Edmonton: Canada's Festival City
Festivals All Year Round
Welcome to Edmonton, Canada's Festival City. With countless festivals annually, there’s no shortage of excitement to fill your stay - whether it’s 30 degrees above or below. Folk music in a natural open-air amphitheatre? You got it. Canoe races in the middle of winter? Done and done. North America's largest and wildest Fringe Theatre Festival? You know it. With so many festivals on the docket annually, we can guarantee that you'll find one (or a dozen) that you'll love.
In Edmonton, we have a festival for that.
Spring | Summer | Fall | Winter
Read on for a list of some of the city's hottest celebrations, then cruise over to our event calendar for even more legendary festivals & events in the city.
Edmonton International Film Festival
Indulge your cinematic appetite with the Edmonton International Film Festival... and a large bag of popcorn (with extra butter of course). Here you'll find independent, international, and eye-opening films. Experience the best in independent film making from around the globe!
September 21 - October 1, 2023
Pumpkins After Dark
Get ready for spooky season! Pumpkins After Dark is the ultimate outdoor Halloween extravaganza in Canada. 🇨🇦 With a over 6,000 hand-carved pumpkins, it's a fall must-see! Stroll through this enchanted wonderland of illuminated pumpkin sculptures and captivating displays, all accompanied by eerie music, spine-tingling sounds, and mesmerizing special effects. Immerse yourself in the Halloween spirit all throughout October!
September 22 - October 31
Edmonton Comedy Festival
Ready to laugh? Or cry because you’re laughing so hard? Edmonton Comedy Festival is back with some of the best comedians around. The Festival returns with “4 Days of Funny” this fall. Discover a stellar line-up on stages throughout Edmonton!
September 27-30, 2023
Litfest
Nonfiction content 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, magazines and films!
October 12-22, 2023
DARK at Fort Edmonton Park
Back for its fifth year, DARK offers three wicked experiences that will leave you sleeping with one eye open.Come for the scares and stay for the food and fun. From local food truck favourites to spooky cocktails to a live DJ spinning spooky beats, DARK is Edmonton’s Haunted Festival, and you won’t want to miss it.
Select nights in October.
The Mosquers Film Festival
Enjoy an amazing showcase of 10 short films from talented Muslim filmmakers worldwide. This festival enlightens, entertains, and brings people together by shining a spotlight on talent and the rich tapestry of the Muslim experience. What started as a humble local competition fifteen years ago has now transformed into a worldwide sensation, attracting budding filmmakers and enthusiastic audiences from every corner of the globe. Don't miss out on this unforgettable cinematic journey!
October 14, 2023
Rocky Mountain Wine & Food Festival
Explore an incredible array of dynamic wines, smooth spirits, and downright delicious beers from around the globe, all under one roof at the Edmonton Convention Centre. Cap it all off with tantalizing bites from some of Edmonton’s best restaurants and food purveyors, and you’ve got a can’t-miss event.
November 3-4, 2023
Farmfair International
Kick up your heels at a real Western agricultural fair! For over 45 years Farmfair International, one of Canada’s top agricultural shows and Alberta's largest beef cattle show, where international guests come to the Edmonton Region to show and sell top quality livestock, make important connections, share knowledge and build the industry.
November 8-11, 2023
Edmonton Comic & Entertainment Expo
Calling all timelords! The Edmonton Comic and Entertainment Expo (Edmonton Expo) is our city's greatest pop culture convention. Tens of thousands of people gather each year for a celebration of all things pop culture — comic books, sci-fi, fantasy, comedy, and everything in between.
September 2024, Dates TBA
Kaleido Family Arts Festival
Kaleido Family Arts Festival is a joyous, exuberant, radically open arts festival that shares the love of the Alberta Avenue Arts District. Kaleido welcomes arts and cultural experiences with multi-arts collaborative performances such as music, dance, theatre, film, literary and visual arts with performances on rooftops, sides of buildings, back alleys, parks and found spaces. It’s an extravagance of creative exploration, imagination, and play.
September 2024, Dates TBA
Play The Fool Theatre Festival
Edmonton's festival of clown theatre and physical comedy has returned to the stage! Play The Fool brings together seasoned and emerging local, national, and international artists for four days of clowning around. These performances embrace risk, exploration, and play. Enjoy all styles of clowning and physical comedy – red nose, mask, dance comedy, acrobatics, and much more. It's fun to play the fool!
September 2024, Dates TBA
All is Bright
One of Edmonton's hippest neighbourhoods flips the switch on its holiday lights at the All is Bright Festival. Witness some amazing fire and light dancers, cozy up in the beverage gardens, cook some delicious treats over the fire and much more. Find all the excitement on 124 Street at Helen Nolan Park.
November 18, 2023
Winter Whyte Light Up
Kick off the holiday season in one of Edmonton's most enchanting districts! Head to Old Strathcona to discover McIntyre Park turned into a winter wonderland and celebrate the holiday season. Free family-friendly activities will fill the entire block, with live music and street performers and previews of the Ice on Whyte and Flying Canoë Volant festivals. Plus, there will be plenty of hot drinks and winter treats available for purchase and fire pits to keep you cozy!
November 2023, Dates TBA
Deep Freeze: A Byzantine Winter Festival
Enjoy winter panache, food, art, culture, and winter fun—including races in actual deep freezers! Take an amazing walk, stroll or gallop down Alberta Avenue district and be enchanted by magnificent ice sculptures, song, dance, and tasty delights that share the stories and cultures of Canada's Ukrainian, French-Canadian and Indigenous communities. Forge your way to the Deep Freeze Festival!
January 2024, Dates TBA
Chiseled: Edmonton International Ice Carving Competition
Edmonton’s International Ice Carving competition – formally Ice on Whyte – has moved to the ICE District! See the work of some of the world’s elite carvers. Artists have thirty-four hours to complete their work, with the full splendour revealed on the final day!
January 16-18, 2024
Activate Arts Alberta
Looking to try your own hand at ice carving? Ice on Whyte – now named Activate Arts Alberta – will return to McIntyre Park with ice sculpting demonstrations, lessons, and more!
January 16-18, 2024
Flying Canoë Volant
Flying Canoë Volant is a creative, interactive, and cultural event where you can celebrate local history and everything that is great about a long winter’s night. Inspired by the legend of The Flying Canoe and French Canadian, First Nations and Métis traditions, this event illuminates Edmonton's beautiful Mill Creek Ravine and the French Quarter. Channel your inner Voyageur!
January 31 - February 3, 2024
Canadian Birkebeiner Ski Festival
Channel your inner adventurer, strap on your skis and whip around the loppet when you take on the Canadian Birkebeiner! Feel the rush as you glide across the final stretch of track before falling into a blanket of white snow. The fatigue only lasts an hour or so, but the sense of accomplishment and appreciation for one of winter’s oldest sports will last forever!
February 9-24, 2024
Silver Skate Festival
Celebrating over 30 years, the Silver Skate Festival is an extravaganza of arts, culture, recreation, sport and culinary delights! Some call it a winter wonderland, others call it a “true Canadian experience,” and you’ll likely have your own name for it after partaking in this snowy 10-day festival. Feel the breeze on your face as you glide along the city's largest skating pond while listening to a tuneful compilation of Edmonton-based music in the heart of Hawrelak Park. After working up an appetite, indulge in the amazing culinary experiences!
February 9-19, 2024
Skirtsafire Festival
SkirtsAfire is a theatre and multidisciplinary arts festival that features women artists! Be entertained and inspired by theatre, music, dance, comedy, visual art, spoken word, workshops, design and more. Taking place in various venues in the heart of Old Strathcona: theatre & dance in the ATB Arts Barns, comedy, music and art installations at The Gateway Theatre, and pop-up performances and art installations in various businesses on Whyte.
February 29 - March 10, 2024
Dreamspeakers Film Festival
Celebrate the latest works by Indigenous Peoples’ innovation in film, video, and new media, with exciting selections of works from around the globe. Dreamspeakers International Indigenous Film Festival has been around since 1993, and highlights the outstanding work of Indigenous artists. Immerse yourself in culture, art and an exploration of the stories that shape humanity. Get ready to be inspired!
April 2024, Dates TBA
Northwestfest
Canada’s longest running documentary film festival, Northwestfest, brings you the best non-fiction, music and documentary films. With dozens of feature films and shorts, which ones will you see?
May 2024, Dates TBA
UFest Edmonton Ukrainian Festival
Western Canada's largest multi-day Ukrainian festival returns to Borden Park this May! UFest is a celebration of Ukrainian culture, food, music, dance…and a whole lotta fun. This free, two-day event brings together people of Ukrainian heritage, as well as audiences of many diverse cultures.
May 2024, Dates TBA
Downtown Spark
Downtown Spark is back! 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. Rice Howard Way and Alex Decouteau Park will be home to this year’s awe-inspiring art installations. Festival-goers are encouraged to walk from one site to another and enjoy performers and food trucks at Alex Decouteau Park.
June 2024, Dates TBA
International Children's Festival
This magical multi-day festival transforms the banks of the Sturgeon River in downtown St. Albert into a mighty carnival as kids come out to play with professional artists from across the country and around the world.
June 2024, Dates TBA
The Heart of the City Music and Arts Festival
Make your way to Giovanni Caboto Park for this two day family-friendly festival celebrating the full spectrum of talent and culture in central Edmonton. As you wander past the shops and restaurants that line the street of Edmonton's historic Little Italy, you'll be drawn to the sound of live music and laughter. The Heart of the City Music and Arts Festival will be in full swing showcasing talent from this Central Edmonton community.
June 2024, Dates TBA
NextFest
Want a glimpse at 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. Each year the festival celebrates an electric line up of performances and installations.
June 2024, Dates TBA
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. The 2023 festival features headliners Nelly, Third Eye Blind, Mother Mother, T.I., Ashanti, Everclear, Said The Whale, Boy Golden & more.
June 2024, Dates TBA
Improvaganza
The best improvisers in the world live right here in Edmonton! This July, Rapid Fire Theatre hosts top-ranked improv teams from across the globe. Here you'll find improv, comedy, music and more. Get your laugh on at Edmonton's funniest festival!
June 2024, Dates TBA
Pride Month
June in Edmonton is Pride Month, meaning there are countless 2SLGBTQ+ events to experience around the city! Celebrate with local organizations like Fruit Loop, spend the evening at Evolution Wonderlounge, and check out our 2SLGBTQIA+ section for more great events around the city!
June 2024
Edmonton Indigenous People's Festival
National Indigenous Peoples Day uplifts the accomplishments and contributions of Indigenous Peoples in Canada. For time immemorial, June 21 has been a celebration of culture and heritage due to its significance as the summer solstice - the longest day of the year. Keep your eyes peeled for more events hosted by Métis Crossing, Enoch Cree Nation and the Canadian Native Friendship Centre on social media!
June 2024
Alberta Circus Arts Festival
Come one, come all and join Firefly Theatre for 4 days of Canadian contemporary circus performances at La Cite Francophone. Take part in professional development workshops from emerging and established artists, enjoy panels and discussions around sector development for industry professionals, and outreach opportunities for all.
June 2024, Dates TBA
Improvaganza
The best improvisers in the world live right here in Edmonton! Each summer, Rapid Fire Theatre hosts the best improv and sketch comedy acts on the planet for Improvaganza! This July, Rapid Fire Theatre hosts top-ranked improv teams from across the globe. Here you'll find improv, comedy, music and more. Get your laugh on at Edmonton's funniest festival!
June 2024, Dates TBA
Edmonton International Jazz Festival
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. 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 2024, Dates TBA
Grindstone Comedy Festival
Grindstone Theatre's third annual stand-up, sketch, and improv comedy festival will be bringing both national performers and rising local talent together under Edmonton’s spotlight. This inclusive 4 day in-and-outdoor festival is spread across West Ritchie, Old Strathcona and the French Quarter, and will feature 23 public performances from 50 North American artists.
July 2024, Dates TBA
Whyte Avenue Art Walk
Imagine a 4 km walk through the hearts and minds of artists. Cultural explorers are invited to see art-making in action on the streets of Old Strathcona during the legendary Whyte Avenue Art Walk.
July 2024, Dates TBA
The Works Art & Design Festival
Every summer, Edmonton transforms into a massive celebration of creativity. As North America's largest free outdoor art & design festival, The Works features countless performances and events, with exhibits in venues all over the city. This year, The Works Art & Design Festival and The Edmonton International Street Performers Festival are teaming up to present variety performers, visual art, shenanigans, music, food, and fun in Churchill Square.
July 2024, Dates TBA
Edmonton International Street Performers Festival
What do unicyclists, puppeteers, tightrope walkers and acrobats all have in common? You'll find them all at the Edmonton International Street Performers Festival this July! Performance artists will transform the city into busker central with their zany, witty or just plain silly performances. This year, The Works Art & Design Festival and The Edmonton International Street Performers Festival are teaming up to present variety performers, visual art, shenanigans, music, food, and fun in Churchill Square.
July 2024, Dates TBA
The 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 2024, Dates TBA
Taste of Edmonton
Get a taste of what Edmonton’s food scene offers at Western Canada’s largest food festival! Sample dishes from over 50 locally owned restaurants & food trucks and rock out to nights filled with amazing music by top performers. 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.
July 2024, Dates TBA
K-Days
Experience the wonder of the midway at K-Days, Edmonton’s extravaganza of rides, games, music, food and adventure. The rides and games alone will leave you breathless and wanting more. Watch as fireworks light up the night sky and cheer for the band onstage. Savour the tangy smokiness of a perfectly barbecued rib, taste the warm sugary bliss of freshly fried donuts and bite into the gooey crispness of a candy apple.
July 2024, Dates TBA
Disco in the Park
This annual off-the-hook music festival takes place over August long weekend and brings together young and old for one purpose - to dance! It’s like the Edmonton Folk Festival for funky disco electronic music. Get your groove on where downtown meets the river valley at Louise McKinney Riverfront Park, with 6 additional events at central Edmonton music venues all weekend long.
August 2024, Dates TBA
Edmonton Heritage Festival
This is your one-way ticket to a world of flavours! Take a peek at Pakistan, taste the flavours of Fiji, feel the beat of Burkina-Faso, and explore cultures from Afghanistan to Wales. The Edmonton Heritage Festival, presented by TD, is a family-friendly mingling of nations sharing their entertainment, music, culture, and cuisine! This legendary festival has temporarily relocated to the Edmonton EXPO Centre!
August 2024, Dates TBA
Edmonton Folk Music Festival
The hills are alive with the sound of Folk Fest! Four magical days of eclectic performers, delicious food and a remarkable setting make the Edmonton Folk Music Festival the summer's premiere musical event. Nestled in the natural amphitheatre of Gallagher Hill, you'll find toe-tapping performances and so much more!
August 2024, Dates TBA
Cariwest Caribbean Arts Festival
Cariwest, Edmonton's annual celebration of Caribbean arts, music, and culture, takes over Churchill Square this summer! The 3-day event includes a Friday Night Costume Extravaganza, the Saturday Cariwest Parade and a Caribbean Village throughout the weekend including live entertainment, the Kids Korner, savoury Caribbean cuisine, and the Caribbean Marketplace.
August 2024, Dates TBA
Edmonton International Fringe Theatre Festival
Edmonton's hip Old Strathcona neighbourhood is centre stage for North America's biggest and oldest Fringe Theatre Festival. Local, national and international performers will put on every type of theatre performance imaginable over the ten day festival. Wander the grounds between performances and enjoy the many buskers, outdoor stages or stop in at one of the summer's most lively beer gardens. We LIVE for the drama!
August 2024, Dates TBA
PRIDE Festival
Celebrate love and diversity in Churchill Square this August! Don't miss the chance to witness Alberta's first 2-Spirit Powwow, then step back in time at Y2K @ Churchill, featuring a 90s-themed dance party with the legendary PROZZAK. Finally, wrap up the festivities with Pride @ Churchill, the biggest Pride event in Edmonton, featuring performances by Ria Mae, Stereos, Hyphen Hyphen, and more!
August 2024, Dates TBA
Edmonton Blues Festival
The Edmonton Blues Festival is back and heating up this August! RE/MAX Field, home to the Edmonton Riverhawks, is going to be turned into an incredible Blues Festival site for 2023 and beyond. Get your tickets or you may be the one singin' the blues.
August 2024, Dates TBA
Freewill Shakespeare Festival
Get thee to a festival that brings the Bard to life. Performances will take place at the Edmonton EXPO Centre this year. Plop thy bum on thy seat and prepare for revelry at the Freewill Shakespeare Festival!
August 2024, Dates TBA
Purple City Music Festival
From psyche rock to electronic, avant-garde to folk, Purple City offers a diverse range of music for discovery and indie staples alike. Experience cutting-edge music, a vibrant atmosphere, and a celebration of Edmonton's thriving music community!
August 2024, Dates TBA
