April is Neurodiversity Awareness Month

Join us for sensory-focused, inclusive storytimes for ages 3 to 5.
This program is structured to create a comfortable space for all children to enjoy stories, songs, and play. Though these storytimes are specialized for neurodivergent children, they’re great for all preschoolers.

Check out the Sensory Room for Adults https://rdpl.bibliocommons.com/events/67c0ec858072642900476054

Migratory Bird Day is coming up on May 10, and Ellis Nature Centre has decided to open up our site early to celebrate! Join us on Saturday May 10 from 8am-10am for a morning of birding on the Ellis Nature Centre site. This will be an opportunity to celebrate the return of our migratory birds for the summer. Folks can bird on our site and participate in a small selection of birding activities. No registration is required and we are operating on admission by donation (we suggest $5 per person or $15 for a family).

All ages. Pay $7 at the counter and includes one free drink. The third Thursday of every month. Event often runs more than one hour. 

Join us on Monday, May 19th for our 2025 opening day!

We have an amazing lineup of events including slow birding activities, kids’ activities with Nature Alberta, a Great Horned Owl information table, and salad foraging. We’ll also be hosting two fundraisers on opening day, a chicken bingo raffle and popcorn sale. Don’t forget to pick up your passport when you arrive and complete all the activities for a special prize!

An exact schedule of events will be posted about 1 month before the event, so keep an eye on our website and social media for that!

Join Ellis Nature Centre on Saturday, May 24 from 8-10am for an introductory birding experience! We will have 3 leaders who will show small groups of 6 people to 3 unique birding areas on our site. You will learn basic birding skills and how to apply them in each area of our site. Whether you’re just starting your birding journey or a seasoned pro wanting to refresh their skills, we’d love to have you. All ages welcome, the ability to walk and stand for the two hours is a must.

Join Ellis Nature Centre staff on Sunday, May 25 from 11am-12pm to learn about how to create a wildlife friendly garden! This workshop will take you around the gardens at Ellis Nature Centre to learn about key features that support wildlife, selecting plants, and overall garden design. If you want to make sure that your garden helps animals, birds, insects, and pollinators, then this is the workshop for you. This event is free, but pre-registration is appreciated as there are only 25 spots available!

Dip your toes into the world of citizen science by joining Ellis Nature Centre’s BioBlitz on Saturday, May 31! We will be focusing on species found on our site in three broad categories: birds, insects, and plants. Participants will help our leaders discover the species on the Ellis Nature Centre site and help us collect valuable data which will help drive future research. This event is happening all day, with activities around the different species on a rotating schedule. Keep an eye on our website and social media for more details!

Date: June 6 & 7
Time: 9:00 - 4:30 each day
Location: Recreation Centre Park, Downtown Red Deer

Get ready to celebrate the 19th year of the Central Alberta Children's Festival! This vibrant two-day event brings the community together to inspire and educate through creativity, play, and hands-on fun.

What to Expect:

• Live Performances: Enjoy local and national talent showcasing singing, dancing, magic, and more!
• Over 40 Activity Stations: Explore Science World, Pioneer Village, interactive exhibits, physical activities, and other family-friendly experiences designed to spark creativity and curiosity.
• Fun for All Ages: Whether you're part of a school group or attending with your family, there’s something for everyone to enjoy!

This festival is one of Central Alberta's favorite traditions, providing entertainment and education at an affordable cost.

Don’t miss the opportunity to learn, play, and HAVE FUN in Downtown Red Deer this June!

Admission: $10/person/day. Family Pass $35/family of 4.  CASH ONLY at the gates
For more information: Home - Central Alberta Children's Festival

Date: June 6 & 7
Time: 9:00 - 4:30 each day
Location: Recreation Centre Park, Downtown Red Deer

Get ready to celebrate the 19th year of the Central Alberta Children's Festival! This vibrant two-day event brings the community together to inspire and educate through creativity, play, and hands-on fun.

What to Expect:

• Live Performances: Enjoy local and national talent showcasing singing, dancing, magic, and more!
• Over 40 Activity Stations: Explore Science World, Pioneer Village, interactive exhibits, physical activities, and other family-friendly experiences designed to spark creativity and curiosity.
• Fun for All Ages: Whether you're part of a school group or attending with your family, there’s something for everyone to enjoy!

This festival is one of Central Alberta's favorite traditions, providing entertainment and education at an affordable cost.

Don’t miss the opportunity to learn, play, and HAVE FUN in Downtown Red Deer this June!

Admission: $10/person/day. Family Pass $35/family of 4.  CASH ONLY at the gates
For more information: Home - Central Alberta Children's Festival

Join us for the Community Better Red Deer Walk-Run Kickoff on June 14th, 2025! Register for the event by clicking here: https://redcap.link/communitybetterwalkrun.

• FREE Registration for EVERYONE! Choose your distance: Walk or Run 1km, 3km, or 5km.
• Enjoy a BBQ with donations supporting the New Move Your Mood Studio at the Sheldon Kennedy Centre of Excellence.
• Take part in Passport to Wellness, win Prizes, and more!

For more information about the event, visit: Events for February 2025 – Red Deer PCN.

All ages. Pay $7 at the counter and includes one free drink. The third Thursday of every month. Event often runs more than one hour. 

Join Mayor Ken Johnston, the Red Deer Public Downtown Library and Move Your Mood for a special lunch walk and talk, to wrap up the ParticipACTION Community Challenge June 1-30. You can help Red Deer win $100,000 and reclaim the title of the Most Active Community in Canada!

Visit Community Challenge - ParticipACTION sign up and help Red Deer win!