We all know about the big summer festivals in Edmonton such as the Fringe, Heritage days and Taste of Edmonton, but did you know that Edmonton is actually home to over one hundred festivals a year? Below is a a small sampling of some of the festivals and special events that make our community great.

At Aurora we can help design festival and event signage, custom flags and tents. We are also happy to help by adding your event to this list. Give us a shout.

April Festivals

Bonfire Improv Festival April 4th-6th & 11th-13th

“Bonfire is Rapid Fire Theatres annual romp of new ideas in long-form improv. Starring the members of the Rapid Fire Theatre ensemble, each show at Bonfire has been created by one of RFTs own. Every show at Bonfire is a new idea that weve never tried before; it might work, it might not, but either way itll be a joy to witness. The 2019 festival runs April 4-6 and 11-13. You can check out the schedule HERE.”

Rapid Fire Theatre 9828 101A avenue

GOBfest (Edmonton Board Game Festival ) April 12th-14th

“GOBfest is Edmonton’s annual board game festival, founded in 2013 by a group of avid board gamers. We operate on a non-profit basis and are a registered society.”

Schedule

Alberta Avenue Community Centre 9210 118 Ave NW

Edmonton Poetry Festival April 22nd April 28th

“The dates for the 2019 edition of the Edmonton Poetry festival are April 22 April 28, 2019. This years theme is Home Word.”

Venues across Edmonton. View EPF Schedule and venues.

Edmonton Resilience Festival April 27th

“Join us on Saturday, April 27, 2019 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Waldorf Independent School of Edmonton.

The Edmonton Resilience Festival, presented by the Edmonton Permaculture Guild, is a fun-filled day of learning, connection, and celebration. Participate in an eclectic combination of workshops and conversations with the purpose of building a more resilient, joyful community. The festival and local market are free to attend (no tickets needed), and workshops are offered on a donation basis (most with a minimum amount of $5 or $10 plus material costs).”

Waldorf Independent School of Edmonton. 7211 96a Ave NW

May Festivals

Holi Fair– May 4th

“Trisaints Events and Entertainment Inc. brings you the biggest ever Outdoor HOLI celebration for the first time in Edmonton (Yeg).

Come join us at The Meadows Community Recreation Centre, on MAY 4TH, 2019 from 10:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. to ENJOY:-

THE BIGGEST EVER OUTDOOR HOLI FAIR -2K19

This Event brings you the Fun of celebrating HOLI in traditional- Indian way”

Learn More about Holi Fair

Metis Spring Festival-May 17th-19th

“The 2019 Métis Spring Festival will take place in St. Alberts Servus Centre during the weekend of May 17-19, 2019. The Friday night opening of the annual event will get underway with a Talent Show that begins at 6:30 p.m. Talent Contest competitors will vie for the more than $5,000 in first, second and third place prize money available for the top three contestants in junior, youth, adult and senior vocalist categories. Registration deadline is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Friday, May 17, just one hour before the talent show begins.” Learn More about the Metis Spring Festival

Servus Place 400 Campbell Rd, St. Albert

UFest (Edmonton Ukrainian Festival)-May 24th-25th

“it’s time to share our Ukrainian spirit in Canada’s festival city!

UFest Edmonton Ukrainian Festival is a celebration of Ukrainian culture, food, music, visual arts, crafts and dance. This two-day event brings together people of Ukrainian heritage, as well as attracts audiences of many diverse cultures.

This free festival, set in a beautiful city park, features a main stage with ongoing musical and dance performers, beer gardens, Ukrainian food vendors, arts, crafts and merchandise vendors, displays, buskers, a coffee tent and more!”

Learn More about Ufest

Borden Park 7507 Borden Park Rd NW, Edmonton,

International Children’s Festival of the Arts -May 28th-June 2nd

“As a Festival, we are proud to provide a valuable opportunity for families to spend quality time together and create memories to last a lifetime.”

Learn More about the International Children’s Festival

St. Albert Place Promenade – 5 St. Anne St, St. Albert

June Festivals

Edmonton International Cat Festival -June 1, 2019

“The Edmonton International Cat Festival takes place in Downtown Edmonton:

MacEwan University
“The Heart” and “The Atirum”
(Main floor and upstairs of Robbins Health Learning Centre)
10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Caturday, June 1, 2019

The Edmonton International Cat Festival is the only festival of its kind in Alberta, the first festival of its kind in Canada, and brings together cat lovers to celebrate cats and cat culture, while raising money and awareness for important cat rescue organizations!

#YEGCatFest donates 100% of proceeds back to local cat rescues.”

MacEwan University – Robbins Health Learning Centre 10910 104 Ave NW Edmonton

Indigenous Peoples Festival-June 21

” From June 20-22, 2018, Edmontons Indigenous Peoples Festival takes over Victoria Park in Edmontons River Valley. First Nation, Métis and Inuit peoples and cultures will be celebrated through interactive experiences, cultural demonstrations, artisans, cuisine and live concerts.”

“Please note: Activities will be operating at Victoria Park from June 20 to 22, however, the public festival is on June 21, and June 20 and 22 are education days only, in partnership with the Edmonton Catholic School District and Edmonton Public School Board. ”

Victoria Park 12030 River Valley Rd NW

July Festivals

Edmonton International Street Performers Festival-July 5th-July 14th

“The Line Up of the Worlds Best Street Performers are ready to go and there is no ticket required to access the Festival Site at StreetFest. It is you, the audience member, who decides the true value of the performance at the end of each show by making a contribution directly to the artists.” Learn More about the street performers festival.

Dr. Wilbert McIntyre Park (Gazebo Park) – 8303 104 St

Edmonton Art Walk-July 5th-7th

“Imagine a 4 km walk through the hearts and minds of artists. Cultural explorers are invited to see art making in action on the streets of Old Strathcona, a vibrant art district in the historic centre of Edmonton, Alberta. Over 500 visual artists bring their art supplies and artworks out into the streets. Together they create an outdoor studio and gallery spanning several blocks. The Whyte Avenue Art Walk reveals Albertas hidden talent and provides an opportunity for patrons to curate their own art collection from many undiscovered masters.

Time: 10 am 5 pm daily

Where: The event is a grand promenade along Whyte Avenue (82 Avenue) from 101 Street to 108 Street. Artists will fill all the green spaces and several street closures, too. It’s a long tour, so bring your walking shoes!”

Whyte (82nd) Ave Edmonton

Sand on Whyte-July 9

“Sand on Whyte features award-winning artists from around the world sculpt magnificent, giant sand creations on Whyte Avenue. This is a great festival to visit more than once, as you can watch the sculptures take shape throughout the week!”

Whyte (82nd) Ave Edmonton

Interstellar Rodeo July 26th-28th

“Interstellar Rodeo is an annual three-day outdoor music event held the last weekend of July in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, established in 2012 by Shauna de Cartier of Six Shooter Records. It is held at the Heritage Amphitheatre within Hawrelak Park in the North Saskatchewan River valley.”

Hawrelak Park-9330 Groat Rd NW

August Festivals

Alberta Indigenous Games August 11-17th

“August 11-17th, 2019 will bring together Indigenous youth from across Alberta to engage in one week of competitive team sports, traditional games, special events, education, and cultural connection.

The mandate and theme of the Alberta Indigenous Games is RECLAIMING OUR YOUTH through sport development, educational empowerment, career opportunities, and cultural connection.

This Summer August 11-17th 2019, the games will make its return for its 6th edition and 4th time in 5 years! We have become one of the if not the only Summer Games on a yearly basis for all indigenous youth in a province in Canada.” http://www.albertaindigenousgames.ca