Festival season is in full swing! Check out these summer events taking place all over Edmonton.
June 14-July 10: Freewill Shakespeare in the Park
Freewill Shakespeare in the Park is still going on! This is a month-long event that takes place at the Heritage Amphitheater. Artists and organizers put on contemporary, innovative plays by William Shakespeare to make his work more accessible. Whether you’ve never seen a Shakespeare play or you’re a seasoned theatre enthusiast, you will find something to love about these productions. This year, they are presenting A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Measure for Measure.
July 6-10: Grindstone Comedy Festival
The 3rd annual Grindstone Comedy Festival showcases stand-up, sketch, and improv comedians at indoor and outdoor venues across West Ritchie, Old Strathcona, and the French Quarter. The event features both local and nationally recognized comedians, from people like Che Durena from Just for Laughs to God is a Scottish Drag Queen. Tickets can be purchased online or in-person at the Grindstone Theatre Box Office!
July 7-10: Found Festival
Presented by Common Ground Arts Society, Found Festival is a four-day festival showcasing unconventional art and new artists of all forms – there’s everything from theatre to poetry to sound art to installation art. The premise of the Found Festival is that it brings art out of conventional venues and into the public. Check out the website for the schedule.
July 8-10: Whyte Ave Art Walk
The Whyte Ave Art Walk is this weekend on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 10am to 5pm. Visual artists, mostly from Edmonton, will be showcasing and selling their art all along Whyte Avenue! Plus there tends to be a lot of friendly dogs at this event! Come down with some friends to purchase some art, support local artists, and check out the food and shops on Whyte Ave while you’re at it.
July 8-17: The Works Art and Design Festival + Edmonton International Street Performers Festival
This year, The Works Festival and the International Street Performers Festival are merging to create a hybrid arts event in Churchill Square! This event will showcase visual and performance art alongside music and fun for the whole family. There will be exhibits, large installations, workshops, and of course street performances. The event is free, and is one of the largest free outdoor arts events in North America, but we encourage you to bring some cash to support the artists!
July 13-23: Improvaganza
Hosted by Rapid Fire Theatre just off Whyte Ave, Improvaganza is a ten-day improv and sketch comedy festival featuring acts from all across North America. Check out the website for a list of shows and to get your tickets!
July 16-17: Africarnival
Africarnival is a cultural festival celebrating diverse cultures from across Africa. There will be food, fashion shows, dance performances, and art for two days of family-friendly fun! Come to Louise McKinney Park to check out the festivities.
July 21-31: Taste of Edmonton
Taste of Edmonton is Edmonton’s annual festival showcasing the great food from around the city. Known as one of the largest food festivals in Western Canada, there will be over 50 vendors to choose from! Try some new food while enjoying performances at one of the largest free outdoor concerts in Canada. The event runs from 11am to 11pm every day in Churchill square.
July 22-31: K-Days
Edmonton’s iconic annual midway is returning again this summer. Enjoy the rides, food, vendors, and awesome performances over the ten days! Some concerts are free with a purchase of admission, and this year’s lineup has some great acts (spoiler: Marianas Trench is playing on the 30th)! There’s everything from kids events, like SuperDogs: Pawvengers and petting zoos, to motorcycle shows. Finish off the day with some fireworks! Check out the website for information on everything going on.
July 22-24: Edmonton Carnaval
Edmonton Carnaval will take place at the Alberta Avenue Community League. There is a ticketed event on Friday, and the Saturday and Sunday events are free. There will be a Frida Kahlo tribute, dancing, art, and food vendors. This is an all-ages event for the whole family!
July 28 – July 31: World Music Week
Part of Heritage Festival, World Music Week brings together local, national, and international musicians to lead us up to the iconic annual cultural festival. The event will take place over four days at the Hawrelak Amphitheatre. Admission is free on Thursday, while the shows on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday have a small ticket fee. Check out the website for the lineup and more information!
July 30-Aug 1: Edmonton Heritage Festival
Edmonton’s annual Heritage Festival is taking place once again in its long-term home in Hawrelak Park! The park will be undergoing renovations in the near future, so this might be one of the last Heritage Fests at Hawrelak Park for the next few years. Don’t miss it! There will be food, culture, and music galore.
July 30-31: Disco in the Park
Presented by SWEAT and The GrindStone Theatre, the second annual Disco in the Park will be taking place at Louise McKinney park from 2 PM to 10 PM. There will also be separately ticketed afterparty events at venues around town and a pre-party on Friday night. The event is not free; a link to purchase tickets is on the website. Check out the lineup and afterparties on the website.
Written by Jessica Frankiewicz
Advertising and Promotions Coordinator | CJSR 88.5 FM