Edmonton Holidays

The capital of Alberta, Edmonton serves up a variety of things to do. If you’re looking for some culture, head to Art Gallery of Alberta. Designed to resemble the Northern Lights, this striking building houses more than 6,000 pieces, spanning across historical and contemporary exhibitions. Elsewhere, shopaholics will love West Edmonton Mall – it’s the biggest in North America and has a whopping 800 shops, as well as an ice rink, waterpark, bowling alley and cinema.

Prefer to be outdoors? Well, you’ll be pleased to know that Edmonton boasts North America’s largest stretch of urban parkland. The River Valley Parks are collectively 22 times bigger than NYC’s Central Park, and features lakes, wilderness areas and golf courses. There’s also 160 kilometres’ worth of trails, where you can walk or cycle through the greenery and admire the cityscape. And, if you’re taking the kids on holiday, make sure you check out Edmonton Valley Zoo. This conservation-focused zoo has more than 350 animals, including reindeer, red pandas and elephants.

Edmonton is something of a foodie hub – and arguably the culinary capital of Canada. The city’s chefs really value local and seasonal produce, and often source ingredients from the surrounding farms and ranches. There’s something for every taste and budget here, from upscale restaurants to casual tap rooms and indie bakeries.
You’ll find most of Edmonton’s best restaurants in the northwest area of town, or dotted along Jasper Avenue in the city centre. You can tuck into award-winning Italian dishes at Corso 32, and feast on classic French fare at The Marc. And make sure you enjoy authentic Canadian treats at The Harvest Room – a beautiful spot inside Fairmont Hotel Macdonald.

Fancy yourself as a craft beer connoisseur? Head south of the river to discover Edmonton’s eclectic breweries and taprooms. You can order tasting flights at Longroof Brewing Co., sip hoppy ales at Alley Kat Brewing Company – the city’s first craft brewery – or enjoy music, art and seasonal brews at Sea Change Brewery Co.

Edmonton’s calendar is chock-a-block, with more than 50 annual festivals. So, whenever you plan your Edmonton holiday, there’s bound to be something going on. In February, for instance, you can look forward to the Silver Skate Festival, which showcases all sorts of arts, culture, cuisine and sports. You can see art installations, learn about Alberta’s indigenous history, and explore the River Valley.

Or, if you visit in July, you can treat your taste buds at Western Canada’s biggest food festival, Taste of Edmonton. A 10-day extravaganza in Churchill Square, this event allows you to nibble on savoury dishes and delicious desserts from more than 50 local restaurants and food trucks. There’ll be lots of beers, wines and cocktails to try, too, along with live jazz and folk music. If theatre’s more your thing, time your Edmonton trip to coincide with Edmonton Fringe Festival™. North America’s largest and oldest fringe festival sees nearly 1,600 local and international artists performing comedy acts, dramatic shows and everything in-between.

Holidays to Edmonton can be enjoyed all year round but, depending on how you want to spend your time, some seasons are better than others. Summer is generally the best time to go, as temperatures hover in the low twenties – although it can get as warm as 30°C – and this is when most of Edmonton’s festivals take place. Plus, between June and August, there’ll be about 17 hours of daylight, giving you lots of time to explore.

Spring and autumn are cooler, with temperatures averaging 16°C. It’s a lovely time of year for outdoor activities, as you’ll be able to admire the spring blossoms or fiery autumnal foliage. And, in May and September, it will be warm enough to relax on a sunny terrace.

Edmonton’s winters, as you’d expect, are very cold. Temperatures stay below freezing for months and there’s usually heavy snow between December and February. But, if you’re prepared to wrap up warm, you can discover a picturesque winter wonderland. You’re likely to see the Northern Lights, too.