Things to Do in Edmonton in October
And just like that, we bid September farewell and welcome sweater weather! Fall into autumn and check out our list of things to do in Edmonton this October.
It's Spooky Season, Witches!
A fog rolls up over the hills of the river valley. The newly fallen leaves crunch under your feet. The spookiest time of year is right around the corner. Some of the scariest events that will make your inner witch/warlock jump for joy is happening over the month of October. The events are numerous, so we've got a full separate post devoted to Halloween events happening in Edmonton. Check it out for the breakdown on all things ghostly!
October Festivals
Rodeo Week
Rodeo Week is riding into town to put some dirt on your boots and western soul in your step. Join local businesses and organizations as the Wild West returns to Edmonton with a week full of western events, all culminating to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Canadian Finals Rodeo (October 2-5). YEGhaw!
September 28 - October 6, 2024
Litfest
Nonfiction comes to life at Litfest! Avid readers connect with writers through a series of live & virtual events, great conversations, and immersive readings. Don't miss this exclusive opportunity to interact with some of the best-selling, award-winning and emerging authors of books, Amagazines and films!
October 16-20, 2024
Edmonton International Film Festival
Get ready for ten exciting days of popcorn for dinner! The Edmonton International Film Festival (EIFF) celebrates diverse cinema in theatres right here in Edmonton. You'll laugh, cry and feel inspired by high quality films from across Canada and around the world. These features and shorts span all genres and are mixed with a handful of award-winners from the film festival circuit. Photo credit Cassian Soltykevych.
September 26 - October 5, 2024
DARK: Edmonton’s Haunted Festival
With shadows lurking around every corner, you never know what you’ll stumble upon in the DARK at Fort Edmonton Park. Back for its sixth year, DARK offers four wicked experiences that will leave you sleeping with one eye open. Escape a menacing jokester whose grand gesture is murder. Visit a farm where a sinister deal harvests gruesome consequences. Or dare to discover what nightmares are made of when demons come knocking at three in the morning. With local food truck favourites, spooky cocktails, and a live DJ spinning nightly beats, DARK is Edmonton’s Haunted Festival - and you won’t want to miss it.
October 4 - November 2, 2024
Edmonton Short Film Festival
Get ready for the 12th Annual Edmonton Short Film Festival Gala weekend! This one-of-a-kind festival highlights the talents of independent filmmakers and celebrates a diverse range of works—from new creations to fan favorites—across genres like trailers, music videos, web series, commercials, and short films. The festival’s mission is to uplift Alberta's indie short film scene and support the local filmmaking community. Saturday’s red carpet gala, a crowd favorite, promises an evening of glitz, glamour, and Alberta-made films. On Sunday afternoon, the festival will feature "International and Long Shorts," showcasing both Alberta films and works from around the world. Don't miss this short, sweet display of art & culture!
October 26 & 27
Arts and Culture
Edmonton Design Week
Edmonton Design Week began as a celebration of the city's remarkable design talents and has evolved into the ultimate festival showcasing Edmonton's creative genius! Brought to you by the cool folks at Media Architecture Design Edmonton (MADE), this multi-day event offers the chance to connect with designers and learn about the designs that shape Edmonton. Get your creative juices flowing at interactive exhibits, fun events, and inspiring talks from industry rockstars.
October 15-20, 2024
Experience Live Theatre
Savour the magic of classical masterworks in the acoustically superb Winspear Centre performance hall, courtesy of the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra. Meanwhile, catch A Streetcar Named Desire and Bear Grease at the Citadel Theatre this month. For more theatrical productions, check out this month's lineup at the Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium, or head to The Grindstone Comedy Theatre. Visit our Arts & Culture section to discover more!
Queer History Month
October is Queer History Month! Learn about 2SLBTQIA+ history from Edmonton's very own, local organizations and experts. We have much to learn about how we got to where we are today, and where Edmonton is going in the future. See our article to learn about some of the events happening in Edmonton to honour Queer History Month.
All of October
Nightmare on Jasper Ave Party
Step into a Nightmare on Jasper Ave at The Pendennis Building, one of downtown Edmonton’s most iconic venues (with stunning river valley views!)
Dress up in your best costume and dance on multiple floors full of energy from the best DJs of the city. This spookiest night of the year will be a night of both elegance and eerie vibes. This is an 18+ event.
October 31, 2024
Embrace the Sweater Weather
As the leaves turn golden and the air gets crisp, there's nothing like indulging in warm, cozy flavours like pumpkin spice, apple cinnamon, or toffee while taking a stroll in the stunning river valley. Whether you’re a classic pumpkin spice lover or prefer to switch it up every year, Edmonton’s cafes and bakeries have you covered. See our roundup of top spots to enjoy autumn treats in Edmonton this fall.
Tour the Pumpkins After Dark
Pumpkins After Dark is Canada’s award-winning outdoor Halloween event. Featuring over 6,000+ hand-carved pumpkins, this one-of-a-kind walk-through experience is the must-see event of the fall season. Pumpkins are hand-carved by Canadian artists, have completely new designs every year, and the extravagant show takes nearly a year to plan and create. This family-friendly event is full of beautiful Insta-worthy photo ops, plenty of wow-pieces to witness, and has no jump-scares in the experience so your little ones can attend!
Select days between September 27 - October 31, 2024
Discover Prairie Gardens
Prairie Gardens is a 35-acre fully operational farm offering a variety of educational, fun, and above all delicious culinary experiences for you and your family to enjoy. Visit the 15-Acre U-Pick Pumpkin Patch and choose your perfect pumpkin right off the vine! While pumpkins last, it's first come, first serve. The Farm also features more attractions than you’ll have time to visit, including a petting zoo full of cute animals, a corn maze to lose yourself in, easy-going wagon rides, roasting campfires, and an endless lineup of seasonal activities.
Until end of October - weather permitting. Check company website for details.
Gateway to the Stars
Elk Island National Park invites guests to the introductory stargazing program, Gateway to the Stars. Led by an expert park interpreter, expect to learn how to use a star chart, how to use constellations for navigation, and listen to cultural stories about the beautiful lights that brighten up our night sky. This program will be enjoyed in the outdoors while seated around a cozy campfire. Bring your headlamps, warm clothes, and get ready to take in the grand prairie skies!
Fridays and Saturdays until October 19
Visit Métis Crossing
Métis Crossing is a place of inspiration, sharing the warmth and strength of the rich and distinct Métis culture. With incredible events such as this month's Pumpkin Fair Kitchen Party (October 5) and engaging tours such as the Visions, Hopes, and Dreams at Métis Crossing Wildlife Tour, they offer experiences that elevate the spirit and enrich lives.
Year-round experiences
Geo Domes at Elk Island Retreat
Take your camping experience to a whole new level with the Geo Domes at Elk Island Retreat. Nature meets comfort in this glamping experience designed for memory-makers. The domes include a fireplace gas heater, making them perfect for chilly fall nights. A queen-sized bed, Nespresso coffee maker, and in-suite lighting equals a great choice for those who want to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city without ditching the comforts of home.
From the air, the maze looks like an artistic pattern. On the ground, the Edmonton Corn Maze tests your sense of adventure (and direction). Though the correct pathways can be walked in under 30 minutes, most visitors will require about one hour to travel through more than 5 km of twists and turns and 85 decision points. It makes for a corn-tastic day!
Open until October 27
Live in Edmonton
Rogers Place
One of the best parts of Edmonton's ICE District is the chance to have an evening out plus catch a great show all in one place! Check out this month's upcoming concerts at Rogers Place:
- Jordan Davis - October 18
- Sebastian Maniscalco - October 19
- Evanescence - October 20
- Bryson Tiller - October 26
Local Music Venues
With so many great music venues across town, there are always must-see artists performing in Edmonton every month. Attend a Here are some performances to look forward to in October:
- The Reklaws - October 3, Edmonton Expo Centre
- Oxlade – October 4, Union Hall
- Michael Marcagi - October 4, Midway Music Hall
- Prem Dhillon - October 11, Union Hall
- Bowling For Soup - October 16, Union Hall
- Dropkick Murphys - October 17, Edmonton Convention Centre
- The Wanted - October 18, River Cree Resort and Casino
- Smashmouth & The Spin Doctors - October 19, River Cree Resort and Casino
- Forest Blakk - October 20, Starlite Room
- Neck Deep - October 25, Union Hall
- Mia Kelly - October 30, The Aviary
Game On!
Canadian Finals Rodeo
It’s time to saddle up, Edmonton! The Canadian Finals Rodeo is back in Edmonton! Get ready to watch Canada’s top rodeo athletes compete for a Canadian Championship and experience the Canadian Finals Rodeo in the city where it all began in 1974.
October 2-5, 2024
Antler Up
Grab your friends and head out to witness some of the city's best outdoor sporting events. Edmonton loves its football! Grab a drink, a hot dog, and join the fun-loving fans at Commonwealth Stadium. Cheer on our Edmonton Elks as they battle it out on the field for three games this month!
October 5, 12, & 25
Return of the Orange and Blue
The NHL is back and we are ready for the Cup! Cheer on Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers as they begin the season and battle it out at Rogers Place in Edmonton’s ICE District. Find over 18,000 seats with awesome sightlines, spacious concourses for all levels with great food and beverage options, and the latest technology including the largest true high-definition scoreboard in the NHL. After the game, grab a bite or cocktail at one of the ICE District's local joints!
Rewards with Every Booking
Looking for the best hotel deals in Edmonton? Look no further! Edmonton’s Best Hotels offers the best accommodations in the city at the best price!
Book and receive free rewards:
- Stay one night and receive $50
- Stay two nights and receive $150
- Stay three nights and receive $225