I’m sure everyone has more than enough to keep themselves occupied during the holidays, but in case you wanted to escape the mall madness, or similarly harrowing family situations, here are a few ideas.

• Starved for theatre like I am? How about Bitchslap! by Guys in Disguise, or the Walterdale’s Sinbad the Sailor? Both have 2 for 1 nights this month. Or if you prefer something more in tune with the holidays, and don’t feel like jostling with the guaranteed gong show of a crowd at the Citadel’s pay-what-you-can Christmas Carol night, plan to attend An Evening with Charles Dickens at the Varscona. For a less typical show (and a tad strange, I might add), head to the Julien Arnold benefit, with all proceeds going to the seasoned actor currently in recovery.
• For kid-friendly fun: head to Fort Edmonton Park, free of charge and open every weekend in December; the Marketplace at Callingwood on Saturdays, offering hay rides for children; and of course, the ever-popular Candy Cane Lane (don’t forget your Food Bank donation!).
• Music lovers, rejoice – there should be more than enough free entertainment to keep you busy: school choirs at both City Hall and the Legislature, weekly noon hour concerts at McDougall United, a performance by the Edmonton Kiwanis Singers, the Wirth Institute Christmas Concert, the Salvation Army Festival of Carols, and last but not least, the annual Christmas Bureau singalong at the Winspear.
• For the arts-oriented, Yann Martel is coming to town for a free talk, there’s a discussion about creativity and non-profits, and the montly Cinema at the Centre screening.
• If you’re looking for last-minute gifts, check out the craft sales at the Legislature Grounds, and the more well-known Butterdome version. As always, the year-round, indoor Old Strathcona Farmer’s Market is a veritable treasure trove of hand-crafted goods and edibles.
• To end, two events that I would definitely attend, if not for New York: a free drink at LUX for University of Alberta alumni; and the first Teatro la Quindicina production of the year – a live radio play of It’s a Wonderful Life. Jeff Haslam would make a wonderful George Bailey.