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New Year’s Eve Downtown Festival and Fireworks returns to Sir Winston Churchill Square with two fireworks shows​

Returning to Sir Winston Churchill Square for the first time since 2016, City of Edmonton’s 2022 New Year’s Eve Downtown Festival and Fireworks will include an early fireworks show for families at 8:30 p.m., as well as a fireworks display at midnight. The fireworks shows, which will be approximately 12 minutes in length, will be launched into the skies over the pyramids of City Hall.

The New Year’s Eve fireworks were temporarily relocated to the Alberta Legislature Grounds during LRT construction and refurbishments to Churchill Square; they were then cancelled in both 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The evening will include free family-friendly entertainment, skating on the City Hall Plaza ice rink, and enchanting art installations. Programming will be underway from 6:30 p.m. to midnight.

So bundle up, grab your skates and glide the night away to music by DJ Funkasaurus Rex. Let emcee Sissy Thiessen Kootenayoo take you through a wonderful night full of exciting performances including music by Melafrique, Anishinaabe Singers and Dancers, led by Steven O’Chiese, and Métis fiddler Colton Bear from the Bear Country Band. Enjoy captivating fire performances by FloWarrior, and special figure skating performances fromIce Palace Figure Skating Club, along with roving stilt walkers, jugglers, acrobatics, and festive songs from a quartet of Kokopelli singers.

Warm up around a firepit, and purchase a warm meal or snacks from on site food trucks. The Hallway Café will also be open for warm drinks and sweet treats, accompanied by the musical talents of Sticks and Stone Percussion. (Please note that, other than the Hallway Café, City Hall will not be open to the public on New Year’s Eve.)

See and experience the immersive light installations by Vignettes for a unique photo opportunity. Explore the enchanting art installations by Canadian artists Ken Hacke andDylan Toymaker, as their artworks fill Churchill Square and City Hall Plaza with the warm glow of the season. Let your expressive side loose on the Happy Wall, a 17 metre long interactive public art installation, by Copenhagen artist Thomas Dambo.

Then countdown to the New Year’s Eve fireworks at 8:30 p.m., and with Mayor Amarjeet Sohi at midnight.

Please note: High winds or severe weather may result in the cancellation of some outdoor activities. Visit edmonton.ca/NewYearsEve for the most up-to-date event information.

For more information: edmonton.ca/NewYearsEve Media contact: Karen McDonnell Communications Advisor Communications and Engagement After Hours Media Line: 780-423-5956​

 

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ICE District New Year’s Eve celebration
Celebrate the arrival of 2023 in ICE District Plaza. Come for the Tailgate Party (6 to 8 p.m.) and stay for the Watch Party (8 to 10:30 p.m.), as the Edmonton Oilers face off against the Winnipeg Jets. After the game, stick around as ICE District Plaza is transformed into a rocking New Year’s Eve party, headlined by country music legend and proud Albertan, Brett Kissel. The celebration will include giant countdown screens and a pyrotechnic display at the stroke of midnight — followed by even more live entertainment.

Visit the ICE District website for full details.