EDMONTON, ALBERTA -- (Marketwire) -- 01/11/13 -- Embracing its cool northerly winter backdrop, Edmonton is chock full of winter festivals, outdoor activities and indoor attractions as this winter strikes back with inspiring opportunities.

For the Star Wars(TM) fan there is Star Wars Identities: The Exhibition, making Edmonton its second of only two North American tour stops. Curling fans can hurry hard and catch the 2013 Tim Hortons Brier while outdoor enthusiasts can take part in the Canadian Birkebeiner Ski Festival, the nation's largest classic cross country ski event - and that's just for starters.

Thawing the Deep Freeze

It's winter in Edmonton and the fun is just beginning. Deep Freeze, Edmonton's Byzantine Winter Festival rolls out a Wild West theme for early 2013, where you'll find everything from deep freezer races (yes, deep freezers on skis), snow sculptures at the sixth annual Chisel & Chainsaw Ice Creations, food, dance and more on Alberta Avenue - quickly becoming a destination that is part of the city's artistic pulse - on January 12 and 13, 2013.

But Deep Freeze is just one of the city's signature winter events. There's something for everyone so be sure to put these on your list when it comes to playing in this scenic outdoor climate:

- Ice on Whyte - January 25, 2013 to February 3, 2013 - 10th anniversary edition; kicking off with an international ice carving competition. There will also be live music, food and culturally-themed days;

- Canadian Birkebeiner Ski Festival - February 8-9, 2013 - 25th anniversary edition comprised of five events and distances with something to suit all ages and abilities for cross-country skiers, and

- Silver Skate Festival - February 15-24, 2013 - rooted in the Dutch tradition of a love of the outdoors and the pleasure of experiencing the beauty of winter, this 23-year-old event includes an extravaganza of art, culture, recreational and sports programming. Check out the fire sculptures or take part in the winter marathon skate races.

Attractions, Edmonton Style

Step inside and you'll find that this city is also about the great indoors. Edmonton is just the ticket, especially if you're into anime or documentaries. A Taste of Animethon, put on by the Alberta Society for Popular Asian Arts, is a one-day happening on January 26. As the event title implies, it will give you a taste of its larger summer Animethon in August, which is Canada's longest running anime festival.

Edmonton is also home to Canada's longest running documentary film festival, the Global Visions Film Festival, which is all about documentaries, dialogue and discovery. The festival presents socially relevant films from around the world with a mandate to promote film and video as catalysts for reflection, discussion and responsible action. The 2013 edition runs from February 27 to March 3.

Or how about rocking your visit to Edmonton by catching the 2013 edition of the Tim Hortons Brier, taking place at Rexall Place from March 2 -10. Curling fans and all those interested may want to get their tickets early: In 2005, the first Tim Hortons Brier edition was held in Edmonton and set an attendance record - that still stands - of 281,985.

Surf's Up, Darth

Even outdoor lovers might want to head indoors for this next Edmonton attraction: the World Waterpark at West Edmonton Mall. Where else could you find a tropical paradise in the middle of a winter wonderland but at West Edmonton Mall, the most comprehensive retail, hospitality and entertainment complex on Earth. While you'll find more than 800 stores and services if you like to shop, the mall's indoor water park is home to the world's largest indoor wave pool as well as more than 17 unique waterslides and play features.

And don't forget about Star Wars Identities, where you'll rediscover the world of Star Wars(TM). Making use of an extensive collection to explore the sciences of identity through the characters of Star Wars(TM), you'll find this one-of-a-kind experience at the TELUS World of Science Edmonton. The exhibit is on until April 1, 2013. Also running into next April is Inuujaq: Dolls of the Canadian Arctic at the Royal Alberta Museum. Exploring the colourful realm of Inuit doll-making, the exhibition features 80 dolls from 19 Inuit communities and is on until April 28, 2013.

Edmonton, as you can see, is full of fun and unique things to do this winter.

Edmonton Economic Development Corporation (EEDC) provides leadership in economic development, markets Edmonton as a must-see destination, manages the Shaw Conference Centre and Edmonton Research Park, and acts as a stakeholder in TEC Edmonton, a joint venture with the University of Alberta. For more information, visit www.edmonton.com Learn more about Edmonton through the stories of people who've experienced it at www.edmontonstories.ca