Festivals & Events
FESTIVITY IS OUR SPECIALTY
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 draw and delight visitors from around the globe. Find out more at www.edmonton.com as well as the Festival City site, www.festivalcity.ca
Festival fun in Old Strathcona
Photo: Edmonton Tourism
JANUARY
WINTER LIGHT FESTIVAL
Jan 6-Mar 13, 2010
Unlike groggy bears who hibernate in caves, Edmontonians revel in winter with this amazing festival which is really many festivals in one. It supports the active spirit, and spirited family and community activities, such as Silver Skate, Ice on Whyte and Deep Freeze.
T 780-760-2229
F 780-760-2263
W winterlight.ca
FEBRUARY
CANADIAN BIRKEBEINER SKI FESTIVAL
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 ##mem##
Feb 19-21, 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
JUNE
INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN’S FESTIVAL
Jun 1-5, 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
DREAMSPEAKERS FILM FESTIVAL
Jun 2-5, 2010
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
EPCOR PRESENTS NEXTFEST 2010
Jun 3-13, 2010
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
EDMONTON INTERNATIONAL JAZZ FESTIVAL
Jun 25-Jul 4, 2010
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 ##mem##
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
2010 ROAD NATIONAL CYCLING CHAMPIONSHIPS
Jun 25-Jul 5, 2010
The Canadian Cycling Association’s marquee event will see more than 500 of Canada’s top cyclists descend upon Edmonton in a bid to become Canada’s Top Road Cyclist.
T 613-248-1353
F 613-248-9311
W www.canadian-cycling.com
feats FESTIVAL OF DANCE
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 ##mem##
Jun 29-Jul 25, 2010
The Freewill 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 ##mem##
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
EDMONTON & Northern Alberta HISTORIC FESTIVAL
Jul 9-Aug 1, 2010
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
A TASTE OF EDMONTON
Jul 23-Aug 1, 2010
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 23-Aug 1, 2010
A carnival atmosphere electrifies the city’s longest-running summer 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
EDMONTON INDY
Jul 23-25, 2010
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
BLUEBERRY BLUEGRASS & COUNTRY MUSIC FESTIVAL
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 780-886-1267
W blueberrybluegrass.com
Servus HERITAGE FESTIVAL ##mem##
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 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 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 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 DRAGON BOAT FESTIVAL
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
EDMONTON’S LABATT BLUES FESTIVAL
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
SEPTEMBER
SOBEYS SYMPHONY UNDER THE SKY FESTIVAL
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
CANADIAN COUNTRY MUSIC WEEK & AWARDS ##mem##
Sep 8-12, 2010
All the stars of Canadian country gather to celebrate the best and brightest of Canada’s country music scene with a few special international guests invited to share the stage. For fans, it’s country heaven!
T 416-947-1331
F 416-947-5924
W countrymusicedmonton.com
EDMONTON INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
Sep 24-Oct 2, 2010
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
GLOBAL VISIONS FILM FESTIVAL
Nov 4-7, 2010
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
FARMFAIR INTERNATIONAL
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
CANADIAN FINALS RODEO
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
CANADIAN FOOTBALL LEAGUE 98TH GREY CUP
Nov 28, 2010
Nothing brings football fans together in Canada more than the national championship game — a spectacular sporting event that fills Commonwealth Stadium to the rafters with cheering fans.
T 780-451-8000 (Ticketmaster)
W http://greycup.cfl.ca
DECEMBER
NEW YEAR’S EVE
DOWNTOWN
Dec 31, 2010
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
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