sherwood Park Mall

K-Days

When: July 19-28, 2024

Where: Edmonton Expo grounds

Vegreville County Fair

When: August 7-11, 2024

Where: Vegreville Agricultural Centre

Follow us on Instagram for more fun events in the Edmonton area: @yeg.family

The post Edmonton & Area Midways & Carnivals, 2024 appeared first on Family Friendly Edmonton.

Photos with Santa

Santa’s Wonderland at Cabela’s:

Come down for a free 4×6 photo with Santa! See the Cabela’s website for the full calendar with times & details.

Where: Cabela’s stores

• North, 15320 – 37 Street NW, Edmonton
• South, 6150 Currents Drive NW, Edmonton

More info

West Edmonton Mall:

Where: West Edmonton Mall – 8882-170 Street, Edmonton

More info

Londonderry Mall:

Santa & Mrs Claus

Where: Londonderry Mall – 137 Avenue & 66 Street, Edmonton

Get photos with Santa and other winter themed guests – see the website for the full schedule

More info

Londonderry Mall also offers Silent Santa for children with sensory sensitivities Silent Santa. Contact Guest Services during regular mall hours for more information at 780-476-1441.

Millwoods Town Centre:

Where: Millwoods Town Centre – 2331-66 Street, Edmonton

More info

St. Albert Centre:

Where: St. Albert Centre – 375 St. Albert Trail, St. Albert

More info

Kingsway Mall:

Where: Kingsway Mall – 109 Street & Princess Elizabeth Avenue, Edmonton

More info

Southgate Centre:

Visit Santa at Southgate

Where: Southgate Centre, Centre Court – 5015-111 Avenue, Edmonton

More info

Bonnie Doon Centre:

Where: Bonnie Doon Shopping Centre (Promo Court) – 8330-83 Avenue, Edmonton

More info

Sherwood Park Mall:

Santa at the Candy Cane Cabin – plus: pet days

Where: Sherwood Park Mall – 2020 Sherwood Drive, Sherwood Park

More info

Northgate Centre:

Where: Northgate Centre – 97 Street & 137 Avenue, Edmonton
Note: Skipped for a couple of year now; keep checking back for updates!

Looking for other Christmas events and festivities to attend with the family? Check out our Ultimate guide to Christmas festivals happening in 2021 here.

Photo credit: cabelas.ca

The post Photos with Santa: When & Where to find him in Edmonton appeared first on Family Friendly Edmonton.