The Fringe is back in Old Strathcona and it has the whole weekend to fill. Around it: a free heritage festival downtown, the Servus Marathon on Sunday, and both Saturday farmers' markets running as usual. Twelve things worth leaving the house for, plus the standing favourites that are a safe bet in any weather.
Edmonton International Fringe Theatre Festival
Festival
North America's oldest and largest fringe runs August 13 to 23 across Old Strathcona. Buy a program, pick two or three shows, and leave time to just wander the grounds. Park at a Whyte Avenue-area lot early or take the LRT to University and walk down, because street parking near the site is gone by early afternoon.
When: Thursday to Sunday, August 13 to 16 (runs to August 23)
Where: Old Strathcona, around Dr. Wilbert McIntyre Park, 8330 104 Street NW
Cost: Grounds free to wander; individual shows around $15
Old Strathcona Farmers' Market
Free
Saturday morning off Whyte Avenue, and it is indoors, so a wet forecast does not matter. There is free customer parking in the lot across Gateway Boulevard during market hours, which most people miss while circling Whyte for twenty minutes. Get there before 10 a.m. if you actually want produce, and it is a five-minute walk from the Fringe.
When: Saturday, August 15, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: 10310 83 Avenue NW
Cost: Free entry
Instagram: @strathconamarket
Muslim Heritage Festival
Festival
A free community festival at Sir Winston Churchill Square with food, family activities, and cultural displays in the heart of downtown. Easy to pair with the City Market a couple of blocks away, or a walk to City Hall. Come hungry and bring cash for the food stalls.
When: Saturday, August 15
Where: Sir Winston Churchill Square, 99 Street and 102A Avenue NW
Cost: Free entry
City Market Downtown
Free
An open-air street market of 35 or more vendors down 104 Street, and it is dog friendly. It is a short walk from the Churchill LRT station, so it pairs with anything else you are doing downtown on Saturday before the crowds head to the Fringe.
When: Saturday, August 15, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: 104 Street NW, between Jasper Avenue and 102 Avenue
Cost: Free entry
Fort Edmonton Park
Heritage
Canada's largest living history museum runs an 1846 fur trade fort through to a 1920s street. Ride the streetcar to the far end and walk back toward the entrance rather than the other way around, which is how most people run out of steam by 1920 Street. Check the site for daily hours before you drive out.
When: Open through the weekend, Friday to Sunday, August 14 to 16
Where: 7000 143 Street NW
Cost: Adult admission around $27.90
Instagram: @fortedmontonpark
Muttart Conservatory
Family
Four glass pyramids, air conditioned, and small enough that a toddler can do the whole thing without a stroller meltdown. This is the rain plan for the weekend, and the feature pyramid changes with the season. A quick one to fold into a river valley afternoon.
When: Friday to Sunday, August 14 to 16, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: 9626 96A Street NW
Cost: Adults $14.95, youth and seniors $12.95, children 2 to 12 $7.75
Servus Edmonton Marathon
Sports
The full marathon, half, 10K, and 5K wind through the city and river valley on Sunday morning. Even if you are not running, the route and finish line make a good place to cheer. Check road closures before you drive Sunday, because a lot of the core is affected.
When: Sunday, August 16, from early morning
Where: Downtown and river valley, start and finish near the Shaw Conference Centre area
Cost: Free to watch; registration through the event
Cycle for Autism Edmonton
Community
A family bike ride and fundraiser for Autism Edmonton, with route options for different ages and abilities. Bring your own bike and helmet. Gold Bar Park has plenty of parking and connects to the river valley trails if you want to keep riding afterward.
When: Sunday, August 16
Where: Gold Bar Park, 10925 50 Street NW
Cost: Registration or pledge through Autism Edmonton
Tee Time on the Plaza
Free
Free pop-up mini golf right downtown at Centennial Plaza. A quick, low-commitment stop if you are already heading to the Fringe or the market, and a good one for restless kids on a Friday afternoon.
When: Friday, August 14, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Where: Centennial Plaza, 9820 107 Street NW
Cost: Free
TELUS World of Science Edmonton
Family
Hands-on science exhibits, a planetarium, and a big-screen theatre, all indoors. Another solid rain plan, and enough to fill a half day with kids. Buy timed tickets online to skip the counter lineup on a busy weekend.
When: Open through the weekend, Friday to Sunday, August 14 to 16
Where: 11211 142 Street NW
Cost: See website for admission
Arts
Local artists open up along the street in one of Edmonton's prettiest older neighbourhoods. Browse, buy, and take in the character homes while you are at it. Easy to combine with a bite on 112 Avenue.
When: Saturday, August 15
Where: Highlands neighbourhood, around 112 Avenue and 62 Street NW
Cost: Free
KidsFringe at the Fringe grounds
Family
The Fringe's dedicated family zone runs on the outdoor site with hands-on activities, crafts, and shows for younger kids. It gives children their own piece of the festival while you are down on Whyte, and the surrounding grounds and buskers are free to enjoy.
When: Daily during the Fringe, August 14 to 16
Where: Old Strathcona Fringe grounds, 84 Avenue and 103 Street NW
Cost: Free to wander; some activities ticketed
Editor's Pick: The Fringe, and go before the weekend crowds peak. Friday afternoon and evening are calmer than Saturday, the buskers are already out, and you can wander the free grounds and catch a show or two without fighting for space. If you only do one thing in Edmonton this weekend, make it this.
Know an event we missed? Tag us @culturealberta or email hello@culturemedia.ca
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