From Food Trucks to Folk Music: Edmonton’s Top 5 Festivals This Summer
If you're visiting Edmonton in the summer, you’ve picked the right time. Around here, we don’t just celebrate the season — we pack it with festivals, parades, food trucks, and some of the best live entertainment in the country.
Seriously, there are more festivals than weeks in the year. And if you're staying at the Renaissance Edmonton Airport Hotel and wondering what to check out while you're here, I've got you covered. Here are my top five picks for a fun, local experience you won’t forget:
Photo Credit: Taste of Edmonton
1. Taste of Edmonton
📅 July 17–27, 2025
📍Sir Winston Churchill Square
This one’s for the foodies. Picture over 50 local restaurants and food trucks, 170+ dishes to sample, and live music to keep things lively. It’s the ultimate summer tasting tour — all in one spot.
Geraldine’s Tip: Go in the evening when the music picks up and the square lights up. The vibe is unbeatable.
2. K-Days
📅 July 18–27, 2025
📍Edmonton EXPO Centre Grounds
If you’re in the mood for non-stop fun, K-Days is a must. Think: rollercoasters, concerts, fair food, midway games, and fireworks. It’s big, bold, and full of energy. Whether you’re five or fifty, there’s something here that’ll make you feel like a kid again.
Pro Tip: Don’t skip the mini donuts. Trust me.
3. Edmonton Folk Music Festival
📅 August 7–10, 2025
📍Gallagher Park
This one’s a classic. What started in 1980 with just one staff member and a few hundred volunteers is now one of the biggest folk festivals in the world. You’ll hear incredible music in a scenic river valley setting — bring a blanket, grab a drink, and settle in.
Geraldine’s Tip: Take the hill route for a sunset view you’ll never forget.
4. Cariwest Caribbean Arts Festival
📅 August 8–10, 2025
📍Sir Winston Churchill Square
Photo Credit: Cariwest
Need a burst of colour, culture, and energy? This year marks 41 years of Cariwest bringing carnival vibes to Edmonton, and it just won a Cultural Experience Award at the Edmonton Tourism Awards 2025 for good reason.
Catch the iconic Cariwest Parade as the streets fill with colourful costumes, Caribbean music, and joyful energy. After the parade, head to Churchill Square, where the Caribbean Village comes alive with authentic food, rum and beer gardens, island vendors, and live performances on the Cariwest Stage.
Don't Miss: The Cariwest Parade on Saturday — it’s loud, joyful, and full of life.
5. Edmonton International Fringe Theatre Festival
📅 August 14–24, 2025
📍Old Strathcona
This 11-day theatre festival is the largest of its kind in North America — and it’s an absolute experience. You’ll find outdoor performances, food trucks, beer gardens, and hundreds of indie shows happening across the city.
First time Fringing? Pick up the official guide (out July 30), or ask a local — we’ve all got a show to recommend.
Ready to Explore?
From live music to deep-fried treats, bold theatre to bold costumes, Edmonton’s summer festivals are the real deal.
If you’ve got a day off during your stay at the Renaissance, take a drive downtown, explore a new neighborhood, and dive into the energy of the city. There's something different happening every weekend — and who knows, you might just stumble into your favorite summer memory.