Sir Winston Churchill Square and City Hall Plaza

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City Hall Plaza ice rink with twinkle lights - photo by dbphotographics

In the heart of Edmonton’s downtown, Sir Winston Churchill Square and City Hall Plaza are home to many world-class festivals and community events.

Come skate on the ice rink in winter, splash in the fountain in summer, check out the art and rotating exhibits, or listen in on a public meeting inside City Hall. The area can be enjoyed year-round.

New Year's Eve

Usher in the new year at the City of Edmonton’s New Year’s Eve Downtown Festival and Fireworks at Sir Winston Churchill Square.

Current and Upcoming Events

Date	Event Name	Time	Location
November 22 - ongoing	City of Edmonton - Hear Our Voices: Michel People and Residential Schools Exhibit	During building hours	City Room East
December 17	City of Edmonton - Community Peace Officer Induction Program Graduation Ceremony	1-3pm	City Room
December 21	Sound Opportunity Friends Association - Seasonal Concert	4-5pm	City Room
December 31	New Year's Eve Downtown Festival and Fireworks	6pm-Midnight	Churchill Square

Note: Changes may occur as events are changed, confirmed or cancelled.

Winter City Festivals Group Art Installations

The 4 founding winter festivals have joined forces to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the City of Edmonton’s WinterCity Strategy.

The owl ice carving lit up with blue light

The Owl by Activate Arts Alberta

The Illumination Lantern Tower in City Hall Plaza

The Illumination Lantern Tower by Deep Freeze: A Byzantine Winter Festival

Warp Speed and Lanterns in City Hall Plaza

Warp Speed and Lanterns by Flying Canoë Volant

The Singing Tree with Local Music by Silver Skate Festival

The group has designed and created winter-themed art installations that highlight the unique spirit of each festival and celebrate winter in Edmonton.

The Owl – by Activate Arts Alberta

Artists

Steve Buzak is an internationally-recognized ice carver, artist, and chef who has placed 2nd and 3rd respectfully at the largest international ice carving competition in the world in Harbin, China. He has done many carvings around the world and frequently competes in our own international ice carving competition – Chiseled.

Jayleen Wilkie is an Edmonton artist and designer who has apprenticed in ice carving with Activate Arts Alberta’s senior artists since 2019.

Activate Arts Alberta is a not-for-profit organization that creates ice carvings and winter creations as an extension of their winter programming. As well as producing Chiseled, Edmonton’s international ice carving competition, and the Whyte Avenue Art Walk, Activate Arts Alberta works with municipalities and organizations throughout Alberta to provide all manner of wintery magic that can be crafted in snow or ice. For more information check out Activate Arts Alberta.

The Illumination Lantern Tower – by Deep Freeze

Originally crafted by Peter Field for the First Night Festival in the late 1990s, this captivating art installation has a storied history! Following the closure of First Night, these vibrant panels were rediscovered by co-creator Randall Fraser, and began making appearances across Alberta, finally finding a permanent home at the Deep Freeze: A Byzantine Winter Festival. Today, the Lantern Tower stands as a symbol of resilience and celebration, bringing warmth and colour to Edmonton’s winter landscape.

Randall Fraser is a theatre designer, costume creator, puppeteer, fire performer, actor, director, festival producer, and the Artistic Director of the National Stiltwalkers of Canada.

Arts on the Ave Edmonton Society is a Canadian non-profit organization; a humanitarian artistic movement that believes in the power of the arts to transform communities and lives. Deep Freeze: A Byzantine Winter Festival, our Edmonton’s first festival of the year, will run from January 18–19, 2025, and celebrates the Olde New Year. The festival takes place along Alberta Avenue (118 Avenue, from 90 Street to 95 Street) and features ice sculptures, ice slides, horse and wagon rides, Pipon Village, street hockey, sugar shacks, lanterns, and much more. Ukrainian, Métis, Indigenous, Inuit, Franco African, Francophone, Latin American and Asian cultures are featured with cultural foods and dance. Don’t miss the spectacular fireworks show at 9pm on Saturday evening!

Warp Speed and Lanterns – by Flying Canoë Volant

The Flying Canoë Volant team created this black light installation, flying at warp speed through the night sky! Complementing the installation are 16 unique lantern designs by local artist, Dylan Toymaker.

Flying Canoë Volant is a creative and interactive cultural celebration designed to engage local history and everything that is great about a long winter’s night! Inspired by the legend of the Flying Canoe, and French Canadian, First Nations and Métis traditions, Flying Canoë Volant embraces Edmonton's beautiful Mill Creek Ravine and the newly-established French Quarter. The festival will take place from January 31 to February 1, 2025. For event information, visit Flying Canoë Volant.

The Singing Tree with Local Music – by Silver Skate Festival

Artist Gail Ksionzyk designed this piece in 2020 in response to a story called “The Singing Tree” by Elizabeth Hobbs. This unique art installation can take many forms: at different times throughout the winter it will be set to dance in response to your voice, or to dance to its own internal rhythm!

The Silver Skate Festival is a free 10-day family-oriented festival that combines culture, art, education, sport, and recreation. Rediscover the joy of that first childhood snowfall, or discover that joy for the first time. The Silver Skate Festival will take place from February 7-17, 2025. For complete event details visit Silver Skate Festival.

Outdoor Ice Skating Rink

Have some fun at this popular, downtown skating rink in the heart of the city, surrounded by festive lights and the City Hall building.

Skating Rink Hours*

Open daily: 9am-10pm

Please check facility notifications for updates and rink status. There are no staff monitoring the ice surface. Skate at your own risk.

Changeroom, Skate Rentals and Warming Dome Hours**

Monday-Friday: 5-9pm
Saturday: Noon-9pm
Sunday: Noon-5pm
Holidays: Closed on December 25 and January 1
See Edmonton Arts Council holiday hours and updates

* The rink open status is weather permitting.

** Skate rentals are available on a first-come, first-served basis, and dependent on weather and ice conditions. Skate rentals are not available during extreme cold (-21°C with wind chill) or slushy conditions.

Winter warming dome with picnic table inside

Winter Warming Domes

Enjoy the Renewable Structure City Hall Warming Domes on City Hall Plaza. Three dome structures are lit, heated and available for people to enjoy during skate rental hours.

Time Limit: 30 minutes
Capacity: 12 people

Please no smoking or vaping in or around the domes. Warming domes are not available during extreme cold (-21°C with wind chill) or slushy conditions.

Edmonton Sign

The sign brightens our downtown core, making it a more attractive, welcoming and vibrant destination for Edmontonians and visitors.

Artist standing in front of mural on back of Edmonton sign

Two people standing in front of Edmonton sign

The structure, which is more than 32 feet long, was designed by local design agency Vignettes Showcase Inc™ in collaboration with Métis and Cree artist Michelle Sound and Nehiway/Dene/Métis artist Crystal Clark.

Behind the word Edmonton is a series of programmable LED lights that fade in and out of hues of yellow and blue. During most days, the lights will create dancing patterns to reflect the colours of our skies: northern lights, sunsets and sunrises.

Learn about the Sign and the Artists

Location and City Hall Hours

1 Sir Winston Churchill Square

City Hall Building

Mon-Fri: 8am-6pm
Sat-Sun: 10am-6pm
Holidays: 10am-6pm

Access City Hall through the southwest and southeast entrances. Visitors can expect a security screening and bag check.

Visitor Information Desk

Mon-Fri: 8am-4:30pm
Sat-Sun: Closed
Holidays: Closed

The information desk helps Edmontonians and visitors find information about the City of Edmonton and its programs and services.

Book an Event

To host an event at Churchill Square or City Hall Plaza, submit a request at least 8 weeks before your preferred event date.

Movies on the Square in Churchill Square

The spaces allow for many types of activities, programs and events and can host over 10,000 people.

Planning an Event?

City Hall Plaza and Sir Winston Churchill Square are flexible venues that can be booked for many types of events.

See Booking Details and Costs

Contact Us

Civic Events and Festivals Section

Email	civic.events@edmonton.ca
Phone	311

Extreme Weather Alert

Parking Ban Declared (Major Roads & Bus Routes)

Sir Winston Churchill Square and City Hall Plaza

Current and Upcoming Events