5 things to do in Edmonton this weekend

We start the weekend by saying goodbye to an old friend, then follow it up with a hefty dose of festive merriment.

Go to the museum

What: The Royal Alberta Museum is closing out with a 48-hour-long bang this weekend. The party starts Friday at 5 p.m. and runs straight through to Sunday evening, giving you plenty of time to go metaphorically kiss your favourite exhibits goodbye. Best part? Admission is free. 

Here are some of the other highlights you can look forward to:

• Happy Harbour Comics will set up on site and attempt to create the world's largest (as in, 5 ft tall) comic book.
• Fifteen local vendors and artists will sell their wares in an on-the-spot pop-up inside the museum, making it easy for you to get a head start on your Christmas shopping.
• Metro Cinema will screen a triple bill of contemporary classic horror movies (What We Do in the Shadows, It Follows, Turbo Kid) in the RAM theatre starting midnight on Friday.
• Re-visit your childhood with some Saturday morning cartoons, starting at 6 a.m. Saturday, followed by the family-friendly Ice Age trilogy mid-morning.

When? Event runs from 5 p.m. Dec. 4 until 5 p.m. Dec. 6

Hit the slopes

What: While winter has been mercifully slow to arrive in Edmonton this winter, it will land with a blast this weekend as Winterfest takes over Snow Valley ski hill. Ski bunnies in attendance can expect a marshmallow roast, discounted lift tickets and rentals, a scavenger hunt and free hot chocolate. Organizers will also be collecting donations for Edmonton's Food Bank.

When? Dec. 4 to 6

To market, to market

What: 'Tis the season to bump shoulders with thousands of hectic shoppers while you duke it out over an amazing one-of-a-kind knit product. That's right, here's your craft fair round-up:

• The Royal Bison Art + Craft Fair is back for its second weekend at the cosmopolitan Music Society 
• The Butterdome Craft Sale is back for its 25th year, with more than 250 vendors. The market runs from Dec. 3 to 6. 
• The Indoor Christmas Market at St. Albert Place is back for its second of four weekends, and will run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Dec. 5.
• Rudolph's Shopping Extravaganza will set up shop in the St. Albert Inn & Suites Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. 
• The Devon Pottery Guild is holding its annual Christmas sale from Dec. 4 to 6 
• The Fort Saskatchewan Pottery Guild is likewise holding its own sale from Dec. 4 to 5 at the Dow Centennial Centre.

Christmas lights

What: The city is flipping the switch on the holiday season this weekend:

• Celebrate the Season at the Alberta legislature: The light-up happens at 5 p.m. on Thursday, followed by hot chocolate, cookies and choir music. Additionally, daily choir performances are scheduled through to Dec. 23. 
• Festival of Light at the Edmonton Valley Zoo: Take in the wild nightlife and decorative lights, along with fire dancers, nightly music and displays at the zoo between Dec. 4 and 13. 
• Luminaria at the Devonian Botanic Gardens: EVENT IS NOW SOLD OUT 

Christmas on stage

What: Motown music, modern re-tellings and messiahs abound:

• A Christmas Carol: It's a classic for a reason, and is now in its 15th season at the Edmonton Citadel Theatre.  
• Handel's Messiah: The Edmonton Symphony Orchestra will be joined by the Richard Eaton Singers on stage to perform the composer's beloved oratorio. 
• A Jarvis Church Christmas: Church and his band The Soul Station will perform a mix of motown Christmas classics, as well as original music at Festival place on Saturday night.  
• EKOSingers present Christmas is Coming: The group will perform at city hall on Sunday afternoon with special appearances by The Little Dickens Children's Choir of Holyrood School, and The Studio 'B' Saxophone Quartet. 
• So This is Christmas: Bring in the Christmas season in song with this musical production which sets the classic nativity story in modern-day Edmonton. Tickets are available here.    
• Festive Mosaic: The Ukrainian Male Chorus of Edmonton will perform at McDougall United Church Saturday at 7 p.m. 

Odds and ends

• Sleigh ride shuttle: Take a cruise through Old Strathcona in style on Saturday afternoon. Click the link for more information.
• SNAP's Bows & Stripes: Indulge in snacks from Elm Cafe, fancy cocktails, live entertainment and on-demand printing at the SNAP print shop and gallery on Friday night at its annual Print Affair. 
• Metro loves Marilyn: Metro Cinema is kicking off its tribute to Marilyn Monroe this weekend with three screenings of The Misfits (1961).
• ABBA (kind of) in Edmonton: Always ABBA - A Tribute to ABBA takes the stage at the Century Casino on Friday night at 7 p.m. 

​​Know of a weekend event happening in the city? Email me or tweet me @CBC_Caitlin