Edmonton is an interesting city. You could say it’s a city of contrasts, where modern architecture meets wild natural spaces. The city also has a very rich and interesting cultural life. At the same time, many locations, entertainments, and cultural events are accessible to everyone. In this article on iedmonton, we’ve gathered the most interesting locations and events that you can visit for free or for a small fee.
The Fringe Theatre Festival
The Fringe Theatre Festival is a very important theatrical event for the city and even for North America. It is an independent theatre festival that takes place every year in August. It was founded in 1982 and has since grown into a large-scale cultural phenomenon.
Every August, the festival attracts over 750,000 visitors. The Fringe contributes over $20 million to the local economy. The festival has both a free series of outdoor musical performances and shows for which you need to buy tickets. Additionally, there is a completely free version of the festival for children called “KidsFringe.” This festival is available for children up to 12 years old.
The Fringe Festival is famous for its openness, as it features various uncensored productions. At the festival, you can see both classic well-known plays and the work of modern experimental theatre. For the audience, it’s a chance to see original and sometimes provocative performances that can’t be found in traditional theatres. All performances take place in the Old Strathcona district, which boasts a unique atmosphere of creativity and freedom of self-expression.
The Fringe Festival plays an important role in supporting independent artists. Participation in the festival is non-juried and not based on prior artistic selection. Also, almost 100% of the revenue from ticket sales goes directly to the artists. The festival organizers do not profit from the event but only create a supportive environment.
Often, performances take place in non-traditional and alternative venues. This allows for attracting a larger audience and increasing the interest of city residents in theatre. Come and enjoy the theatrical magic and the lively, creative atmosphere outdoors!
A Stroll Along the 4th Street Promenade
The 4th Street Promenade is an area on 104th Street between downtown and the ICE District. There’s a lot of interesting things in this area: shops, famous Edmonton restaurants, historic buildings, and even the Neon Sign Museum.
This area was a centre of commerce in the 20th century. There are many buildings here with architecture from that period – with red brick, large display windows, and lofts. Now, these buildings have been transformed into various cultural and dining establishments. Also near this location are prominent Edmonton cultural institutions such as the Art Gallery of Alberta, the Citadel Theatre, and the Winspear Centre.
The first interesting building you’ll notice is the Mercer Warehouse. It used to be a refrigerated warehouse, and now it’s home to the famous Asian cocktail bar, Baijiu. The bar offers delicious dishes as well as modern, unusual cocktails. The next culinary spot is Credo Coffee. Here you can enjoy freshly brewed coffee and tasty pastries. The prices at these establishments are affordable.
On the walls of the Mercer Warehouse, you can see the Neon Sign Museum. This is a project by volunteers from the Edmonton Heritage Council, who collected neon signs from old buildings and restored them for an outdoor museum. Each sign has an accompanying plaque that tells its story.
In the 20th century, neon signs were very popular. Today, they are considered too expensive and not environmentally friendly, which is leading to their “demise.” The Neon Sign Museum is a place where you can appreciate the businesses of the past.
Churchill Square
Another great location for cultural relaxation is Sir Winston Churchill Square, located in the heart of the city. In the square, you can see the eight-story crystal pyramid of City Hall. This pyramid is literally the central point of Edmonton’s Arts District. The pyramid symbolizes the transparency of government and its openness to the community. On the south side of City Hall, you can see the towering Friendship Tower, from which bells ring out and play up to 99 melodies.
Various festivals and events take place in the square year-round. In the summer, you can dip your feet in the wading pool to cool off from the heat, look at the works of local artists, and stroll through the garden. In the winter, there is a skating rink, as well as various markets and New Year’s concerts. Most of the entertainment in the square is completely free. Free Wi-Fi is also available in the square. The square successfully combines the functions of a space for leisure, art, and community initiatives, and is a favourite spot for both tourists and local residents.
Indigenous Art Park
The Indigenous Art Park is a large park in Edmonton built on the site of the former Queen Elizabeth Pool. In 2019, this park was recognized as one of the best international public art projects. Plans for the park began in 2013, and the space opened in September 2019.
In August 2015, the Edmonton Arts Council opened a competition for interested artists who wanted to exhibit their work in the park. In 2018, six permanent works of art by Indigenous artists appeared in the park. Each installation in the park is a unique interpretation of the theme of identity, land, spirituality, and tradition. There are also walking paths, rest areas, and picnic tables. The art park was curated by Candice Hopkins.
This is an extremely important space that honours the heritage, history, and contemporary art of Indigenous peoples. This park was created as a space for mutual understanding between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities. Through art, it helps to recover lost stories, reminds us of the colonial past, and contributes to the national process of reconciliation.
The park hosts guided tours, art events, discussions, and performances. It is a place where one can better understand how deeply Indigenous art is woven into the history of Alberta and all of Canada.
Cariwest Festival – Caribbean Arts Festival
The Cariwest Festival is an annual non-profit, three-day arts festival held every August in Edmonton. The festival attracts over 60,000 people. The main goal of the festival is to give city residents the opportunity to enjoy the local culture.
Cariwest introduces city residents to Caribbean music, theatre, and folk traditions. The festival is completely free and open to everyone. As part of the festival, there is also a carnival parade in the city centre. After the parade, Sir Winston Churchill Square transforms into a true Caribbean village with various entertainments. In this village, you can also taste Caribbean food and beer.
This festival is a prime example of inclusivity. The festival is created not only for citizens of Caribbean descent but for all residents and guests of the city. Here, people from different cultural and ethnic communities participate in the parade, dance to the rhythms of soca and reggae, and taste dishes from various islands. Cariwest creates a safe atmosphere where everyone can be themselves—dance, wear traditional attire, tell their story, or simply observe.
All of the city’s cultural events and locations create such a safe atmosphere, and you don’t have to spend a fortune to enjoy cultural leisure.