Summer weekend in Edmonton
How locals do summer in Edmonton — patios, beaches, festivals and the long-evening rituals that only happen in July and August.
Top spots in Edmonton
Ice Castles
FamilyHawrelak Park
Hand-built ice tunnels and slides.
Muttart Conservatory
FamilyCloverdale
Four glass pyramids of biomes overlooking downtown.
Silver Skate Festival
FamilyHawrelak Park
Skating, snow sculptures, fire performers.
Elk Island National Park
OutdoorsEast
Bison roam free 35 minutes from downtown.
River Valley
OutdoorsCentral
North America's largest urban park — 160 km of trails.
104 Street Market
Food & DrinkDowntown
Saturday street market with prairie producers.
Whyte Avenue
NightlifeOld Strathcona
Patios, vintage shops, live venues block after block.
Where to eat
Bündok
$$$Modern Canadian · 104 St
Open kitchen, tight menu, James Beard nominee.
Continental Treat
$$Polish-European · Whyte Ave
Pierogi and schnitzel since the '80s.
Padmanadi
$$Vegan Indo-Asian · Central
Cult-favourite plant-based feast.
RGE RD
$$$Hyper-local Albertan · 124 St
Whole-animal, farm-to-plate.
Live & on stage
Edmonton Folk Music Festival
Gallagher Park · Aug 7–10 · Folk
Edmonton Fringe
Old Strathcona · Aug 14–24 · Theatre
Edmonton International Jazz Fest
Various · Jun 20–29 · Jazz
K-Days
Northlands · Jul 18–27 · Pop / Midway
Frequently asked
- Standouts right now: River Valley, Whyte Avenue, Elk Island National Park. The shortlist is curated by people who live in Edmonton and refreshed regularly so it reflects what's actually open and worth your time.