Festivals & Events

What’s Hot in Edmonton

Known as Canada’s Festival City, Edmonton plays host to more than 30 annual festivals — some of the largest and longest-running events of their kind in North America – that attract and entertain visitors from around the globe. Find out more at www.edmonton.com as well as the Festival City site www.festivalcity.ca

JANUARY

Winter Light Festival
Jan 8-Mar 21, 2009
Winter Light showcases Edmonton as a beautiful and interesting winter city, with elements of joy and survival, of isolation and gathering together, of fire and warmth, storytelling and celebration. It supports the active spirit, and spirited activities, such as Silver Skate, Ice on Whyte and Deep Freeze, to name a few of its included festivals. Winter Light also sparks new experiences as well as community gatherings and celebrations – welcoming, all-ages events that invite us to meet winter’s challenges with creativity and fun.
T 780-760-2229
F 780-760-2263
W winterlight.ca

FEBRUARY

Canadian Birkebeiner Ski Festival
Feb 13-14, 2009
Feb 12-13, 2010
Based on the legendary Birkebeiner (Viking skier), Canada’s premier cross-country ski event features a 55 km point to point course, Nordic Fair and Viking Feast.
T 780-430-7153
F 780-435-5243
W canadianbirkie.com

Silver Skate Festival & Edmonton Winter Triathlon
Feb 20-22, 2009
Feb 20-21, 2010
Family fun includes traditional Silver Skate races, figure skating presentations, as well as sleigh rides, mazes and sledge-hockey demos.
T 780-488-1960
W silverskatefestival.org

MAY

International Children’s Festival
May 26-30, 2009
May 25-29, 2010
Musicians, dancers, storytellers and puppeteers from around the globe converge to delight the young and young-at-heart at the third-largest children’s festival in Canada. (Early purchase discount and group rate for student groups).
T 780-459-1542
W childfest.com

Epcor Presents
NeXtfest 2009
Jun 11-21, 2009
Multi-disciplinary showcase of emerging young artists in theatre, music, dance, visual art, film and video, readings and fashion.
T 780-453-2440
W nextfest.ca

Dreamspeakers Film Festival
Jun 18-21, 2009
Four-day celebration of the
finest in Aboriginal films with screenings, events and industry workshops.
T 780-378-9609
F 780-378-9611
W dreamspeakers.org

JUNE

Edmonton International Jazz Festival
Jun 26-Jul 5, 2009
Top jazzers and performers from around the globe get together and get cookin’ with some jazzy jams.
T 780-990-0222
W edmontonjazz.com

The Works Art & Design Festival
Jun 19-Jul 1, 2009
Jun 25-Jul 7, 2010
Outdoor exhibits transform downtown Edmonton into the largest art gallery in North America, with live artists’ demonstrations, an outdoor street market, music
and lectures.
T 780-426-2122
F 780-426-4673
W theworks.ab.ca

feats Festival of Dance
Jun 27-Jul 5, 2009
Jun 26-Jul 4, 2010
Produced by the Alberta Dance Alliance, feats is a multi-disciplinary dance festival that includes performances, special events, and programs of education and awareness.
T 780-422-8107
W abdancealliance.ab.ca

Freewill Shakespeare Festival
Jun 30-Jul 26, 2009
The Free Will Players perform two different Shakespeare plays under the stars in scenic Hawrelak Park. Perfect for a romantic picnic.
T 780-425-8086
F 780-426-3248
W freewillshakespeare.com

JULY

Canada Day Celebrations
Jul 1, every year
This mammoth celebration of Canada’s birthday includes everything from a pancake breakfast, road race and whimsical parade to a stunning artificial waterfall on the High Level Bridge and thunderous fireworks display.
W edmontoncelebratecanada.ca

Edmonton International Street Performers Festival
Jul 3-12, 2009
Jul 9-18, 2010
“Pass the hat” outdoor performances by international street acts bring a talented horde of magicians, clowns, jugglers, mime artists, musicians and comics to town.
T 780-425-5162
W edmontonstreetfest.com

A Taste Of Edmonton
Jul 17-26, 2009
Dozens of Edmonton’s finest restaurants create menus that allow all to sample their culinary delights over 10 days downtown, with lots of live entertainment. (Early purchase discount).
T 780-423-2822
F 780-423-2844
W eventsedmonton.ca

Edmonton’s Capital EX
Jul 17-26, 2009
Jul 23-Aug 1, 2010
A carnival atmosphere electrifies the city’s longest-running summertime exhibition with its parade, casino, free entertainment, thrilling midway and nightly fireworks. Every July, the biggest live, community experience in Edmonton takes place at Northlands!
T 780-471-7210
TF 1-888-800-7275
F 780-471-8169
W capitalex.ca

Rexall Edmonton Indy
Jul 24-26, 2009
The legendary names, the unbelievable speed and the roar of the crowd make this the hottest ticket around.
(To inquire about corporate hospitality packages, call 780-488-8882)
T 780-451-8000 (Ticketmaster)
W edmontonindy.com

Edmonton & Athabaska District Historic Festival
Jul 24-Aug 2, 2009
Celebrate Edmonton’s past with horse-drawn carriage, church, cemetery, garden and historical building tours, streetcar rides, storytelling, live music and more. (Group discounts available for some activities)
T 780-439-2797
F 780-439-2798
W historicedmonton.ca

Blueberry Bluegrass & Country Music Festival
Jul 31-Aug 2, 2009
Jul 30-Aug 1, 2010
A sunny drive to Stony Plain, just west of Edmonton, sees a celebration of roots music with legendary acts, a main stage show, jam sessions, lessons and demonstrations.
T 780-922-5527 or 886-1267
W blueberrybluegrass.com

Edmonton Heritage Festival
Aug 1-3, 2009
Jul 31-Aug 2, 2010
Outdoor pavilions house non-stop music and dancing, arts and crafts displays and demonstrations, traditional costumes and the exotic cuisine of over 75 cultures.
T 780-488-3378
F 780-455-9097
W heritage-festival.com

AUGUST

Edmonton Folk Music Festival
Aug 6-9, 2009
Aug 5-8, 2010
The global stars of blues, Celtic, bluegrass, gospel and world music come together for four blissful days at this open-air festival,
where a hillside serves as a natural amphitheatre.
T 780-429-1899
F 780-424-1132
W edmontonfolkfest.org

CariWest – Edmonton Caribbean Arts Festival
Aug 7-9, 2009
Aug 6-8, 2010
A colourful costume extravaganza, calypso competition and a gala parade energize this Caribbean festival with its dance, block party and steel band competition.
T 780-421-7800
F 780-421-8931
W cariwestfestival.com

Edmonton International Fringe Theatre Festival
Aug 13-23, 2009
Aug 12-22, 2010
This phenomenal alternative theatre fest is the largest and oldest in North America with over 1,200 shows and performances from over 200 theatrical companies in 27 venues in historic Old Strathcona. Not to be missed.
T 780-448-9000
F 780-431-1893
W fringetheatreadventures.ca

Edmonton’s Labatt Blues Festival
Aug 21-23, 2009
Aug 20-22, 2010
Top local, national and international acoustic and electric blues acts shake the house with everything from funk to zydeco.
T 780-708-7230
W bluesinternationalltd.com

Edmonton Dragon Boat Festival
Aug 21-23, 2009
Aug 20-22, 2010
Dragon Boat racing on the North Saskatchewan River celebrates the city’s Chinese-Canadian community.
T 780-493-8158
W edbfa.com

SEPTEMBER

Sobeys Symphony Under the Sky Festival
Sep 4-7, 2009
Sep 3-6, 2010
This five-day al fresco extravaganza of classical music finds the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra in top form.
(Group rates may be available).
T 780-428-1414
TF 1-800-563-5081
F 780-425-1913
W edmontonsymphony.com

Edmonton International Film Festival
Sep 25-Oct 3, 2009
Edmontonians, movie fans, celebrities and filmmakers from across the globe celebrate independent cinema.
T 780-423-0844
F 780-447-5242
W edmontonfilmfest.com

NOVEMBER

Farmfair International
Nov 6-15, 2009
Nov 5-13, 2010
Canada’s premier livestock show attracts 100,000 guests annually to see, show and sell top-quality livestock at the Northlands AgriCom.
T 780-471-7210
TF 1-888-800-7275
F 780-471-8176
W farmfairinternational.com

Global Visions Film Festival
Nov 2009
A documentary film festival that bolsters public awareness of global human rights, social and environmental issues as it celebrates the human spirit.
T 780-414-1052
W globalvisionsfestival.com

Canadian Finals Rodeo
Nov 11-15, 2009
Nov 10-14, 2010
Cheer on North America’s toughest cowboys as they vie for the championship buckle, the prize money and the bragging rights of being a Canadian Rodeo Champion.
T 780-471-7210
TF 1-888-800-7275
F 780-471-8176
W canadianfinalsrodeo.ca

Bright Nights
Nov 27, 2009-Jan 3, 2010
Bring a sparkle to your eyes with Canada’s largest Christmas-light drive through a winter wonderland theme park.
T 780-426-4620
W edmontonchamber.com

DECEMBER

Tim Hortons Roar of the Rings
Dec 6-13, 2009
Years of training, teamwork, wins and losses, the travel, the competition, the commitment, it all comes down to this Canadian Men’s & Women’s Curling Trials.
W seasonofchampions.ca/rotr

New Year’s Eve Downtown
Dec 31, every year
Western Canada’s largest New Year’s celebration, this alcohol-free event features entertainment, public skating,
a street dance, family activities and spectacular fireworks.
T 780-423-2822
F 780-423-2844
W eventsedmonton.ca