We curated a list of fun summer activities in Edmonton for families to get out and enjoy!
Part-one of our Summer To-Do List involves family-friendly events and activities in and around the Edmonton area! School is officially out and we have many summer days ahead of us. What’s better than getting outside, taking a break from the screens, and making some memories?!
Visit the many festivals in our city
Sand on Whyte:
Seven sand carvings, created by professional sand carving artists, explore the emotions of Love, Joy, Pride, Hope, Fear, Stress, and Vanity. Enjoy tasty treats by Ohana Donuts or Blue Giraffe Creamery. Sand Box lessons for daycare and summer camp groups are offered in July (must register). Find more information here.
Street Performer Festival:
Unicyclists, puppeteers, and acrobats unleash their outlandish street theatre acts during ten lively summer days. Don’t forget to bring a couple of coins to pass out to your favorite performers! Located at 8303-104 street (between Gateway Blvd and Calgary Trail) Old Strathcona. Find more information here.
K-Days:
Carnival rides and games, live performances, and delicious food trucks for the entire family. Find more information here.
Interstellar Rodeo:
A music festival for the entire family where kids under 12 get in free. Enjoy the music of Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats, Sharon Van Etten, Aloe Blacc, and many more. This mellow festival in William Hawrelak Park takes place Friday evening and all day Saturday and Sunday. Find more information here.
Taste of Edmonton Festival:
Try out the delicious eats from Edmonton’s top culinary artists. Sample-sized portions of food are available for 3 tickets (on average), this is your chance to experience some new foods. There will be many live performances and a kids corner. Located at the Edmonton Legislature Grounds. Find more information here.
Edmonton Heritage Festival:
Enjoy the tastes, smells, sights and sounds from 100 countries and cultures at 71 outdoor pavilions. Sample food, watch performances and learn about Canada’s multiculturalism. Located in William Hawrelak Park. Find more information here.
Fairy-Berry Festival:
Anyone can join the fun to win a Prairie Gardens and Adventure Farm Annual Family Pass but the “wee kiddies” under 5 dressed as fairies, pirates, and knights receive free admission to the farm. A weekend filled with fairies, pirates, homemade berry shortcake, folk music, and maze adventures in the Mindbender and Kidz Corn Mazes. Find more information here.
56311 Lily Lake Road Bon Accord, AB T0A 0K0
Alberta Open Farm Days:
Alberta Open Farm Days is a province-wide event for foodies, farmers and families. Albertans are encouraged to come to meet their rural neighbours to share stories, see demonstrations, and learn more about the farmers who grow their food. Admission is free, though some farms may charge for extras, like corn mazes or wine tastings. Find more information here.
Explore nature in surrounding Edmonton farms and parks
Prairie Garden: Out on the farm there are so many activities. You can U-Pick (strawberry season starts mid-July), walk through the nature trails and garden centre, participate in farm activities, or go to one of their day trip summer camps! There are over 50 activities to do at the farm; it’s worth 40-minute car ride! Find more information here.
56311 Lily Lake Road Bon Accord, AB T0A 0K0
Prairie Berry Farm: A you-pick berry farm located east of Sherwood Park. They are a non-certified organic grower specializing in saskatoon berries, they have raspberries, haskaps, and currants. Find more information here.
51220 Range Rd 213, Sherwood Park, AB T8G 1G1
Jurassic Forest: Journey down the Discovery Trails and meet massive and majestic herbivores such as Stegosaurus and Triceratops, while sneaking past lethal predators including Tyrannosaurus rex and Spinosaurus. An easy walk along the path with many cool dinosaurs to keep the kids engaged. There is a sandy play area in the middle of the two trails and even a mini-golf putting course which makes it fun for the entire family. Approximately a 40-minute drive from Edmonton to Gibbons. Find more information here.
2-23210, Township Road 564, Gibbons, Alberta
New Edmonton Urban Farm: Located in the Edmonton Valley Zoo, you will find an indoor/outdoor farm filled with piglets, goats, lambs, ponies, and much more. Find more information here.
Elk Island National Park: A short drive out of the city, the perfect place to hike, bike, camp, stargaze, picnic, and have a beach day. You may even see the buffalos wandering around. Find more information here.
Feel like we missed something? Let us know!
Email ksklar@endstategroup.ca