By Sarah Sussman
This Thanksgiving long weekend is the perfect time to get out and explore Edmonton. A traditional turkey dinner at home or out on the town is obviously a must, but this weekend is also prime time to enjoy local arts, cinema and nightlife. Here are five ways to enjoy the Thanksgiving long weekend in Edmonton. [Photo credit: iStock]
The Edmonton International Film Festival’s annual 10-day festival wraps up on Oct. 7 at 7 p.m. with a grand finale showing of Lucky at Landmark Cinemas. The film stars Harry Dean Stanton and follows the spiritual journey of a 90-year old atheist. Though it’s not necessarily the kind of film you’d expect to watch for Thanksgiving, it’ll nonetheless take you on an exploration of spirituality. The official film festival afterparty will be held after the screening concludes at Zenari’s.
For a switch in pace, head over to Metro Cinema in the afternoon on Oct. 8 for the Tibetan Film Festival. Co-presented by the Gaden Samten-Ling Tibetan Buddhist Meditation Society, the festival features screenings of two films: Paths of the Soul and The Last Dalai Lama?
And if you quite literally want to watch the stars, go stargazing at Elk Island in the heart of the Beaver Hills Dark Sky Preserve. Admission is $15 per person and a park interpreter will be there to teach you everything you ever wanted to know about the galaxy. Register in advance and meet at the Astotin Lake Beach parking lot in Elk Island National Park at 8:30 p.m. on Oct. 6.
From Oct. 6 to 8 the fifth annual Up + Down Music Festival (UP+DT) sees three days of live performances from more than 60 performers at more than 16 venues in downtown Edmonton. The annual festival celebrates independent music and arts and a stacked cross-genre line up includes indie pop sensation Tei Shi, folk artist Leif Vollebekk and Edmonton’s own hip-hop hometown hero Cadence Weapon. Three-day all-access festival passes are available for $115 and single show tickets are also available.
If the change in weather has you stuck in a funk, you might find some relief at the four-day-long BLOOM Festival, running Oct. 5 to 8 at the Shaw Conference Centre. The festival delivers an uplifting combination of yoga, music, meditation and tons of inspirational keynote speakers.
If you want to get the benefits of relaxation without spending a day indoors at the conference centre, take a nice scenic stroll around the River Valley, the largest urban park in all of Canada. With 160 kilometres of pathways and 20 major parks, the River Valley is the ultimate staycation destination.
Since you don’t have to worry about going into work on Monday, let your hair down for a night and spend Sunday at Pure: The White Party at the Shaw Conference Centre. Into its eighth year running, the all night rager goes until 6 a.m. and features headlining performances from Zeds Dead, Showtek, Getter, Ghastly and more. The dress code is all white (with the exception of shoes, belts, purses and jewellery) so pull together your most outrageous outfit and party from dusk until dawn.
If you want to let someone else handle the Thanksgiving cooking this year, the Fairmont Hotel Macdonald is a must. On Oct. 6 and 7, The Harvest Room hosts a decadent four-course meal for $79 that comes with a Thanksgiving drink. Enjoy one of the most gourmet feasts in the city with a breathtaking view of the river.
If you’d prefer to dine at home, a fully prepared to-go meal for six to eight people is available for $400. The meal includes a roasted whole turkey with all the fixings, butternut squash soup, whipped buttermilk mashed potatoes, maple glazed vegetables and dessert.
For those who want to enjoy some festive brunch, Violino Gastronomia Italiana is hosting a gourmet five-course Thanksgiving brunch. The meal will be served family style and costs $49.99 per person.
Another option for the early risers is the Fort Edmonton Park brunch, served on Sunday in the historic Johnson’s Café. Enjoy a delicious spread of pastries, sweets, meats, fruits, salads and more, along with chef attended omelette and carving stations. Finish things off with the brunch’s legendary chocolate fondue fountain.
With so much to do in Edmonton over the long weekend, make sure you spend it with those you matter most to you. Even if you spend the whole weekend out taking in the festivities around town, make sure you take a few minutes to give thanks and express your gratitude to the important people in your life.
