Categories: Things To Do

This winter festival near Edmonton will have horse-drawn sleigh rides and its own petting zoo

Photo via Hrecheniuk Oleksii/Shutterstock

The Snowflake Festival is coming to this city just north of Edmonton, and it’s bringing along loads of fun festivities for the season, like horse-drawn sleigh rides, holiday carolers, and more wintry wonder.

Over north in St. Albert, the Snowflake Festival pops up every winter to deliver some energy to the city over the holidays. This November, the annual festival will be returning with more free activities and tons of stuff to explore all throughout the downtown core. In addition to some familiar favourites, some new activities are coming to the festival this year that’ll bring some extra magic to the holiday season.

What to expect at the Snowflake Festival

This seasonal festival will be taking over multiple streets in downtown St. Albert (alongside specific buildings in the area) on Nov. 27 from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Guests are invited to walk down Perron Street and St. Thomas Street, and visit the spots nearby with engaging festivities.

According to the festival’s website, downtown St. Albert will be absolutely flooded with fun things to do, including:

Horse-drawn sleigh rides
Magical character encounters
A petting zoo for all ages
Pictures with Santa (this year, there will be two Santas: one at Red Willow Place and one at St. Albert Place)
Carolers
Snowflake Express (a festive train ride for all ages)
Glitter tattoos
Live handbell performances
Drop-in ball hockey games
Free activities at the Art Gallery of St. Albert
Free treats and more activities at the Musée Héritage Museum

For the first time ever, the organizers are holding an indoor Christmas market as part of the festival. Over at Red Willow Place, visitors will be able to check out the many vendors at the market and keep warm inside.

How much is admission?

Here’s the best part: the festival is 100 per cent free to attend. People are more than welcome to visit downtown St. Albert to explore all the festivities in the surrounding area.

If you’re looking for a fun, free festival to check out this holiday season, look no further. The Snowflake Festival will be coming before you know it; you’ll definitely want to see what it has in store. Grab some friends, put your coat on, and get ready for some winter cheer.

Snowflake Festival

When: Friday, Nov. 27, 2026
Time: 5:30 to 9 p.m.
Where: Perron Street, St. Albert, Alta. (multiple locations in downtown St. Albert)
Cost: Free

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