Help celebrate dad this year with all the fun happening in Edmonton on Father’s Day weekend. No matter what dad’s (or any father figure’s) interests are, these ideas can help him have fun, unwind, create memories, and more.
Edmonton will have a few Father’s-Day-specific events, too, and a large number of dining events. Otherwise, many of Edmonton’s spring and summer attractions are officially open! This opens up many ideas for ways to spend time with your dad over the weekend.
These Father’s Day activities are perfect for celebrating fathers, husbands, grandfathers, uncles, and entire families.
For more ideas, see Things to Do This Weekend in Edmonton
I. Father’s Day Brunch/Dinner/BBQ
Bring the entire family together and enjoy a variety of options for your Father’s Day meals in Edmonton. See the list for a selection of restaurants ranging from classic steaks, hearty comfort food, to amazing, unique brunch options to celebrate Father’s Day at home or dine out with quality food.
Celebrate Father’s Day and Indigenous Peoples Day with delicious food from restaurants serving indigenous cuisine.
Want to eat something new? Edmonton is home to amazing restaurants serving cuisines from all over the world. Travel the world and try something new like Turkish foods, authentic sushi, Ukrainian perogies, the famous French Beef Tartar, or a huge variety of other cultural delicacies.
Have some delicious eats enjoying the weather at a restaurant patio with Dad. Edmonton has various options — rooftop, with scenic park views, overlooking the water and many with live music!
II.Two Iconic Edmonton Rides
Edmonton’s two major ride attractions are both open for Father’s Day weekend! Take your pick (or dad’s pick) between two great ways to tour Edmonton. The River Boat takes you out onto the river, while the Streetcar takes you out over the river. Both are fun, family-friendly experiences that are only available for a limited time each year.
- The High Level Bridge Streetcar has a full summer schedule released; you can catch departures from the Jasper Plaza station (north side of the river), or the Strathcona station (south side).
- Edmonton River Boat tickets can include general admission only for any day between June 16th and 18th. Plus, you have the option to treat the father figure in your life to the ride and dine packages; for Father’s Day, these include the Friday or Saturday Dinner Buffet (June 16-17), the Sunday Brunch Cruise (June 18), or the Father’s Day BBQ Cookout (June 18).
III. Fun Dad & the Whole Family
- RCMP Musical Ride: Take Dad to watch iconic RCMP Musical Ride. A team of up to 32 riders and horses bring you a truly spectacular performance showcasing their equestrian skill through a variety of formations and cavalry drills set to music. Thursday, June 15, 2023, 7 – 8pm @ Fultonvale Outdoor Arena, 52029 Range Road 224, Sherwood Park and Saturday, June 17, 2023 | 2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. @ Ardrossan Jr/Sr High Sports Fields, 53129 Range Road 222, Ardrossan
- Edmonton Filipino Fiesta: Visit Borden Park to enjoy the best of Philippine culture – a weekend of entertainment, arts, crafts and food!
- Celebrate Dad: Say “Happy Father’s Day!” to the best Dad in the Universe – an adventure Dad will never forget! Dads receive one FREE admission to the Science Centre and The Art of the Brick exhibition with one paid admission to the Science Centre.
- Ardrossan Parade & Picnic: Enjoy the parade & lots of free fun and more during the 76th Annual festival by Ardrossan Recreation & Agricultural Society.
- Morinville Festival Days: Head to Morinville for the annual festival featuring midway, food and the best of Morinville.
- Royal Canadian International Circus: Come under the Big Top and get a glimpse into a traditional circus world. Jam-packed with explosive live entertainment, featuring high-flying acrobatics, death-defying tricks, towering feats of strength, teetering towers of balanced bodies, extreme bending and devilishly precarious aerials!
- The Father’s Day Car Show: This is Edmonton’s largest, free family event to celebrate Father’s Day! Bring out the entire family and check out some sweet rides, fun kids activities, free BBQ, food trucks, and a special Father’s Day program for everyone!
- Reynolds-Alberta Museum: Did your dad, father figure, or grandfather live through the 70s? Whether they’re old enough to remember, or simply big car enthusiasts, a trip to the Reynolds-Museum might spark their interest. On any given visit to the museum, guests can browse an impressive display of vehicle exhibits including those for aviation, agriculture, and anything used for transportation! And as of the past month, the museum added a feature collection: Driving Thru the 70s. Explore muscle cars, VW vans, the pop culture of the decade, and some 70s themed activities.
IV. Hop on a Brewery Tour
There are a few different methods to consider for an Edmonton brewery tour with Dad: you can tour the many craft breweries in the city or pick one brewery which offers tours of their facilities.
- Edmonton Brewery Tours offer a Craft Tour on June 17th and 18th with the option to tour on foot or by shuttle (the same tour offered on CanadianCraftTours.com).
- Make it a DIY walking tour. You can tour several brewers up and down 99th Street NW between Argyll and Whyte Avenue. And, of course, Edmonton’s brewery district has many places to stop, and even more beers to try.
- The Alley Kat Brewery has tours on Fridays and Saturdays each weekend with a tasting session included.
- If Dad is more into the spirits, you can also offer him a tour and tasting of the Hansen Distillery: tickets are available for June 16th.
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V. Pride!
Celebrate Dad and families of all colours at these events:
- Spotlight Cabaret presents an exciting event, Ruby’s Pride Drag Brunch, featuring beloved local Drag Queens and delectable plated brunch options from Spotlight’s kitchen. This glamorous celebration embraces love, friendship, and the freedom to express oneself, while supporting LGBT2Q+ rights. Mark your calendars for Sunday, June 18, 2023, with two showtimes available at 11 am and 1:30 pm.
- Edmonton Drag Festival is a celebration of drag performance, providing a platform for talented drag artists to showcase their skills. The festival will take place on Saturday, June 17, 2023, from 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM, offering 10 hours of entertainment. Louise McKinney Riverfront Park, 9999 Grierson Hill Northwest, Edmonton.
VI. Laugh Out Loud!
Improvaganza festival
It could be quite convenient to treat your dad or father figure to a day or evening of theatre with the 10-day long Improvaganza festival. And if your dad is a big fan of local theatre, you can even treat him to a full Festival Pass. There are a large variety of acts leading up to Father’s Day. And for June 18th, they’ll feature The Improv Stand-Up Friendship Fun Time Show with several acts in one night. The Fun Time Show will include local stand-up comedians, local improv artists, and a ‘theatresports match’!
Dad’s Day Comedy Brunch
Celebrate Dad’s Day with laughter and delicious food at the Comedy Brunch! Enjoy a lineup of talented comedians, including headliners Will Hannigan and Scott Belford, hosted by Ryder with special guest Nick McQuick. Tickets include a fantastic show and your choice of mouthwatering brunch options such as Classic Eggs Benedict with smoked salmon or pea-meal bacon, Rum Infused French Toast with fresh fruit, or The Classic Breakfast with eggs, ham sausage or bacon, toast, and fruit. Join us for a memorable event filled with great jokes and great food!
VII. Music Festivals
- Beaumont Blues and Roots Festival: Take Dad to Canada’s longest-running 100% Canadian Content festival featuring the best in live Canadian blues, roots, folk, rockabilly and country music.
- Rock the District with the Father’s Day Promos: Depending on what sort of music you, your dad, or your family enjoy, the weekend could be a chance to rock out together. Rock The District will set up in Fan Park from June 16th-18th and feature a lineup of classic rock acts. Get tickets to see Harlequin, Helix, Loverboy, April Wine, and Streetheart!
VIII. Go Fishing
Looking for a great fishing spot to call your own? Alberta Conservation Association and Alberta Environment and Parks have stocked waterbodies across the province to create over 240 different fishing opportunities.
IX. Go Golfing
The city of Edmonton has a wonderful array of golf courses with varying scenery, amenities, and challenges on the courses. Moreover, there are golf courses on all sides of the outskirts of Edmonton. These golf courses all include a clubhouse restaurant where you can stop for a meal or drink after your round.
- The Highlands Golf Club is hosting Father’s Day dining events that you can pair with a round of golf. The course is in Edmonton’s east river valley.
- Jagare Ridge Golf Club offer a 9 & Dine special for Fridays and Saturdays. This includes time on the driving range for warm-ups, a power cart rental, a round of 9 holes, and a $25 voucher for the restaurant. The course is in Edmonton’s west river valley.
- Pitch and Putt is a great family-friendly activity for Father’s Day, especially if the sun is out. Edmonton’s River Valley course, Kinsmen, is par 3 and 18 holes, so you can still spend a full day out on the course. This is also the perfect opportunity to give younger ones a hand at the game.
X. Water Adventures
- Explore Alberta Capital Region’s waters in several different styles with Dad. If you’re searching for a water adventure near Edmonton, you can take to the rivers and lakes of central Alberta for fishing, swimming, tubing, and boating.
- Have family-friendly river tubing experience on the North Saskatchewan River from Voyageur Park in Devon, which is located just 40 minutes southwest from downtown Edmonton.
XI. Go Camping this weekend
Did you not reserve a camping site for this weekend? No worries, Alberta Parks has many camping sites near Edmonton that are drop-in or first come first serve.
XI. River Valley Fun
The River Valley offers free ways to take it easy and relax for the day, tons of room for activities and recreation, and a variety of different opportunities for scenic family photos.
- Plan a Father’s Day picnic in one of Edmonton’s river valley parks. If you have a bigger group, you may also book a site or shelter in advance.
- Rundle Park is a perfect stop if you want a variety of activities to choose from on Father’s Day. The park has a boathouse with pedal boat rentals, tons of picnic space, walking trails, a disc golf course, a playground, and mini golf.
- The North Saskatchewan River Valley trails are suitable for cycling, hiking, or rollerblading. Combine a trip through the trails with a Father’s Day meal, or other outings.
There are plenty of opportunities in and around to enjoy nature.
Enjoy a leisurely walk or go on a day trip with the family at any of these locations:
For more things to do this Father’s Day weekend, see Weekend Activities in Edmonton