EDMONTON – A busy summer festival season is underway in Edmonton. From Improvaganza and Canada Day, to the Edmonton International Street Performers Festival and K-Days, there’s a little something for every festival-goer.
(We are also sharing your favourite photos from these events using the hashtag #OurYEG. Scroll down to see them in our live blog!)
Here’s a list of some of the festivals and events being held in and around Edmonton this summer (and beyond).
June 17 – 27: Improvaganza (The Citadel Theatre)
Celebrate the 15th annual Improvaganza! Every year at Improvaganza, Rapid Fire Theatre hosts improvisers from across Canada, North America and beyond. For 10 days at the end June, Rapid Fire Theatre hosts the best comedy acts it can find, plus theatre sports matches, specialty shows and tons of social events.
June 19 – July 1: The Works Art & Design Festival
For 13 days every summer, The Works unleashes art & design throughout one square kilometre of Edmonton’s downtown core. Free to the public, the festival is an extravaganza of visual art, design and entertainment that attracts artists and visitors from around the globe.
June 19 – 28: Edmonton International Jazz Festival
The Edmonton International Jazz Festival has sounds to suit every taste, as it features more than 55 events, with more than 250 musicians on seven different stages. Artists from around the world will perform in Churchill Square, the Yardbird Suite, the Old Strathcona Performing Arts Centre, the Westin Hotel and other Edmonton stages.
June 20: ZooFest (Edmonton Valley Zoo)
Have you ever wanted to know what goes on at the Edmonton Valley Zoo after the gates close? Adults can sip wine while the kids explore the zoo.
June 21: National Aboriginal Day
National Aboriginal Day takes place on June 21. It is a special day to celebrate the unique heritage, diverse cultures and outstanding achievements of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples in Canada.
June 23 – July 19: Freewill Shakespeare Festival (Hawrelak Park)
The Freewill Shakespeare Festival returns to Hawrelak Park to present ‘As You Like It‘ and ‘Coriolanus.’
June 28: Pets in the Park (Hawrelak Park)
Pets in the Park is the one and only day of the year that pets are welcomed into Hawrelak Park.
July 1: Canada Day
Events will be held throughout the city.
READ MORE: How to celebrate Canada Day 2015 in and around Edmonton
July 3 – 12: Edmonton International Street Performers Festival (Churchill Square)
This 10-day event attracts acts from around the world to perform in more than 1,500 outdoor shows. With acrobats, jugglers, musicians and more, there’s something for people of all ages.
July 9: Edmonton Eskimos home opener (Commonwealth Stadium)
The Edmonton Eskimos play their first home game of the 2015 CFL season against the Ottawa Redblacks on Thursday, July 9.
July 12 – 16: Alberta Indigenous Games (Rundle Park)
More than 1,000 indigenous youth from across Alberta will come together for a week of competitive sports, traditional games and other special events.
July 14: Make-A-Wish Rope for Hope (Westin Hotel)
Make-A-Wish Rope for Hope challenges people to rappel down Edmonton’s Westin Hotel to raise funds for the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
July 16 – 25: Taste of Edmonton (Churchill Square)
This July, Taste of Edmonton will feature 54 new menu items, 12 new restaurants and food trucks, seven new workshops and nine evening pop ups.
July 17: K-Days Parade
Hosted by Global Edmonton’s Nancy Carlson, Kent Morrison and Mike Sobel, the annual K-Days Parade will be broadcast live from 10 a.m. until noon. You can also watch the parade live online at Globalnews.ca/edmonton.
July 17 – 26: K-Days (Northlands)
From your favourite rides and games to incredible performances and concerts, K-Days is one of Edmonton’s biggest summer festivals.
August 1 -3: Heritage Festival (Hawrelak Park)
2015 marks the 40th annual Heritage Festival. The three-day event showcases Canada’s vibrant multicultural heritage, with 62 pavilions representing more than 85 cultures.
August 6 – 9: Edmonton Folk Music Festival
Held in Gallagher Park, this year’s Edmonton Folk Music Festival features such artists as Of Monsters and Men and Lord Huron.
August 7 – 9: Cariwest
Cariwest is an annual three-day Caribbean Arts Festival that takes place in the heart of downtown Edmonton.
August 12: Feast on the Field (Commonwealth Stadium)
Three of the city’s top chefs are coming together to cook picnic favourites and everything that goes along with it. The event is a fundraiser for seniors in CapitalCare facilities.
August 13 – 23: Edmonton International Fringe Festival (Old Strathcona)
SupercaliFRINGEilistic is taking over Old Strathcona for 11 days this summer. This year’s festival features more than 1,600 live indoor theatre performances at 50 city venues. Watch for Official Fringe Reviewer, Todd James, nightly on Global Edmonton.
READ MORE: Edmonton Fringe theme unveiled
August 21: News Hour on the Road at Commonwealth Stadium (Commonwealth Stadium)
Join Global Edmonton as we broadcast sports and weather live from Commonwealth Stadium ahead of the Edmonton Eskimos game.
August 28: The Mosquers (Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium)
The Mosquers attracts talent from across Canada and the United States to Edmonton’s Jubilee Auditorium. The event involves a red carpet ceremony, the screening of the finalist short films, a feature entertainment component, and a final award presentation.
September 5 -6: Sonic Boom (Borden Park)
Edmonton’s Alternative Music Festival SONiC BOOM is on the move. The festival, which has been held at Northlands since it began seven years ago, will call Borden Park home this year. The grassy park, located across 112 Avenue from Northlands, will host the two-day rock music festival.
September 13: Kaleido Festival (Alberta Avenue)
Alberta Avenue comes alive with a free arts festival featuring music, dance, theatre, film, literary and visual arts with performances along 118 Avenue.
September 13: Grand Tent Event
This new event puts a spin on a fundraising walk and takes you on an adventure through the Grandview Heights Community while raising funds for the CapitalCare Foundation. It’s a great way to celebrate grandparents’ day.
September 13: Ovarian Cancer Canada Walk of Hope (Sir Wilfrid Laurier Park)
The annual walk, held in more than 45 communities across Canada, raises much-needed funds for ovarian cancer research. Ovarian cancer is the most serious women’s cancer and 2,600 women are diagnosed every year.
September 27: Kids with Cancer walk/run (Hawrelak Park)
The KWCS 19th annual walk and run is a family affair. The 5km run or 2.5km walk raise funds for the Kids with Cancer Society.
October 1 – 10: Edmonton International Film Festival (Landmark Cinemas 9 City Centre)
This summer festival celebrates all things cinematic. More than 15,000 people attend on an annual basis, to take part in 150 films, galas and events.
October 7 – 10: Edmonton Comedy Festival
The 2015 edition of the Edmonton Comedy Festival will feature more than 30 comics from across North America performing at venues throughout the city.
For more information on other events happening in and around Edmonton, visit Global’s ‘OurYEG’ webpage.
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