By Gene Kosowan
Let’s face it – 2017 was a topsy-turvy year in Edmonton, from the Oilers finally breaking its NHL playoff jinx to a faulty computerized transit line that acted like HAL 9000 from 2001: A Space Odyssey. But there was one crowning achievement – Edmonton cracked the top 100 in global agency Resonance Consultancy’s World’s Best Cities list. Let's hope 2018 is even better – here are 10 ways to ring in the New Year in style. [Photo courtesy of West Edmonton Mall]
A lot of folks like to celebrate the holidays in warmer climates, but for families seeking some surf, West Edmonton Mall is probably your best bet at the World Waterpark’s New Year’s Eve Beach Ball. Take advantage of one of the world’s largest wave pools, two gigantic waterslides and some ersatz beach to relax. On top of that, sit back for what promises to be a one-of-a-kind fireworks display.
The midnight mecca for years, New Year’s Eve Edmonton has long been a fixture on Churchill Square – but due to renovations, this year the celebration is moving to the Alberta Legislature grounds, where there’s plenty of room and sightlines to catch the fireworks. Plenty of hot chocolate and live entertainment will be on-site for this family-friendly, alcohol-free celebration, as thousands celebrate not only the passing of 2017, but the conclusion of the Canada 150 festivities.
And the Zoo said, “Let there be light!” And so it came to pass that Zoominescence: A Festival of Light continues to draw families down to the Edmonton Valley Zoo to catch most of its quadruped occupants in a different hue. Besides light displays, both parents and youngsters are likely to be enthralled by a series of animal tales, as well as fire dancers flickering against the night sky.
The unplugged circuit may not have much to say about all that new-fangled music technology – so it figures that the purists have staged their own all-ages New Year’s Eve Concert at the McDougall Sanctuary. Catch an old-fashioned hootenanny with such acts as guitar duo Bardic Form, traditionalists The Edmonton Fiddlers and an array of acoustic acts that also feature Celeigh Cardinal, Backporch Swing and Pont de la Moustache.
Say what you will about 2018 – chances are there’s something millennials won’t dig about it. Which probably explains the defiant declaration of New Years Sucks! Your Alternative to NYE taking place at the Starlite Room. Five bucks gets you inside to catch a showdown between tech titans Borys and Ivardensphere, two intrepid local audio artists with worldwide reputations. As for the rest of the night, don’t count on any hits from 2017 – it’s all ‘80s retro, baby!
It doesn’t get any classier than the Harvest Room at The Fairmont Hotel Macdonald, where chef Andrew Ihasz goes all out to ensure 2018 comes in with a full stomach. At $140 a pop, NYE at the Mac will feature all-star cuisine as well as live music by Carling Undercover. As for the style of dress? Whip out the bell bottoms – organizers are asking everyone to go in Studio 54 attire.
While Prism and Lee Aaron might not scream 2018 to you, the crowd at this Century Casino bash is sure to draw a mishmash of Boomers and Gen-Xers. Take in the hits from these classic Canadian rockers starting at 9 p.m. Tickets are $69.95 plus GST.
Count on the Fantasyland Hotel, which has hotel room interiors that feature everything from igloos to pickup trucks, to turn a New Year’s Eve event into a circus of sorts, complete with former members of Cirque Du Soleil. The proceeds from the 2018 Edmonton International New Year’s Eve Gala go to the Stollery Children’s Hospital.
When it comes to current homegrown acts hitting the big time, you can’t get much higher than Shout Out Out Out, Edmonton’s techno sextet that’s become a national touring favourite ever since their first release “Not Saying/Just Saying” became a huge hit. Understandably, they don’t play at home very much, which makes this event at the 99ten club a must-check-out for local music aficionados.
The LGBTQ community has a lot to be thankful for after persisting through years of alienation from the mainstream. Today, the Edmonton LGBTQ community's annual Pride March rivals any parade in town. Further, the legalization of gay marriage and provincially-legislated school conduct rules introduced in 2017 have made the community not only safer, but much more welcome. So, LGBTQ folks, Kick Off Your Shoes and enjoy this night at The Locker Room at the Edmonton Inn. You’ve earned it.
These 10 events merely scratch the surface of surely thousands of New Year’s Eve celebrations scheduled in Edmonton this year – not bad for a city of less than a million folks. Before you head out, a couple helpful tips. First, don’t drink and drive. Second, make sure you’re not caught off-guard when “Auld Lang Syne” is being bellowed out – here’s a helpful refresher. Happy New Year!
