December 19, 2023
Date: Sunday, December 31
Time: 6:30 p.m. to midnight
Fireworks: 9 p.m. and midnight
Location: Sir Winston Churchill Square and City Hall Plaza
Cost: Free
This year’s New Year’s Eve celebration includes an early fireworks show at 9 p.m. for families, as well as a traditional midnight fireworks display. The fireworks, approximately 12 minutes in length, will launch into the skies over the pyramids of City Hall.
Bundle up the family and head to the Churchill Square and City Hall Plaza for free activities and entertainment, including live music, cultural performances, a DJ, roving entertainers, skating, firepits and more. Explore the enchanting animation of the
Lucion Spheres – moonGARDEN temporary art installation as it fills Churchill Square and City Hall Plaza with the warm glow of the season.
Bring your skates and get your groove on as you take a spin on the City Hall ice rink* to music by DJ Busyrawk. Free skate rentals and skate aids are available on a first-come, first-served basis, and the skate change room is open from 6 p.m. to midnight. (*Weather and
ice conditions permitting.)
Warm up around a firepit, and purchase a warm meal or snacks from a variety of food trucks, including Soner Donair, Tiramisu Bistro, Canadian Kettle Corn, and
Canadian Maple Shack, who will give the first 1,000 people a free maple stick. The
L’Espresso Organic Café is also open for warm drinks and sweet treats, and features performances by
Ava Nayana (6–9 p.m.),
Ken Stead (9–10 p.m.), and
Eric Kane (10 p.m.–12 a.m.).
Please note that City Hall will not be open to the public on New Year’s Eve.
The
Art Gallery of Alberta and the
Winspear Centre will open as warming stations for those looking to get out of the cold. The AGA will have arts and crafts programming, and the Winspear Centre will feature the musical talents of
Sticks and Stone Percussion. Light snacks and concessions are available in both locations.
Then countdown to the New Year’s Eve fireworks at 9 p.m., and with Mayor Amarjeet Sohi at midnight.
Please note: High winds or severe weather may result in the cancellation of some outdoor activities. Visit edmonton.ca/NewYearsEve for the most up-to-date event information.
Road & Sidewalk Closures
Before, during and after the fireworks, there will be a number of road and sidewalk closures. To maximize traffic and pedestrian flow while maintaining pedestrian safety throughout the event, the following closures will be in effect until approximately 2 a.m. on January 1, 2024:
7:30 a.m.
- Full closure of 103A Avenue, from 100 Street to 99 Street
5 p.m.
- Full closure of 99 Street, from 102 Avenue to 103A Avenue (including bike lane)
- Full closure of 100 Street, from 102 Avenue to 103A Avenue
- Full closure of 103A Avenue, from 97 Street to 101 Street
Pedestrians wishing to access the Stanley A. Milner Library Parkade during this time should use the underground pedway system accessible via:
- The Churchill LRT Station staircase, located on the southwest corner of Churchill Square, and the west side of 99 Street by City Hall
- Access from the Stanley A. Milner Library Parkade to the pedway system is available on P2 (Parking Level 2)
Parking
Please note: The City Hall Parkade is closed at 5 p.m. on December 31. NO PUBLIC PARKING OR ACCESS is available during the event, as the area falls within the fireworks safety zone. Vehicles already inside will have time until 6 p.m. to leave.
-
Parking is available in the Canada Place Parkade via the 97 Street entrance, and in the Stanley A. Milner Library Parkade for $5/hr ($10 maximum from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m.).
- Both the Canada Place and the Stanley A. Milner Library Parkades have elevator access for accessibility.
New Year’s Eve @ ICE District
Celebrate the arrival of 2024 at ICE District. Come for a special Molson Oilers Game Day live watch party starting at 5 p.m, as the Edmonton Oilers face off against the Anaheim Ducks (6 p.m. puck drop). Watch the game on the giant screen as you enjoy food, drinks, great tunes spun by the Oilers DJ, professional ice carving and epic prizes.
After the game, stick around as ICE District Plaza is transformed into a rocking New Year’s Eve party, featuring Canadian country music favourites
Josh Ross and Alberta's own
Taylor-Rae. The celebration includes giant countdown screens and fireworks at the stroke of midnight.
Admission to New Year’s Eve @ ICE District is free of charge, but space is limited so guests are encouraged to arrive early to secure a spot.
Celebrate Downtown
Downtown is where diversity and creativity flourish, and arts and culture thrive. There are a number of great downtown venues to explore this New Year’s Eve. Check out the
Edmonton Downtown Business Association’s website to see what else is happening in the heart of Edmonton.
Free New Year's Eve Public Transit Service
Edmonton Transit Service is pleased to get you where you need to go, safely and conveniently. Start your New Year by taking transit to and from your New Year’s Eve celebrations. Riders can board buses, LRT and DATS for free starting at 6 p.m. on December 31, until the end of service at around 3 a.m. on January 1.
Routes 1, 7, 73, 511, 523, 701 and 900X will be on detour from 7 a.m. on December 31 to 2 a.m. on January 1, 2024 due to street closures downtown.
Riders can plan their trips using real-time tools (Google maps), or using the Trip Planner at
edmonton.ca/transit.
Fireworks Permits and Safety
Be safe and remember, you must have a permit issued by the City of Edmonton to use fireworks within city limits. Under the
City of Edmonton’s Public Places Bylaw 14614 and
Community Standards Bylaw 14600, any use of fireworks without proper permitting is illegal and subject to enforcement which can include fines of up to $10,000. Criminal charges can also be laid depending on the circumstances which can result in a criminal record, fines, and the possibility of jail time.
