Thanksgiving Weekend 2025 in Alberta isn’t just about turkey, pumpkin pie, and family dinners. It’s the last big weekend before winter sets in, and Albertans take full advantage of the crisp air, golden leaves, and long weekend vibes. According to Destination Canada, fall travel within the country has seen a 12% increase year-over-year, with Thanksgiving being one of the busiest times for local tourism. That means whether you’re in Calgary, Edmonton, the Rockies, or a small prairie town, there’s no shortage of ways to make the weekend special.
Experience the Best of Thanksgiving Weekend 2025
Here are 50 Alberta-specific activities and events to dive into this Thanksgiving Weekend 2025 — from pumpkin festivals to mountain hikes — all with a local twist.
1. Wander Through the Calgary Farmyard Pumpkin Festival
Every fall, Calgary Farmyard turns into a pumpkin-lover’s paradise. With over 20 acres of pumpkins, a giant corn maze, and wagon rides, it’s a must for families. The event usually draws thousands, and it’s one of the best spots for Instagram-worthy fall photos.
2. Banff Gondola Thanksgiving Feast
Head up Sulphur Mountain on the Banff Gondola and enjoy a buffet dinner overlooking snow-capped peaks. Parks Canada data shows Banff welcomes over 4 million visitors annually, and Thanksgiving weekend is among its busiest fall periods — so book early.
3. Edmonton Valley Zoo’s Harvest Festival
This family-friendly festival blends animals with autumn fun. Think pumpkin-carving for the zoo’s elephants and seasonal treats for visitors. It’s a quirky, only-in-Alberta way to celebrate.
4. Heritage Park Harvest Sale (Calgary)
Heritage Park holds a fall market where you can pick up local honey, jams, and pies. Perfect if you want farm-fresh ingredients for your own Thanksgiving table.
5. Attend a CFL Game — Edmonton Elks vs. Calgary Stampeders
Thanksgiving weekend always lands near the Battle of Alberta in football. McMahon Stadium or Commonwealth comes alive with rivalry, and it’s a chance to see die-hard Canadian football fans in action.
6. Larch Hike in Kananaskis
Alberta’s golden larches hit peak color in early October. Try hikes like Ptarmigan Cirque or Chester Lake for breathtaking views before the snow covers the trails.
7. Pumpkins After Dark (Calgary)
This ticketed event features over 10,000 hand-carved pumpkins lit up in creative displays. It’s part art exhibit, part Halloween warm-up.
8. Jasper Dark Sky Preserve Stargazing
Thanksgiving falls right before Jasper’s famous Dark Sky Festival. Even outside the official dates, October skies in Jasper are unreal. The park is one of the world’s largest dark sky preserves.
9. Sylvan Lake Fall Market
Sylvan Lake’s fall market mixes local vendors with live music. Perfect for a day trip if you’re based in Red Deer or Calgary.
10. Fort Edmonton Park’s Harvest Celebration
History buffs will love this. You can churn butter, ride a steam train, and see how Thanksgiving was celebrated in Alberta’s early settler days.
11. Visit Prairie Gardens & Adventure Farm (Bon Accord)
This spot north of Edmonton offers pumpkin patches, corn mazes, and fall-themed activities. It’s a local favorite for families.
12. Calgary Thanksgiving Day Run & Walk
A tradition for over 40 years, this charity run supports the Calgary Food Bank. It’s a way to balance out the holiday feast and give back at the same time.
13. Explore the Corn Maze at Edmonton Corn Maze
At over 15 acres, this is one of the biggest mazes in Canada. The designs change every year, and Thanksgiving weekend is the perfect time to try it before frost hits.
14. Enjoy Elk Bugling in Jasper
Fall is elk rut season in Jasper. Guided tours take you safely to hear the eerie calls echoing through the valley — something few people outside Alberta ever experience.
15. Check Out Canmore’s Fall Artisan Market
Canmore comes alive with local makers selling jewelry, crafts, and art. Pair it with a mountain hike, and you’ve got a full weekend itinerary.
16. Attend Okotoks Pumpkin Festival
This family-friendly event includes pumpkin smashing, wagon rides, and pie contests. A great way to support small-town Alberta charm.
17. Thanksgiving Dinner at the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge
Skip the cooking and indulge in a mountain feast. The lodge serves a Thanksgiving buffet with Alberta beef and locally sourced produce.
18. Haunted Pumpkin Festival at Prairie Gardens
This Bon Accord festival combines spooky Halloween vibes with classic harvest fun. Think haunted houses, costume contests, and wagon rides.
19. Explore Drumheller’s Hoodoos
Thanksgiving weekend often has crisp but clear weather, perfect for exploring the otherworldly badlands without the summer crowds.
20. Attend the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra Thanksgiving Weekend Concert
If you’re craving culture, the CPO usually programs a fall concert series. From classical to cinematic scores, it’s a cozy evening out.
21. Visit Elk Island National Park
Just 35 minutes from Edmonton, this park is home to free-roaming bison. Fall is one of the best times to see them as they prepare for winter.
22. Attend Alberta Prairie Railway’s Harvest Train Ride (Stettler)
A themed train experience with a Thanksgiving-style meal onboard. Kids love the vintage railcars, and adults love the prairie views.
23. Pumpkin Palooza at Butterfield Acres (Calgary)
Perfect for young kids — petting zoos, pony rides, and pumpkin picking all rolled into one.
24. Explore Johnston Canyon Before Winter
Thanksgiving is the last chance to hike Johnston Canyon without ice cleats. The waterfalls framed by fall colors are stunning.
25. Celebrate Oktoberfest in Edmonton
Thanksgiving weekend often overlaps with Oktoberfest events. Local breweries put on festivals with bratwurst, pretzels, and craft beer.
26. Attend Calgary International Film Festival (Closing Weekend)
CIFF usually wraps up around Thanksgiving weekend, making it a great chance to catch indie films before awards season buzz.
27. Visit Muttart Conservatory (Edmonton)
Thanksgiving weekend is quieter here, making it the perfect time to stroll through the pyramids and see exotic plants.
28. Check Out Peace River’s Fall Colors
Northern Alberta glows with golden birch and aspen trees. A drive along the Peace River Valley is pure magic.
29. Take a Horseback Ride in Kananaskis
Several outfitters run guided trail rides in October. Riding through larch-filled valleys is as Alberta as it gets.
30. Explore Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump
This UNESCO World Heritage Site near Fort Macleod tells the story of Indigenous hunting traditions. Fall makes the site feel even more powerful.
31. Attend Rocky Mountain Wine & Food Festival (Calgary)
Usually held in October, this event brings together top restaurants, wineries, and distilleries. Perfect for a Thanksgiving weekend night out.
32. Tour Eau Claire Distillery (Turner Valley)
Warm up with a whisky tasting at Alberta’s first craft distillery. Their fall cocktails are legendary.
33. Check Out the Edmonton River Valley
Rent a bike or just walk the trails. At 7,400 hectares, it’s the largest stretch of urban parkland in North America.
34. Head to Waterton Lakes National Park
Waterton in fall is quieter than summer, and you’ll likely spot wildlife like bighorn sheep and deer wandering through town.
35. Visit the Calgary Zoo’s Fall Days
Special animal encounters and seasonal decorations make the zoo a cozy Thanksgiving outing.
36. Attend Vegreville’s Harvest Festival
Yes, the town with the world’s largest pysanka (Easter egg) also does a killer fall festival with Ukrainian food and music.
37. Go Apple Picking Near Calgary
Places like Solstice Berry Farm open for apple and berry picking in early October. Nothing beats baking a pie with fruit you picked yourself.
38. Visit Icefields Parkway Before It Snows
The drive between Banff and Jasper is one of the most scenic in the world. Thanksgiving is often the last weekend before heavy snow makes it tricky.
39. Attend the Banff Craft Beer Festival
Small-batch breweries gather in Banff for tastings. Imagine sipping a seasonal ale while surrounded by mountains.
40. Explore Dinosaur Provincial Park
October weather makes hiking through this UNESCO badland site bearable compared to the summer heat.
41. Attend Calgary Farmers’ Market Thanksgiving Weekend Sale
Stock up on pumpkin pies, fresh produce, and Alberta beef. The market always buzzes during the holiday.
42. Check Out Royal Alberta Museum (Edmonton)
Thanksgiving weekend is perfect for museum-hopping. RAM offers exhibits from Indigenous history to dinosaur fossils.
43. Go Leaf-Peeping in Fish Creek Provincial Park
This Calgary park rivals Central Park in size and bursts into color every October.
44. Attend Jasper Park Lodge’s Thanksgiving Brunch
One of Alberta’s most famous brunches, with elk sausage, Alberta beef, and endless dessert tables.
45. Tour Calgary’s Breweries
Breweries like Village, Annex, and Banded Peak often release seasonal ales around Thanksgiving.
46. Attend the Alberta Ballet’s Fall Performance
Alberta Ballet’s fall program often lands near Thanksgiving, offering a cultural evening to balance out the turkey.
47. Go Ghost Hunting in Downtown Calgary
Local walking tours explore haunted sites in the city. A spooky but fun way to kick off October.
48. Explore Writing-on-Stone Provincial Park
October is quiet in this sacred Indigenous site filled with petroglyphs and sandstone hoodoos.
49. Head to Grande Prairie’s Pumpkin Festival
Northern Alberta celebrates with giant pumpkins, games, and live music.
50. Host a Prairie Potluck with Local Ingredients
Finally, one of the most Alberta ways to celebrate: a potluck with friends and neighbors featuring local beef, root veggies, and Saskatoon berry pie.
Conclusion
Thanksgiving weekend in Alberta 2025 is shaping up to be more than just a family dinner. From mountain hikes to pumpkin festivals and cultural experiences, there’s something for every taste and budget. What’s uniquely Albertan is how the province mixes rugged wilderness with cozy community gatherings. You can hike larch-covered peaks in the morning, sip a locally brewed pumpkin ale in the afternoon, and end the day with a hearty turkey dinner that tastes even better after fresh mountain air.
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