With Valentine’s Day around the corner, this weekend in Edmonton is packed with excitement for couples, families, and friends. From winter fun to various on-stage events, there is something for everyone to enjoy!
Weekend Winter Fun
- 1) Silver Skate Festival | Feb. 11-21
The Silver Skate Festival is an Edmonton classic that is kicking off this weekend on February 11! It is the longest-running winter festival with more than 30 years under its belt. You’ll be able to enjoy different activities and events like arts and culture, live music, and of course, skating. William Hawrelak Park has Edmonton’s largest skating pond which will be the centre of a variety of activities, including skating races. Be sure to check out their events calendar to see what activities are on each day such as snow sculpting, frisbee on skates, and the Silver Skate singalong. You’ll also get the opportunity to learn about Indigenous oral histories. At the Silver Skate Festival, winter is enchanting. The best part? It’s free!
2) The Northern Lights Dining Experience | Feb. 13-14
It’s Valentine’s Day! What better way to spend this weekend in Edmonton than having a special dinner with your loved ones under the stars? The University of Alberta Botanic Garden is hosting this three-course fondue dome-dining experience on select days until March 13. The savoury and sweet fondue courses are carefully crafted with ingredients from local and Canadian sources. This year’s Northern Light Dining Experience has been made possible by the collaboration with award-winning Edmonton Chef Cindy Lazarenko and local tourism professional, Sherry Honey. You can reserve a dome for up to six people online.
3) Canadian Birkebeiner Ski Festival | Feb. 11-28
This festival honours a Birkie legend…
In the year 1206, a civil war erupted in Norway. The infant prince, Haakon Haakonsson, was in danger and was rescued by two Birkebeiner warriors on skis. They travelled 55 kilometres to bring the future king to safety. Since the first Canadian Birkebeiner in 1985, thousands of skiers have come to commemorate this Birkie legend by skiing a 55 km distance with a 5.5 kg pack to symbolize the weight of the infant. This festival is for anyone of any age and skill level. February 12 is Birkie Saturday which includes the traditional 55 km race as well as other races of different levels. Sunday is the Barnebirkie Family Ski event at Hawrelak Park. Partnering with the Silver Skate Festival, this day will ensure lots of winter fun for your family! The Canadian Birkebeiner Ski Festival takes place in different locations, event-dependent. Many of the races start in the Cooking Lake-Blackfoot Provincial Recreation area and the Sunday family event takes place at Hawrelak Park. Be sure to check these locations and register online to be part of the action!
On Stage
4) Shaun Majumder | Feb. 11
Join actor and comedian Shaun Majumder this weekend at Festival Place! Originally from Burlington, Newfoundland and Labrador, Shaun has many achievements under his belt from starring in various Canadian productions to moving to Los Angeles and becoming a hit on shows such as “Unhitched,” “Detroit 187,” and “Republic of Doyle,” among others. His documentary “Majumder Manor” debuted in 2013 and covered his dream to transform his small hometown into a high-end, sustainable tourist destination. Get ready for a night of laughs! Tickets are available online.
5) Motus O Dance Theatre | Feb. 11
This weekend, the Maclab Centre hosts a special collaboration between Marina Nemat, author of Prisoner of Tehran, and MOTUS O dance theatre. This performance brings together storytelling, dance, and theatre to interpret the themes of Nemat’s memoirs such as social justice, oppression, and freedom. There will be a Q&A after the show and you can purchase your tickets online—the show starts at 7:30 pm.
6) She Kills Monsters | Until Feb. 12
The final run of She Kills Monsters is happening this weekend at Edmonton’s Timms Centre for the Arts! This drama-comedy play by Qui Nguyen can transport the audience back to their childhood—times that were filled with imagination and play. Join the protagonist, Agnes, as she jumps into the world of Dungeons & Dragons to learn about her recently deceased sister, Tilly. Themes of friendship, sexuality, loss, and acceptance are explored and will give you food-for-thought about your own life and the world around you. Check out our event spotlight on this play to learn more. Tickets are available online or at the box office that opens 1-hour before curtain.
Sports
7) Super Bowl Watch Parties and Takeout Specials | Feb. 13
Cheer on your favourite team this Super Bowl Sunday! Check out our list of Edmonton restaurants with Superbowl LVI watch parties and takeout specials this weekend.
8) Golden Bears Basketball | Feb. 11-12
Watch some intense rival action between the Golden Bears and the MacEwan Griffins as they take to the court at the Saville Community Sports Centre for back-to-back games on Friday and Saturday.
9) Pandas vs. MacEwan Griffins Women’s Hockey | Feb. 11-12
The Pandas and MacEwan Griffins face-off in back-to-back game days. On Friday, the Griffins have the home-ice advantage at the Downtown Community Arena and on Saturday, the Pandas will be on home ice at the Clare Drake Arena.
10) Golden Bears vs. MacEwan Griffins Men’s Hockey | Feb. 11
This Saturday, the Griffins take on the Golden Bears on home ice. The puck drops at 5:00 pm at the Downtown Community Arena.
11) Women’s and Men’s Volleyball | Feb. 11-12
The MacEwan Griffins take home-court advantage against the University of Alberta at the Dr. David W. Atkinson Gymnasium. The women play first each day, followed by the men. Come cheer on your team for some Edmonton rival action!
