Edmonton EventsIn addition to its many cultural and historic landmarks, this destination hosts a number of outstanding festivals, events and fun things to do that may coincide with your trip or vacation.
Get Outside in Summer
Edmonton offers a smorgasbord of events. Concerts, workshops, jam sessions and outdoor events characterize the Edmonton International Jazz Festival , held late June to early July. Also occurring late June to early July, The Works Art and Design Festival brings together artists and artisans at some 30 venues offering demonstrations, entertainment, exhibits and tours.
In June and July the Freewill Shakespeare Festival presents evening performances during the week and two shows on weekends at the Heritage Amphitheatre in Hawrelak Park. The Edmonton International Street Performers Festival in early July offers 6 days of free performances by street acts including magicians, clowns, jugglers, mime artists, musicians and comics at Dr. Wilbert Mcintyre Park. Attending the festival is one of the many family-friendly things to do in Edmonton.
Two music venues, several parades and midway entertainment keep the city alive with activities during Edmonton's K-Days , a 10-day celebration held in July. Kids can pan for gold and learn about the history and cultures of First Nations peoples in gold rush–themed Klondike Park. The fun comes to a close with a large fireworks display. Contact a travel advisor at your local AAA club to add this event to your vacation packages.
The Edmonton Heritage Festival in early August offers more than 70 outdoor ethnic pavilions showcasing 100 countries and cultures. Also in August is the Edmonton Folk Music Festival ; Cariwest , a Caribbean arts festival; the Edmonton Blues Festival ; the Edmonton Dragon Boat Festival ; and the Edmonton International Fringe Theatre Festival , an 11-day extravaganza of plays, dance, music, mime and street performances. The Edmonton Symphony Orchestra's 3-day Symphony Under the Sky festival takes place at William Hawrelak Park from late August to early September.
Fall and Winter Traditions in Edmonton
Post-summer events include the Edmonton International Film Festival , featuring independent short and feature-length movies from late September to early October, as well as New Year's Eve special events that are among the memorable things for couples to do.
See all the AAA recommended events for this destination.
Edmonton, AB
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Courtyard by Marriott Edmonton West10011 184th St. Edmonton, AB T5S 0C7
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Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton - Edmonton West18304 100th Ave. Edmonton, AB T5S 2V2
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Hyatt Place Edmonton-West18004 100th Ave NW. Edmonton, AB T5S 2T6
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DoubleTree by Hilton Edmonton Downtown9576 Jasper Ave NW. Edmonton, AB T5H 4H7
Book NowCity Population
812,201
Elevation
670 m/2,198 ft.
Sales Tax
The federal Goods and Service Tax is 5 percent and applies to most goods, food/beverages and services, including lodgings. Alberta does not have a provincial sales tax but does impose a 3 percent Destination Marketing Fee (DMF) as well as a 4 percent Municipal and Regional District Tax (MRDT).
Emergency
911
Police (non-emergency)
(780) 423-4567
Fire (non-emergency)
311
Temperature
(780) 468-4940
Hospitals
Grey Nuns Community Hospital, (780) 735-7000; Misericordia Community Hospital, (780) 735-2000; Royal Alexandra Hospital, (780) 735-4111; University of Alberta Hospital, (780) 407-8822.
Visitor Information
9990 Jasper Ave. N.W. West Shaw Building Edmonton, AB T5J 1P7. Phone:(780)401-7696
Air Travel
Edmonton International Airport
Rental Cars
Hertz, with offices at the airport and downtown (inside Edmonton House, 10205 100 Ave. N.W.), offers discounts to CAA and AAA members; phone (780) 890-4435 at the airport, (780) 423-3431 downtown, (800) 654-3131 in North America or (800) 654-3001 outside of North America. Contact a travel advisor at your local AAA club office to add rental cars to your travel packages.
Rail Service
The VIA Rail station is at 12360 121 St. N.W.; phone (888) 842-7245.
Buses
Red Arrow Express offers luxury motor coach service between Edmonton, Calgary, Fort McMurray and Red Deer; phone (403) 531-0350 or (800) 232-1958.
Taxis
Taxi companies include Co-Op Taxi Line, (780) 425-2525; Barrel Taxi (780) 489-7777; and Yellow Cab, (780) 462-3456. Taxi rates start at $3.60, plus $0.20 is charged for each additional 135 metres (about 1/12 mile) or a portion thereof. Taxis can be hailed, but phoning is recommended.
Public Transportation
Edmonton has both bus and light-rail transit (LRT) service. Edmonton Transit System’s Customer Service Centre, on the second floor of Edmonton Tower at 10111 104 Ave., sells ETS passes and is open Mon.-Fri. 8-4:30; phone 331 within Edmonton or (780) 442-5311. Buses operate Mon.-Fri. 5:20 a.m.-1:30 a.m., Sat.-Sun. 6:30 a.m.-1:30 a.m. On holidays hours may be extended for special events. Light-rail transit operates on a similar schedule; check the website for full schedule. Fare is $3.50; free (ages 0-12). A 1-day pass is $9.75.
As a AAA member, you'll save even more. Your AAA Travel Agent will check to see if AAA Vacations is combinable with other AAA member benefits, plus cruise and tour past passenger discounts and benefits.