Warm winter fun to enjoy in Edmonton without a wallet
By Taylor Winnie Hughes on February 4, 2025
It’s an awful time to enjoy Edmonton’s winter beauty outdoors, with temperatures so cold that cars won’t start and AMA wait times up to 20 hours for a tow. If you’re feeling cooped up in the cold then here are three free indoor things to keep you busy and let you save for when your car is the weather’s next victim.
The Loyal Edmonton Regiment Military Museum
The Prince of Wales Armouries Heritage Centre is home to the Loyal Edmonton Regiment Military Museum which showcases Alberta’s military history and artifacts. Several floods have not stopped this museum from preserving the past and persevering to continue to protect it for future generations. The LER Museum is open weekdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with free admission!
Social Tuesdays – Irina Feldesh/YegDancer
Tuesdays are a great time to learn some social dancing and meet new people. Many types of social dancing are taught. Lessons change every week but a beginner bachata lesson starts off almost every class. Be careful though, because this is free only once per person. You must “purchase” a free ticket in advance from Eventbrite and you are encouraged to buy food or drinks. This is a must do at least once before deciding if you want to spend the money to continue.
The gym isn’t free and it can be difficult trying to get some exercise in during the winter. West Edmonton Mall is a great place to walk around while staying warm and dry indoors. There are nice opportunities to stop and stare for a minute — with window shopping on the outside of the Swarovski crystal store, admiring the sea lions, and watching people paddle around in giant swan boats. Keep watch at Centre Stage and the Ice Palace where they often host events. Sometimes you catch sports like judo or skating, and sometimes you can admire stalls full of trinkets for events like Lunar New Year or the Rock N’ Gem Show. If the malls own attractions aren’t alluring enough, you can even download games that reward you for walking such as Pokémon GO or Pikmin Bloom.
Enjoy the place you call home for free. Explore Edmonton spaces without spending a single cent.