

Photo Credit: Edmonton Tourism
Searching for Family Fun in and around Edmonton OR things to do for a day out with friends?
With internationally renowned festivals, concerts, nature activities, and long summer days, Edmonton is the place to be in summer.
Whether you want to gather round your pals and camp out under the starry sky, explore Edmonton’s nature or rock the night out during the many festivals – there is no shortage of things to do in Edmonton.
For weekend events, see Things to do this weekend in Edmonton
You might also like FREE Family Activities for Every Day This Summer in Edmonton, Evening Activities in Edmonton.
Contents:
1. Summer Attractions and Special Events at Attractions.(as announced by June 27, 2019)
2. Summer Activities in Edmonton
3. Summer Day Trips to Alberta Parks, Beaches Around Edmonton
4. Summer Festivals in & around Edmonton
5. Visiting Edmonton – Coupons & Discounts
I. Places to See during Summer in and around Edmonton
Whether you go on a free tour of the historic Alberta Legislature building, or decide to have fun at the many attractions in West Edmonton Mall, there are no dearth of places to explore in Edmonton.
Attractions open year round are not mentioned in the below list.
For year round attractions like Telus World of Science, Edmonton Valley Zoo, West Edmonton Mall attractions, Alberta Legislature building tours, (or if you are visiting Edmonton), see Attractions in Edmonton.
You may also like: 15 Day best of Alberta Road Trip
1. Alberta Railway Museum
See and explore a collection of railway equipment / locomotives and buildings.Go on train rides or motor car rides. Details
Victoria Day Weekend to Labour Day Weekend
Weekends ONLY | 10:00 AM- 5:00 PM
Locomotives and trains run only on long weekends and at the top of every hour from 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Speeder rides are offered on regular weekends.
24215 – 34 St. Edmonton
Phone: 780-472-6229
Adults – $10.00
Students (13-17 years) and Seniors (65+) – $8.00
Children (3-12 years) – $5.00
Children under 3 – Free
Family (2 adults plus 3 children) – $30
Train rides – $5.00 (when available)
Motor car rides – $3.00 (when available)
2. John Walter Museum
Visit the museum that tells the story of a rugged Scot from the Orkney Islands, join for hands-on experience with a different historic activities, and children can play with the toys of yesterday. Museum .
July & August: Open Saturdays & Sundays
March to November: Open Sundays
9180 Walterdale Hill NW, Edmonton.
Phone: 780-459-1528
$2
3. High Level Bridge StreetCar

Photo Credit: Edmonton Tourism
Ride the historic street car from the Strathcona Streetcar Barn to Museum Jasper Plaza and delight in the scenic views of the Saskatchewan valley. Details
Friday of May long weekend to Labour Day: Daily
Labour Day to Canadian Thanksgiving ( 2nd Monday in October ):
Friday, Saturday and Sunday only, plus Thanksgiving Monday
09:00 AM – 3:40 PM/ 04:00 PM every 40 minutes on operating days.
Till 10:00 PM during Fringe festival
~20 minute ride.
Street Car Shows: This is a must attend (bucketlist Date idea) summer concert in Edmonton. Concerts are held on select evenings from May to October.
Old Strathcona (103 Street and 85 Avenue) to the Jasper Terminus (just south of Jasper Avenue and west of 109 Street). Stops include 107 Street, 90 Avenue and 97 Avenue.
Phone:780-437-772
Return Fare (6+): $7.00
Family: $25.00
4. Father Lacombe Chapel Provincial Historic Site
Visit Alberta’s oldest standing log building(1861) constructed by Father Albert Lacombe and his Métis helpers, see the handcrafted adoring angels on the crypts,Mission bells made in France in late 1800s, and take a guided tour through the chapel and the historic Mission Hill site. Details
May 15 to Labour Day (1st Monday in September)
Daily from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Special Events 2019
Oh Canada!: July 1 | 11:00 AM. to 4:00 PM
A Taste of the Past: Sunday, July 21 | noon to 4:00 PM
Mission Hill Day: Sunday, August 11 | noon to 4:00 PM
Mission Hill, 2 St. Vital Avenue, St. Albert
Phone: 780-459-7663
By Donation.
6.Grain Elevator Museums
A reminiscent of Alberta’s golden agricultural past, these distinctive wooden structures that once dotted Alberta’s skyline teach valuable history lessons and about how a vibrant community grew around a grain elevator.
St Albert Grain Elevator Museum
Victoria Day to Labour Day.
Wednesday – Sunday | 10:00 – 5:00 PM and on Heritage Day.
Food Trucks:Friday, August 30 | 04:00 to 08:00 PM
4 Meadowview Drive, St Albert
Phone: 780-419-7354
Spruce Grove Grain Elevator Museum
May 1st – September 30 | 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM, from Tuesday – Saturday.
Special Events: 2019
Flapjacks at The Tracks: Saturday, July 20, 2019 | 12:00PM — 4:00PM
Farm and Heritage Carnival: Saturday, Aug 17, 2019 | 12:00PM — 4:00PM
120 Railway Avenue, South of Highway 16A, Spruce Grove
Phone: 780-960-4600
By Donation.
7. The Stony Plain & Parkland Pioneer Museum
Treat yourselves to delicious pies, mouthwatering soups in the Tea house and learn about the history and life in Alberta towns. Tour the grounds, see historic buildings and artifacts, experience the life during the depression era of the ‘30’s. Details
April – October 31, 2019
Special Events 2019:
July 1 – Canada Day
August 2 – 4 – Blueberry Bluegrass Festival
August 16 – 18 – Cowboy Gathering
5120 – 41 Avenue, Stony Plain
Phone: 780-963-1234
By Donation
8. Ukrainian Cultural Village
Explore the living Ukrainian history museum that depicts the life in Canada’s oldest Ukrainian settlements. Learn how life was once and tour historical buildings including a sod house, and three churches of Eastern Byzantine Rite. Details
May long weekend to Labour Day | 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM – Daily
Special Events 2019:
Ukrainian Day: Sunday, August 18 |10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Harvest of the Past: Sunday, September 8 | 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
GPS:53.568431, -112.795901
25 minutes or 50 km (30 miles) east of Edmonton along Highway 16, just 3 km (1.8 miles) east of Elk Island National Park.
Phone: 780-662-3640
Adult (18 to 64 years) $15.00
Senior (65 and over) $13.00; Youth (7 to 17 years) $10.00
Child (6 years and under) FREE; Family : $40.00
9. Edmonton Corn Maze
Have fun getting lost at the creatively designed maze and create unforgettable memories. Ride the grain train, pet the farm animals, test your muscle power through the pedal car race and have an aMAZEing summer. Details
July 25 – September 22, 2019 : Daily.
September 24 – October 20: Tuesday to Sunday.
Weather dependent.
53.453453,-113.731663
Phone: 780-554-4540
General Admission: $13.00
Child (Aged 5-11): $10.00
Child (under 5): Free
10. Prairie Gardens & Adventure Farm
Enjoy a day at the farm, the maze, get fresh heirloom vegetables and fruits and enjoy traditional family fun activities. Details
April to November 1st weekend. Hours Vary depending on the season.
Special Events 2019:
Range Road Gourmet “Farm to Fork” Dinners: Various Dates
Fairy-Berry Festival | August Long Weekend
Open Farm Days | August 18th
Sweet Corn Fest | Labour Day Long Weekend
56311 Lily Lake Road, Bon Accord; 25 Km north of Edmonton, Alberta.
Phone: 780.921.2272
Youth: $$13.65 to $15 + GST
Adult: $17.85 to $19 + GST
11. St Albert Botanical Park
Experience the beauty of native plants and enjoy a day at the garden delighting in the arrays of roses, lilacs, daylilies, Asiatic lilies, peonies, and lilacs. Botanical Park.
Best time to Visit: May to September | Sunrise to Sunset.
265 Sturgeon Road in St. Albert.
Phone: 780-458-7163
Free
12. U of A Botanic Garden
Check out the new Aga Khan Gardens! Have an idyllic time in the Kurimoto Japanese garden and Native Peoples garden. See the fluttering butterflies in the tropical green house, and take a relaxing walk along the meandering paths lined with rose, peony, lilac and lily collections. Special family events and date nights are also held at the gardens during the operating season. Details.
June 29 – Sept 2, 2019 | 10:00 AM – 06:00 PM;
Special Events 2019:
Date Night Thursdays: Thursdays, June 13 to August 29, 2019 | 6pm till dusk. Admission until 8:30 pm. Garden stays open until dusk.
Opera al Fresco:Friday, July 5 | 7:00 PM
Canada Day Celebrations: July 1 | 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Perseids Pyjama Party: August 9 | 8 pm to midnight
GPS: 53.407574,-113.759706
5 kms north of Devon on Highway 60. Located in Parkland County.within 30 minutes of downtown Edmonton.
Phone: 780-987-3054. Ext – 2243
Adult $18.00
Senior (age 65+) $12.25
Youth (age 13-17) $9.00
Student (with ID) $9.00
Child (age 3-12) $4.75
Child (age 2 & under) Free
Half-Price Admission: First Tuesday of every month
13. Jurassic Forest
Take a trip back in time and discover the world of dinosaurs. Dig for fossils, ride a triceratops and learn about the land before time. Details

Credit: Jurassic Forest
May 1 – Thanksgiving Weekend | 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM
2-23210, Township Road 564, Gibbons
3 kilometres north of the town of Gibbons, AB, 1 kilometre west of Highway 28 on Township Road 564, close to the Goose Hummock Golf Resort.
GPS: 53.8626510, -113.3243180
Phone: 780-470-2446
Child (3-12) $10
Youth (13-17) $12
Senior (60+) $12
Adult $15
Family (2 adults & 2 children) $45
14. Snow Valley Aerial Park

Photo Credit: Snow Valley Aerial Park
Have fun at the aerial park built on the theme of Edmonton’s River Valley. Elements include a ski bridge, snowboard balance bridge, picnic table, bicycle, plus a few surprises. Details
May 18 to June 27:
Thursday and Fridays | 3:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Saturdays and Sundays, Statutory Holidays | 9:00 PM to 9:00 PM
June 28 to September 2
Monday to Sunday | 9:00 AM to 9:00 AM
Snow Valley Aerial Park
119 Whitemud Dr NW, Edmonton
OVER 140CM (+ 4′ 7″) tall: $37.00 to $42.00
UNDER 140CM (- 4′ 7″) tall:$24.00 to $29.00
15. Sundance Balloons
Experience Alberta’s capital city with a view unlike any other by booking a hot air balloon ride!
May to the end of September. Weather dependent (flights can get cancelled at the last moment too)
Various locations Edmonton – depending on wind conditions
Starts at $250.00
II. Summer Activities in Edmonton
1. Outdoor Pools & Spray Parks

Credit: gh3* – Borden Natural Swimming Pool
Edmonton and area has over 75 spray parks and outdoor pools to help you cool off. Edmonton also boasts of Canada’s first public, man-made, natural swimming pool – Borden Natural Swimming Pool.
See here for Spray parks and outdoor pools in Edmonton.
Borden Natural Swimming Pool, 7615 Borden Park Road NW:
June 28 – September 3, 2019 (Weather Dependent) | 11:30 AM-7:30 PM
St Albert: Woodlands Water Play Park; and Grosvenor Outdoor Pool
Strathcona County: Spray Parks
Spruce Grove: Spray Parks
2. Walking tours
Follow the ‘Red Brick Road’ and do the heritage trail from McDonald Hotel (SE corner of Jasper Avenue and 100 Street Centre) to Alberta Legislature grounds. There are four heritage tours/ walking tours that you can do own your own to explore downtown Edmonton. – See here for more information.
If you are interested in historical do it yourself tours, see
- Strathcona historical walking and driving tour
- District of Oliver walking and driving tours
- Highlands District walking tours
Guided Historic Walking Tours – St Albert
2019 DATES
Downtown Tours
Thursday, July 11 and Thursday, August 15; Meet at the Little White School at 6:30 pm.
Riverside Tours
Thursday, July 18 and Thursday, August 22; Meet at the Little White School at 6:30 pm.
Mission Hill Tours
Wednesday, June 26 and Wednesday, August 7; Meet at the Father Lacombe Chapel at 6:30 pm.
“Lots” on the Land Tours
Thursday, July 25 and Thursday, September 5; Meet at the St. Albert Grain Elevator Park train station at 6:30 pm.
Edmonton Downtown Tours:
Every summer you can discover Downtown’s colourful history, must-see landmarks and outstanding architecture on a free, guided walking tours! Details
Tours will run weekdays on mornings and Tuesday evenings.
Tours start on the historic 104 Street Promenade in the warehouse district and end at at the 101 Street Funicular.
3. Hiking & Nature tours
The activities/places listed below are DIY and Free / Low Budget.
- Take the funicular that opened during the December 2017 and explore the largest urban park system in Canada – the River Valley Park system. Explore the many trails along the river valley to enjoy nature at its finest. Funicular is free to ride and normally open 7am-9pm daily.
See here for a very handy list of activities (with rules & regulations) that can be done at the Valley including Birdwatching, Fishing, Geocaching & more.
- Strathcona Wilderness Centre offers another venue for exploring nature.
-
The 194 sq. km Elk Island National Park is a nature enthusiast’s paradise, and is one of the best spots in Alberta for wildlife watching. The trails ranging from 300 m to 16 km offer something for every member of the family. Camp for the night with kids and find the Great Bear in the sky at Beaver Hills Dark Sky Preserve.
- Sturgeon River Backpacking Tours: Rent a backpack from the Musée Héritage Museum or St. Albert Grain Elevator Park and enjoy a hike at your own pace. Backpacks are equipped with resources that will enhance your walking tour as you learn about the history and eco-system of the Sturgeon River. ($5)
Special Events & Facilities at the Elk Island National Park 2019
Park Bus:
Park Bus – Free Bus Transportation to Elk Island National Park
Elk Island National Park with Parkbus will be providing a free shuttle service from Edmonton to Elk Island National Park this summer.
The Parkbus TD Elk Island Express will operate every Saturday from June 8 to August 31, 2019 and Sundays on long weekends through the summer (June 30, August 4 and September 1).
Canada’s Birthday Celebration | July 1
Parks Day Celebration | Saturday July 20
Milky Way Day | September 1, 2019
Natural Areas
Natural Areas in and around Edmonton offer extensive network of protected areas where one can explore biological and physical diversity of Alberta. One can easily plan a ‘summer nature fun day’ (make sure that that the reserves allow picnics). Listed are few natural areas around Edmonton.
1. Sherwood Park Natural Area – Details
2. Clifford E. Lee Nature Sanctuary
Located 33 km southwest of Edmonton’s city centre, the Clifford E. Lee Nature Sanctuary protects 348 acres of marshland, open meadow, aspen parkland and pine forest. The varied habitats of the Sanctuary attract a diversity of animals, including more than one hundred bird species, and provide excellent opportunities for wildlife viewing.
Birdwatching & hiking, located in St. Albert.
Located between Edmonton and Spruce Grove.
Wagner Natural Area’s varied habitats include calcareous fens and marl ponds, willow swamps, drier coniferous and deciduous forests, creeks, and hay fields. The plants include a wide variety of ferns, several wild orchids, carnivorous plants, and mosses. Insects, amphibians, and birds and larger mammals such as white-tailed deer and moose also inhabits the area.
4. Art Walks & Mural Tours
Art Walks & Tours
July 5 to 7, 2019 | 10:00 AM – 05:00 PM at Whyte Avenue (82 Ave) from 101 Street to 108 St.
St Albert: Drive across St. Albert for a public art tour and see unique public artworks from murals to public benches. Website
St Albert Art Walk: First Thursday of every month between 6 and 8:30pm from May to September.
Mural Tours – Stony Plain
Discover Stony Plain’s renowned murals, historic sites, legendary characters and the unforgettable stories behind them that make up history of the Town with the Painted Past.
You can also go on self-guided tours or guided tours. Horse and wagon mural tours are offered in summer.
Horse and wagon tours:
Enjoy a day at the Multicultural Centre, Stony Plain complete with games for kids of all ages, popcorn, lemonade and of course – our horse and wagon tours! $10; children 6 and under are free Book early to ensure your spot.
June 22 – 10:45 am & 12:15 pm
July 6 – 10:45 am & 12:15 pm
July 20 – 10:45 am & 12:15 pm
Aug 3 – 10:45 am & 12:15 pm
Aug 17 – 10:45 am & 12:15 pm
5. Boating, Canoeing & Paddling

Photo Credit: Edmonton Queen
- Enjoy sights of downtown Edmonton on a calming cruise across North Saskatchewan River on Edmonton Riverboat. There are themed cruise nights and brunch/dinner cruises including Date Night Thursdays, River Cruise and Dinner on Fridays & Saturdays, Party Cruise on Saturdays with live music, Brunch Buffet and River Cruise on Sundays.
- Canoeing and boating provide another opportunity to explore Edmonton. Edmonton City straddles North Saskatchewan River, and offer unique ways to become one with the nature. – See here for regulations and canoe launching pads.
Canoeing North Saskatchewan River – Canoe Trip Maps
If you do not want to canoe on your own, consider joining a canoe trip by CanoeHeads or Edmonton Canoe.
If you are an Edmonton resident and want to learn canoeing this summer, the city recreation department offers courses for the entire family. United Albertan Paddling Society introduces both youth and adults to kayaking as an active lifestyle choice. There are plenty of clubs in and around Edmonton, which offer introductory lessons, and group trips.
Paddleboats
Enjoy a bright summer day with friends or family aboard a pedal boat. Pedal boats are available for rent at Hawrelak ( 9930 Groat Rd NW) and Rundle (2909 113 Ave NW) parks from late spring to end of summer.
Rundle Park & Hawrelak Park
Weekends until June 27th | Noon – 8 PM
June 28th to September 2nd | Daily Noon – 8 PM
Rates:
Paddle Boat Rental: $7.00 for 20 minutes & $10.00 for 40 minutes per person
6. Scuba Diving near Edmonton
Alberta may be a landlocked province, but there are enough opportunities for diving enthusiasts within two to three hours of driving distance. Try your hand at high altitude, cold water diving at Pyramid Lake Jasper (appropriate certification required) or see underground water parks created by Alberta scuba divers at various Alberta Lakes.
Contact or join Alberta Underwater Council (11759 Groat Road, (2nd Floor, Percy Page Centre), Edmonton. Phone: 780-427-9125, Email: info@albertaunderwatercouncil.com) to know more about diving options in Alberta.
You can also contact for classes, scuba diving events (day trips) and gear.
- The Dive Outfitters, 17826 107 Avenue, Edmonton. Phone: (780) 483-0044
- Northwest Scuba, 6815 -104 Street, Edmonton. Phone: (780) 438-1218
- Ocean Sports, 10133 – 82 Avenue, Edmonton. Phone: (780) 432-1904
- Sub Sea Experience, 6926 -104 Street, Edmonton. Phone: (780) 434-1433
7. Cheer Edmonton Home Teams
1. Edmonton Eskimos (Canadian football League) – Schedule
2. FC Edmonton (Canadian Premier League) – Schedule
3. Edmonton Prospects (Western Major Baseball League) – Schedule
4. Edmonton Stingers (Canadian Elite Basketball League) – Schedule
III. Day Trips to Beaches & Alberta Provincial Parks

Photo Credit: Edmonton Tourism
Plan a day trip or a weekend getaway to any of the following Provincial Parks or Lakes.
Accidental Beach (Cloverdale Beach): 2019 Status TBA (It will be washed away in 2020 when LRT construction completes. If at all the beach emerges, this year will be its last, unless the there is a change in policy.)
Check Alberta Health advisory & Alberta Parks advisory regarding swimming due to algae bloom / contaminated water. See the map below for beaches located with in 2 hours drive of Edmonton. Some beaches may not be suitable for swimming due to algae and some are overgrown with grass.
5 Best beaches near Edmonton for Swimming: Alberta Beach, Ma-Me-O Beach – Pigeon Lake, Seba Beach – Wabamun Lake, Sylvan Lake Beach, Aspen Beach – Gull Lake.
For a free day trip from Edmonton, there is no better destination than Alberta Parks. Few Alberta Parks within 2 hours of Edmonton are mentioned below.
For a complete pictorial review of camping grounds in Alberta – See AlbertaWow.com
(Arranged in no particular order)
1. Buck Lake Area Parks
For more information on Buck Lake See here
Calhoun Bay Provincial Recreation Area
Activities: Camping & Water activities(no swimming) – Directions
Buck Lake Provincial Recreation Area
Activities: Camping & Water activities(no swimming) – Directions
2. Cooking Lake-Blackfoot Provincial Recreation Area
Activities: Hiking, Picnics, Canoeing, Horseback riding – Directions
3. Aspen Beach Provincial Park
Activities: All kinds of water related activities at Gull Lake
4. Jarvis Bay Provincial Park (Sylvan Lake)
(no direct access to Sylvan Lake)
Activities: All kinds of water related activities at Sylvan Lake
5. Summer Village of Rochon Sands
Parks around Buffalo Lake
Activities: Camping, Hiking. Water Activities & Wildlife/Bird viewing – Directions
Buffalo Lake Provincial Recreation Area
Activities: Camping. Water Activities – Directions
The Narrows Provincial Recreation Area
Activities: Camping, Canoeing, Fishing. Directions
6. Miquelon Lake Provincial Park
Activities : Camping, Birding, Water Activities – Directions
Activities: Camping, hiking, Water Activities – Directions
8. Pembina River Provincial Park
Activities : Camping, Hiking, Water Activities, Wild life viewing – Directions
Tubing at Pembina River – Details
9. Pigeon Lake Provincial Park
Activities: Camping, Hiking. Water Activities & Wildlife/Bird viewing – Directions ; For Village of Pigeon Lake – See here
10. Thunder Lake Provincial Park
Activities : Boating, Swimming and other Water Activities , Camping. – Directions
11. Wabamun Lake Provincial Park
Activities : Bird Watching, Camping, Hiking, Water Activities – Directions
IV. Summer Festivals in & around Edmonton

Photo Credit: Edmonton Tourism
Festivals from June 21 to September 15, 2019.
V. Coupons & Discounts
Here are 5 ways you can save few loonies while visiting Edmonton attractions.
Ultimate Pass – for $69.95 (adult) and $49.95 (child 3-17) – plus GST and entitles user to one admission to every participating Edmonton attraction over the calendar year:
Alberta Aviation Museum
Art Gallery of Alberta
University of Alberta Botanic Garden
Edmonton Valley Zoo
Jurassic Forest
K-Days
Prairie Gardens & Adventure Farm
Reynolds-Alberta Museum
Snow Valley Aerial Park
TELUS World of Science – Edmonton
Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village
West Edmonton Mall-Marine Life All-Day
U-Pick Pass – for $34.95 (adult) and $24.50 (child 3-17) – plus GST and entitles visitors to admission to your choice of any four Edmonton attractions.
2. AMA Membership rewards
AMA members can save 10% on Day Admission to Telus World of Science & The International Exhibition of Sherlock Holmes Exhibition.
Save $15 Off Regular Admission
Includes One full day admission to World Waterpark or One full day admission to Galaxyland Amusement Park
3. Coupon Booklets
Buy coupon booklets like
Entertainment® Coupon booklet (for Greater Edmonton Area) that includes coupons for few Edmonton area, Calgary & Lacombe attractions in addition to restaurants.
4. Groupon
Check Groupon for deals for admission to Edmonton amusement centres!
Why you written about beaches if they not working. Sandy beach is close, lake are overgrow grass, No bbq …:(
sadly out of date and offered no information for the upcoming season