Join the Edmonton Arts Council (EAC) in the heart of downtown on Monday, February 19, from 12 – 4 p.m., for an afternoon of free Family Day activities and entertainment. This year, the City of Edmonton and the EAC have partnered with our downtown Arts District partners to offer a variety of free Family Day programming, including music, theatre, roving performers, games and more! 

Bundle up the family and head to Churchill Square from 12 – 4 p.m. this Family Day for free music, games and more. Enjoy a special performance by Hula Hoop Circus from 3 – 4 p.m.

Visit the Art Gallery of Alberta between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. for Family Day activities and entertainment, including high-energy performances by Hula Hoop Circus (from 1 – 2 p.m.), child-friendly games and activities, art, music and more. Free admission and access to all galleries presented by Station Lands Ltd. Please note that the last admission to the galleries is at 4 p.m. For more information, including gallery hours, visit YourAGA.ca.

Check out the free Family Day programming at the Winspear Centre from 2 – 3 p.m. and join Rhythm, Rhythm, Rhythm in a drum circle facilitated by Lucas Coffey. 

Head to the Citadel Theatre for free performances by the Alberta Musical Theatre Company, who will delight audience members with their musical adaptation of the classic fairytale, Cinderella. Shows will take place from 12 – 1 p.m. and 3 – 4 p.m.

There’s lots to see and do at the Stanley A. Milner Library this Family Day, including a family baking class, a concert, storytelling, a cool craft and more. Visit the Edmonton Public Library website for hours and event information.

Head to the Fan Park in ICE District on Family Day for the Open Community Competition at the UIAA World Ice Climbing Championships and YEG Ice Fest. Admission is free. Enjoy food, entertainment, a winter market, and the family fun zone. Clinics will be available for all levels from ‘never tried it before’ to experienced ice and mixed climbers. For more information or to register, visit the YEG Ice Fest website.

Jump back in time at this Prehistoric Paradise Family Day event at the Muttart Conservatory. You will find dinosaurs, reptiles and large insects throughout the pyramids for our current ‘Giants in the Mist’ show. There will be activities for all ages such as airbrush tattoos, a magician that will be roving through the mist, dino-mite crafts and sensory play, finding dinosaurs and fossils through a scavenger hunt and more! The fun runs from 12 – 4 p.m. Doors open at 10 a.m. General admission applies.

Celebrate Family Day from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. at the Edmonton Valley Zoo. Cozy up next to a campfire and join our education team for animal talks, crafts, games, and more. Experience a day of family fun and discover how our zoo families support animal conservation.

General admission applies. Tickets are available in advance on MoveLearnPlay; memberships apply. The Edmonton Valley Zoo recommends all patrons, including members, purchase and reserve their timed entry for each visit. Reserving in advance will guarantee admission and avoid line-ups.

Between February 17 - April 1, Alberta residents can receive two–for–one admission to both the Edmonton Valley Zoo and the Muttart Conservatory. 

Bundle up the family and spend Family Day creating a wintry display in your front yard as part of the City’s annual Winterscapes photo contest. Visit edmonton.ca/winterscapes for the terms and conditions, to see inspirational photos and a list of cool prizes you can win. Entries and nominations are accepted up to and including February 19. 

Looking for some family fun close to home? Check out what's happening at your neighbourhood City of Edmonton recreation centre. Unlike previous years, most recreation centres will be open on Family Day (other than Jasper Place and A.C.T., which are currently in shutdown and St. FX). In addition, Eastglen Leisure Centre now has an inflatable obstacle course, which will be featured on Family Day. Mill Woods’ wave pool will also be running during public swim times. Dr. Anne Anderson Community Centre will also host a free family Zumba Party. Visit the website for facility locations, hours and admission prices.

Head to the Alberta Legislature Building and the Queen Elizabeth II Building from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and enjoy free musical performances, magic shows, juggling, circus acts, crafts, storytelling, Lego® fun and the Legislature Building open house. Visit assembly.ab.ca for more information.

Family Day is the final day of the Silver Skate Festival. Head to the festival’s new temporary home in Sir Wilfrid Laurier Park to enjoy Edmonton’s longest running winter festival, featuring storytelling, a snow sculpture garden, fire sculpture burns and much more. ETS offers free shuttle service to and from the festival on Family Day. Admission is free. Visit the Silver Skate Festival website for event and free ETS shuttle details. 

Enjoy your coffee or hot chocolate al fresco, all winter long. The WinterCity Edmonton and Vibrant Streets initiatives provide opportunities to increase the vibrancy and livability of city streets, sidewalks and alleyways from downtown and beyond.

Visit the WinterCity Edmonton website to find a list of businesses sporting winter patios, including those where you can take your four-legged friends.

Why not leave the driving to us? Convenient and accessible, Sir Winston Churchill Square and the Downtown Arts District are easily reached by bus and LRT. 

Travelling with kids? Use a Family/Day Pass to take you there. This pass provides unlimited daily travel on ETS for up to five people (maximum of two adults over 24 years old) for $10.25. Family/Day Pass can be purchased through the ETS Online Store, retail sales outlets and the Edmonton Service Centre. Regular ETS fares apply on Family Day.

Riders can also use Arc – a convenient way to pay for and take transit. No need to deal with paper passes or exact change, as riders can simply tap on and off transit using an Arc card or single-use Arc ticket. Visit myArc.ca for more information. 

For complete route and schedule details visit edmonton.ca/transit or use the Transit app.

Communications Advisor

Community Services