Free ways to spend Family Day in Edmonton

Edmontonians enjoy skating at City Hall Plaza ice rink (CTV News Edmonton/Galen McDougall).

Multiple family-friendly events are being hosted around Edmonton for Family Day on Monday, including free activities put on by the city or province.

Here is what’s going on.

Free events

Legislature

The Alberta legislature is hosting magician Ron Pearson, children’s artist and performer Seeka Sings, Canadian Grand Master fiddle champion Daniel Gervais, Jojo’s Magic Circus, jig and contemporary dance group Tempo Franco Danse, and storytellers Naomi McIlwraith and Sarah Louise Hudson.

A Lego space will also be set up in the Queen Elizabeth II Building.

Visitors are advised to take public transportation, as parking at the legislature is limited.

City Hall and Sir Winston Churchill Square

The Mbira Renaissance Band is performing at City Hall at 1 p.m., 2:15 p.m. and 3: 15 p.m. In between sets, dancer and fitness instructor Shasily Matowe will keep the grooves going with dance fitness classes at 1:45 p.m. and 3 p.m.

Meanwhile, free skate rentals and aids are available at the City Hall ice rink from noon to 4 p.m.

Art Gallery of Alberta

The art gallery is hosting family-friendly activities such as crafts and bingo from 11 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. Rapid Fire Theatre will perform at noon and Booming Tree, a Japanese drumming group, at 1:15 p.m. and 3 p.m.

The galleries can also be visited for free.

Stanley A. Milner Library

Downtown Edmonton’s library will be broadcasting the Olympic Women’s Hockey semi-finals on its digital wall at 1:15 p.m. and a Wapos Bay marathon in the Muttart Theatre at 1:30 p.m.

It will also be hosting storyteller Lorna Dacey and The Raven and the Thistle, a duo act by harpist Keri-Lynn Zwicker and vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Karen Shepherd.

Citadel Theatre

Citadel Theatre is hosting five acts: children’s singer and fiddle player Michelle and Friends, Rapid Fire Theatre, Hula Hoop Circus, hip hop group Rhythm Speaks, and Métis fiddle player Brianna Lizotte.

Royal Alberta Museum

Admission to the Royal Alberta Museum is free between 10 a.m to 4 p.m.

Reuse Centre

The Reuse Centre on 83 Street is hosting a scavenger, board game cafe, and toy swap between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.

Participants do not need to pay admission, but are asked to bring donations that are clean and in usable condition.

Other events

Although not free, there are several other Family Day-themed events happening in Edmonton.

Oil Kings

The Oil Kings play at home in Rogers Place twice this weekend: against the Calgary Hitmen on Saturday at 7 p.m. and the Lethbridge Hurricanes on Monday at 2 p.m. The first is themed a “croc party,” as in the shoes, while the Family Day game is Scooby Doo themed.

Fort Edmonton Park

On Family Day, Fort Edmonton Park is hosting an “immersion” into Inuit culture and teachings. Admission is $20/adult and $12/child.

Muttart Conservatory and Edmonton Valley Zoo

From Feb. 14 to March 29, Edmontonians can visit both the zoo and Muttart Conservatory on a single admission by showing their receipt to the other facility.

They do not need to be visited on the same day.