Try These 25+ Unforgettable Family Fall Activities in Alberta

The bright colours and crisp air of Alberta in the fall set the scene for creating memories and new family traditions. Discover the best fall family activities in Alberta in 2025, from the rolling prairies to the Canadian Rockies and Calgary and Edmonton, too.

Alberta’s fall temperatures are often mild and many of the province’s popular attractions and trails are quieter than they are during peak summer months. Fall is the perfect time to get outside and explore.

See Alberta’s autumn colours from above via gondola

The fall colours throughout Alberta are spectacular, and seeing them from above is simply breathtaking. Luckily, with a gondola ride, you can get your family to a mountaintop without hiking. And since the ride only lasts a few minutes, no one will be asking, “Are we there yet?”

In Banff National Park, visit the Banff Gondola for a trip to the top of Sulphur Mountain and savour the view with a bite at Sky Bistro or Northern Lights Alpine Kitchen.

In Jasper National Park, ride the Jasper SkyTram and stroll the boardwalks atop Whistlers Mountain. There are plenty of photo viewpoints and hiking trails if you’re feeling more adventurous. You can grab a bite at Summit Cafe at the top. And for either gondola, be sure to bundle up—it’s always colder at the top. While you're in Jasper, consider a gentle paddle in a canoe on beautiful Pyramid Lake.

Ride a classic streetcar over Edmonton’s river valley

You don’t need to be a train-obsessed kid to be completely delighted while riding Edmonton’s High Level Bridge Streetcar. The vintage streetcar runs Friday through Sunday in the fall, providing a gorgeous view from above of the golden leaves of the river valley.

Make sure to bring cash and consider planning your route to go from downtown to the vibrant Old Strathcona neighbourhood. This allows you to take in the streetcar museum before a short walk to the Old Strathcona Farmers’ Market for lunch, brunch or just a whole bunch of snacks. At the market, try Paperbirch by Chartrand for taste of Indigenous cuisine from Top Chef Canada contestant Shane Chartrand. (Kids will love Shane’s Famous Bannock Bits tossed in cinnamon sugar and served with haskap jam.)

Fall is a fun time for dinosaur adventures in Alberta

Dinosaurs roamed the land here millions of years ago and Alberta’s prehistoric past will fascinate dino-lovers of all ages. At Jurassic Forest in Gibbons (37 km, 23 mi northeast of Edmonton), walk among life-sized animatronic dinosaurs. The lush, forested landscape is even more beautiful with fall colours all around. While you’re there, challenge each other to a round of dinosaur-themed mini golf.

Take a guided hike or fossil safari in Dinosaur Provincial Park, a stunning UNESCO World Heritage Site where more than 50 species’ fossils have been found. Bonus: The rugged landscapes of the arid Canadian Badlands are cooler in the fall, so the sun won’t be baking the land as you explore.

Drumheller and its famous Royal Tyrrell Museum make for a fantastic day trip or multi-day road trip, too. Plan for at least half a day at the museum that celebrates the Dinosaur Capital of the World, then take a self-guided hike through the hoodoos or a tour and train ride at Atlas Coal Mine National Historic Site.

Take a family road trip to the Crowsnest Pass this fall

The Crowsnest Pass is an Alberta hidden gem, with a rich history and no shortage of kid-friendly activities. Consider a road trip from Calgary that includes stops at the ancient Burmis Tree, the small but mighty Lundbreck Falls and the engrossing Frank Slide Interpretive Centre before carrying on to Chinook Provincial Recreation Area.

Chinook Provincial Recreation Area, found 243 km (150 mi) southwest of Calgary, is an outdoor haven with stunning views of Crowsnest Mountain. You’ll also have easy access to Chinook Lake—perfect for some late-season canoeing or kayaking. Hike or bike the trails and take in the fall foliage. If the weather is warm enough, stay awhile and camp at one of the 90 sites available.

Kid-friendly ways to see Alberta’s larches this fall

It wouldn’t be fall in Alberta without a larch hike. The stunning golden trees are only around for a short time, typically from mid-September to early October, and the Highwood Meadows Interpretive Trail in Kananaskis Country is the easiest trail to spot them on. It’s only one kilometre (0.6 mi) with no elevation gain, so it’s ideal for any age and experience level—it’s even wheelchair accessible.

For older kids who are up for a challenge, try Ptarmigan Cirque to see the larches. The 4.5-km (2.8 mi) hike begins in the same spot as Highwood Meadows, so you could do both if you’re up for it. Bring plenty of layers, as the high elevation here can make the weather unpredictable.

Stargazing in Jasper is great for families

Jasper National Park holds the title of the world’s largest accessible dark sky preserve. The annual Jasper Dark Sky Festival is the perfect opportunity to experience night-sky wonders with the kids. The festival, happening October 17 to November 2, 2025, welcomes astronomers of any level. Take part in stargazing, planetarium experiences, nighttime family-friendly SkyTram rides, an interactive daytime science festival and guided evening wildlife hikes to learn to capture the starry beauty.

In mid-to-late October, the sun sets in Jasper between about 6:20 p.m. and 7:00 p.m., so even younger kids can get a taste of the dark sky without staying out too far past bedtime.

Alberta farms and pumpkin patches to visit with kids in the fall

Fall is harvest season in Alberta, and opportunities to explore the province’s agricultural roots abound throughout the province. Visit Granary Road, just outside of Calgary, to peruse a weekend market, a 36-acre active learning park and more. Their Harvest Fair & Pumpkin Hunt is a must for your fall family plans. A ticket gets you full access to everything on-site, plus pony rides, face painting, a scenic tractor ride and your very own pumpkin to take home.

Calgary Farmyard is a bustling hub of fall activity. “Fall Days” start on September 12, 2025, complete with wagon rides, corn mazes, farm animals, autumn treats and opportunities to pick your perfect pumpkin. After dark, “Harvest Lights” illuminate the farm for a one-of-a-kind fall experience that's open to all ages.

At Prairie Gardens, 41 km (25 mi) north of Edmonton, expect a charming day full of opportunities for the kids to play and get some dirt under their nails. Along with exploring a sprawling pumpkin patch, kids can dig up potatoes, take a hayride, make a scarecrow and more. On weekends in October 2025, visit for the Haunted Pumpkin Festival and check out the pumpkin cannon, a not-too-scary haunted house and loads of autumnal photo ops.

For even more pumpkin-themed fun, visit the Great White North Pumpkin Fair in Smoky Lake on October 3–5, 2025, or find your perfect Jack-o-Lantern canvas at the Jungle Farm Pumpkin Patch and U-Pick in Red Deer.

Corn mazes around Alberta

It’s a known fact that kids (almost always) love corn on the cob. It’s also plenty of fun in maze form. Challenge the family to a race through the corn maze and embrace some friendly competition. Send the kids into the mazes at Kraay Family Farm, the Lethbridge Corn Maze or the Edmonton Corn Maze, which can take up to an hour to navigate. Designs vary year to year, so you never know what you’re in for!

Halloween 2025 events for kids and teens

Fall is also the time of year when ghosts and goblins come out to play, and family-friendly Halloween fun awaits at Heritage Park in Calgary. Get dressed up for Ghouls’ Night Out (October 23–26, 2025), complete with games, classic characters, entertainment and a light show.

Teens will want to check out DARK at Fort Edmonton Park, running October 3 to November 1, 2025 in Edmonton. The Halloween festival designed for kids 14+ includes plenty of scares and haunts along with music and food.

Pumpkins After Dark is fun for all ages, happening at WinSport Canada Olympic Park in Calgary (September 19 to October 31, 2025) and Borden Park in Edmonton (September 26 to October 31, 2025). It’s the largest Halloween event in Canada, and you’ll want to leave plenty of time to see all the festive light displays and entertainment.

Ready for a dose of excitement this fall? Calaway Park, located 10 km (6.2 mi) west of Calgary, makes for an easy day trip. There, kids of all ages can enjoy amusement park rides and games. The park’s Halloweekends with the Boo Crew runs until October 13, 2025, and visitors are encouraged to dress up for the occasion.

Treats and tasting the harvest

Weekend farmers’ market trips are a quintessential fall activity, and in Alberta we're spoiled for choice. Two of the largest farmers markets include the Old Strathcona Farmers’ Market in Edmonton and the Calgary Farmers’ Market. Come for breakfast or lunch while you shop locally grown produce and Alberta-raised meat. Visit the Banff Farmers’ Market for a dose of mountain scenery and sample local goods.

A little off the beaten path in Hinton, north of Jasper in the Northern Rockies, you’ll find King Drug Soda Shoppe. It offers a solid dose of nostalgia with a throwback to classic soda shops, serving up sundaes, milkshakes, sodas and plenty more. Spend some time browsing the interesting gifts and products in the store, too.

Craving doughnuts? The Crooked Creek Store near Grande Prairie is the place to go when you’re anywhere nearby. Doughnuts are baked fresh in-house, and there’s no shortage of flavour creations to try.

Bring the kids to see hockey, Canadian football or soccer

Fall is the perfect time to catch a game, whether you’re cheering for your favourite team or discovering a new one. The Wild FC, Calgary’s new professional women’s soccer team, wraps up their inaugural 2025 season in mid-October, so there’s still time to see them in action.

Edmonton and Calgary have a longstanding friendly rivalry, and the Edmonton Elks take on the Calgary Stampeders for some football action on October 24, 2025 in Edmonton.

Of course, a Canadian fall wouldn’t be complete without the start to another NHL season. The Calgary Flames and Edmonton Oilers kick off preseason in early September, and regular-season games begin in October.