What to Do for Fun in Edmonton, Alberta

Enjoy the city in the summer!

Summer in Edmonton is a great way to experience the best that this bustling urban city has to offer. Whether you want to have an urban experience or escape to nature, Edmonton has it all!

Check out a festival

Locals refer to Edmonton as "Festival City" because there are so many festivals during the season.

The Edmonton Folk Music Festival (running for over 40 years) and Interstellar Rodeo offer great opportunities to check out live music from local and international bands and musicians. These weekend events sell out quickly and are a highlight of summer for many people.

If you're feeling hungry, there are festivals for that as well. Heritage Days is a cultural festival where Edmontonians celebrate diversity and multiculturalism — a variety of groups show off cultural performances and prepare different foods from around the world. The Taste of Edmonton features different restaurants in the city showing off the best of their menus!

Have an eye for art or want to watch some theatre? The Works Art and Design Festival hosts displays and performances from local and national artists. Edmonton's Fringe Theatre Festival — one of the largest in the world — has hundreds of live theatre performances.

Explore the River Valley

Edmonton's river valley ranks among the largest urban green spaces in North America. There are hundreds of kilometers of walking and bicycling paths, open-air swimming pools, golf courses, and sport fields for you to enjoy. It's an escape from the bustle — right in the middle of the city! You'll find the river valley only steps away from UAlberta's North (main) Campus.

Get Close to Nature

Most people think of the majestic Canadian Rocky Mountains when they think of national parks in Canada — but there are many more, including the beautiful Elk Island National Park — which is less than an hour away from the middle of Edmonton!

This park is mostly known for its large population of wood bison — the park is actually home to one of the densest concentrations of large wild animals in North America! The many lakes, ponds, and meadows offer a journey into nature. You can explore the park and check out animals from a vehicle, or stretch your legs on many of the hiking paths!