The first couple of weeks of summer sure haven’t felt like the season of shades and shorts in Edmonton but this year, as it does every year, Alberta’s capital is sure to transform into a lively hub of exciting events and live up to its Festival City moniker.
Whether it’s taking in a myriad of theatrical performances at the Edmonton International Fringe Theatre Festival, being serenaded amid gorgeous surroundings at Symphony Under the Sky or braving some thrilling excitement on one of the many rides at K-Days, Edmonton’s summer festival season has something for everyone.
READ MORE: Our YEG At Night’s 2019 Best of Summer in Edmonton list
Here’s a list of some of the festivals and events being held in and around Edmonton this summer.
June 18 – July 14: Freewill Shakespeare Festival (Hawrelak Park)
Since 1989, this festival has been on a mission to produce the works of William Shakespeare. This season, the festival presents The Two Gentlemen of Verona and The Winter’s Tale. The festival also features puppet shows and theme nights.
Watch below: Some videos from Global News’ coverage of the Freewill Shakespeare Festival.
READ MORE: Perfect for a mid-summer’s night: Edmonton’s Freewill Shakespeare Festival kicks off
July 5-14: Edmonton International Street Performers Festival (Dr. Wilbert Mcintyre Park)
The Edmonton International Street Performers Festival returns to Dr. Wilbert Mcintyre Park for the second straight year while the festival itself is celebrating 35 years. Body contortionists, comedy troupes and balloon artists are among those featured on what seems like an endless list of names of talented street performers taking part in this year’s festival.
Watch below: Some videos from Global News’ coverage of the Edmonton International Street Performers Festival.
READ MORE: 35 years of laughs, wows and cheers at Edmonton International Street Performers Festival
July 18- July 28: Taste of Edmonton (Capital Plaza)
Every year since 1984, Taste of Edmonton has showcased the best of the city’s culinary scene. The festival sees foodies flood to their favourite food trucks and the smiles on visitors’ faces reveal the event is usually an all-around fulfilling experience.
Watch below: Some videos from Global News’ coverage of the Taste of Edmonton.
READ MORE: Taste of Edmonton music acts include Tokyo Police Club, Classified, Tyler Shaw
July 19- July 28 K-Days (Edmonton Exhibition Lands)
It’s the granddaddy of summer events in Edmonton each year, it’s not July in Alberta’s capital without rides, concerts and midway fun at K-Days! The festival’s annual parade kicks things off on July 19.
Watch below: Some videos from Global News’ coverage of K-Days.
READ MORE: K-Days announces concert headliners including The Offspring, Kip Moore and Aqua
July 25: Christmas in July Dinner (Chateau Lacombe Hotel)
This fundraiser to help support families who are in need at Christmastime includes a turkey dinner with some Ukrainian flavour, a silent auction and a 50/50 sale.
Watch below: A video from Global News’ coverage of Christmas in July.
July 26- July 27: Chaos Alberta Festival (Kinsmen Park)
It will be a who’s who of heavy music headliners in the heart of the city when the opening chords ring out at the Chaos Alberta Festival in Edmonton. It will likely be the last time fans will ever see the iconic thrash metal band Slayer, who have recently announced the final dates of their farewell tour. Other acts on the bill include shock-rocker Marilyn Manson, Rob Zombie, Gwar, Disturbed and more.
READ MORE: Rob Zombie, Marilyn Manson announce ‘Twins of Evil’ tour, 6 Canadian dates
July 26- July 28: Interstellar Rodeo (Hawrelak Park)
This musical get-together sees music lovers converge at Hawrelak Park. This year’s Insterstallar Rodeo lineup features notable acts like Sheila E., K’naan and The Rheostatics.
Watch below: Some videos from Global News’ coverage of the Interstellar Rodeo festival.
READ MORE: Edmonton’s Interstellar Rodeo music festival announces 2019 lineup
July 29- Aug. 4: 1932 By Bateman Open golf tournament (Edmonton Country Club)
The PGA Tour Canada, also known as the Mackenzie Tour, swings into Alberta’s capital for the 1932 By Bateman Open golf tournament, previously called the Syncrude Oil Country Championship. The tourney is a grand event for golf fans and also raises money for two charities: CASA Foundation and YOUCAN Youth Services.
Watch below: A video from Global News’ coverage of the 1932 By Bateman Open.
Aug. 1- Aug. 4: Big Valley Jamboree (Camrose)
If cowboy boots, line-dancing and country crooners are your thing, Camrose, Alta., is where you want to be at the beginning of August for the Big Valley Jamboree. This year, the country music festival features a list of headliners that includes Toby Keith, Brooks & Dunn and Billy Ray Cyrus.
Watch below: Some videos from Global News’ coverage of the Big Valley Jamboree.
READ MORE: Country music legend Pam Tillis and Alberta performers added to Big Valley Jamboree’s 2019 lineup
Aug. 2- Aug. 4: Pigeon Lake Music Festival (Mulhurst Bay, Alta.)
An eclectic mix of performers are set please music fans at the Pigeon Lake Music Festival which takes place a little over an hour’s drive away from Edmonton in August. Fans of 80s rock can check out bands like Honeymoon Suite or Prism while bands like Bedouin Soundlcash and the Rural Alberta Advantage are likely appeal to a younger crowd.
Watch below: Videos from Global News’ coverage of the Pigeon Lake Music Festival.
Aug. 3- Aug. 5: Edmonton Heritage Festival (Hawrelak Park)
Early August sees hordes of people head down to Hawrelak Park for the annual Edmonton Heritage Festival. The three-day event features dozens of pavilions celebrating cultures from around the world, and sees visitors celebrate multiculturalism by trying out new foods and watching an eclectic array of performances.
Watch below: Some videos from Global News’ coverage of the Edmonton Heritage Festival.
READ MORE: Palestine to put up pavilion for 1st time at 2019 Edmonton Heritage Festival
Aug. 4: Jamdown Reggae Salute (Louise McKinney Riverfront Park)
Edmonton’s river valley will be the sight of some summer sounds on Aug. 4 when the Jamdown Reggae Salute brings some island rhythms to Louise McKinney Riverfront Park. Among the featured musicians at the event are Tony Rebel, Queen Ifrica and Charly Black.
Aug. 8- Aug. 11: Edmonton Folk Music Festival (Gallagher Park)
A beautiful park in Edmonton’s iconic river valley will once again provide an idyllic backdrop for some intimate musical performances at this year’s Edmonton Folk Music Festival. Bruce Cockburn, Blue Rodeo, Ani DiFranco and Bahamas are among an impressive list of headliners this year. John Prine had also been scheduled to perform but pulled out of the engagement on July 23 because of health reasons.
Watch below: Some videos from Global News’ coverage of the Edmonton Folk Music Festival.
READ MORE: 2019 Edmonton Folk Music Festival headliners: Hozier, Brandi Carlile, Blue Rodeo, John Prine
Aug. 9- Aug. 11: Cariwest (downtown)
Cariwest sees downtown become busy and full of bright colours as the festival celebrates Caribbean music, food and culture in Alberta’s capital. The three-day event includes a “costume extravaganza,” a carnival parade, live entertainment and the Caribbean Village Marketplace.
Watch below: Some videos from Global News’ coverage of Cariwest in Edmonton.
READ MORE: Annual Cariwest Festival celebrates carnival culture in Edmonton
Aug. 11- Aug. 17: Alberta Indigenous Games (Rundle Park)
Young Indigenous athletes from across the province will take part in a week of competitive sports, traditional games, special events, education and cultural connection at the 2019 Alberta Indigenous Games.
Watch below: Some videos from Global News’ coverage of the Alberta Indigenous Games.
Aug. 14: Feast on the Field (Commonwealth Stadium)
Feast on the Field sees diners sit down at a table on Commonwealth Field and get served a feast by some of the city’s most talented chefs. The event serves as a fundraiser for the CapitalCare Foundation.
Watch below: Some videos from Global News’ coverage of Feast on the Field.
READ MORE: IN PHOTOS: Foodies converge on Commonwealth Stadium for Feast on the Field
Aug. 15- Aug. 25: Edmonton International Fringe Theatre Festival (Old Strathcona)
Inspired by the legendary Edinburgh Festival Fringe in Scotland, the Edmonton International Fringe Theatre Festival became the first Canadian “Fringe” when it first started in 1982 and has been entertaining Edmontonians ever since. The 10-day festival saturates streets and theatres in Old Strathcona with a lively atmosphere as theatre-goers take in performances that range from hilarious to heartwrenching.
Watch below: Some videos from Global News’ coverage of the Edmonton International Fringe Theatre Festival.
READ MORE: Edmonton Fringe Festival announces new $10K award aimed at promoting diversity, inclusivity
Aug. 16- Aug. 17: Edmonton Rockfest (Hawrelak Park)
The Edmonton Rock Music Festival will see some of the genre’s most popular Canadian bands kick out the jams at Hawrelak Park in mid-August. Among this year’s Rockfest headliners are Sloan, The Odds, Wide Mouth Mason and The Pursuit of Happiness.
Watch below: (From July 6, 2019) Sloan, Wide Mouth Mason, Rick Springfield are just a few of the artists who will take the stage at the Edmonton Rock Music Festival at Hawrelak Park next month. Todd Crawshaw and Kate Chernoff share details.
Aug. 17: Edmonton International Reggae Jamboree Festival (Louise McKinney Riverfront Park)
Fans of reggae and dancehall will be drawn to Edmonton’s Louise McKinney Riverfront Park when the Edmonton International Reggae Jamboree Festival gets underway this summer and headliners like Luciano, Fantan Mojah and Cham.
Aug. 17- Aug. 18: Edmonton Airshow ***CANCELLED*** (Villeneuve Airport in Sturgeon County)
AIRSHOW CANCELLED: On Aug. 8, 2019, the Edmonton Airshow’s organizers announced they were forced to cancel the event after weather conditions posed a potential safety risk.
The skies northwest of Edmonton will be a sight to behold for one weekend in August as the 2019 Edmonton Airshow takes off at the Villeneuve Airport in Sturgeon County. Aerial performers this year include the RCAF Snowbirds and Jacquie “B” Warda, a 51-year-old Californian who says she developed a love of aerobatic flying more than 30 years ago.
Watch below: (From June 27, 2019) Richard Skermer dropped by Global Edmonton on Thursday to tell Gord Steinke about the 2019 Edmonton Airshow.
READ MORE: Snowbirds to do special flyby entrance for Edmonton Airshow
Aug. 18: Canadian Derby (Century Mile Racetrack)
The 90th running of the Canadian Derby sees the iconic Canadian horse-racing event move to the new Century Mile Racetrack south of Edmonton after being held for decades on the grounds of the Edmonton Exhibition Lands.
Watch below: Some videos from Global News’ coverage of the Canadian Derby.
READ MORE: Opening date set for Century Mile Racetrack and Casino near Edmonton airport
Aug. 23- Aug. 25: Edmonton Blues Festival (Hawrelak Park)
Blues riffs are set to bring down the house at Hawrelak Park’s Heritage Amphitheatre in August, as the 21st annual Edmonton Blues Festival gets underway.
Watch below: Some videos from Global News’ coverage of the Edmonton Blues Festival.
Aug. 29- Sept. 1: Symphony Under the Sky (Hawrelak Park)
The Edmonton Symphony Orchestra is treating its fans to more outdoor performances this year as part of its annual Symphony Under the Sky concert series. This year’s event sees the ESO perform works by Johannes Brahms and Antonín Dvo?ák and also sees the orchestra delve into Holiday hits, Celtic music and more.
Watch below: Some videos from Global News’ coverage of Symphony Under the Sky.
Sept. 13- Sept. 15: Kaleido Family Arts Festival (Alberta Avenue)
Artistic expression in all its forms abounds in Alberta Avenue in September as streets, alleys and parks serve as venues for the Kaleido Family Arts Festival.
Sept. 14: VegFest Edmonton (RE/MAX Field)
Edmonton’s second annual VegFest takes over RE/MAX Field in the community of Rossdale in September. The event will feature food, shopping, music, speakers and more to celebrate the plant-based movement in Alberta’s Capital Region.
Watch below: (From Sept. 19, 2018) VegFest Edmonton is a family-friendly event that is open to the public. There will be plenty of vendors, food trucks, entertainment and informative speakers. The focus is to showcase green, sustainable living with minimal wast in a fun festival atmosphere.
Sept. 7: Eskimos face the Stampeders in the Labour Day Classic (Commonwealth Stadium)
This is always one of the most anticipated games on the CFL calendar every year, and the rivalry between the Edmonton Eskimos and Calgary Stampeders continues on Sept. 7 at Commonwealth Stadium.
Watch below: Some videos from Global News’ coverage of the Edmonton Eskimos.
Sept. 21 Mosquers Film Festival (Winspear Centre)
This festival was first started in 2007 to showcase talent and foster expression and to “combat misconceptions about Islam and Muslims.”