Edmonton is a surprisingly lively city for an area covered in snow 6 months of the year. The summer brings many festivals into the city, and with Canada's most impressive mountain parks a half-day's drive away, Edmonton is fun year-round.

Places to go

The best place to go for general day and night life in Edmonton is Whyte (82nd) Avenue. Bounded on one end by the University of Alberta, the section of Whyte Avenue from 99th Street to 112th Street is home to many shops, restaurants, and bars, and is the most concentrated core of the city's social scene.
 • The Yardbird Suite, 11 Tommy Banks Way (Corner of 102 Street & 86 Avenue). Edmonton non-profit jazz club with acts every weekend. The Tuesday jam is $2, and has some good talent. Closed during the summer.

Recreation

Edmonton's river valley has an extensive network of trails, good for walking, biking and cross-country skiing. As you travel through the extensive stretches of linked ravines and forested areas in the river valley, at many points you can't even tell you're in a city. There are a variety of bike shops, including a non-profit bicycle co-op . You can drop in on their workshop hours and wrench your own bike for cheap. Mechanics are on hand to help and answer your questions. Bike maps are freely available at many places, such as City Hall and the University, in addition to most bike shops, eg. Revolution Cycle, United Cycle, Hardcore Mountain Bike Store  and others.

Downhill skiing

Edmonton is fairly flat, so the city's ski hills are mostly to keep the locals amused until they can get away to the Rockies. However, if you can't wait that long, Rabbit Hill is the best of the local hills.

Golf

Alberta has a keen fascination with golf, based to a great degree on the province's sunny summers, vast number of developed courses and connecting roadways, and low prices. Edmonton benefits by containing or being within a quick drive of dozens of excellent courses. Most are public, and the few private courses are not spectacular enough that you will feel you're missing much by sticking to the public courses. You can visit for a list of courses in Edmonton and the surrounding area.

In the city

 • Kinsmen Pitch'n'Putt
 • Lewis Estates Golf Club 8700 207 St.
 • Riverside 8630 Rowland Rd (in the river valley) (Public: 6306 yards, par 71) This delightful club is the most attractive of the three city-owned courses. It is heavily treed, cooler on hot summer days than most courses within an hour's drive. It takes good advantage of its placement in an elbow of the river by setting raised tee boxes and raised greens up on the high banks for several fairways.
 • Rundle Park Par Three 2909 118th Ave. (Public: 3018 yards, par 54) Another city-owned course, this executive par-three gives a surprisingly good workout. Holes range from around 100 to over 200 yards, greens are fairly small, and your shot-making ability is fairly tested. By the nature of the course, it is busy (although you can walk on almost any time): there will be waiting time on weekends, and the course is not kept to the same level of repair the other city courses are. Nevertheless, it's a great way to warm up in the spring, and a good introduction to golf if you're entertaining non-golfers.
 • Victoria 12130 River Road (in the river valley) (Public: 6027 yards, par 71)This is another city-owned public course. It's situated in the river valley a couple of minutes from downtown, and has a large driving range on site. The setting is very attractive, although the course is less treed than Riverside with a more-open feel, particularly on the back nine.

Festivals

Edmonton is home to many festivals during the spring and summer months. Highlights include:
 • Fringe Festival. August. North America's largest theater festival showcases some of the most innovative stagework to be seen anywhere in Canada. In addition to staged events, dozens of street performers mob the festival site to entertain you between shows. Great for kids and adults alike.
 • River City Shakespeare Festival, Hawrelak Park. Another summer theatre festival, this event is put on by the Free Will Players in Hawrelak Park in mid-summer. They usually put on two different plays over the course of 3 weeks. Tickets are usually around $12.
 • Blues Festival. August. Western Canada's Premier Blues Event, every August in Edmonton's scenic River Valley in Hawrelak Park at The Heritage Amphitheatre. Park ’n’ Ride service is available from the Stadium Parkade at the University of Alberta as parking is limited. Beer Garden, food vendors and the "Blues Store" are all on site. 3 days of "Blues and Nothin’ but the Blues".
 • Jazz City. June/July. International jazz festival. Many clubs open their doors to jazz musicians and fans, as well as a variety of larger concerts in the city's main halls.
 • Heritage Days. August. Hundreds of community groups converge on Hawrelak Park to celebrate Canada's diversity with cultural exhibits, dance, and food pavilions. Definitely go on an empty stomach.
 • Taste of Edmonton, Churchill Square. Several of Edmonton's finest eateries show off their wares. Coincides with Edmonton Klondike Days.
 • Folk Music Festival. This immensely popular festival sells out long before it opens, even though your ticket buys you nothing but the option to sit on a grassy hillside. World-class acts attend every year, with an emphasis on folk and roots performers but with sufficient variety to satisfy anyone - even the whole family. Hope for good weather, though: all seating is outdoors.
 • Street Performers Festival, Churchill Square. Canada's best street performers converge on Edmonton to show off their skill. Great for kids.
 • Cariwest Parade. August. Parade route ends in Churchill Square. Caribbean food, and item vendors. Parade has many wonderful costumes. This tradition comes from Trinidad and Tobago, in the Caribbean.
 • Symphony Under the Sky, a series of concerts put on by the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra. The performances take place in Hawrelak park, and consist of both classical and popular music.