Can’t-miss summer festivals in Edmonton
Summer is usually short and sweet in Edmonton. But, we’re known as a festival city for a reason – we cram our short summer season full of fun festivals featuring food, music and once-in-a-lifetime performances. These summer festivals will make you forget the long Edmonton winters. [Image credit: iStock.com/svetikd]
River City Shakespeare Festival
618-7 Sir Winston Churchill Sq NW, Edmonton AB T5J 2V5The Freewill Shakespeare Festival takes place in Hawrelak Park every summer, and is commonly referred to as Shakespeare in the Park. The festival puts on two different Shakespeare productions, a tragedy and a comedy, alternating shows every day. This year's shows are Love's Labour's Lost and Romeo and Juliet. The festival runs June 17 to July 21, 2016.
Churchill Square
PO Box 2359, Edmonton AB T5J 0K1Taste of Edmonton is a chance to enjoy a huge variety of gourmet food from some of the best restaurants in Edmonton and beyond. Booths take over Sir Winston Churchill Square for days, bringing thousands of Edmontonians together. In 2013, the festival introduced Sip and Savour, a tent where you can enjoy food and wine, plus culinary demonstrations, workshops and a speciality food market. This year's festival takes place July 21 to 30, 2016.
Northlands
132-2693 Broadmoor Blvd, Sherwood Park AB T8H 0G1K-Days kicks off with a massive parade on July 22, and runs until July 31 at Northlands. This festival is jam-packed with carnival rides, 20 different concerts on two main stages, fireworks, a talent search, Ribfest, a traditional Pow Wow, shopping, live entertainment and, of course, fair food. New, unique dishes at this year’s K-Days include rainbow grilled cheese, apple pie ice cream sandwiches, teriyaki chicken perogies, poutine corn dogs, espresso flake deep fried coffee, deep fried butter tarts and butter chicken poutine. Be sure to sample some dishes after you try out the midway rides.
William Hawrelak Park
9330, Groat Rd NW, Edmonton AB T6G 2A8Every August long weekend, Hawrelak Park fills up with booths and tents representing hundreds of different countries. Heritage Festival is a gourmet trip around the world, without ever leaving the park. Just pony up for some tickets and eat to your heart’s content. Sample crepes from the France pavilion or gelato from Italy. There’s also tons of entertainment, such as dancing and music from various cultures. It takes place July 30, 31 and August 1, 2016, so don't miss out!
Gallagher Park
9411 97 Ave NW, Edmonton AB T6C 4N4The hill in Gallagher Park lights up with thousands of candles as dusk settles over the throngs of music lovers camped in the grass for the Edmonton Folk Music Festival. Acts big and small take over the stage and play for a full weekend of folk music. Getting tickets can be nearly impossible but once you’re in, you can try your luck with the lottery system to get first dibs on seating or simply settle in wherever there’s a spot on the hill. The 2016 edition takes place August 4 to 7.
Fringe Theatre Adventures Society
10330 84 Ave NW, Edmonton AB T6E 2G9For 11 days every summer, more than 1,200 performers take over multiple venues in Edmonton to bring about 1,600 Fringe shows to Edmonton. The festival, which has a different theme every year, attracts talent and audiences from around the world. The 35th Edmonton International Fringe Theatre Festival runs August 11 to 21, 2016.
Borden Park
7507 Borden Park Rd, Edmonton AB T5B 4W8Tegan and Sara. Serene Rider. Jack White. These are just some of the awesome talent that has appeared on stage at the alternative rock festival Sonic Boom. Every year, for three days, music loud enough to split your eardrums takes over Borden Park. But it’s so good, you won’t mind. This festival will take you back to your head-banging youth. Taking place September 3 and 4, 2016, this year's acts include The Lumineers, Vance Joy, Wintersleep, Twenty One Pilots and Halsey.
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