Romance in Alberta’s Capital
Consider this a public service announcement: Valentine’s Day is just 10 days away and events are selling out fast. Fortunately, Edmonton is jam packed with events and activities for families, friends, and couples to celebrate the day. Here’s a list of the city’s best offerings:
The City of Edmonton is hosting this free public event from 5-9 pm on Valentine’s Day. Public skating will be available at the outdoor City Hall Plaza Rink accompanied by a 70’s and 80’s music mix! Attendees can enjoy a warm hot chocolate while they roast bannock over an open fire. Skate and helmet rentals are also available free of charge.
Hosted by the Silver Skate Festival, this romantic day for the outdoors type is filled with all the wonders of Hawrylak Park. Enjoy a hot chocolate as you explore the park by lantern light, take a sleigh ride under the stars, or visit the magical Ice Castles at the park. You can even purchase boxes of chocolates right on site to surprise your sweetie with. Prices vary by package. Activities run from 4-9 pm.
Valentine’s Weekend at the Park
Fort Edmonton park is hosting a full weekend of jam packed weekend for family fun, or couples romance. Packages are selling out fast but there are still tickets to enjoy the Lover’s Getway and spend a night at the beautiful park hotel, enjoy a four course dinner and breakfast for two. Perhaps Cupid’s Dinner & Show is more your speed, which provides a delectable dinner followed by the radio-style musical ‘Song of the Martingale’.
There aren’t many more romantic ways to spend an afternoon then strolling through a quiet gallery, hand in hand, admiring the masterpieces of AGA’ spectacular collection. After your quiet tour, there are beautiful local artisan items available in the gift store, as well as postcards, books and other mementos to commemorate your visit. Then head over to Zinc, located in the same building, for a ‘relaxed, fine dining experience’. Sunday hours are 11am-5pm and admission prices range from $8.50 – $12.50 (Children 6 and under are free).
Why not travel to farthest exotic reaches of time without ever leaving the city. The Fantasyland hotel offers spectacularly detailed theme rooms for a romantic night away (but not too far away). Theme rooms include Modern Polynesia, Hollywood Nights, Roman, Western, Arabian, Imperial, African, and Igloo, among others. The hotel offers multiple fine dining experiences, as well as all the amenities West Edmonton Mall has to offer. They also offer a “romantic rendezvous” package for any of the rooms which includes chocolates, sparkling wine, and of course, rose petals.
The city of Edmonton has another great offer for the outdoorsy type! A guided snowshoe tour of the scenic sprawling river valley. Snowshoes and a guide are provided, as well as hot choclate and bannock making to warm up after your walk. Tickets are $30 per person and are limited, however if you’d like to avoid Valentine’s day crowds, they have other dates available.
Paint Nite, the new social actitivy that has taken Canada by storm regularly selling out events nationwide, is hosting a handful of city wide painting events on Valentine’s Day. Paint themes include “An Undefended Heart”, “A Valentine Stroll” and “Love in Paris”. This is the perfect event for lovers of art, novices, and those who have never picked up a brush. Enjoy the activity in the comfort of your local pub, where you can enjoy food, drinks and all the regular amenities, while spending a wonderful date night out. Visit the Paint Nite website for locations and pricing.
