2020’s been a bit of a rollercoaster (which may be the understatement of the millennium) but an interesting one nonetheless. Let’s bid adieu to a year gone by and welcome 2021 in with a bang! Cozy up with some bubbly, indulge in great tastes, or bring along the fam to embrace a transition full of new possibilities, challenges, and excitement. So get your resolutions ready, because these YEG locales are gearing up to give you a New Year’s experience to remember, most from the comfort of home!
Take-Home Meals
1) Braven’s New Year’s Eve At-Home Menu
Pre-order available until Dec 26; Pickup on Dec 30-31
Celebrate the new year with Braven’s take-home New Year’s Eve Dinner! Start off the occasion by splitting a platter of vegetables, chips and a delicious shrimp cocktail. With your choice of Chicken Suprême, Roasted Rib Eye or West Coast Salmon, you’re sure to find your perfect way to kick off the year. Pre-orders are open until December 28 at 5 pm, with pickup on December 30 or 31 || 10344-102 St., 780-784–8580
2) NYE with RGE RD
Pre-paid pickup available Dec 30, 1 pm-5 pm & Dec 31, 1:45 pm-5 pm
Make your New Years’ celebration feel extra special with RGE RD’s NYE Dinner Kits and Charcuterie Boards! Prepaid pickup is available, so you don’t have to leave your evening’s plans up to a guessing game. Timeslots for pickup are available on Dec 30-31 from 1 pm to 5 pm || 10643-123 St., 780-447-4577
3) Canteen New Year’s Menus
Pickup available Thurs-Sun, 5 pm-7:30 pm
Canteen restaurant is now offering a curbside New Year’s Eve and Day menu, complete with all the staples of a great holiday meal. From a succulent Beef Tenderloin to a fresh Roasted Carrot Salad, your household cohorts will thank you. Add a bottle of bubbly to help with that! Place your order by email (contact@canteenyeg) or by phone. Pickup times for orders are from 5 pm-7:30 pm Thursday through Sunday. || 10522-124 St., 780-485-6125
4) MATCH Pub’s New Year’s Eve Meal Kits
Preorder available until Dec 30; Pickup until Jan 2, 4 pm-9 pm
Wave off 2020 in the comfort of your own home without having to sacrifice that feeling of partying in a pub with loved ones! Bring the experience home with you, with MATCH Pub’s New Years’ Eve Dinner Kits. These kits include the count-down essentials, from a delicious Surf and Turf entree to a crisp bottle of bubbly. All you have to do is order, pickup and enjoy! || 10224-104 Ave, 780-413-3178
5) Violino’s NYE Dinner for Two
Preorder until Dec 30; Pickup on Dec 31st until 6 pm
Make this New Year’s with a loved one a romantic occasion with Violino’s New Year’s dinner for two menu! Dive into the luxurious side of NYE with mains like the pork stufato di aragosta, complimented by a choice of accoutrements from crab bisque to insalata halves. Order by Dec 30 to get your dinner by NYE! || 10133-125 St., 780-757-8701
6) New Year’s Dining at Fairmont Hotel Macdonald
Preorders available until Dec 30 (brunch) & 29 (dinner); Pickups available Jan 1, 9 am-1pm & Dec 31 10 am-10 pm (respectively)
Experience the classic tastes of the talented chefs over at the Fairmont Hotel Macdonald’s Confederation Lounge with the New Year’s Eve Dinner and New Year’s Day Brunch curbside pick up menus. The dinner offers charcuterie, canapes, and champagne for a decadent New Year’s dining experience. Then, bask in the first hours of 2021 with the brunch menu featuring staples such as the steak and egg dish with 8oz triple-a strip sirloin and all the fixings. We recommend placing your order two days in advance for both the NYE brunch pickup on Jan 1 from 9 am-1 pm, and NYE dinner pickup on Dec 31 from 10 am-10 pm. || 10065-100th St,. 780-777-9818
7) Bar Bricco NYE To-Go Box
Preorders available until Dec 26; Pickup inside the restaurant until Dec 31
Treat a loved one to a special New Year’s evening with Bar Bricco’s NYE To-Go available with vegetarian options. This kit features all the characteristics of a high-end New Year’s celebration, from stuffed anolini pasta to black truffle pecorino, your taste buds may just dance as much as you will as 2021 grows closer! All you need to do is select your orders online, then pickup in person! || 10347 Jasper Ave, 780-424-5588
8) NYE Family Dinner Combo with Pampa Steakhouse
Preorder available until NOON on Dec 31 for pickup on Dec 31 (at 4 pm, 5 pm, or 8 pm)
This family dinner combo features a platter of eight meats (including Bacon-wrapped Chicken Thighs and Slow-roasted Beef Brisket), cheese bread, roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, pasta, and dessert. Add-ons such as shrimp, roasted pineapple, and Brazilian Pop Guarana also available!
9) Plus, Take-home Cocktail Kits are available from several local spots as well! And several Edmonton mixologists have shared their recipes for delightful Holiday Cocktails you can make at home.
Virtual Events
1) Winspear Virtual New Year’s Concert
Showtimes available Dec 27, 3;30 pm-8 pm; On-demand access Dec 28-Jan 3
Gather the whole household for a New Year’s event to remember. Full of dancing, singing, and a full orchestra, usher in the new year with a celebration for the decade! Salute to Vienna and Budapest will feature sights and sounds like the Blue Danube Waltz and up-beat operetta numbers. Tickets include access to one of three streams on Sunday, Dec 27 as well as continuing availability from Dec 28–Jan 3. || 780-428-1414
2) CRAFT’s New Year’s Eve Virtual Brewmaster’s Dinner
Pickup available Dec 31, 4:30pm-6:30pm; Online event Dec 31 7:30 pm-10 pm
CRAFT is offering the chance for foodies and beer aficionados alike to join forces for a virtual tasting session on Dec 31 from 7:30 pm-10 pm! Join your new (or old) friends for a virtual wave-off of the yearn, complete with a bottle of bubbly! Brewmaster kits feature a pairing of four courses of delicious meals like braised short rib and the sweet potato and sausage gratin, paired with your choice of local beer or wine. Pick up for the kits will be available on Dec 31. || 780-424-2337
3) Virtual Noon Year’s Eve
Visit the TWOSE Facebook page at NOON on Dec 31 &/or Jan 1
Ring in the NOON Year with your kids and science! Join the TELUS World of Science—Edmonton team on their Facebook page for two exciting science experiments that you and your family can participate in. This event is free and for all ages!
4) New Year’s Eve Fireworks Show, Live from Reykjavík
Happening on Facebook on Dec 31 at 4:50 pm MST (6:50 pm ET)
One good thing to occur in 2020 is the increase of online events from around the world, making so many more experiences accessible to the masses. Catch the annual livestream of the incredible fireworks display in Reykjavík, Iceland. It will be streamed online on the Iceland Naturally’s Facebook page at 6:50pm ET on December 31.
Outdoor Activities
1) Outdoor Wonders at the Downtown Holiday Light Up
Light ups available every evening until Jan 8
Experience a classic city NYE tradition in a new way, as the Downtown Holiday Light Up grows to incorporate six outdoor light installations imagined and executed by local artists! Don’t sweat if you can’t make it on NYE, because each of the installations will be lit up every night until Jan 8 at different locations around the city! Stay tuned with the downloadable tour map for where the next light-up will take place. Plus, you have the chance to start your year off right by snapping a selfie and using the #YEGLightUp! For every hashtag posted until the end of the light up, five dollars will be donated to the Edmonton Food Bank. || 10121 Jasper Ave, 780-424-4085
2) Skiing, skating, and tobogganing!
Check out our list for frozen fun in and around Edmonton.
