Put on your warm woolies and head to the Garden for some laid-back winter family fun! Take part in classic Canadian outdoor activities, or try your hand at something new. Afterwards, pull up a chair by the fire, breathe in the fresh air and enjoy winter in a beautiful setting.
This past weekend, my family and I were invited to check out this fantastic event. The weather was perfect for outdoor fun, we even had to undo our jackets at one point. Snow was perfect for snowball fights and snowmen. The kick sledding was so much fun! And more of a workout than I expected, we had to unzip our coats at the end! lol The kids loved going fast down the hills lol. We followed it up by roasting marshmallows over the fire and enjoying s’mores and hot chocolate. All the while, beautiful live music played in the background of the Japanese garden.
Over in the Aga Khan garden, enjoy some fresh maple taffy that you can roll yourself in the snow. Check out the domes for the Northern Lights Dining experience and try the hockey shoot out. Finish it off with the maze and some more treats at the cafe if the s’mores, hot chocolate and taffy didn’t fill you up. And because the weather was no nice, we even got some puddle splashing in! A perfect day out with the whole family.
Weekends, Jan. 29 through Mar. 13, 2022
11 am – 5 pm
Included with admission:
- Stroll through a beautiful winter garden
- Kicksledding – try out this fun family sport on one of our sleds
- Snowshoeing (snowshoes available at the Garden)
- Try cabane a sucre (maple taffy) – a sugar candy made by boiling maple sap past the point where it forms maple syrup, but not so long that it becomes maple butter or maple sugar. A sweet treat for all!
- Hockey puck shoot
- Snowball toss
- Live music in the Kurimoto Japanese Garden (12-4 p.m.)
- Enjoy hot chocolate and s’mores by a fire.
Special Activities
Talking Rock Snowshoe Tours
Jan. 29, Feb. 5, Feb. 26 and March 5
1.5 hour tours at 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.
Join Keith Diakiw, a Métis geologist and tour guide on a snowshoe trek off the beaten path as we visit the Indigenous garden and a local old-growth forest. On this intimate winter geo-adventure you will learn about the Métis people, wear a sash on the journey, and conclude your trip around a cozy fire while enjoying some hot tea. Group size is maximum 10 people.
$30 per person for tour (plus admission to the Garden).
Advance registration required when you purchase your admission ticket.
Ice Carving Lessons
Feb. 12, 13, 19 and 20
12-4:30 p.m., 15-minute time slots
Try your hand at carving some ice with the Lil Chippers program, brought to you from Ice on Whyte! You’ll get hands-on instruction, safety gear, and your very own piece of carving ice. Create your own small ice carving to take home. Children (of all ages) will receive instruction in ice carving basics and be shown how to turn a small block of ice into their own work of art with a template and a chisel. Safety gear and tools provided. Carving spaces will spread out.
$5 per participant (plus admission to the Garden).
Advance registration required when you purchase your admission ticket.
Dog Days at the Garden!
March 12 and 13 only
All good (on-leash) dogs are welcome to these special days at the Garden! Enjoy a stroll with your four legged friend. The Dynamo Dog Sport Allstar Entertainment Group will be highlighting their most talented dogs and owners with two demonstrations each day. Not a dog owner yourself? No problem! Everyone is invited to come to take part in the All Canadian Winter activities and share the Garden with the dogs.
Dynamo Dog Sports Allstar Group Demo
12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.
Free to watch (no pre-registration required)
Book your tickets!
Important to know:
- Passholders (Garden Experience Pass, Year Round Pass) are eligible for free admission for these events. Special program offerings extra.
- The University of Alberta has a mandatory proof of COVID-19 vaccination policy. All visitors over the age of 12 are required to show proof of vaccine and ID . Learn more about the policy here.
Winter Admission Rates
Adult $18.75
Senior (65+) $12.75
Student $12.75
Youth (13-17) $9.50
Child (3-12) $5
Child 2 and under FREE
Prices do not include tax.
