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Kick off the Season With the 10 Best Summer Festivals in Edmonton!
Ah, summer—the time when the kids are out of school, parents can relax a little more, and we can finally plan family holidays! It’s no secret that summer in Edmonton is spectacular, with the many events that bring heaps of fun for all ages!
A little warning before you continue reading this article: you won’t be home a lot because of the many fun festivals you’ll be going to! It’s time to check out dazzling performances, scrumptious food, beautiful artwork, and meet new people!
We’ve already shown you our favourite winter festivals in Toronto. Now, it’s time to put the spotlight on Edmonton’s top summer festivals, where you can stay warm all day!
Taste of Edmonton
Media credit: tasteofedm
Website: https://tasteofedm.ca/
Location: Sir Winston Churchill Square
Contact: (780) 423-2822, [email protected]
When: July
Ticket/s:
- General Festival and Concert: Free
- Food Sample Tickets: $2 – $69.50
If you’re a food lover, Taste of Edmonton is not to be missed! For over 40 years, this summer festival has continued to unite the community through delicious food.
This festival is all about showcasing the city’s culinary skills, where you can taste a bunch of dishes from local vendors. Get your tummy ready because no one goes hungry! Taste the best sweet delights, savoury treats, and refreshing drinks.
This outdoor event is not just about food—it’s an entertainment extravaganza. Edmonton’s top and emerging talents will be performing live to keep everyone entertained while munching on delectable meals.
Pro Tips:
General admission is free, but food sampling requires tickets. If you want to save money, purchase during the pre-sale.
To make sure you have enough tickets, prepare two to five for the restaurants and five to eight for the beverages. Check the participating vendors first before purchasing tickets to avoid overbuying.
Edmonton Pride Festival
Media credit: edmontonpridefest
Website: https://edmontonpridefest.com/
Location: Sir Winston Churchill Square
Contact: (587) 415-5070, [email protected]
When: August 17 – 24, 2024 (exact dates will vary each year)
Ticket/s: Free
Wave the rainbow flag and celebrate diversity and self-acceptance at Edmonton’s Pride Festival. This is the place where the 2SLGBTQ+ community can advocate for acceptance and inclusion.
This summer event is a must-experience, with live performances from talented artists where everyone is free to dance and sing their hearts out. The 2024 Pride Festival will bring you back to the 80s and 90s with incredible music for a full-on dance party!
Get ready to taste the best food from local vendors. While waiting for a live performance, why not feast on delicious meals from Edmonton’s best restaurants?
Pro Tip:
Wear your brightest outfits! Discrimination is not allowed here! So, wear your colours and enjoy being a part of the community.
Edmonton International Jazz Festival
Media credit: edmontonjazz
Website: https://www.edmontonjazz.com/
Location: Various venues in Edmonton
Contact: (780) 990-0222, [email protected]
When: June 25 – 30, 2024 (exact dates will vary each year)
Ticket/s:
- Selected performers: $5 – $59
- Some events are free
Ah, jazz. The type of music that’s just too good for the soul. If you’re a music enthusiast or simply want to groove to beautiful music, then the Edmonton International Jazz Festival is your go-to event in the summer!
Experience jazz music by watching live performances from talented musicians. If it’s your first time going to this festival, you can drop by the free events and sway along the rhythm.
Local and international performers will be joining, so check the list of artists and purchase your tickets before they sell out! The 2024 list includes Lakecia Benjamin, Veronica Swift, Anthony Fung, and Andrew Glover.
Pro Tip:
Plan accordingly because the performances are held in various venues in Edmonton. Check the list of artists and make a schedule if you want to catch as many performances as you can.
Whyte Avenue Art Walk
Media credit: yegartwalk
Website: https://art-walk.ca/
Location: Various streets in Old Strathcona
Contact: Online contact form
When: July 12 – 14, 2024 (exact dates will vary each year)
Ticket/s: Free
Celebrate the Edmonton art community at Whyte Avenue Art Walk. It’s time for art enthusiasts to explore the streets of Old Strathcona and discover over 400 artists as they share their works.
Every July, artists line the streets for three days to show their artwork. This outdoor event is a great way to discover emerging artists—maybe some of them you’ve been following on Instagram for years!
Guests are welcome to purchase artwork to support the local community. You will find different styles and themes from professionals and amateurs lined up on the streets.
Pro Tips:
Check the weather app and wear appropriate clothing. This is an outdoor event that will push through rain or shine.
If you have a specific artist in mind, you can check for their location on the Artists Gallery page on the website. See which zone they’re in so you won’t miss them
Edmonton Heritage Festival
Media credit: yegheritagefest
Website: https://www.heritagefest.ca/
Location: Borden Park and Exhibition Grounds
Contact: (780) 488-3378
When: August 3 – 5, 2024 (exact dates will vary each year)
Ticket/s:
- Admission: Free
- Food Stalls: Varying prices
Held annually, the Edmonton Heritage Festival is the largest three-day multiculturalism celebration in the world. You can watch performances, listen to music, and taste delicious meals from different cultures.
You’ll discover new cuisines, so don’t come to this event with a full stomach because you’ll be eating a lot. You can sample dishes from all over the world, such as Latin American, Asian, Middle Eastern, and European cuisines!
Since you’ll be eating most of the time at this festival, bring water bottles and napkins. You can also bring an insulated bag or containers for extra food you might want to take home! Oh, and check the map so you know where each country’s cuisines are located.
Don’t miss out on appreciating the cultural exhibits and watching the performances. It’s the perfect way to learn and expose yourself and your family to different cultures—you
can even take part in the festivities!
Pro Tip:
Bring a debit or credit card since this year, there won’t be food tickets anymore. Instead, you’ll pay the vendors directly.
Alberta on the Plate
Media credit: abontheplate
Website: https://www.albertaontheplate.com/
Location: Various restaurants in Edmonton
Contact: [email protected]
When: August 9 – 18, 2024 (exact dates will vary each year)
Prices: $15 – $25 (depending on the meal type)
Taste delectable dishes with Alberta on the Plate, a 10-day dine around festival all around the province. Participating restaurants will offer multi-course menus that put a spotlight on local producers and brewers.
Various restaurants will showcase their delicious meals for a fixed price. This is an excellent time to try out new meals and explore new eateries in the city.
If you’re up for a drive, you can visit other cities and try out their menu. It’s also the perfect excuse for a weekend getaway with your family, no?
Pro Tips:
Make sure you look for the participating restaurants on the website to see which ones you can go to.
If you’re planning on visiting other destinations in Alberta, look for the Dine & Doze packages from the festival’s hotel partners. You can also check our favourite Calgary hotels (calgary hotels with pools) since there are more participating restaurants there.
Edmonton International Street Performers Festival
Media credit: edmontonstreetfest
Website: https://edmontonstreetfest.com/
Location: Sir Winston Churchill Square
Contact: (780) 425-5162, [email protected]
When: July 5 – 14, 2024 (exact dates will vary each year)
Ticket/s: Free; tips in the form of busking are welcome
Now in its 40th year, the Edmonton International Street Performers Festival celebrates at Churchill Square. This 10-day festival will mesmerize you with incredible, funny, and daring performances!
Get ready to watch fearless local, national, and international talents perform death-defying stunts that are sure to dazzle you! Not all acts are risky, though. You can also check out comedy and musical performances!
There are workshops you can join in as well. There’s even a kids’ world section for some mini obstacles to keep the little ones entertained.
Don’t miss visiting the food trucks that sponsor the StreetFest. Get some refreshing drinks or delicious meals to keep you energized under the heat!
Pro Tips:
Keep yourself safe and hydrated at this outdoor festival. Bring a water bottle and wear sunscreen and a hat.
If you can, stick to public transportation. Parking in the downtown area will be tough and you may not get a slot near the venue.
Animethon
Media credit: animethon
Website: https://animethon.org/
Location: Edmonton Convention Centre (2024 venue)
Contact: [email protected]
When: August 9 – 11, 2024 (exact dates will vary each year)
Ticket/s:
- General Admission: $40 – $75 (Ryu Pass TBA)
- Child Pass (12 and under): Free
- Meet & Greet: Varies per guest
- Maid & Butler Cafe: $25
Otakus in Edmonton gather every year for Animethon, the longest-running anime convention in Canada. Since 1994, it has provided a safe space for anime lovers to come together and celebrate their love for Asian entertainment.
One of the highlights is the meet and greet, where you’ll see famous actors, singers, voice actors, VTubers, and cosplayers. If you’re lucky, you can even join an autograph session with your favourite artist!
Step into the Maid and Butler Café for a captivating experience, where the dressed-up servers will dazzle you with incredible performances, let you join interactive games, and serve you the most delicious Japanese food.
Don’t forget to visit the Exhibition Hall to check out the vendors, see the Gunpla displays and demos, and join the cosplay contest!
Pro Tips:
Bring your debit or credit card for the event. Booths at their external events won’t accept cash.
When purchasing your pass, use your legal name (the one shown on your government ID) and not nicknames or online usernames. They will ask for your ID when you need to pick up your pass or replace lost badges.
Rubaboo Arts Festival
Media credit: rubabooartsfest
Website: https://dreamspeakers.org/rubaboo-arts-festival
Location: Workshop West Playwrights’ Theatre & Brighton Block (may change each year)
Contact: (780) 378-9609, [email protected]
When: July
Ticket/s:
- Rubaboo Pass: $75 + fees
- Event Pass: $10 – $25 + fees
Rubaboo is a word from the Métis-Michif language that means a rich stew filled with all good things. True enough, this summer festival is all about feeding the soul with art.
In 2024, the Rubaboo Arts Festival celebrated its 15th anniversary. It showcases Indigenous theatre and performing arts through live performances and storytelling—there’s music, dance, plays, workshops, and panels.
A talented lineup will entice you with their engaging and powerful performances that tell stories. It’s all about appreciating Indigenous artists, which makes this a must-visit in Edmonton!
Pro Tip:
The Rubaboo Pass offers the best value for money if you plan on catching each show. You get it for a cheaper price but has a $135 value.
KDays
Media credit: kdaysyeg
Website: https://www.k-days.com/
Location: Edmonton EXPO Centre & Exhibition Grounds (2024 venue)
Contact: Online contact form
When: July
Ticket/s:
- Individual General Admission: $12 – $18 + GST + fees
- 10 Day Pass: $33 + GST + fees
- Family Pack (2 adults + 2 youth): $45 + GST + fees
- Single Parent Pack (1 adult + 2 youth): $34 + GST + fees
KDays is an epic 10-day extravaganza of fun! This is a cannot-miss destination if you want rides, music, food, and an all-around lively event!
This festival is a mainstay in Edmonton, having started over 130 years ago. It has continued to become a go-to place for residents of Northern Alberta in the summer.
At this family-friendly event, expect thrilling rides, exciting games, star-studded music performances, and pop-ups for the ultimate shopping experience.
Don’t miss the outstanding performances of SuperDogs, where a spectacular lineup of furry performers will dazzle you.
Pro Tip:
Wear comfortable shoes and clothing. And since this is both an outdoor and indoor event, wear sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses to keep you safe from the sun.
