Edmonton 
Experience one of a kind family festival at St. Albert, Alberta. The largest of its kind in North America, International Children’s Festival of the Arts returns to the heart of St. Albert.
From a mystical make-believe paper world, to zany sing-alongs and high-energy dance jams, the whole family can enjoy world-class programming in music, dance and theatre as well as literary, visual and circus arts from May 28 to June 2, 2019.
Here are 25 of the best things to do at the festival:
- Venture into a into a wild woodland unlike any other as theatre and play collide in Paper
Planet. Australia’s Polyglot Theatre combines an immersive theatre performance with
interactive art installation for a unique theatrical experience out of this world. - Powwow dance, hoop dance and Métis jigging are beautiful expressions of Indigenous Peoples’ rich history and culture. Nimihitowin! will mesmerize audiences with dramatic dancing, spectacular regalia and the subtle beauty of Native American flute songs.
- As seen on GoNoodle Network, it’s a Koo Koo Kanga Roo dance-along comedy party! Kids will move their feet to catchy pop tunes and infectious beats in an interactive show jam- packed with zany sing-alongs and high-energy dance-jams about ninjas, dinosaurs, slumber parties and, of course, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches!
- Created by Kalabanté Productions, an African/Québécois circus troupe, Won’Ma Africa is a colourful creation of daring acrobatics and African dance and music. Watch in wonder as skilled acrobats, dancers, and musicians perform authentic choreography and physical storytelling to frantic rhythms.
- Witness astounding feats of hand balancing, plate spinning, artistic cycling, foot juggling, ribbon dancing, yo-yo manipulation and other gravity-defying wonders as Li Liu, an award- winning and internationally renowned circus act, offers a rare glimpse into the traditions of Chinese acrobatics and culture.
- Hans Christian Andersen’s beloved tale, The Ugly Duckling, comes to life in Honk! Jr. thanks to St. Albert Children’s Theatre. This heartwarming show is a celebration of personal transformation with equal amounts of laughter and tears.
- Make objects vanish and appear, learn how to read minds, and make predictions and even get performance tips to keep audiences engaged and inspired with Shazamadoo!, presented by internationally renowned magician Malcolm Russell.
- Explore Asian folktales and The Great Wall of Stories through the humour and wit of renowned kids’ author and playwright Marty Chan.
- Embark on a whimsical adventure to a magical fairy kingdom with Fizzlewit’s Fairy Finding Tours created by award-winning, British-born performer Rupert Appleyard.
- Experience a creative explosion of cultural music and movement with the help of Beyond Bollywood presented by South Asian Arts Movement Society.
- Create your own original print using a mono-print technique and professional printing press in Printmaking A Great Impression.
- Step back in time and learn what life was like for the First Nations and Métis Peoples who called northern Alberta home with the Indigenous Peoples’ Experience presented by Fort Edmonton Park.
- Bring French-Canadian culture and history to life with Les Bûcherons (The Lumberjacks) where kids hear stories through the eyes of the voyageurs and explorers, learn to play hand- crafted musical wooden spoons and puppets, and dance to traditional music.
- Re-purpose a variety of materials including fabric, beads and yarn to create a small woven wall hanging in Dream Weaving.
- Experience the Sturgeon River on a Voyageur Canoe Tour in a special weekend workshop presented by Haskin Canoe. This guided return trip to Big Lake will take eager explorers on a journey along the historic waterway that helped establish our vibrant city over 150 years ago.
- Go on a a hands-on drumming discovery with Moo-vin To The Rhythm.
- Try Code Quest, an exploration of programming language, logic and design presented by the University of Alberta’s DiscoverE initiative.
- Let kids try their hand at creating a small, collaged house that reflects their personal identity, culture or background at Diversity In Structure, presented by the Art Gallery of St. Albert.
- Join for let’s And The Rush Is On!, presented by St. Albert’s Musée Héritage Museum, includes everything from making a mineral deposit with coloured sand to exploring a rock collection and, of course, a scavenger hunt!
- Have a toddler with you? Explore Alberta Blue Cross Toddler Town is truly a festival-within-a-festival! This community-inspired munchkin metropolis is a one-stop shop that features storytelling, musical performances, crafts, self-guided sensory bins, an active fun zone, as well as a quiet space for nursing moms, diaper change area and lots of stroller parking!
- Enjoy free live entertainment at TD Outdoor Stage.
- Capture memories at the ENMAX Photo Booth, watch a short film thanks to our friends at the National Film Board, get an airbrush tattoo, play with the Education Station team,
- Experience the Steinhauer granite sculptures, create clever masterpieces in the Timbits Open Art Studio and snarl your way through secret passages in Maze Craze!
- Devour pancakes during hearty Optimist Toonie Pancake Breakfast from 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at St. Albert Place Front Plaza on June 1.
- Have fun at the “pay what you can” Pajama Party Variety Show from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at The Arden Theatre on June 1. Talented artists from Feature Performances Koo Koo Kanga Roo, Won’Ma Africa and Li Liu offer a colourful glimpse of what’s in store on Sunday.
TRIP PLANNING
Dates: May 28 to June 2, 2019.
Festival site hours: Tuesday to Friday 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Saturday & Sunday 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Venue: Various Venues, St. Albert
Tickets: Free & Ticketed events.
Individual Feature Performance and Workshop tickets are $15 each. Babies under two years of age are admitted at no charge when seated on an adult’s lap for Feature Performances only.
Kids four years old and younger can experience Alberta Blue Cross Toddler Town for as low as $10; adults and infants 0-12 months are free.
$25 Kids Butterfly Pass, valid Saturday, June 1 and Sunday, June 2 only, includes one ticket to a Feature Performance (must be selected at time of purchase; adult tickets purchased separately), unlimited Workshops and admission to Alberta Blue Cross Toddler Town.
How to get tickets?
Tickets may be purchased from The Arden Theatre Box Office in person, at 5 St. Anne Street, or by phone at 780-459-1542.
Tickets are also available at all Ticketmaster locations, online at ticketmaster.ca, or through Ticketmaster at 1-855-985-5000.
Parking:
Limited Parking.
Free Park-and-Ride service is available and strongly recommended for all attendees.
The Festival shuttle bus departs from the St. Albert Centre Bus Exchange (located beside St. Albert Mall) every 15 minutes as follows: Tuesday, May 28 to Friday, May 31 from 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; Saturday, June 1: 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.; Sunday, June 2: 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.