Happy New Year!
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 🙂
Edmonton
- New Years Eve Edmonton Fireworks Alberta Legislature Grounds: 6-9pm
Cost: Free
Inside the Federal Building for activities such as music, comedians musicians, glitter tattoos, and much more! The fun continues outdoors on the Federal Plaza with main stage performances featuring the band Rule of Nines, hayrides, ice carving, fire pits, and bannock-making.
See more at the City of Edmonton website including a breakdown of times and activities
*Edit* the outdoor activities for New Year’s Eve have been canceled. Fireworks will continue but online viewing on the City’s Facebook page is encouraged. Indoor activities will continue from 6-9 pm in Federal Building and pedway. #Yeg
Watch the CTV Spot:
Calgary
- Dancing, ice sculptures and slides, free hot chocolate from Good Earth for the first 4000 people, and more all at Olympic Plaza starting at 7pm. For a full schedule of events and more details click here
*Edit* The City of Calgary New Year’s Eve celebrations have changed due to the extreme weather conditions. You can still join in for the family dance party from 7-9 p.m. in the Municipal Building atrium. There is limited capacity, so come down early!The Downtown Calgary countdown ball drop and the ENMAXfireworks are still happening. Stay warm and watch them broadcasted on local television stat - Have younger kids? Telus Spark is celebrating “Noon Year’s Eve” with a balloon pop and a special dance party! Activities start at 11:45 and are included in your price of admission.
- Walk around the zoo and see all of their lights, go skating (FREE rentals!), and count down to the New Year with all the animals! Activities start at 6pm and are including in admission price. There will be both indoor and outdoor activities for the kids to do. You can find more details here.
*Edit* For the safety of the zoo’s visitors, volunteers and staff, ZOOLIGHTS will be canceled for tonight, December 31, 2017.However, the zoo is inviting all Calgarians to welcome in 2018 at ZOOLIGHTS on January 1, 2018 with special indoor and outdoor activities. Read more: http://bit.ly/2CqHwUD
- Okotoks Rec Centre is having FREE family fun starting at 9:30am with early fireworks starting at
7pm. For a full list of activities and schedules visit their website here.
Red Deer & Area
- Happy Noon Year Dance Party – Saturday, December 30 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. at RDPL Downtown Branch.
- New Year’s Eve Family Party – December 31, 6-10pm $45
at the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame and Museum. Music and activities for the young and young-at-heart and a countdown at 9 pm with champagne for the adults, sparkling juice for the kids, and noisemakers. - New Years Day Fireworks – January 1, 2018, 7 p.m. – 7:10 p.m at the Sylvan Lake Pier.
Bow Valley
- Street party in downtown Banff. Banff Avenue from Buffalo Street to Wolf Street will have activities, entertainment, campfires as well as annual fireworks at midnight.
*Edit* Due to the extreme cold and wind chill forecast, the New Year’s Eve activities and events will move to The Fenlands Recreation Centre, 100 Norquay Road. There will be a free Roam shuttle to The Fenlands available beginning at 6:45 p.m. at the corner of Wolf St. and Banff Ave. Shuttles are expected to run every 15 minutes from downtown to The Fenlands until 11 p.m. Shuttle details from Roam.
Downtown fireworks are still planned for midnight. Banff Ave will be closed from 11 p.m. to 1 a.m. for fireworks.
Fort McMurray
- The Craze Presented by Syncrude: Head down to Mac Island for a FREE and family-friendly event this New Years! The Craze runs from noon to 6pm and will have lots of things for kids to do including a performance by Alvin and the Chipmunks.
Grande Prairie
- First Footings New Years Eve Celebration Starting at 6:30 pm and ends at 10 pm with fireworks. Admission is a donation for the Food Bank and a $2 fee for sleigh rides.What to do: Sleigh Rides, (available until 9:30 p.m price is $2 for one ride & hot chocolate), face painting (ends at 9:30 p.m), Ice Skating on the Pond and snowshoeing. 10 p.m. Fireworks Over the Reservoir – Ernie Radbourne Pavilion closes*Edit* Due to extreme cold weather conditions, the City of Grande Prairie fireworks display and sleigh rides have been canceled for Sunday, December 31, 2017. Indoor activities at Muskoseepi Park are continuing as planned.
Lethbridge
- New Years Eve Fireworks. Starts at 9pm celebrating Lethbridge*s Exhibition Park’s 120th & Canada*s 150th Anniversaries. Bring the whole family & enjoy the fireworks.
*Edit*New Years Eve Fireworks are set to go unless we get some good ol‘ hurricane Chinook winds.
Whitecourt
Get on your winter gear, pack the toboggans, and bring the family to Eastlink Park for their New Years Eve celebration! The hill will be open 10am-9pm and from 3pm-7pm you can enjoy free hot chocolate and coffee, $2 Hotdogs, and at 6:00 pm there will be a fireworks display.
*Edit* This event has been moved to Monday January 1 @ 3:00pm-7:00pm with fireworks at 6:00pm. Hoping the warmer weather will ensure it’s success and everyone’s enjoyment 
🎉