As the temperatures warm up over March and April in Alberta, the province begins to open up with more to do, more to see, and more reasons for getting outside.
Finding things to do this spring in Alberta come down to where you want to visit, how you want to spend your time there, and how much you want to spend.
There are spring activities in Alberta for a variety of budgets and some which are totally free. Plus, these activities cover things for the day, for weekend trips, and for Alberta spring road trips.
Nature and Outdoor Recreation
Birding and Nature Photography
Spring and fall both offer great opportunities for birding and wildlife viewing across parks in Alberta. Part of this is from the spring and fall bird migration seasons. Alberta is under the path of dozens of migratory birds who keep to the rural and less populated areas like large swans and great blue herons, or raptorial birds like falcons, hawks, owls, and eagles.
- For great birdwatching opportunities near Alberta’s biggest cities, head to Fish Creek Provincial Park on Calgary’s southeast side, or the Clifford E. Lee Nature Sanctuary, only 20-minutes west of Edmonton.
- Head to Frank Lake to see hundreds of swans.
- Birding in northern Alberta is great near almost large lake or pond, with several parks from which to choose around theses: Saskatoon Island PP & Saskatoon Lake Migratory Bird Sanctuary near Grande Prairie, Lesser Slave Lake PP in north-central Alberta, or Cold Lake PP in northeastern Alberta.
- Alberta’s three Rocky Mountain national parks (Banff, Jasper, and Waterton Lakes), all provide excellent birdwatching and wildlife opportunities on top of incredible spring scenery. Additional parks near the mountains to try for birding and nature photography include Peter Lougheed PP, Castle PP, or the Evan-Thomas PRA.
- Several southern Alberta parks offer excellent birding and nature photography like Cypress Hills PP, Dinosaur PP, or Kinbrook Island PP.
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Visit Alberta’s Best Gardens
Celebrate spring with all the gardens in and around Alberta! They are all set to open for the spring season with the list including a few year-round options, or an indoor garden option.
- The U of A’s Botanic Gardens, outside Edmonton and near Devon, reopen for the spring season on May 10, 2024. See the gardens in full bloom!
- Save Edmonton’s Muttart Conservatory for a garden visit on a rainy day. The indoor gardens feature a tropical section, an arid desert, and a temperate zone. Each climate is in its own large glass pyramid on the banks of the North Saskatchewan River.
- The George Pegg Botanic Garden is north of Lac St. Anne and on the north side of Highway 43. Here you can follow trails around the manicured gardens and historic sites by early to mid June.
- The Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden in Lethbridge open each spring to visitors for use of the garden for picnics and walks.
- Trochu’s Arboretum is open all year from dusk until dawn each day. This beautiful space was created through generous donations and continues to grow as they continue to accept donations as new trees, shrubs, or rose plants.
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Find the Flowers on Alberta’s Best Spring Hikes
This is certainly an activity for later in the Alberta spring season. However, Alberta has had an unusually warm winter, which could lead to early spring flowers. Even without the wildflowers in full bloom, these areas all have beautiful year-round scenery, and opportunities for wildlife viewing.
- Waterton Lakes National Park is actually considered the wildflower capital of Canada! Among the dozens upon dozens of species to look for are 20 or so rare wildflowers. June is the best time for a wildflower hike in the park.
- Follow the trails of the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area, a short drive west of Calgary. Hikes here do require a reservation to help control the number of people in the area at a time.
- Enjoy a peaceful, longer, but easy hike through Jasper National Park’s Valley of the Five Lakes for views of flowers growing alongside the small ponds and lakes.
- Sundance Provincial Park, northwest of Edmonton, offer unique scenery among the forests and wildflowers, including some of northern Alberta’s only hoodoo formations.
- 14 Places to Go For a Wildflower Walk in Alberta
Spring Events at Alberta’s Ski Hills
The big ski and snowboard hills and resorts around Alberta are open well into the spring season thanks to the abundance of snow in certain areas, especially the Rockies. And each of these locations are ending the season with signature annual events or celebrations.
- Join Mount Norquay in Banff for their Easter Egg Hunt (March 31), the Bruno Engler Memorial Ski Race (April 6), the Kids Rail Jam (April 14), or the BOZO & Kinder Cups (April 20-21). The downhill event is in honour of the late Rob Bosinger and includes a variety of men’s and women’s races.
- Banff’s Sunshine Village Ski Resort will host an Easter Egg Hunt featuring the Easter Bunny (March 31), a Concert Series through April and May, Shredability (April 6), and a party for Cinco de Mayo.
- Lake Louise Ski Resort offer visitors a place to dance and take part in snow beach volleyball every Saturday this spring with the Temple Lodge Takeover. Plus, they’ll offer an Easter Bunny event (March 29-31), and the Mount Slushmore Festival (April 27).
- There are events scheduled for almost every weekend this March and April at the Castle Mountain Ski Resort. Enjoy live music or trivia nights throughout both months at the T-Bar Pub, Hawaiian Day (March 30), or a Retro Day (April 6).
- Jasper’s Marmot Ski Resort have a fun-filled spring schedule with their Après Series, Skiing with the Easter Bunny (March 31), and multiple events for Jasper’s Pride Week (April 12-21).
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Whitewater Rafting Adventures in Alberta
While these whitewater rafting companies aren’t open quite yet, their booking systems are open with dates available for as early as mid-May.
- Experience whitewater rafting on the Kananaskis, Kicking Horse, or Horseshoe Canyon Rivers this spring with Chinook Rafting who start operations for the season on May 10.
- The Canadian Rockies Rafting group operate whitewater rafting tours and riverboarding tours in Kananaskis which begin May 17.
- The bookings for whitewater rafting with Wild Water Adventures begin on May 18.
- Hunter Valley Adventures begin their Red Deer River rafting and overnight experience as of June 1.
The Best Spring Fishing Spots in Alberta
Alberta is filled with many, many great fishing spots for winter ice fishing, and spring-to-fall fishing alike. These include park lakes, community trout ponds, and Alberta’s several large rivers. Be sure to check the timing on all Alberta fishing regulations before you go!
- The Bow River is not only one of the best spring fishing spots in Alberta but is regarded often as one of the top spots in Canada for spring fishing.
- There are a few different fishing opportunities near Rocky Mountain House in central Alberta including the Clearwater River, Twin Lakes, Cow Lake, or the North Saskatchewan River.
- Find dozens of places for fishing around northern Alberta this spring. Make it simple with Provincial Park day use areas. The Peace River Wildland offers fishing on the river, Lesser Slave Lake PP offers fishing on the lake, as does Gregoire Lake PRA, or Moonshine Lake PP.
Waterfall Touring
Spring season is also waterfall season in Alberta! Even with this year’s lack of snow, the snow that will melt eventually ends up in the rivers and adds the raging of each waterfall. These all make spring an excellent season for waterfall hunting, chasing, and touring around Alberta. Start in the Rockies, north to south, and follow the rivers to some of Alberta’s prettiest scenes.
- The Mountain Lakes & Waterfalls Tour from Brewster Sightseeing are offered for the lakes of Banff and Yoho National Parks. Tours start May 4.
- Maligne Adventures, in Jasper, provide a Maligne Valley Wildlife & Waterfalls Tour & Lakeside Hike which begin in May, and a Maligne Valley Wildlife & Waterfalls Tour & Cruise which begin in June.
- DIY waterfall touring is easy in Alberta. Head to Waterton Lakes townsite area, Banff or Jasper’s canyons and Icefields Parkway, the Crowsnest area, or the mountains and foothills of northwestern Alberta.
Spring Paddling in Alberta
For a peaceful and easy paddle this spring, take to Alberta’s smaller lakes and narrower rivers. While experienced paddlers may want to take on places like the North Saskatchewan, the Mighty Peace, the Athabasca, or the Bow Rivers, these areas below will offer an easier, calmer day on the water.
- The Milk River is a favourite of many for paddling, and is best paddled in the spring when the narrow river is at its highest water levels. The river runs through the deep south of Alberta, with part of it diverting into the United States for a small portion.
- The interconnected bodies of water in William A. Switzer PP are open to canoers and kayakers once the waters are thawed. The five lakes in the park are connected by Jarvis Creek and can create a full day of paddling.
- There are various spots to launch a boat on the east side of Alberta’s Red Deer River (east of Red Deer), where the waters are much calmer than in the west portion of the river. There are routes which range from 8km, to 30km. The river runs southeast from Red Deer to Drumheller and eventually to Dinosaur PP and Saskatchewan.
- Take a quiet escape to Alberta’s west with a paddle trip to Carson Pegasus PP. While out on the water, expect to see a great deal of wildlife on the shores, and birds nearby on the lake.
- Check out all the best paddling locations in Alberta for canoes and kayak.
Spring Festivals around Alberta
Visit Edmonton at the end of April or at the end of May to find a various different cultural festivals happening in the city. The festivals cover film of all kinds, food and drink, art, music, and much more.
- The Dreamspeakers International Film Festival (April 26-28) will showcase Indigenous film from around the world.
- The Alberta Spirits & Cocktail Festival (April 27) takes place at the Edmonton Convention Centre with over 30 food and spirit vendors, live entertainment including music and bartending shows, and plenty of tasting opportunities.
- The UFest Ukrainian Festival will take over Edmonton’s Borden Park (May 24-25) to celebrate the country’s music, food, dance, art, and more.
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The spring festivals in Calgary for 2024 span April to June and cover a huge array of interests. Visit to celebrate film, jazz music, food and drink, or to celebrate the season itself.
- The Calgary Underground Film Festival takes place over 10 days (April 18-28, 2024) with festival passes now on sale. Individual screening tickets will also be available closer to showtimes.
- The Calgary International Jazz Festival also takes place at the end of April (April 26-30th, 2024) with live performances taking place at various venues in the city.
- Calgary International Beerfest (May 3-4, 2024) is a showcase of beer, spirits, and more, from around the world, and is a tasting even like no other with dozens of samples available.
- Calgary’s annual Lilac Festival takes place on June 2nd later this spring in its same 4th Street location. The festival celebrates spring along with music, art, food, dance, and more culture.
These spring festivals and celebrations in central Alberta will get visitors outside and enjoying nature as the temperatures rise. These are family-friendly events with entertainment, food and drink, kids’ activities, and educational opportunities.
- Celebrate the end of winter and the start of spring all at once with Sylvan Lake’s Meltdown event (March 23) set to feature a dunk tank and polar dip, a Holi celebration with colour throwing and Punjabi music, more dancing and music later on, hot air balloons, fireworks, and many kids’ activities.
- Tofield’s famous Snow Goose Festival (April 27-28, 2024) celebrates the spring bird migration with guided hikes, kids’ activities, a speaker series, and a dinner.
- Central Alberta Children’s Festival (May 31-June 1, 2024) is a showcase of children’s artists and performers with live shows, educational experiences, storytelling, and more.
- Leduc Black Gold Pro Rodeo returns for its 2024 edition on May 30th.
- Though not a festival, head to Drumheller to join in an attempt to shatter the Guinness World Record for the most people dressed in inflatable dinosaur costumes on April 27th.
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Spring is here in southern Alberta, and a couple of locations are ready to party or celebrate the start of the season.
- East Coulee Spring Festival (May 3-4, 2024) is a live music festival in the badlands with over 30 performers across three stages. Genres include rock of all kinds, country and bluegrass, folk, jazz, blues, and more.
- There are, presumably, many paddling enthusiasts around Alberta and the neighbouring provinces. And this April, those enthusiasts have a unique opportunity in Medicine Hat for a Film Festival centred around paddling! The 2024 Paddling Film Festival World Tour makes a stop at the city’s Monarch Theatre this April 14.
On top of a handful of festivals this spring, many places in northern Alberta are also throwing St. Patrick’s parties, Easter parties and egg hunts, and celebrating the opening of outdoor farmers’ markets.
- The Kinosoo Ridge Snow Resort in Cold Lake will host their annual Slush Cup over the Easter weekend. Enjoy extra downhill activities and more to be announced.
- Grand Prairie is one of the 2024 tour stops for the Alberta Food & Beverage Expo (April 13, 2024). It is also the last stop, and last chance to check out the event!
- The Cold Lake Fishing Derby takes place later this spring with $10,000 up for grabs as first prize.
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Visit Jasper or Banff for a host of events, big and small, across the parks and towns. These events span the townsite, ski hills, hotels, restaurants, and outdoor areas.
- The Jasper Pride & Ski Festival will take over numerous locations around the town and park from April 12-21, 2024. There are events to discover for all ages and interests, including skiing at Marmot Basin, dining and drink events, dance parties, comedy nights, and family nights.
- Made With Love: Banff Food and Cocktail Festival (April 19-May 4, 2024) will include a huge variety of food and cocktail or mocktail pairings to try across various local bars and restaurants.
- Banff’s Sunshine Village will play host to a unique food festival this May 4: Baconfest!
Attractions & Things to do in Alberta this Spring
Historical Sites that open May Long Weekend in Alberta
A great variety of historical sites and attractions open for the season over May Long Weekend.
- Among the National Historic Sites open this May in Alberta are the Bar U Ranch, Rocky Mountain House, or the Kootenai House National Historic Site.
- There are a few Provincial Historic Sites and museums open year-round, including the Brookes Aqueduct, the Frank Slide Interpretive Centre in the Crowsnest Region, Frog Lake in east-central Alberta, Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump in southern Alberta, Lougheed House in Calgary, Okotoks Erratic – ‘Big Rock’, Oil Sands Discovery Centre in Fort McMurray, Remington Carriage Museum in Cardston, Reynold Museum in Wetaskiwin, the Royal Alberta Museum and Rutherford House in Edmonton, Royal Tyrrell Museum in Drumheller.
- Those PHSs which open this spring include the Father Lacombe Chapel, Fort George & Buckingham House, Historic Dunvegan on the Peace River, Leitch Collieries, Victoria Settlement, Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village, Turner Valley Gas Plant, and the Stephansson House near Red Deer.
Alberta Park Events & Tours open this Spring
Get an expert guide for exploring some of Alberta’s most interesting Provincial Parks this spring. These guided tours include hiking and bus tours, as well as a few select annual events.
- Dinosaur Provincial Park, east of Calgary, provide bus tours and walking tours of the geological sites beginning this May 19th over the Victoria Day long weekend.
- Also in southern Alberta are the guided hikes offered at Writing-on-Stone PP which begin on May 17th at the start of the long weekend.
- The 27th Annual Lesser Slave Lake Songbird Festival takes place May 24-25 this year at the Boreal Centre for Bird Conservation.
- Miquelon Lake PP, in central Alberta, begin to host a number of workshops and activities for all ages as of May 18, 2024. These cover bugs, plants, birds, wetlands, wildlife, and more.
- All spring and summer, Sir Winston Churchill PP will play host to live musical performances with the next Music in the Forest event on March 28, 2024 with Reuben and the Dark.
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Ride the Rails this Spring
Alberta has a handful of train tours available, all of which ramp up business for the spring season.
- For the Battle River Train Excursions in central Alberta, the first ride of the spring is the Sip n’ Ride Excursion for May 18, 2024.
- The Alberta Prairie Railway excursions in southern Alberta begin on May 12 with a Mother’s Day Special to Big Valley.
- Aspen Crossing begin their train journeys on May 11 with the Mother’s Day weekend rides which include dinner or brunch.
- Take your toddler for a Day Out With Thomas. Take a ride (20 minutes) with their favourite tank engine at Heritage Park, Calgary
Alberta’s Underground Attractions
There are a few ways to take a spring trip underground in Alberta. These include actual cave tours, and tours of abandoned coal mines in Alberta. A couple open later this spring, but reservations can be made now.
- Canmore Cave Tours are a year-round attraction which take visitors deep into the mountain caves and canyons.
- Bookings are now open for the May 2024 opening of the Bellevue Underground Mine on the Crowsnest Highway.
- Drumheller’s Atlas Coal Mine National Historic Site begin their tours May 13, 2024, with bookings now open.
Spring Theatre in Towns & Cities around Alberta
Take in a completely new show this spring with all new actors and enjoy it in a new theatre! Choose between a number of different shows playing across Alberta’s smaller cities and small towns.
- The Rosebud Theatre in southeastern Alberta have a few shows scheduled for the spring, including Tomatoes Tried to Kill Me, Banjos Saved my Life, Chariots of Fire, and Dream: A True Orphan’s Tale.
- The Badlands Amphitheatre, a unique outdoor venue in Drumheller, will screen films for the 2024 Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival World Tour, April 19-20.
- Sylvan Lake Theatre presents The Birds & the Bees at Stevenson Performing Arts Centre in Sylvan Lake, April 5-6, 2024.
- The Windmill Theatre Players in High River present their rendition of Grease, April 19-27.
- Bragg Creek’s Swamp Donkey Musical Theatre Society present Oklahoma! at the Bragg Creek Centre from May 3-12, 2024.
- While in Fort McMurray, take your pick between several upcoming spring productions at the Keyano College Theatre & Arts Centre.
Calgary’s theatre and local performing arts scene is big! Among these local productions are even more smaller theatres around the city.
- This spring, catch Journey to the 80’s at the Jubilations Dinner Theatre in Calgary. Shows run from March 30 – June 1, 2024.
- Vertigo Theatre will be showing a version of The Girl on the Train, March 16-April 14, 2024.
- Catch The Rocky Horror Picture Show (April 5-13, 2024), or The Gondoliers (April 26-May 4, 2024), by Calgary’s Morpheus Theatre.
Edmonton, similar to Calgary, has a large local theatre scene, and deliver on all accounts this spring for covering different genres and interests.
- Edmonton’s Jubilations Dinner Theatre will show Top Gun: a Maverick Musical until April7, and The Beach Boys of Summer from April 12 to June 16, 2024.
- Catch The Sound of Music from Edmonton’s Citadel Theatre this spring until March 31. Afterwards, they’ll show The Mountaintop until April 21.
- The Shadow Theatre in Edmonton have two upcoming spring shows: Robot Girls until March 31, and Tiny Beautiful Things (April 24-May 12).
Touring Artists
Few of the chart-topping artists will visit Calgary & Edmonton this Sping.
Artists include Noah Kahan: We’ll All Be Here Forever Tour, Queens of the Stone Age – The End is Nero, Luke Bryan: Mind of a Country Boy Tour, Ice Cube – Straight Into Canada Tour, Amon Amarth – Metal Crushes All Tour , Cody Johnson – The Leather Tour , Diljit Dosanjh , Foreigner: Farewell Canada
Cool Places to Stay in Alberta this Spring
Glamping this Spring in Alberta
No matter the style of glamping you’d like to try or prefer to do, these resorts and campgrounds in Alberta offer a variety of glamping styles from which to choose.
- Metis Crossing and Elk Island Retreat are both open for glamping in central Alberta this spring, with both offering geodomes.
- Take a Rocky Mountain glamping adventure with several types of staying options from Mount Engadine Lodge in Kananaskis. Or, head further south in the mountains to Glamping Resorts Ltd. in Castle PP.
- The Refuge Bay Luxury Camping Resort in north-central Alberta offers geodome stays in a quiet lakeside location.
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Mountain Accommodations in Alberta
Exploring the mountains this spring may call for the need for a place to stay. These are some of the best hotel options around the mountains this spring for affordability versus what you get out of your stay, or the packages available from the hotel.
- The Waterton Glacier Inn & Suites offer rooms with patios and balconies with great views, as well as the option for more romantic suites.
- The Pomeroy Kananaskis Mountain Lodge offer packages for the Nordic Spa, direct access to the spa, and access to spring recreation in Kananaskis.
- The Pyramid Lake Lodge in Jasper National Park brings your stay a little way outside of the town and onto the peaceful shores of the small lake.
- The Sunwapta Falls Lodge is about 50km south of Jasper on the Icefields Parkway with breakfast included in your stay.
Cozy Cabins around Alberta
Cozy up this spring on those colder or wetter days with your own cabin in the woods. These Alberta cabin locations provide escape, quiet, and peace, all in one, along with several amenities to make it feel more like home.
- The Expanse Cottages are a year-round resort in Nordegg with options like Fireside Cabins, or Stargazer Cabins. The cabins are heated, have a stocked kitchenette, and beds with bedding.
- Stay in a converted Caboose Cabin at the Aspen Crossing Campground who offer a few different train cars in which to stay. The campground and train excursions are a short drive southeast of Calgary.
- Find a wide variety of cabins for rent in northern Alberta through Air BnB, or VRBO.
The Best Campgrounds for Spring Camping in Alberta
Get out the tents and RVs, as these spring campgrounds in Alberta will be open for business as early as April 1.
- A handful of campground will open as early as the first three weeks of April, including two in Bow Valley Provincial Park, and one in Police Outpost Provincial Park.
- During the last week of April, campgrounds open in Little Bow Provincial Park, Little Bow Reservoir Provincial Recreation Area, Wyndham-Carseland Provincial Park, Wabamun Lake Provincial Park, and Eagle Point Provincial Park.
- Over the month of May, campgrounds around Alberta’s Parks System will open over the weekends. However, as of March, campers can book well into June. — A Beginner’s Guide to Camping in Alberta Parks