Prince Albert sits on the North Saskatchewan River at the edge of the boreal forest, and winter here comes with crisp air, long blue evenings and a lively arts scene downtown. Between a theatre, two free galleries, a huge city park and junior hockey, there is plenty to fill a season of date nights. Here are ideas for November through the new year, built around places and events with official details posted for the season.
Holiday Shows at the E.A. Rawlinson Centre
E.A. Rawlinson Centre for the Arts: This City-run arts centre at 142 12 Street West is home to the John G. and Olive Diefenbaker Theatre. On show nights the main doors open at 6:30 p.m., so arrive early, find your seats and enjoy the buzz in the lobby.
Plan ahead at the box office: The box office is open Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and it is closed on weekends and stat holidays except on event days. If you like to pick seats in person, stop by on a weekday lunch break together, then make a plan for dinner before the show. It turns buying tickets into a small date of its own.
Disney's The Lion King Jr.: A youth company brings this family favourite to the stage from November 28 to December 5, with several performances across the run. Check the listing for the show that suits your evening, then hum the songs all the way home.
Michelle Wright: Christmas is Here!: On Monday, December 7, at 7:30 p.m., Michelle Wright brings a holiday concert to the Rawlinson stage. It is an easy way to make a Monday feel like a celebration.
Free Art at the Mann Art Gallery
REMIX at the Mann Art Gallery: Inside the Rawlinson Centre, the Mann Art Gallery is free to visit. Its exhibition REMIX, running until March 6, invites community artists to choose works from the permanent collection that spark curiosity. The gallery is open Thursday to Saturday and closed Sunday to Wednesday. Saturday hours are listed differently on the gallery's site and the City's page, so check before you go.
Free Art Days: The City lists two free art days at the Mann: November 21 and a cardmaking day on December 5. Make holiday cards for each other and swap them over lunch.
The John V. Hicks Gallery
Two winter exhibitions: On the second floor of the Margo Fournier Arts Centre, this free gallery shows Patrick Fernandez: Mga Piraso mula sa Paraiso (Pieces from Paradise) until November 23. Then Vanessa Hyggen: ôma askiy âpacihcikâtîw runs from December 1 to January 23. Pick a favourite piece each and tell the other why it caught your eye.
Winter Days at Little Red River Park
Little Red River Park: North of the river at 1390 15 Street NE, this 1,200 acre park is open year round from 7:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. Winter brings walking trails, snowshoeing, cross-country ski trails and an unsupervised toboggan hill. The west gate is closed for the winter, so use the south entrance off Highway 55.
Warm up by the fire: The park offers warm-up shelters and fire pit areas with free firewood. Bring your own matches, a thermos of cocoa and something to roast.
PA Nordic Ski Club: The local club grooms the ski trails in the park. Check its site for conditions before you head out on skis.
Share the trail with wildlife: The park is a natural area, so keep your distance from any animals you see and never feed them.
Cheer On the Raiders
Prince Albert Raiders: The city's WHL team plays at the Art Hauser Centre. Home games include Tuesday, November 17, and Friday, November 20, both at 7 p.m. Wear team colours and cheer loudly.
Season schedule: Look over the full schedule together and pick a game later in the winter as your next date.
Sample Date Itineraries
Art and hockey: Visit REMIX at the Mann Art Gallery on a Friday afternoon, then head to the Art Hauser Centre for the Raiders on November 20.
Cards and a concert: Join the cardmaking Free Art Day on December 5, see The Lion King Jr. that evening, and save Michelle Wright for December 7.
Forest Saturday: Snowshoe or ski at Little Red River Park in the morning, warm up by a fire, then see the new Hicks Gallery exhibition in December.
Pro Tips
Use the south entrance: Little Red River Park's west gate is closed for the winter.
Bring matches: Firewood in the park is free, but matches are up to you.
Check gallery hours: Confirm Saturday times before visiting the Mann.
Arrive early for shows: Doors at the Rawlinson open at 6:30 p.m. on show nights.
Prince Albert in winter is warm in all the ways that matter. Pick a show, a gallery or a snowy trail, and enjoy a season of easy, local dates together.
Photo credits: Downtown Prince Albert by Padowntown, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Prince Albert in fall by Carolyn Carleton, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Court of King's Bench, Prince Albert by Quintin Soloviev, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.