1. Sand on Whyte | Through July 10
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!
Old Strathcona | NE Corner of Whyte Ave. & Gateway Blvd.
2. Edmonton International Street Performers Festival | July 8 – 17
You never know who you’ll run in to when roving artists take to the streets for a variety of shows featuring magic, comedy, puppets, juggling, storytelling, music, fire, and more! Most performances are free, although donations for the performers are encouraged.
Sir Winston Churchill Sq. | 102 Ave. & 100 St. | 780-944-7740
3. Seven Music Festival | July 9
Located in the beautiful Seven Hills of Mission Park, this young music festival will feature performances from amazing up-and-coming acts, including Walk Off the Earth, Dear Rouge, and The Elwins.
Seven Hills (Mission Park) | 15 Mission Ave., St. Albert
4. Freewill Shakespeare Festival | Through July 17
Local theatre troupe the Freewill Players perform their Shakespeare double feature in Edmonton’s beautiful river valley. This year, the festival has programmed a summer of love with Romeo & Juliet and Love’s Labour’s Lost.
Hawrelak Park | 9930 Groat Rd.
5. Taste of Edmonton | July 21 – 30
Dozens of chefs from restaurants all over the city serve up sample-sized portions of their popular dishes, and a few custom creations, too. Sample a variety of delicious food, wine, and beer in a vibrant outdoor setting while enjoying live music performances, cooking demonstrations, and food pairing workshops. The festival includes the Canadian Food Championships (July 22 – 24), which determines who will be part of Team Canada at the World Food Championships.
Sir Winston Churchill Sq. | 102 Ave. & 100 St. | 780-944-7740
6. Interstellar Rodeo | July 22 – 24
Sam Roberts Band, Lord Huron, The Strumbellas, and Whitehorse headline this music festival that showcases folk, country, blues, bluegrass, gospel, and rock talents from the Six Shooter Record Label.
Hawrelak Park | 9930 Groat Rd. | 780-442-5311
7. K-Days | July 22 – 31
This lively carnival kicks off with a parade and follows with a fun-filled week of live entertainment, midway games, thrilling rides, unique food, chuck-wagon races, and extravagant nightly fireworks. Tom Cochrane, Finger Eleven, Tim Hicks, and other musical acts are part of this year’s free concert series. For the first year, K-Days and the Confederacy of Treaty No. 6 will host a traditional Pow Wow with First Nations communities from across Canada.
Northlands | 7300-116 Ave. | 780-471-7210
8. Heritage Festival | July 30 – August 1
This lively, outdoor festival showcases different cultural and ethnic backgrounds with culinary delicacies, creative performances, shopping for crafts, artwork, and clothing, and the opportunity to talk with people eager to tell you a little about their cultural roots and their present-day communities in Canada.
Hawrelak Park | 9930 Groat Rd. | 780-442-5311
9. Big Valley Jamboree | July 28 – 31
Put on your cowboy hat and join a lively, enthusiastic crowd for this outdoor country music extravaganza that features a series of performances from top country artists, including Dierks Bentley, Blake Shelton, and Carrie Underwood. The concert takes place in Camrose, which is about a one-hour drive from Edmonton.
Camrose | 780-672-0224
