Things to Do in April in Edmonton
April is showering us with all sorts of activity all across the city this month. Get hyped for the NHL playoff season, take a walk through our solar system, and get a taste of Edmonton's BEST food scene! Consider this your summer pre-game and explore all the city has to offer this month.
For the Foodies
Best Restaurants 2025
With Edmonton's culinary scene always ready to impress, you'll not want to miss Edify's Best Restaurants 2025! As another great event being hosted at the Edmonton Convention Centre, this is your chance to sip, sample, and savour the flavours of some of Edmonton's best cuisine all in one night!
April 7, 2025
Sweet treats
Around this time of year, the colours of the blooming flowers and bright budding trees start to show themselves in decorations of the cookies, chocolates, and pies of local baking shops across the city! Satisfy your sweet tooth with a treat that colourful both in flavour, and in sight. To see more opportunity for sweet nibbles, check out our Best Bakeries in Edmonton blog.
Festivals
Dreamspeakers International Indigenous Film Festival
Experience the cutting edge of Indigenous film, video, and new media at Dreamspeakers International Indigenous Film Festival! Celebrate the latest works from Indigenous innovators and immerse yourself in a world of culture, art, and captivating stories that shape our humanity. Join and discover exceptional talent and unique perspectives from across the globe. Don't miss out on this incredible celebration of Indigenous art and creativity!
April 12-16, 2025
Edmonton's International BeerFest
Keep the taps flowing! Every year, beer lovers from around the world gather and toast to all things beer at the Edmonton International BeerFest, hosted at the Edmonton Convention Centre. The event features hundreds of beers from around the world, stage performances, roaming entertainment, and much more.
April 18 & 19, 2025
Downtown Defrost
Get ready for Edmonton’s coolest end-of-winter party! The Downtown Defrost is back, celebrating 10 years of dance music and culture. With headliners like Channel Tres, Yaeji, and Neil Francis, this 2-day festival in Churchill Square promises non-stop energy and epic vibes. By day, enjoy all-ages fun in the square—kids under 12 get in FREE! By night, the party heats up with afterparties at Double Dragon. Don’t miss this frosty celebration of music, community, and culture.
April 18-19, 2025
Iconic Attractions
TELUS World of Science - Edmonton
TELUS World of Science – Edmonton is an out-of-this-world experience with a wide variety of themed galleries to explore, IMAX films to discover, and tons of engaging, hands-on science to have fun with. Take your seat at the edge of the universe in the Zeidler Dome theatre, test your flexibility in the Health Zone, try your hand at firing rockets, see a real-life Moon rock, experience dog sledding, learn about the landscape from an Indigenous perspective, and so much more!
Edmonton Symphony Orchestra
Established 60 years ago, the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra has become one of Canada's premier ensembles, performing a varied repertoire that spans from classical masterpieces to family-friendly and pop concerts. Here are some shows at the Winspear Centre you can catch this season:
- The Music of Simon & Garfunkel - April 1 & 2
- Pops on Parade: An Orchestra Showcase - April 4 & 5
- Organ & Orchestra - April 11 & 12
- Beethoven, Liszt & Piano - April 24
- Beethoven's Eroica Symphony - April 26 & 27
Indigenous Storytelling Series
Embark on a winter journey to the Indigenous Peoples Experience at Fort Edmonton Park and discover the all-new Indigenous Storytelling Series! Cozy up inside Tipis while accomplished storytellers unfold captivating tales within the Indigenous storytelling tradition. The narratives explore the interplay between culture, Indigenous storytelling, oral history, and modern popular storytelling. Each program session is thoughtfully curated with seasonal stories.
Saturdays until April 27 - See website for hours
Music Artists in Edmonton This April
Local Venues
There are several music venues in Edmonton so be sure to check their websites to see what else is on! Keep your dance moves sharp for these amazing shows:
- Glass Tiger - April 3, River Cree Resort and Casino
- Dylan Gossett - April 9, Midway
- REMA - April 11, Edmonton EXPO Centre
- Kip Moore - April 12, Midway
- Hev Abi - April 12, Union Hall
- Brett Young - April 15, Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium
- Wild Rivers - April 16, Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium
- Bassjackers - April 17, Union Hall
- Rare Americans - April 24, Starlite Theatre
Watch the Pros
When the Edmonton Oilers make it to the NHL playoffs, the city transforms into a sea of blue and orange. The sound of "Let's go Oilers!" echoes through the streets and bars, and the atmosphere in Rogers Place arena is even more electric! Attend the game live, or cheer them on at a sports bars like Craft Beer Market, Central Social Hall, 1st RND, Local Public Eatery, The Pint, Home & Away, or Hudson's. Last year, the Oilers made it to the Stanley Cup Finals, and with superstars like Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, we're ready to cheer them on all the way again this year!
See the NHL website for schedule.
Speedo Canadian Swimming Open
Every Olympian swimmer needs a place to prove themself, and one of those places is at the Speedo Canadian Swimming Open. Cheer on hundreds of Canada’s best swimmers at this senior-level competition hosted at the Kinsmen Sports Centre. Who knows? You may just see our nation's next international gold-medalist!
April 10-12, 2025
Edmonton's Best Hotels
Edmonton has been selected as a Top City within Lonely Planet’s Best In Travel 2025 list!
Lonely Planet’s panel of destination and travel experts curated 30 must-see places across countries, cities and regions. Click to read their review of Edmonton.
