Summer Festivals in Edmonton
There's no doubt about it, Edmonton's summer season is legendary. With a festival going on almost every day from mid June through early September, there's no shortage of awe-inspiring things to see and do. Alberta's capital is the perfect place to soak up 17 hours of sunshine while festival hopping — we're talking music festivals, theatre festivals, culinary festivals, art & design extravaganzas, and so much more.
Now is the time to mark your calendars, book your time off, and start planning for the best summer ever. They call us Canada's Festival City for a reason — come see for yourself!
Pride Month
Kick off Edmonton's festival season with a month long celebration! June in Edmonton is Pride Month — meaning there are countless LGBTQ2S+ events to experience around the city. Celebrate with local organizations like Fruit Loop, spend the evening at Evolution Wonderlounge and be sure to head to Churchill Square on June 24 & 25 for a PrideFest gathering to remember. Check Ron Byers' Guide to Pride Month in Edmonton for a massive list of events to experience!
The Month of June
Edmonton Indigenous People's Festival
Indigenous History Month and National Indigenous Peoples Day (June 21) uplift the accomplishments and contributions of Indigenous Peoples in Canada. Head to the Edmonton Indigenous Peoples Festival at West Edmonton Mall on June 18 or celebrate with a Kick-off to Indigenous Day on June 19. Keep your eyes peeled for more events hosted by Métis Crossing, Enoch Cree Nation and the Canadian Native Friendship Centre on social media. Check out our blog for more ways to Celebrate Indigenous History Month!
The Month of June
Alberta Circus Arts Festival
Come one, come all and join Firefly Theatre and the Alberta Circus Arts Festival for 4 days of Canadian contemporary circus performances at La Cite Francophone. Take part in professional development workshops from emerging and established artists, enjoy panels and discussions around sector development for industry professionals, and outreach opportunities for all.
June 22-25, 2023
The Works & Street Performers
This year, The Works Art & Design Festival and The Edmonton International Street Performers Festival are teaming up to present variety performers, visual art, shenanigans, music, food and fun in Churchill Square. Edmonton transforms into a massive celebration of creativity with The Works. As North America's largest free outdoor art & design festival, you'll find countless performances and events, with exhibits in venues all over the city. What do unicyclists, puppeteers, tightrope walkers and acrobats all have in common? You'll see them all at the Edmonton International Street Performers Festival. Performance artists will transform the city into busker central with their zany, witty, or just plain silly performances.
July 2023, Dates TBA
Whyte Avenue Art Walk
Imagine a 4 km walk through the hearts and minds of artists. Cultural explorers are invited to see art making in action on the streets of Old Strathcona during the legendary Whyte Avenue Art Walk. Pick up the perfect piece to bring your home decor to life. The best part? Connecting with the local artists while you shop!
July 2023, Dates TBA
Freewill Shakespeare Festival
Get thee to a festival that brings the Bard to life. Enjoy the works of the most famous playwright of all, while enjoying a little fresh air! Performances take place in the picturesque Heritage Amphitheatre in Hawrelak Park. Plop thy bum on thy blanket and prepare for revelry at the Freewill Shakespeare Festival!
June & July 2023, Dates TBA
Taste of Edmonton
Edmonton's culinary scene has never been better and there's only one festival where you get to experience it all at once. A huge slice of Edmonton's best restaurants will come together for Taste of Edmonton in Churchill Square for a delicious twelve days of food, entertainment, and music. Mix and match between the best local Indian, Chinese, and Italian while listening to tunes by awesome musical acts.
July 20-30, 2023
K-Days
Experience the wonder of the midway at K-Days, Edmonton’s extravaganza of rides, games, music, food, and adventure. Watch as fireworks light up the night sky and cheer for the band onstage. Savour the tangy smokiness of a perfectly barbecued rib, taste the warm sugary bliss of freshly fried donuts and bite into the gooey crispness of a candy apple.
July 21-30, 2023
Disco in the Park
Disco In the Park is back! This annual off-the-hook music festival takes place over August long weekend and brings together young and old for one purpose - to dance! It’s like the Edmonton Folk Festival for funky disco electronic music. Get your groove on where downtown meets the river valley at Louise McKinney Riverfront Park, with 6 additional events at central Edmonton music venues all weekend long.
July 2023, Dates TBA
Edmonton Heritage Festival
This is your one-way ticket to a world of flavours! Take a peek at Pakistan, taste the flavours of Fiji, feel the beat of Burkina-Faso, and explore cultures from Afghanistan to Wales. The Edmonton Heritage Festival, presented by TD, is a family-friendly mingling of nations sharing their entertainment, music, culture, and cuisine! This legendary festival has temporarily relocated to the Edmonton EXPO Centre! Pro tip: make sure you don't miss World Music Week from July 28-31.
August 5-7, 2023
Edmonton Folk Music Festival
The hills are alive with the sound of Folk Fest! Four magical days of eclectic performers, delicious food, and a remarkable setting make the Edmonton Folk Music Festival one of the summer's premiere musical events. Nestled in the natural amphitheatre of Gallagher Hill, you'll find toe-tapping performances and so much more!
August 10-13, 2023
Cariwest Caribbean Arts Festival
Cariwest, Edmonton's annual celebration of Caribbean arts, music, and culture, takes over Churchill Square this summer! Get a taste of Caribbean favourites like Jerk chicken, Roti, Patties and much more. The annual Cariwest Parade returns in 2022 to the streets of Edmonton on August 6. Make your way downtown and shake your tail feathers with some of the best dressed crowd around!
August 2023, Dates TBA
Edmonton International Fringe Theatre Festival
Edmonton's hip Old Strathcona neighbourhood is centre stage for North America's biggest and oldest Fringe Theatre Festival. Local, national, and international performers will put on every type of theatre performance imaginable over the ten-day festival. Wander the grounds between performances and enjoy the many buskers and outdoor stages, or stop in at one of the summer's most lively beer gardens. We LIVE for the drama!
August 2023, Dates TBA
The Great Outdoors Comedy Festival
Now heading into its second year, The Great Outdoors Comedy Festival features all forms of performance comedy, from locals to superstars. Head to the Edmonton Exhibition Lands Racetrack Infield and get ready to escape your worries with a little (let's be honest, a lot) of laughter. It's what we all need right now!
August 2023, Dates TBA
Edmonton Blues Festival
The Edmonton Blues Festival is back and heating up this August! Many of the acts originally booked and cancelled for 2020 will be taking the stage in 2022 at the Heritage Amphitheatre (hooray!). Get your tickets or you may be the one singin' the blues.
August 2023, Dates TBA
Kaleido Family Arts Festival
Kaleido Family Arts Festival is a joyous, exuberant, radically open arts festival that shares the love of the Alberta Avenue Arts District. Kaleido welcomes arts and cultural experiences with multi-arts collaborative performances such as music, dance, theatre, film, literary and visual arts with performances on rooftops, sides of buildings, back alleys, parks, and found spaces. It’s an extravagance of creative exploration, imagination, and play.
September 15-17, 2023