Things to Do in Edmonton in August

Jul 23, 2024

If you thought July was jam-packed with fun, you ain't seen nothin' yet. August brings even more outdoor adventures, festivals, music, and food for you to enjoy. Legendary summer festivals are back and better than ever, offering new and exciting experiences. You can guarantee that this month will be one for the books!

Festivals on Festivals

Edmonton Heritage Festival

Experience vibrant dancing from Liberia, savour delicious food from Ukraine, and witness captivating artwork from Japan – all in one place at the Edmonton Heritage Festival. Enjoy the diverse tastes, smells, sights, and sounds from over 90 countries and cultures. It's a fantastic and fun way to appreciate Alberta's remarkable diversity! The world's largest three-day celebration of multiculturalism will be hosted this year in Borden Park next to the Edmonton EXPO Centre.

August 3-5

Edmonton Folk Music Festival

A dizzying four days of music, great food, and a stellar setting during the Edmonton Folk Music Festival have become a summer institution in the city. Slip into a lawn chair and take in the backdrop of the city skyline and the grassy slope down Gallagher Hill towards the main stage nestled in a natural amphitheatre. Folk Fest showcases an eclectic line-up of bands from around the globe, an army of food vendors, and a lively beer garden!

August 8-11

Cariwest Caribbean Arts Festival

Don't miss three party-filled days of Caribbean culture in the heart of downtown! The Cariwest Caribbean Arts Festival, Edmonton's annual celebration of Caribbean arts, music, and culture, takes over Churchill Square for a 3-day event that includes a Friday Night Costume Extravaganza, the Saturday Cariwest Parade, and a Caribbean Village throughout the weekend! This festival includes live entertainment, savoury Caribbean cuisine, the Caribbean Marketplace, and much more!

August 9-11

Fringe Theatre Festival

It wouldn't be summer without the Edmonton Fringe Theatre Festival! Experience a cultural blast of dynamic and innovative theatre performances during North America’s oldest and largest fringe festival. Whether a play is on a main stage or a more unique venue, like a local pub or bookshop, there's something for everyone. Don’t miss your opportunity to soak up the creative juices spilling forth from Old Strathcona.

August 15-25

Edmonton Blues Festival

The Edmonton Blues Festival is celebrating their 25th birthday! Taking place in Klondike Park for the first time this year, you can expect this year to be the biggest one yet! Get your tickets or you may be the one singin' the blues.

August 16-18

Pride Fest

Celebrate love and diversity in Churchill Square this August at Edmonton's Pride Festival! Dance to live music, be awed by dazzling performers, and engage in community activities as you enjoy an incredible week in a sea of rainbows.

August 17-24

Edmonton Mural Festival

Dive into a world of colour and creativity at the Edmonton Mural Festival, where local and international artists transform the city into an open-air gallery! Enjoy a month-long celebration of stunning murals, hands-on art experiences, and vibrant community events. To find these epic murals, check out the 2024 Mural Map!

August 15-September 15

Sunny Days, Sparkling Nights

Dinner at the Old Red Barn

Picture yourself standing in a 1950’s barn overlooking Whitemud Creek – the smell of birchwood smoke and coal roasted vegetables rising in the air. Join your family and friends at The Old Red Barn for a unique cooking experience on a working dairy farm in Leduc. Menus are designed around what is seasonally available from surrounding local farms. Hear the cast iron clang and the hiss of the fresh Alberta meat hitting the hot grilling surface. You can guarantee an unforgettable evening!

August 15 & 22

"U-Pick" Farms

The flowers are blooming and the berries are ripening! Put on your sunhat and sunscreen and make your way to one of the many u-pick farms around Edmonton. To harvest your own custom bouquet, visit the serene Fern's Flowers or the gardens of Birchwood Meadows. For fresh, juicy berries, head southwest to Strawberry Fields or visit Horse Hill Berry Farm for every type of raspberry you can imagine. To brighten the home with some sunflowers, make a trip to the Edmonton Corn Maze.

Many u-pick spots require booking in advance, so be sure to plan ahead!

August - when harvest is ready. See company websites for details.

Alberta Open Farm Days

Don't miss your chance to visit Edmonton Urban Farm for Alberta Open Farm Days! Meet your rural neighbours in this province-wide open house. Tour the farm, check out the beehive, feed the chickens, meet a farmer, share stories & see demonstrations. It’s free. It’s fun. It’s for the family!

August 17 & 18

Watch the Perseids Meteor Shower

Every year in August, people come together after dark to watch lights shoot across the night sky from the Perseids Meteor Shower. You can get an unobstructed view of the show at Elk Island National Park, which is accessible to the public 24 hours a day. Want to make a camping trip out of it? Join fellow campers and stargazers at Métis Crossing's shower gazing event, or head west to find an amazing stargazing spot in Jasper National Park, a dark sky preserve. Pack your lawn chair, snatch some snacks, charge your camera, and enjoy the celestial performance!

Peaks on August 11 & 12

Guided Art & Heritage Tours

Explore the vibrant history of Alberta Avenue neighborhood at If These Walls Could Talk, presented by Arts On The Ave! Discover exceptional art, landmarks, and graffiti amidst the unique community. This curated tour highlights the creativity of local thinkers and artists, as well as the rich heritage of Edmonton's oldest street, 118th Avenue.

August 3, 17, & 31

Swifties Under The Sky

Are you down bad 'cause you weren't able to get tickets to the Eras Tour? Don't fret - the Riverhawks got you covered with an outdoor celebration at RE/MAX Field! Swifties under the Sky will feature eras tour hits, spun by special guest DJs so you can dance like you're 22 all night long. Be it sequins or cowboy boots, dress for your favourite era and enjoy a night great food, live dance performances, and a firework show! It's a night you will remember all too well! Are you ready for it?

August 17

Attend a Pop-Up Market

Make the most of your summer at the many outdoor markets popping up around the city! Enjoy some drinks on Happy Beer Street for the Grand Night Market, discover a world of diverse vendors at the family-friendly Alberta Avenue Night Market, and head to The Creative Hive to find your next treasure at the Vintage Night Market. You can also celebrate the grand opening of EPIC Market's food hall with Old Strathcona's Farmers' Market at Night on Whyte!

Night on Whyte - August 14

Grand Night Market - August 16

Alberta Avenue Night Market - August 9, 16, & 30

Vintage Market - August 24

Street Car Cask Series

Picture this: you're sitting inside an early 1900s streetcar that is perched atop the High Level Bridge, sipping and savoring a locally crafted beer, and watching the sun as it dips below the North Saskatchewan River Valley. It's the quintessential Edmonton experience! Until the end of October, join The Common for their Street Car Cask Series every Thursday evening to embark on a journey of flavour featuring a rotating lineup of Alberta breweries. From Blindman to Sea Change, each trip promises a unique brew, exclusively available onboard.

Until October 10

AGA 100th Birthday on the Square

Let's celebrate! The Art Gallery of Alberta is pulling out the cake and hosting a big party to celebrate 100 years of art, culture and community. The birthday bash will be located at Sir Winston Churchill Square and inside the AGA, where you can expect to find live music, artistic performances, interactive art stations, a cake cutting ceremony, and exciting giveaways. Grab your slice of cake and enjoy the celebrations with the whole family!

August 18

Dragon Food Tours

Join on Saturdays for an unforgettable culinary adventure through Edmonton's Chinatown! Dragon Food Tours are happening every Saturday and some Fridays throughout the summer at Edmonton's Chinatown. This guided tour will take you on a delightful journey to discover the rich cultural heritage and delicious treats and food that Edmonton Chinatown has to offer!

Weekends in August

See Top Talent

2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup

Held since 1991, the Hlinka Gretzky Cup is an international, under-18 ice hockey tournament presented annually by Hockey Canada, the Czech Ice Hockey Association, and the Slovak Ice Hockey Federation. National teams from Canada, USA, Sweden, Switzerland, and more will put their skates to the ice at Rogers Place to win this year's Hlinka Gretzky Cup. Don't miss watching the future stars of hockey!

August 5-10

Animethon

Running for over 30 years, Animethon has become a highly anticipated weekend. This is your chance to see headliner guests like DEMONDICE, Konomi Suzuki, MYTH & ROID, Dokibird, Miura Ayme, and so many more! The weekend at the Edmonton Convention Centre is jam-packed, so get ready to create the perfect costume for cosplay contests, watch incredible performances, and shop inside the huge Exhibitor Hall for all-things-anime!

August 9-11

Headliner Concerts

There are lots of big names in Edmonton this month at Rogers Place and Commonwealth Stadium:

Local Venues

With such great music venues in Edmonton, there are so many concerts to see all month long. Be sure to check their websites to see what else is on! Prep your dancing shoes for these amazing shows:

Edmonton's Best Hotels

Find the perfect place to lay your head after a festival or two! Edmonton’s Best Hotels offers the best accommodations at the best price!

  • Stay one night and receive $50
  • Stay two nights and receive $150
  • Stay three nights and receive $225

Book and receive free rewards

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