‘Tis the season!
Nothing gets you in the spirit quicker than dazzling holiday lights, am I right?
And there’s plenty of those shiny lights adorning the Edmonton area for you to experience outdoors, for FREE this season (2020—safely with your households/co-horts).
I worked with Travel Alberta on some promotion for Edmonton’s iconic Candy Cane Lane, but thought—why stop there?! So I made sure to visit a few more outdoor holiday light experiences so I could share some recommendations here for you! If you’re reading this after 2020, the locations likely still apply for having some kind of festive installation, it just may not look exactly the same.
I hope you have a safe and happy holiday!
Guide to a Few FREE Festive Outdoor Light Experiences in the Edmonton Area (2020)
Watch my TikTok / IG Reel video showing a few of these festive outdoor light spots!
@lindorable A few FREE festive light experiences in Edmonton 🥰🎄🎅🏻 ##yeg ##exploreedmonton ##explorealberta ##happyholidays ##holidayvibes
1. LeMarchand Mansion (Downtown Edmonton)
You’ve got to visit the stunning Christmas tree at LeMarchand Mansion in downtown Edmonton this year! (11523 100 Ave.)
Wow! Just as stunning in the daytime as it is at night, a stop here gazing at this tree makes me wonder briefly if I’m doing Christmas in New York—the tree and the heritage building, it’s a *vibe.*
Notes: Free to visit. First 30 minutes free downtown parking.
Some parking areas are free after 6 p.m. or 9 p.m., and free on Sundays.
2. Churchill Square (Downtown Edmonton)
This year’s holiday tree in Churchill Square stands at 77-feet tall and weighs 6,200 pounds. The white spruce tree comes from the Millar Western Forest Management area near Whitecourt, Alberta. The tree is decorated with 22,000 LED lights, sparklers and globes supplied and hung by EPCOR. And this year there’s also art installations on the Square (and around downtown) too, as part of the Downtown Business Association’s 2020 Holiday Light-up.
The main art piece on Churchill Square is entitled to ‘Transformation: Promise and Wisdom’ by artists Sharon Rose Kootenay and Jason Symington for The Works Art & Design Festival.
“The two sides of ‘Transformation’ represent the promise of what is yet to come, and the wisdom of the ancestors who have passed before us. As certain as the turning seasons, this process is eternal, and as old as time.”
Notes: Free to visit. First 30 minutes free downtown parking.
Some parking areas are free after 6 p.m. or 9 p.m., and free on Sundays.
3. Legislature Grounds (Downtown Edmonton)
The Alberta Legislature Grounds are a must-visit during the holiday season.
Enjoy the lights and the view from 98th Avenue then head down to the star of the show—the stunning tree. Plus, there’s so much space to distance yourself from others!
Notes: Free to visit. Free parking. Free skating on the south grounds (weather permitting).
4. Victoria Park IceWay (Edmonton River Valley)
The rainbow kaleidoscope-esque Victoria Park IceWay may not be lit for official Christmas purposes but I always feel festive skating on it, and it’s become a spot I visit almost exclusively every holiday season. They’ve also expanded the IceWay, so if you haven’t been in a couple of years, it’s much longer now! And still connects back to the Victoria Park Oval as well. Enjoy your skating!
5. Candy Cane Lane (West Edmonton)
This year’s Candy Cane Lane is a drive-through experience, which I know was disappointing for people to hear but you can still have a lovely time taking in the festive decor from your vehicle! Just be prepared for line-ups, and factor in time to wind back to get a better view of the other side of the lane too. It’s so impressive the lengths homeowners along Candy Cane Lane will go to decorate! There’s some great inflatables, elaborate light installations, and really creative Christmas scenes.
Don’t forget to donate to the Edmonton Food Bank if you’re planning to visit!
6. Central Park (Parkland County / Spruce Grove)
Central Park in Spruce Grove (just west of Edmonton) is a very special place for Mike and I because it’s where he proposed to me many years ago! I will always remember how picture perfect that evening was—a winter wonderland, bright lights, skating. If you’ve never been, this is a beautiful spot. Bring your skates and hot chocolate! And order pick-up from Italian restaurant Porta Romana right across from the park—so good!
Notes: Free to visit. Ample parking lot (free).
6. Musical Lights (Parkland County / Spruce Grove)
While you’re in the area, just north of Spruce Grove (still in Parkland County) is a neighbourhood with big houses, big lawns, and BIG Christmas lights (they’re not “big” necessarily, there’s just a lot of them lol—I just wanted to write “big” three times).
The whole neighbourhood is decked out in Christmas lights but the pinnacle is at #27 Falcon Drive (27320 TWP Road 534)—which has its Christmas lights dancing to music on 88.9FM (nightly from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.)
Notes: Free to visit. Lots of street parking.
7. Elliot Place (St. Albert)
A small neighbourhood in St. Albert called Elliot Place is a must-visit for holiday lights. Each year the whole street transforms into something you’d see out of Christmas with the Kranks! Walk underneath the lit-up archway and take in the beautiful decorated homes on either side.
Thanks to @edmontonmama for sharing this photo and the Elliot Place insights!
Notes: Free to visit. Find free street parking.
7. Festival Place (Sherwood Park)
East of Edmonton in Sherwood Park you’ll need to visit Festival Place. Lit-up trees (some set to music on the radio!), neon ‘Stray Strong and Be Merry’ words, and a nearby skating path make it a perfect spot to celebrate the season in Strathcona County!
Thanks to @mirkruk for sharing this photo!
Notes: Free to visit. Parking lot / nearby parking available (free).
For more festive lights:
- Check out the Edmonton Area Christmas Lights Facebook Page
- Edmonton Area Christmas Light Locations Google Maps
(created by Edmonton Area Christmas Lights – Facebook)
Watch my TikTok / IG Reel video showing a few of these festive outdoor light spots!
@lindorable A few FREE festive light experiences in Edmonton 🥰🎄🎅🏻 ##yeg ##exploreedmonton ##explorealberta ##happyholidays ##holidayvibes
♬ We Wish You a Merry Christmas – Merry Christmas
Linda
If you’re Edmonton area and want hyperlocal recommendations on what to do, eat, and things to know each week, plus subscriber-only giveaways, subscribe to my weekly newsletter!
