List of festivals in Edmonton

This is an incomplete list of festivals in Edmonton, a city in the province of Alberta, Canada. Edmonton plays host to several large festivals each year, hence its local nickname as 'the Festival City.'

Festivals of Edmonton
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This list includes festivals of diverse types, including regional festivals, commerce festivals, fairs, food festivals, arts festivals, religious festivals, folk festivals, and recurring festivals on holidays.

List of festivals

FestivalMonthDescription
Animethon[1]AugustWestern Canada's longest-running Japanese animation festival is held in Downtown Edmonton in MacEwan University. Animethon has been running since 1993 with attendance at over 9000 people.
Bikeology Festival[2]JuneCycling culture
Blueberry Bluegrass and Country Music Festivallate July / early AugustBluegrass and country music festival
Blue Quill Party in the Park Music Festival[3]Septemberfree, family-focused, and community-minded 12-hour-long non-stop live performance music festival
Canada DayJulyCelebrated with a pancake breakfast and other morning events at the Alberta Legislature grounds, and fireworks.
Cariwest[4]mid-AugustCaribbean carnival
Chinese New YearJanuary/FebruaryCelebrated in many locations including Bonnie Doon Mall, West Edmonton Mall, Kingsway Mall, and Chinatown, Edmonton.
Deep Freeze: A Byzantine Winter Festival[5]JanuaryArts and winter games celebrating Ukrainian, Franco-Albertan, Franco-African, Indigenous, and Acadian/East Coast communities.
Dreamspeakers International Film Festival[6]JuneAboriginal filmmakers, performers and artists
Edmonton Accordion Festival[7]SeptemberAccordion
Edmonton Chante[8]SeptemberFrancophone music festival
Edmonton Dragon Boat Festival[9]AugustDragon boat
Edmonton Folk Music Festival[10]AugustFolk music
Edmonton International Beerfest[11]late March – early AprilCraft beer and food festival
Edmonton International Film Festival[12]late September – early OctoberIndependent film
Edmonton International Fringe Festival[13]AugustHeld in Old Strathcona, this is an exhibition of alternative theatre and is largest Fringe Theatre Festival in North America, and second only to the Edinburgh Fringe festival in the world.
TD Edmonton International Jazz Festival[14]JuneJazz music
Edmonton International Street Performer's Festival[15]JulyBusking
Edmonton Latin Festival[16]mid-AugustLatin culture and music
Edmonton Music & Speech Arts Festival[17]mid-April – early MayStarted in 1908 - First Festival, of its kind, in North America - Classical Music (Piano, Strings, Voice, Guitar, Band, Choir, Brass, Woodwinds, Harp, Orchestra), Musical Theatre, Speech Arts - for Ages 5–85+
Edmonton Poetry Festival[18]AprilPoetry
Edmonton Pride[19]JuneLGBTQ+ and Gay pride
Edmonton Rock Music Festival[20]AugustRock music
Edmonton Rocky Mountain Wine & Food Festival[21]OctoberWine, beer, spirits, food
Edmonton Short Film Festival[22]3rd week of OctoberIndependent film
Found Festival[23]JuneEdmonton's only multidisciplinary found space arts festival. Find art in unexpected places!
Free Will Shakespeare Festival (formerly called River City Shakespeare Festival)[24]late June – early JulyShakespeare plays
Great Outdoors Comedy FestivalJulyOutdoor comedy festival produced by Trixstar LIVE
Hip Hop in the Park festival[25]MayMusicians', performers' festival to celebrate a hiphop declaration of peace
Ice on Whyte Festival[26]JanuaryWinter festival, skating, ice sculpture
Improvaganza[27]JuneImprov festival hosted by Rapid Fire Theatre
International Festival of Winter CinemaFebruaryFilms about winter, polar, or alpine topics; projected outdoors on a snow-screen.
Kaleido Family Arts Festival[28]SeptemberArts festival of free performances on Alberta Avenue
K-Days[29]JulyProvides rides, music and other entertainment. Originally Klondike Days was an annual fair and exhibition which eventually adopted a gold rush theme. Activities include chuckwagon races, carnival rides and fairways, music, trade shows and daily fireworks.
Labatt Blues Festival[30]August Blues music
Latino Heritage Month September 15 to October 15[31]September – OctoberCultural roots and education
LitFest: Edmonton's Nonfiction Festival[32]late OctoberNon-fiction writing
Mid-Autumn FestivalSeptemberChinese cultural performances, activities, and a lantern parade including floating water lanterns on the pool in front of Edmonton City Hall.
Nextfest[33]JuneCelebrate the work of emerging artists: musicians, actors, poets, visual artists, dancers
NorthwestfestMayDocumentary film festival at the Garneau Theatre
Pets in the Park[34]JuneFun for animals and humans in Hawrelak Park
Play the Fool Festivallate SeptemberTheatre festival focusing on clown and physical comedy
Pure Speculation[35]NovemberGeek and fan culture
Purple City Music FestivalAugustMulti-day, multi-venue live music festival in downtown
Rainbow Visions Film FestivalNovemberLGBT film festival at the Garneau Theatre
Servus Heritage Festival[36]AugustThis ethnocultural food and heritage festival takes place in Hawrelak Park on the Heritage Day long weekend.
Silver Skate Festival[37]FebruaryWinter
Edmonton International BeerFestMarchCelebrating the appreciation of Beer from around the world. Held annually at the Edmonton Convention Centre. Western Canadas biggest Beer Festival
SkirtsAfire, herArts Festival[38]MarchEdmonton's only multidisciplinary arts festival celebrating and elevating the work of women. Includes musicians, dance, spoken word, theatre, film, cabaret and more.
Sourdough River Festival[39]AugustRaft race
Strathearn Art Walk[40]SeptemberFree, family friendly art and music festival
Symphony Under the Sky Festival[41]Labour Day weekendEdmonton Symphony Orchestra's annual outdoor concert
Taste of Edmonton[42]JulyFood and restaurants
Vocal Arts Festival[43]late May – JuneOpera NUOVA's Opera / art song festival, performances, workshops, and elite study opportunities.
Water For Life Festival[44]early JuneThe all volunteers-directed Sunshine Treeshade Humanitarian Charity presents "water for life"-themed multi arts, science, and recreation events in support of clean healthy water commons and saving the estimated daily global average of over 4000 children and others currently projected to be killed by contaminated water related conditions (World Health Organization, UNICEF data). Held week of World Environment Day, June 5; and World Oceans Day, June 8.
The Works Art & Design Festival[45]late June – early AugustShowcases Canadian and international art and design from well-known, award-winning artists, as well as emerging and student artists
Edmonton Ukrainian Festival[46]late MayUkrainian culture, food, music, visual arts, crafts and dance

Former festivals

See also

References

[47][48]