For some Albertans, getting in line at a liquor store on Christmas Eve to stock up on holiday libations is as much of a tradition as opening gifts. But this year, they may be able to avoid the lineups.
Alberta Gaming, Liquor & Cannabis announced on Dec. 16 that it would allow liquor and cannabis retailers to open on Christmas Day.
Starlight Casino – Edmonton #2710, 8882-170 Street Northwest Edmonton, AB T5T 3J7. We are located in the West Edmonton Mall. Tel: (780) 444-2112. Restaurants will be open but not most retails stores. Skyrail is closed for Christmas day only. Most people will be at home on the 25th but the 26th many go for picnics and barbeques in the outdoors. Casino Rama Resort is Ontario’s only First Nations resort casino, offering a complete entertainment experience with over 2,200 slot machines, more than 85 gaming tables, 8 unique restaurants, a world-class 5,000 seat Entertainment Centre and luxury 300-room all. The River Cree Resort and Casino is an exciting casino in the Greater Edmonton Area. Whatever you’re in the mood for, our resort and casino will deliver.
This casino is located inside West Edmonton Mall. This makes it easy to get to and provides it with ample free parking. It is also open late enough to make it a fantastic end of day activity after shopping. It features numerous, and varied, eating establishments which cater to every taste and budget.
A week after the announcement, it appears only a limited number of the businesses in Edmonton will take advantage.
'We wanted to serve our customers and this way we are saying thank you to our customers by staying open,' said Dipanjan Nandi, manager of cannabis retailer Spiritleaf at 10561 109th St.
Spiritleaf is one of only a few cannabis stores that will be open on Christmas Day. Nandi and another manager will each work four-hour shifts, while other staff have been given the holiday off.
'We want to see how it goes. Probably things will change because cannabis is an ever changing industry. This year they say 'Yes', maybe next year, 'No',' he said. 'So for this year we will be open. Next year we'll see how it goes.'
Of the more than a dozen liquor and cannabis franchises in Edmonton contacted by CBC, only a handful said they would be open.
Many store managers said receiving notice from AGLC only a week before Christmas wasn't enough time to get staff lined up who were willing to work the holiday.
Crown Liquor in the Ritchie neighbourhood will be among the few liquor stores in Edmonton open on Christmas Day. Two staff members will be working, despite initial troubles to find people willing to work the holiday.
'It was kind of hard for us, but we have good staff. They're great actually,' said Gurinder Chahal, the store's manager.
Chahal is eager to see if customers show up on Christmas Day, and if the store is able to capitalize on his competitors taking the day off.
'We'll get some business, but I'm not really sure how much,' he said.' This is the first time. There will be last-minute shoppers, for sure.'
Christmas is the time to eat, drink and be merry! Here is a list of restaurants in Edmonton that are offering special Christmas menus (like brunch, lunch, dinner, and buffets) this year.
I have not included images as this list is designed for you to obtain quickinformation on what is being offered and compare the options.
Please check with the business for the most up-to-date andaccurate information on dates, times, prices and menu offerings.
This list is updated as information becomes available. If you are a restaurant and want to be added, please contact me at foodgressing@gmail.com.
If you are looking at this post on mobile, rotate your phone sideways to see the entire table.
Here are restaurants serving special menus on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day in Edmonton.
Restaurant | Type | Price | Description | Date/Time | City |
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Madison's Grill | Prix-Fixe Dinner | $109 | 6-Course Prix-Fixe Dinner. Enhance your dinner with a wine pairing for each course for $75.00. Space is limited. Please call 780-401-2222 to reserve your table today. Details | Dec 25: 4:30 pm or 7:30 pm | Edmonton |
Harvest Room @ Fairmont Hotel MacDonald | Prix-Fixe Dinner | $149 (Dec 24 Dinner) $175 (Dec 25 Dinner) | Dec 24 Dinner: Enjoy live entertainment while savouring the creations of our award-winning culinary team with a specially-crafted 6 course Table d’Hôte menu. Executive Chef Mridul Bhatt presents a progressive twist on an authentically local menu curated with the finest cuts of Alberta beef, sustainably sourced wild game and Ocean Wise seafood. Details Dec 25 Dinner: Spend the most magical day of the year delighted by a decadent 7-course Table d’Hôte menu crafted by the award-winning culinary team, alongside live entertainment. The Harvest Room offers a fresh, contemporary feel, all the while staying true to the building’s iconic heritage. Details | Dec 24: 5 pm onwards; Dec 25: 4 pm or 7:30 pm | Edmonton |
Empire Ballroom @ Fairmont Hotel MacDonald | Brunch Buffet, Dinner Buffet | $95 (Adult - Brunch) $85 (Senior - Brunch) $47.50 (Child 6 - 12 - Brunch) $110 (Adult - Dinner) $100 (Senior - Dinner) $55 (Child 6 - 12 - Dinner) | Enjoy savoury carving stations, bountiful comfort cravings, and an endless dessert selection. Brunch Details, Dinner Details | Dec 25: Brunch 9:30 am - 1:30 pm; Dinner 5 pm or 7:30 pm | Edmonton |
Here are restaurants serving festive lunches or afternoon teas through the holiday season in Edmonton.
Restaurant | Type | Price | Description | Date/Time | City |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Madison's Grill | A La Carte or Prix-Fixe Lunch, A La Carte or Prix-Fixe Dinner | $48 (Lunch) $54 (Dinner) | 3-Course Lunch or Dinner: Holiday Spinach Slad, Turkey Duo, Eggnog Cheesecake or Ginger Spiced Cake Lunch Details, Dinner Details | Nov 14 - Dec 22 | Edmonton |
Harvest Room @ Fairmont Hotel MacDonald | Festive Lunch Buffet | $39 | Details | Dec 2 - 28: 11 am - 1 pm | Edmonton |
Confederation Lounge @ Fairmont Hotel MacDonald | Dicken's Lunch Buffet | $45 | A nineteenth century, English-style lunch buffet served in the intimate comfort of our estate library-style Confederation Lounge; boasting a warm and charming atmosphere, with stunning floor-to-ceiling windows. Details | Dec 12, 13, 19, 20: 11 am - 12 pm | Edmonton |
Empire Ballroom @ Fairmont Hotel MacDonald | Festive Sunday Brunch | $75 (Adult) $65 (Senior) $37.50 (Child 6 - 12) | Enjoy an extravagant brunch buffet in the heart of Edmonton. Immerse yourself in the magic of historical elegance at the castle on the river. Enjoy made-to-order omelettes, specialty crepes, savoury carving stations, a deluxe seafood selection, and so much more throughout the holiday season. Details | Nov 17, 24; Dec 1, 8, 15: 10 am - 12:30 pm | Edmonton |
Empire Ballroom @ Fairmont Hotel MacDonald | Yuletide Lunch Buffet | $49 | It’s the perfect setting for a holiday luncheon with friends, family, coworkers, or clients. Details | Dec 11 - 13, 18 - 20: 11 am - 12 pm | Edmonton |
Fairmont Hotel MacDonald | Nutcracker Afternoon Tea | $39 (Weekday Tea) $59 (Royal Tea & Tour) | Royal Tea & Tour, Weekday Tea | Nov 16 - Jan 2. Weekday Tea (Monday - Thursday 2:30 pm); Royal Tea & Tour (Saturdays & Sundays 12:30 pm & 2:30 pm) | Edmonton |
Cafe Linnea | High Tea | $65 | High Tea includes an amuse bouche, a 3-tiered tea tray with savouries, pastries and petit fours, and your choice of our exclusive tea selection. Tickets are $65 per person and seatings are two hours long. Details | Nov 17: 10 am, 10:30 am, 12:30 pm, 1 pm. 3 pm, 3:30 pm | Edmonton |
Highlands Golf Club | Festive Lunch Buffet | $25 | A traditional turkey buffet with all the fixings including salads, 24-hour brined turkey with traditional stuffing, 2 hot entree selections, and desserts. Details | Every Thursday and Friday from Dec 5 - Dec 20: 11 am - 1:30 pm | Edmonton |
Highlands Golf Club | Children's Christmas Party | $20 (Adult) $10 (Child 6 - 12) | Enjoy a brunch buffet, children-themed activities, plus a special visit from Santa from 11:30 am - 12:30 pm. Reservations are required: reservations@highlandsgolfclub.com. Details | Dec 15: 10 am - 1 pm | Edmonton |
Highlands Golf Club | Festive Brunch | $38 (Adult) $19 (Child 6 - 12) | Details | Dec 22: 10:30 am - 2:30 pm | Edmonton |
Highlands Golf Club | Festive Dinner | $42 (Adult) $21 (Child 6 - 12) | Details | Dec 22: 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm | Edmonton |
If you want to leave the Christmas cooking to someone else this year, See my post here for businesses in Edmonton that are offering Christmas turkey dinner to go.
Looking to celebrate Christmas in another Canadian city? Check out the guides below.
See my post here for restaurants in Edmonton that are offering special New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day 2019/2020 menus (like brunch, lunch, dinner, and buffets).