Saturday is a big sports day in Edmonton: the Elks host the West Final at Commonwealth Stadium for the first time since 2015, with a trip to the Grey Cup in Calgary on the line, and the Oilers play the Canucks at Rogers Place a few hours later. Farmfair International fills the Expo Centre all weekend, free, with the Country Christmas Marketplace alongside it, and Lights in the Park opens in Sherwood Park.
It's also Veterans' Week, with Rutherford House marking Remembrance on Sunday, and the last weekend of IRON MATRON at the Fringe.
Thirteen things worth doing in Edmonton this weekend, with times, addresses and what each one costs.
Elks vs BC Lions, West Final
Sports
The Elks finished first in the West and host a playoff game for the first time since the 2015 West Final. The winner on Saturday goes to the 113th Grey Cup in Calgary. Kickoff is 5:30 p.m. and gates open at 4:30. There's no parking at the stadium, so take transit: a valid game ticket works as fare on ETS buses, the LRT and Park and Ride shuttles from two hours before the game to two hours after, and a dedicated shuttle runs from the Expo Centre. Commonwealth has a clear-bag policy, and fans without bags get through security faster. Dress for November.
When: Saturday, November 7, 5:30 p.m. (gates 4:30 p.m.)
Where: Commonwealth Stadium, 11000 Stadium Road NW
Cost: From about $29
Oilers vs Vancouver Canucks
Sports
The Oilers host the Canucks on Saturday night with a late 9 p.m. puck drop, which means a determined fan could catch the Elks at 5:30 and still make it downtown. The LRT runs from Stadium station to the arena district. Tickets start around $60.
When: Saturday, November 7, 9 p.m.
Where: Rogers Place, 10220 104 Avenue NW
Cost: From about $60
Oil Kings vs Prince Albert Raiders
Sports
The cheaper hockey ticket of the weekend: the WHL Oil Kings host the Prince Albert Raiders on Sunday afternoon at Rogers Place. Puck drop is 4 p.m., doors open at 3, and tickets start around $23.50, so it's an easy family outing that has you home for dinner.
When: Sunday, November 8, 4 p.m.
Where: Rogers Place, 10220 104 Avenue NW
Cost: From about $23.50
Farmfair International and the Country Christmas Marketplace
Free
Alberta's big agriculture show takes over the Expo Centre for four days, and general admission is free with no tickets needed. Expect cattle shows, livestock exhibits, demonstrations and educational displays, which makes it a good, cheap outing for kids who have never seen a show ring. Doors open at 8 a.m. daily. The Country Christmas Marketplace runs alongside it, with hundreds of vendors selling handmade gifts, decor and specialty food. On Saturday, take the dedicated Elks shuttle from the Expo Centre to the game afterwards.
When: Farmfair: Thursday, November 5 to Sunday, November 8, doors 8 a.m. daily. Marketplace: Friday and Saturday, noon to 8 p.m.; Sunday, noon to 6 p.m.
Where: Edmonton Expo Centre, 7515 118 Avenue NW
Cost: Free general admission; some special events are ticketed
Under $100 Art Show
Shopping
Every piece of art at this show costs less than $100: paintings, photography, textiles, ceramics, mixed media and handmade accessories from local artists. It's a good place to start Christmas shopping with something original. Kids 16 and under get in free, and cards carry a 5 per cent fee, so bring cash if you can.
When: Friday to Sunday, November 6 to 8, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Where: 10310 102 Avenue NW
Cost: $12 to $28; kids 16 and under free
Lights in the Park at Greenland Garden Centre
Family
The first Christmas lights of the season open on Friday in Greenland's botanical garden east of the city: shimmering trees, light-up polar bears and even narwhals along the garden paths. Leashed dogs are welcome, and proceeds support the Strathcona Christmas Bureau and the Salvation Army. Note that it's closed Sundays and Mondays. Greenland's Homegrown Market also runs Saturday and Sunday.
When: Opens Friday, November 6; Tuesday to Saturday, 5 to 9 p.m. (last entry 8:30) through December 23
Where: Greenland Garden Centre, 23108 Highway 16, Sherwood Park
Cost: $5 per person or $15 per family
Extra Life Game Day at the WEM Ice Palace
Free
Extra Life Edmonton's yearly gaming marathon for the Stollery Children's Hospital moves into the Ice Palace at West Edmonton Mall, with about 100 fundraising gamers playing through the weekend. The public space has vendors and exhibitors, and it's free to walk through. The group raised more than $500,000 for the Stollery last year.
When: Saturday, November 7 and Sunday, November 8
Where: Ice Palace, West Edmonton Mall, 8882 170 Street NW
Cost: Free to visit
Conservation Weekend at the Muttart
Family
The Muttart and the Orchid Species Preservation Foundation host their fourth Conservation Weekend, with pop-up tables, presentations and tours from groups working to protect the Edmonton region, including the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society, the Edmonton Native Plant Society, the Wagner Natural Area Society and the North Saskatchewan Watershed Alliance. The Fall Harvest feature pyramid is still up until November 15.
When: Saturday, November 7 and Sunday, November 8, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: Muttart Conservatory, 9626 96A Street NW
Cost: Regular admission: adults $14.95, youth and seniors $12.95, children $7.75
Rutherford House Remembers
Community
Ahead of Remembrance Day, the historic home of Alberta's first premier marks Armistice Day with letters, poetry and songs from the First World War, plus a taste of the food soldiers made for themselves at the front. Presentations begin at 2 p.m. It's a thoughtful way to talk about Remembrance with older kids.
When: Sunday, November 8, 1 to 4 p.m. (presentations at 2 p.m.)
Where: Rutherford House Provincial Historic Site, 11153 Saskatchewan Drive NW
Cost: About $5 to $20
Discovering the Galápagos: National Geographic Live
Culture
National Geographic Explorer Sarah Knutie takes the Winspear stage to talk about the Galápagos Islands, from blue-footed boobies and hammerhead sharks to giant tortoises, and the science behind protecting them. It's a talk with big-screen images, not a concert, and a good evening out with a teenager who loves animals.
When: Saturday, November 7, 7:30 p.m.
Where: Winspear Centre, 4 Sir Winston Churchill Square NW
Cost: About $38 to $90
The Great Gatsby at the Citadel
Culture
The Citadel's stage version of F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel is in its second week in the Shoctor Theatre: Jay Gatsby, his mansion parties and the woman he can't let go of. It runs to November 22.
When: Through Sunday, November 22
Where: Shoctor Theatre, Citadel Theatre, 9828 101A Avenue NW
Cost: About $40 to $146
IRON MATRON, closing Saturday
Culture
Last chance for Trevor Schmidt's new play at Northern Light Theatre: Alice is over 60, almost divorced and forced to move in with her adult son and his family, and she decides to reinvent herself. It closes on Saturday in the small Studio Theatre at the Fringe's Arts Barns.
When: Through Saturday, November 7
Where: Studio Theatre, Fringe Theatre Arts Barns, 10330 84 Avenue NW
Cost: $37 to $48
Old Strathcona Farmers' Market
Food
Edmonton's original indoor farmers' market is open both days, and it's warm inside: produce, baking, coffee and local makers under one roof. Pair it with the last IRON MATRON matinee or a walk down Whyte Avenue.
When: Saturday, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: 10310 83 Avenue NW
Cost: Free to browse
Editor's Pick: Saturday, done as Farmfair and football. Spend the late morning at Farmfair and the Country Christmas Marketplace, both free at the Expo Centre, then catch the dedicated shuttle from the Expo Centre to Commonwealth for the West Final at 5:30. If the Elks win, the next stop is the Grey Cup in Calgary.
Know an event we missed? Tag us @culturealberta or email hello@culturealberta.com.
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