After a June that spent most of its energy breaking century-old rainfall records, Edmonton could use a proper summer weekend, and this one delivers. Four festivals hit their final days, Whyte Avenue turns into an open-air gallery, and there are two river valley runs to choose from. Here are 12 ways to fill the next three days, most of them outside.
Whyte Avenue Art Walk
Arts
Old Strathcona's sidewalks become the gallery: painters and printmakers set up along Whyte and work while you watch, and everything you see is for sale directly from the person who made it. Go Saturday morning if you want to actually talk to artists before the afternoon crowds take over the avenue.
When: Friday to Sunday, July 10 to 12
Where: Whyte Avenue, Old Strathcona
Cost: Free to browse
Edmonton International Street Performers Festival
Festival
Last call: StreetFest wraps up Sunday after ten days of buskers taking over Churchill Square. Admission is free, but the performers work for the hat, so hit a bank machine before you go.
When: Daily through Sunday, July 12
Where: Sir Winston Churchill Square
Cost: Free (bring cash for the hat)
Found Festival
Arts
Common Ground Arts stages theatre and performance in places that were never meant to be venues: parks, alleys, and storefronts, all within walking distance of its home base at Light Horse Park. It runs the same weekend, in the same neighbourhood, as the Art Walk, so you can do both without moving your car.
When: Friday to Sunday, July 10 to 12
Where: Light Horse Park and around Old Strathcona
Cost: See website
Grindstone Comedy Festival
Arts
Two nights left in the Grindstone's annual indie comedy festival: stand-up, improv, and sketch from across the country, packed into the theatre on 81 Avenue. Saturday is closing night, and late shows at the Grindstone tend to sell out first.
When: Through Saturday, July 11
Where: Grindstone Comedy Theatre, 81 Avenue
Cost: Varies by show
Freewill Shakespeare Festival
Arts
Closing weekend for outdoor Shakespeare at the Heritage Amphitheatre, with Something Rotten! and Much Ado About Nothing running in repertory. The amphitheatre sits down in the river valley and cools off fast after sundown, so bring a layer even if the day was hot.
When: Through Sunday, July 12
Where: Heritage Amphitheatre, William Hawrelak Park
Cost: Tickets at freewillshakespeare.com
Edmonton Ice Cream Run
Sports
A run where the ice cream is the point, not the punishment afterward. It starts and ends in Kinsmen Park, which also makes it an easy one for family cheering sections.
When: Saturday, July 11
Where: Kinsmen Park
Cost: Register online
Mizuno Midsummer 5K
Sports
If a morning race isn't your thing, this one's billed as a midsummer night run through Gold Bar Park. The east-end river valley trails are some of the flattest in the city, so it's a fair pick for a first 5K.
When: Saturday, July 11
Where: Gold Bar Park
Cost: Register online
ArtWalk Pancake Breakfast
Community
Hosted by MLA Naheed Nenshi in Dr. Wilbert McIntyre Park, right in the middle of the Art Walk footprint. Start here Saturday morning, then browse the avenue while it's still quiet.
When: Saturday morning, July 11
Where: Dr. Wilbert McIntyre Park, Old Strathcona
Cost: Free
Runway Reimagined: A Goodwill Fairytale Fashion Show
Community
Goodwill puts thrifted finds on a runway with a fairytale theme. If you've ever argued that second-hand can look better than new, this is your evidence night.
When: Saturday, July 11
Where: Central Edmonton, venue details on the event page
Cost: See website
Instagram: @goodwill_ab
Tee Time on the Plaza
Community
Friday-only, downtown, and zero commitment: golf-themed drop-in programming on Centennial Plaza from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. An easy add-on if you work downtown and want your lunch break to involve a putter.
When: Friday, July 10, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Where: Centennial Plaza, downtown
Cost: Drop-in, see edmontonarts.ca
Pilates in the Park
Outdoors
Sunday sessions in Victoria Park kick off this weekend and run through August 2. Bring your own mat and water. The river valley location means you earn the view on the walk in.
When: Sundays starting July 12
Where: Victoria Park, river valley
Cost: Free
EPL Outdoor Fun at Centennial Plaza
Community
The library takes children's programming outside on Sunday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Centennial Plaza. A reliable free option if the weekend budget is already spent by Sunday.
When: Sunday, July 12, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: Centennial Plaza, downtown
Cost: Free
Know an event we missed? Tag us @culturealberta or email hello@culturealberta.com.
