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Family Friendly New Years Eve Events Around Alberta 2025

Updated December 29, 2025

The new year fun doesn’t have to stop once you have kids, it just looks different – and happens a lot earlier than midnight (thank goodness).

Hit up some of these mostly FREE family-friendly New Years Eve events across Alberta this New Years and then head home to the warmth of your couch to bring the New Years in with your jammies on and a glass of champagne in hand!

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Please Note: We do our best to keep the information Alberta Mamas current and accurate, but all information shared is subject to change. Please check the website and/or social media for the organizations directly (we always try to link to them!) to confirm before travelling.

Land Acknowledgement

This land has welcomed First Nations from across Turtle Island, and settlers and visitors from around the world. Alberta lands are part of Treaties 4, 6, 7, 8 and 10, and the homeland of the Métis.

Alberta Mamas respects and celebrates the sovereignty, lands, histories, languages, knowledge systems and cultures of all Indigenous, Métis, and Inuit nations. We are striving to better listen, understand, and learn from the Indigenous ways of knowing, being and doing.

We are all Treaty people.

Calgary Area

There are plenty of events happening around the city and in the suburbs. Here are a few options to check out:

  • City of Calgary: traditional New Years Eve celebrations starting at 8pm, happening at Eau Claire Plaza and Prince’s Island Park.
    • Fireworks at 12:15am
  • Calgary Public Library: is hosting a “special Storytime, and family DJ dance party with a mock countdown” generally running 1-4pm at most libraries around the city – check the website for details.
  • Paid events:
  • Surrounding communities:
    • Okotoks: Free rec centre events happening all day, and wrap it up with fireworks at 7pm in Lineham Park.
    • Airdrie: 15 minute fireworks show starting at 6:30pm at Ed Eggerer Athletic Field.
      • Parking: It’s recommended to take the free shuttle from City Hall (first 100 riders receive a light-up foam cheer stick!). On-site parking at Genesis Place is limited and will close once full. Overflow parking is available at Ron Ebbeson Arena.
      • Tip: Head to Nose Hill Park after the fireworks for free family skating (6-9pm) and the last night of Festival of Lights. (It’s only a 30 minute walk if you take the footbridge over the highway.)

Edmonton Area

  • City of Edmonton: There’s lots happening in Churchill Square, free skating (and rentals!) at City Hall, and 10 minutes of fireworks at 8pm AND midnight launched over Stanley Milner Library.
  • Citadel Theatre: Enjoy this free, INDOOR event with a Family DJ Dance Party, roving balloon artists, face painting, and indoor view of the City of Edmonton’s fireworks at 8pm and midnight.
  • ICE District Plaza: Starting at 6pm, an Oilers pre-game tailgate party and watch party (watch the game on the giant outdoor screen) – along with food, drinks, a DJ and chances to win great prizes. After the game, Owen Riegling and DJ Vavo will perform with fireworks at midnight.
    • Note: ICE District will be the Western Canada anchor location for CBC’s Live Cross-Canada Countdown. It’s going to be hopping!
  • Paid events:
  • Surrounding communities:
    • St Albert: Fireworks will start at 8:30 launching from the Meadowview Ball Diamonds. Best viewing options are the Children’s Bridge, Lions Park, or behind St Albert Place. The park will be closed to the public and there will be no street parking along Mission Ave.
    • Stoney Plain Family Fest: Head to Heritage Park from 6 to 9pm for live DJ and dance, BBQ Dinner, popcorn, photo booth, outdoor skating, horse-drawn wagon rides (end at 8:45 PM), bonfires and fireworks at 9 PM!
      • Note: there are traffic controls in place for after the fireworks – see the website for details.
    • Strathcona New Year’s Festival: Various locations – check the website! There are activities, games and performances, hot chocolate and s’mores stations, ice sculptures and holiday displays, fire dancer and aerial artist performances, and a fireworks show at 8pm in Broadmoor Lake Park.
    • Calmar’s First Night Celebration: 5 to 8pm at Mike Karbonik Arena. Enjoy the joy of free public skating, warm up with complimentary hot chocolate and treats, and take part in an evening designed to celebrate community spirit. 

Rocky Mountains

Banff & Canmore

  • New Year’s Eve in Banff: Community skate in Sundance Park (1-3pm) then take in a live concert, experience Indigenous dance performances and a tipi display, ride the Lil Toot train for kids, try unique mountain activities and toast a sweet finish with fire-roasted marshmallows, while supplies last at Banff Central Park (4-8pm).
    • Note: Banff no longer sets off fireworks for the safety of park wildlife.
  • Norquay Torchlight Parade: Enjoy the annual tradition at 7pm on the hill. Tip: Head to the newly relocated BANFF sign and watch the lights from there!
  • Ring it in at the Rink, Canmore: 5-8pm at the Canmore Recreation Centre. Fireside local music, an Indigenous fashion show, DJ dance party, free public ice skating, marshmallow roasting, food vendors, and more!

Jasper

  • Cubz Play Cafe: Visit the indoor play space and cafe for games, arts & crafts, cupcakes and popcorn, and a kid-friendly noon countdown and music. Event runs 10:30am to 1pm. Advanced registration is recommended.

Southern Alberta

Brooks

  • Silver Sage Community Corral New Year’s Celebration: Rope in the New Year with a rodeo and dance with DJ Joe. There will also be live and silent auctions, a midnight lunch, and much more! Doors open at 5:00 pm, the event starts at 6:30 pm. Advanced ticket purchase recommended, but tickets are available at the door until sold out.

Drumheller

Lethbridge

Medicine Hat

Central Alberta

Red Deer, Lacombe, Sylvan Lake

Wetaskiwin

Northern Alberta

Fort McMurray

  • The Craze Presented by Keyera: Head down to Mac Island for a FREE  and family-friendly event this New Years! The Craze runs from noon to 4:30pm and will have lots of things for kids to do and finish off the day with the New Year’s Eve Grand Finale & Fireworks.

Grande Prairie

  • City of Grande Prairie: New Year’s Eve-ning Out starts at 6pm and includes horse and wagon rides until 10pm, skating party with lights and a DJ on the Muskoseepi pond, and ends with fireworks at 10:30pm.

Cold Lake

  • Reid Field House Kids New Year’s Party: 1-4pm. Face painting, Colour Cone chase, archery + shooting gallery, laser tag, 360 Photo Booth, and New Year’s Balloon drop! To register call the Cold Lake Energy Centre.

Whitecourt

  • New Year’s at Eastlink Park
    • Lifts: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM
    • Tube Run: 11:30 AM – 8:30 PM 
    • FREE Hotdogs & Hot Chocolate starting at 4:00 PM (One per person while supplies last!)
    • Fireworks Show at 6:00 PM

Smoky Lake

  • Smoky Lake Ag Society: Ring in the new year twice (10pm and midnight) at the family friendly dinner and dance with live music by Travis Dolter. Purchase tickets in advance.
  • Metis Crossing is hosting a brunch buffet for New Years Day.

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