Things to Do in Edmonton in June
The sun is shining (we're talking up to 17 hours of sunlight a day) and June has arrived with festivals and events in full swing! We've got festivals for beer fanatics, music lovers, art aficionados and everyone in between. What are you waiting for? Start exploring!
Show Your Pride!
June is Pride Month, when the 2SLGBTQ+ community celebrates and reflects on the queer rights movement. Pride is a celebration of people coming together in unity, love, and friendship to recognize the impact that this important community has had on society locally, nationally, and internationally. Here's just a small sampling of celebrations in Edmonton this month:
- Pride Month Kick Off at EVO (June 2 & 3)
- Love Out Loud Night Market (June 16)
- Edmonton Drag Festival (June 17)
- Pride Riverboat Party (June 23)
Celebrate Indigenous Edmonton
The month of June is National Indigenous History Month in Amiskwaciy Waskahikan (also known as Edmonton) and across Canada. June 21 is also National Indigenous Peoples Day, a day to recognize the heritage, diverse cultures and outstanding achievements of First Nations, Inuit and Metis people. Connect with Indigenous experiences like Talking Rock Tours or Wase Saba (Black Bear) Experiences, then savour the flavours of Chef Scott Iserhoff's delicious creations at the Edmonton Downtown Farmers' Market and Pei Pei Chei Ow.
Visit our guide to Celebrating National Indigenous History Month for even more events and happenings, including the National Indigenous Peoples Day celebrations at TELUS World of Science!
This One's for the Kids
Over 55,000 children come out to play and meet professional artists from across the country at the International Children’s Festival of the Arts. This magical multi-day festival transforms the banks of the Sturgeon River in St. Albert into a mighty carnival for an event that removes barriers, fosters joy, embraces creativity, and inspires the next generation of artists.
June 1-4
Let's Get Whimsical
Downtown Spark is back! Running over two weekends, Downtown Spark features free family-friendly (and even pet-friendly) events each Saturday. This year’s festival is even bigger and better with plenty of things to see, from art installations to daily musical performances, food trucks, and street parties. Get outside and ignite your spark!
May 25 - June 4
Come for the Art, Stay for the Party
Want a glimpse of the next generation of Edmonton talent? Look no further than Nextfest, a festival made up of hundreds of young and emerging artists from a wide variety of disciplines. Nextfest is curated on the principles of youth, creativity and newness. The festival celebrates an electric line-up of performances and installations at the beautiful Roxy Theatre.
June 1-11
Serve Up Some Fun
TENNISfest is back at the Edmonton EXPO Centre! This year's festival is free for all ages, making it the perfect chance to join the fun and get active on the tennis court. Celebrate summer and the outdoor tennis season at this smashing event!
June 3
Good Tunes and Good Eats
Luke Combs is hitting the road and coming to Commonwealth Stadium on June 3! Venturing into town to catch this icon live on stage? Fill up on great grub from some of the best restaurants in the city before (and after) the big show:
Check out our selection of the best Food & Drink in Edmonton for more great restaurants, including some Discount Passes to help you chow down for less!
Soundtrack Music Festival
This two-day, multi-genre festival is bringing back the 2000's in the heart of Edmonton’s historic river valley. Get your butterfly clips and low-rise jeans ready for some epic throwback jams at Soundtrack Music Festival! The 2023 festival features headliners Nelly, Third Eye Blind, Mother Mother, T.I., Ashanti, Everclear, Said The Whale, Boy Golden & more. Can you feel the nostalgia already?
June 16-17
Party in the ICE District
Downtown's ICE District is hosting some stellar music festivals this month! First up, Rock the District from June 16-18 will have the crowds of Fan Park headbanging to Glass Tiger, Loverboy, and more! Then, get your rave gear ready for BOMFEST from June 23-24! Get outside, let loose, and dance like nobody's watching.
More Live Music
When it comes to live music, Edmonton's lineup is always stacked! Check out these upcoming shows:
- A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie at the Edmonton Convention Centre (June 14)
- Thorgy and the Thorchestra II at Winspear Centre (June 14)
- Nickelback at Rogers Place (June 24)
- Blink-182 at Rogers Place (June29)
Rock of Ages at Mayfield Dinner Theatre
Get ready to rock! The totally rad, Tony Award nominated musical that has been selling out theatres from New York to London’s West End is now at the Mayfield Dinner Theatre! Rock of Ages captures the iconic era that was the big, bad 1980s through the story of a small-town girl, a city boy, and a rock ‘n’ roll romance on the Sunset Strip. Featuring a score of classic rock hits, this hilarious musical comedy takes you back to the age of grit and glam. Turn up the amplifier because you’re in for an epic night of big hair, big hits, and outrageous fun!
April 4 - June 11
Fort Edmonton Park
Fort Edmonton Park is officially open for the season! This iconic attraction takes you on a thrilling journey through Edmonton's fascinating history, from the Fur Trade era to the Roaring Twenties. Take a horse-drawn wagon through the Settlement Era on 1885 Street, see the Municipal Era on 1905 Street, then ride a vintage streetcar to the Metropolitan Era on 1920 Street. The Indigenous Peoples Experience is an awe-inspiring addition to the park's exciting offerings.
Renew Your Excitement
Can you imagine a carnival powered entirely by green energy? Well, get ready because it’s real and it’s coming back to Edmonton this summer! Sustainival is chock full of carnival rides powered by renewable energy (like biodiesel or vegetable oil!) and vendors selling eco-friendly, locally made products. There are also musical performances, educational sessions and technology demonstrations — all powered by renewable energy.
June 8-11
Take Me Out to the Ball Game
Dust off your baseball cap and grab yourself a hotdog - baseball is back in Edmonton, baby! Cheer on the Edmonton Riverhawks as they play their home opener against the Portland Pickles on June 13 at RE/MAX field. Get your tickets and enjoy the perfect summer afternoon activity!
June 13
All Aboard!
See city vistas from a new perspective on the High Level Bridge Street Car with a glass of cask beer in hand! Running from May 25 to October, The Common is hosting Street Car Cask Parties, and it's a summer experience that you don't want to miss. Enjoy a different Alberta Brewery for each journey, food from local restaurants, and entertainment at The Common after you return from your trip. If you haven't watched the sunset over the river valley from atop the High Level Bridge, you're missing out — views don't get much better than this. Bottoms up!
Improvaganza
Edmonton's international improv and sketch comedy, Improvanagza, festival returns for 2023! Some of the best improvisers from across Canada and North America come to Edmonton for 10 days of improv and sketch comedy. Rapid Fire Theatre is hosting some of the funniest acts on the planet at this comedic spectacle of epic proportions.
June 14-24
Let's Ride!
Strap in and get ready for a cycling event like no other. The Canadian Road Cycling Championships are the most prestigious cycling events on the domestic racing calendar and feature some of Canada’s top professional riders, who have the opportunity to race on home soil.
If you want to get in on the action, sign-up for the Urban Fondo Ride on Sunday, June 26! Choose from 28 km, 56 km and 80 km on closed-off routes so you can experience riding through Edmonton like a pro!
June 23-26
Bringing Sax-y back!
Catch the coolest cats in town as the TD Edmonton International Jazz Festival brings the world’s best jazz performers to Edmonton. You’re sure to hit the right note with the full gamut of jazz sounds on the menu. Swing by and treat your ears to some sultry saxophone, groovin’ baselines, silky voices – all that jazz.
June 28 - July 2
Yesterday's Auto Gallery
Get ready to step back in time and experience the glitz and glam of vintage automobiles like never before! Yesterday's Auto Gallery is proud to announce their upcoming car show, where you'll be able to feast your eyes on over 80 collectable cars in a stunning outdoor setting, but that's not all! As part of your admission, you'll also get exclusive access to the private collection at Yesterdays Auto Gallery, where you'll get to see over 100 more incredible cars.
June 11
Visit the Urban Farm
The Edmonton Urban Farm is a unique place for growing food and learning about growing food. It increases both food security and food literacy in one shot! Explore Edmonton manages the farm while almost 100 people in twenty independent groups farm it. The amazing gardens form an outdoor classroom for Explore Edmonton educational programs. Tend to your green thumb and pay the farm a visit this month!
