Great ways to
warm up and
have a blast
this winter
The Alberta
Legislature at
its seasonal best
HOLIDAY CHEER
artists and craftspeople.
Performances Dec. 1-23
assembly.ab.ca
Seasonal Assembly
The arrival of winter draws
Albertans of all stripes to
Winter Wonderland
the provincial legislature
The cowboys and cowgirls at
in Edmonton, which hosts
Red Deer’s Heritage Ranch
myriad holiday activharness the rugged
ities. As ever,
romance of trathe festive fun
ditional Westincludes daily
ern living. In
outdoor
winter, that
skating, carol
means crasinging and
dling a mug
other musical
of hot cocoa
performances
and snuggling
on the beauunder a blantifully adorned
ket on a Winter
A snowy ride at
grounds. This year
Night
Lights sleigh
Heritage Ranch
you can also escape
ride. Led by a pair of
the cold at the new Visitor
sturdy horses, the half-hour
Centre. Part of the renotrip wends its way through
vated Edmonton Federal
a trail system illuminated
Building, the centre boasts
by a display of more than
an art gallery, theatre and
20,000 twinkling lights.
the Alberta Branded retail
Starting late November
store with gifts made by local
heritageranch.ca
60
WINTER 2016
AMA INsIdER
Cheery Choo-Choo
A Christmas excursion
aboard the Alberta Prairie
Railway is sure to get everyone into the seasonal spirit.
Families can climb aboard
the hour-long Polar Express
journey for storytelling and
a visit with Santa. For more
mature holiday revelry, three
evening trips see a heritage
train chug across the snowy
plain between Stettler and
Big Valley, where a buffetstyle turkey dinner, caroling
and a barn dance await.
Polar Express Dec. 1-21;
Christmas special to Big
Valley Nov. 26, Dec. 3 & 10
absteamtrain.com
MUSIC
Hot Tunes for the Cold
Bands and beer provide
a break from the January
Costumed storytellers on the Polar Express