Here’s what’s happening in an above-freezing Edmonton this weekend

The Ice Castle in Edmonton on Dec. 27, 2025. (Gates Guarin/CTV News Edmonton)

This weekend ushers in a wave of warmer temperatures than Edmonton is used to this time of year, so it might not be the time to go sledding, but here are some events you can check out despite the slush.

New this weekend is world-famous basketball team Harlem Globetrotters, who are bringing their 2026 tour to Edmonton on Sunday. The 100 Years Tour will celebrate a century of unique basketball tricks. Tickets for the 3 p.m. Rogers Place extravaganza begin at $38.

Rogers Place will also see the Edmonton Oilers host the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday at 8 p.m. Tickets start at $125.

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Sunday is the final day for The Art of Banksy, a pop-up exhibition based on the notorious graffiti artist that opened at the downtown core’s City Centre mall in October. General admission tickets, which begin at $32 to $41 depending on demand, are still available for Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Ice Castles also remains open on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., despite the thaw in the city. The fan park attraction sets ticket prices based on peak hours.

And for all you Tolkien fans, the Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium is hosting a live orchestral rendition of Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring by FILMharmonique Orchestra and Choir on Friday at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. Tickets begin at $159.

Kid-friendly events

The West Edmonton Mall is hosting an indoor skating event on Saturday and Sunday in the Ice Palace. Tickets are only available on site and cost $16 plus $6 for skate rentals.

The Edmonton Arts Council is also hosting its winter weekend programming at City Hall Plaza until the end of February.

Every Friday and Saturday night from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., Edmontonians can skate and dance along to live DJs outdoors as part of what the city calls Ice Groove. Free skate rentals are available both days until 9 p.m. on a first-come, first-served basis.

As of Friday morning, the city hall skating rink is still open, but check online to make sure rising temperatures haven’t interfered with the ice.

If the rinks aren’t available, city hall still has some indoor activities. Every Sunday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. until Feb. 22 will offer free dancing to swing, big band, soca, salsa and other musical varieties as part of the art council’s Swing ‘n Shake program. This Sunday will feature the Little Birds Big Band.

The city is also running its outdoor adventure program, Play Rangers, on Saturday from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Hosted at Whitemud Park, Play Rangers involves outdoor activities throughout the winter until March 24 for children six to 12 years old. It’s free to participate.