Things to do in Edmonton in July
Oh July, how we've missed you! Summer is in full swing which means long sunny days, thirst-quenching patios, and seemingly endless warm-weather things to do. Check out the long list of Edmonton's many attractions, restaurants, and festivals, then see where the sweet summer wind takes you.
Canada's Festival City
The TD Edmonton International Jazz Festival brings the world’s best jazz performers to Edmonton, and this year, they're bringing the saxy-back! You’re sure to hit the right note with the full gamut of jazz sounds on the menu. It’s mellow, it’s lively and it’s a great time to listen to sax, silky voices – all that jazz. Catch performances from local and international artists across a variety of venues including Winspear Centre, La Cité Francophone, Ice District Plaza, and more!
June 28 - July 2
Grindstone Comedy Festival
The Grindstone Comedy Festival is bringing the laughter once again! This annual independent stand-up, improv and sketch comedy festival brings both national performers and rising local talent together under the Edmonton spotlight. Laugh out loud with some of Canada’s top Comedians, Sketch groups and Improvisors!
July 5-9
Whyte Avenue Art Walk
The Whyte Avenue Art Walk is back again for another summer! Feast your eyes on stunning local art while strolling the streets of Old Strathcona. All artists brave enough to share their work are welcome to participate and you'll have the opportunity to buy art directly from the artists who created it. Strike up a conversation to find out the inspiration behind your favourite works, and walk away with your own one-of-a-kind piece. Local art is the perfect gift for someone special — or just for yourself!
July 7-9
The Works & Street Performers
North America's largest free outdoor art & design festival, The Works Arts & Design Festival, features over 300 performances and events, and 50 exhibits at over 30 venues. The main site, Churchill Square, is home to free live music presented in the all-ages licensed outdoor patio, delicious food vendors, art making workshops for everyone, and much more. At the same time, the Edmonton International Street Performers Festival transforms Churchill Square into an outdoor 3-ring-circus featuring the world’s best local, national and international street artists!
July 7-16
Great Outdoors Comedy Festival
The Great Outdoors Comedy Festival features all forms of performance comedy, from locals to superstars. This year features comedy superstars like Theo Von and Bill Burr! Head to Kinsmen Park at 91000 Walterdale Hill and get ready to escape your worries with a little (let's be honest, a lot) of laughter.
July 14 & 16
Animethon 2023
Canada’s longest running anime festival returns to the Edmonton Convention Centre! Animethon is a 3-day summer festival for fans of anime, Japanese pop culture, and everything in between. Featuring cosplay, concerts, gaming, and a large vendor hall, this is the best place to meet fans and make friends in the community!
July 14-16
Taste of Edmonton
With over 200 scrumptious dishes made by restaurant and food truck partners, Taste of Edmonton is a staple that showcases the vibrancy in Edmonton's Downtown core through art, food, music, heritage, and culture. The festival also features live music in Churchill Square, with free musical performances showcasing an eclectic selection of emerging and established Canadian talents that thrive on the Taste of Edmonton stage. Unique features this year are food tours, bike tours, and dueling pianos that perform every night for your enjoyment.
July 20-29
K-Days
There’s nothing like screaming at the top of your lungs as your roller coaster cart reaches the peak of its climb and starts to zip down the track. The coasters at K-Days really deliver the thrills. Too scared to take the plunge? Check out the awesome concert series, and don't forget to step inside the brand new Cristal Palace Spiegeltent, featuring daily ticketed and free performances! Cap off the day with a candy apple and watch as fireworks fill the sky above the fairgrounds.
July 21-30
Volleyball World Beach Full Tour
Feel the heat as Volleyball World turns Edmonton's ICE District into a beach paradise at the Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour! Watch the world's best athletes compete for big bucks and ranking points in this thrilling global circuit.
July 20-23
FIBA 3X3 Masters & Women's Series
Basketball's greatest 3x3 athletes return to downtown Edmonton this summer for the 2023 FIBA 3x3 World Tour and FIBA 3x3 Women's Series in ICE District Plaza! The prestigious 3x3 event will take place at the same time as Taste of Edmonton, so be sure to fuel up and choose from an array of over 50 Edmonton-owned restaurants before heading over to catch the games!
July 29-30
Visit Métis Crossing
Take a day trip to Métis Crossing and discover how the Métis lived as trappers, learn about historical families and their homes, understand how plants are used as medicine, and much more. Visions, Hopes and Dreams at Métis Crossing Wildlife Park offers guests a 1.5-hour tour to experience the beauty of rare Métis heritage species up close, including rare white bison, wood bison, plains bison, elk, and Percheron horses. The exploration of the Métis people’s connection with the land is an essential element of understanding traditional Métis life. If you feel like extending your trip, visitors can stay at The Lodge at Métis Crossing — a 40-room, boutique luxury lodge, located on historical Métis river lots overlooking the North Saskatchewan River.
Catch a Show
When it comes to live music and performances, Edmonton's lineup is always stacked! Check out these upcoming shows, plus check out the incredible lineup of performances coming to K-Days and Taste of Edmonton this month!
- Clusterflick: The Improvised Movie at Mayfield Dinner Theatre (June 20 - July 23)
- TLC & Shaggy at the Edmonton EXPO Centre (July 13)
- Volbeat at Rogers Place (July 19)
Tasty Outdoor Adventures
Indulge in the fine local foods and beverages of Edmonton while touring around the city on a Food Bike Tour — stop by historical buildings and breweries under the warm sun. Or take a tipsy ride through the streets as you pedal your way around Edmonton's top craft beer taprooms and breweries on an Urban Pedal Tour. Alberta Food Tours also offer a variety of guided culinary exhibitions around the city.
Hit the Water
Paddle your way along the North Saskatchewan River, spotting wildlife and taking in Edmonton's beautiful skyline with Edmonton Canoe, or try out a paddleboard with Edmonton Paddleboard! Raft rentals from River Valley Adventure Co. come with everything you need for a day out on the water including an inflatable raft, oars, a pump, bailer, personal floatation devices and a repair kit. RiverWatch's Summer EcoFloats offer guided urban river floats down the North Saskatchewan River while taking in stunning scenery and learning about the river's history, culture, and biodiversity.
Alberta Avenue Night Markets
Join us this summer for Night Markets in the Alberta Avenue District. Each Market offers different vendors, entertainment, and community partners. Enjoy a laid-back, family-friendly and inclusive environment to pick up locally-made goods, enjoy a bite to eat or sit and relax with friends on a beautiful summer evening. Head to Downtown Auto on July 14, then hit the K-Days Pop Up Market July 24-25.
Visit the Zoo
Home to hundreds of species of plants and animals from around the world, The Edmonton Valley Zoo is always an exciting place to visit. Bring along the kids for a chance to see a peregrine falcon, prairie dogs, zebra, fox, bighorn sheep, a snowy owl and more! The animals can't wait to welcome you with open paws! ZooBrew is an exclusive 18+ affair at the Edmonton Valley Zoo! Wander the zoo with a drink in hand at this twilight event. The zoo transforms into a peaceful escape on a summer night. It's a one-of-a-kind evening filled with live music performed by local artists. Sample a wide variety of craft beers, wines, and spirits from breweries across the province, and visit with the zoo’s furry residents.
July 22
Summer at Fort Edmonton Park
Fort Edmonton Park is the spot for summer activities, and their summer passes give you unlimited access to its main attractions including historic streets, steam train and street cars, Midway rides, and interactive exhibits! Explore the past, experience the present, and create new memories for the future. Plus, you can embark on a thrilling adventure in Fort Edmonton Park's captivating new escape experience: Where Dark Things Dwell, from July to September!
Summer passes include unlimited admission for the 2023 Summer season on opening days (Wednesday-Sunday and holiday Mondays) from May 20 - September 17.
Take a Journey Back in Time
Become a time traveler and step back over 125 years ago! History is brought to life at the Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village, an open-air museum depicting early settlement in east-central Alberta from 1892-1930. Hear stories of solitude, survival, and perseverance while discovering how Ukrainian immigration made a significant impact on Alberta's cultural identity. UCHV is open from May 20 - September 4!
