It’s been just over a decade since the Edmonton Elks competed for the Grey Cup when they defeated the Ottawa Redblacks. On Sunday, the Elks will be back after an impressive season, playing against the Montreal Alouettes in Calgary. While Edmontonians won’t be able to catch the game on home turf, there are plenty of watch parties at local watering holes and community centres across the city. Notable watch parties include events at the River Cree and The Druid. Some Royal Canadian Legions will also be hosting watch parties as well as sports bars across Edmonton. Football not your thing? Here are some other things to check out this weekend. Holiday season also kicks off With about six weeks left until Christmas, Edmonton has taken no time to start the holiday festivities. The 124 Street Business Association will be putting on its annual All Is Bright: Winter Festival Friday and Saturday. The free, family-friendly event features ice sculptures, horse carriage rides, fire performers, Chinese lion dancers, Indigenous performers, live DJs, food vendors and more. Shops along 124 Street will also be open to visitors who want to get a start on their holiday shopping. Speaking of holiday shopping, the Alberta Aviation Museum is hosting A Very Indigenous Holiday Market & Cultural Gathering Friday through Sunday. The three-day event will see more than 100 Indigenous vendors, live entertainment, a silent auction, free prize draws, traditional drumming and dancing, and an Indigenous fashion showcase. Admission is free, but donations of new and gently used warm clothing are welcomed, including unused socks, underwear, toiletries and feminine hygiene products. Film buff? There are a couple things for you Metro Cinema at the historic Garneau Theatre presents the Broad View International Film Festival with six women-directed films. While the festival premiered Thursday, screenings for five of the six films will be shown on Friday and Saturday, including Invisible Imagination, directed by Edmonton’s Sarah Taylor and Calgary’s Anna Cooley. The Edmonton Underground Film Festival will be showing 75 meticulously curated experimental short films from across the globe at the Freemason’s Hall on Saturday from noon ‘til late. Trans Day of Remembrance Trans Day of Remembrance YEG is going all out on Saturday with an all-ages art market, drag show and live music, featuring local queer and trans artists. The event, which starts with the art market at 11 a.m., will be held at the Old Strathcona Performing Arts Centre. The drag show and live music starts at 5 p.m. with donations going to 4B Harm Reduction. Trans Day of Remembrance is widely recognized on Nov. 20. Yeehaw! This weekend Rogers Place will once again host the PBR Canada National Finals which showcases the country’s top cowboys as they compete in bull riding events. The winner will receive a minimum $50,000 guarantee.
