KDays time: Annual summer spectacle begins Friday at exhibition grounds

The Klondike Mike statue at the Edmonton exhibition grounds overlooks workers setting up the midway on July 15, 2026, for the annual KDays, the 10-day annual summer fair and exhibition that begins July 17 and runs through July 26. (Darcy Seaton/CTV News Edmonton)

Some say summer truly starts when the annual fair-weather fair and exhibition begins.

Well then, it’s that time again.

KDays starts Friday and runs through July 26 at the Edmonton Expo Centre and the surrounding exhibition grounds.

The annual summer spectacle, attended by 764,000 people last year, features midway rides, a bounty of food delights, activities, entertainment and exhibits.

It begins Friday morning from 9-11 a.m. with the traditional KDays Premier’s breakfast, with Danielle Smith, several cabinet ministers, elected officials, event partners and volunteers serving up the complimentary meal to thousands of guests at the grounds’ Klondike Park.

Arlindo Gomes, the vice-president of business development and venues management at Explore Edmonton, said at Wednesday’s media launch event there’ll something for everyone" attending KDays, “whether you come for the concerts, the robotics, the art, the food, the midway, or something new from a local vendor.”

Explore Edmonton, the city’s tourism and promotion arm, has operated KDays since 2022, when it took over the event from the now-defunct Northlands organization that once controlled the exhibition grounds and its venues.

What’s happening

Midway

North American Midway Entertainment will offer 29 ‘Majorland’ rides this year – the Ring of Fire, Star Dancer, Niagara Falls Flume and the Wave Swinger among them, as well as new rides Downdraft and Super Miami – along with 19 in ‘Kiddieland.’

Plenty of midway games will be available for those who dare to be put to the test for potential prizes.

The midway will be open daily from 11 a.m.-11 p.m.

Music

The KDays Music Fest main stage features headliners Ty Dolla $ign on Friday, Raf-Saperra, Down With Webster and Mother Mother on Saturday, Mico on Monday, Connor Price on Tuesday, Peach Pit on July 22, Bbno$ on July 23, Noah Cyrus on July 24, Pennywise on July 25 and The Beaches on July 26.

Several different artists will also perform at the CKUA Radio Stage, including Bedouin Soundclash (Friday), Aysanabee (July 22), Pepperland (July 23) and Kreesha Turner (July 25).

Food

More than 70 vendors will be clustered in the Foodie Fairway alongside the Expo Centre, offering familiar fair favourites and daring new delights: 26 culinary concoctions debut this year at food kiosks around the grounds, including the Ilocos Empanada, the Maki Sushi Corn Dog, Crispy Ginger Beef Perogies and the Buldak Stuffed Grilled Cheese, all part of the new foods competition.

Shows

A high-energy new show, Wassa Africa by Cirque Kalabante, debuts this year at the Expo Centre Arena, featuring acrobats in a colourful show set to West African rhythms.

The Superdogs also return to the Expo Centre for their Fairy Tails.

Each night will feature an outdoor fireworks and drone show.

Explorium

Several exhibit halls inside the Expo Centre will offer 150,000 square feet of shopping, entertainment and family-friendly programming.

Competitions

Check out competitive exhibits, the Alberta Strongman Competition, the Robotics Competition and an Ice Cream Eating Contest.

Klondike Park

The newly renovated outdoor space will feature all-ages panning for gold at Rat Creek Mining Co., the Ledcor Klondike Express Train, Francophone family entertainment, a Neotrad carnival presented by artists-in-residence, happy hour from 4-7 p.m., and ‘Park After’Dark music following music festival concerts from 10-11:30 p.m.

Craft beer fest

Ten local breweries will sample their suds daily from 4-8 p.m. at Klondike Park;

Also

• Adult general admission (ages 13-59) is $15.45 (plus GST and service fees). Youth 7-12 and seniors 60-plus admission is $11.33. There are several different ticket packages available. Tickets can be bought online or at the site;
• There are two guest entrance gates: via the Coliseum/LRT pedway (north) and Borden Park Road/73 Street (south);
• Parking ($20 daily) is available at several lots at the site, accessible off Wayne Gretzky Drive, Borden Park Road and 112 Avenue;
• LRT and bus service is available via the Coliseum LRT Station and Transit Centre. Park-and-ride service at several LRT stations and transit centres around the city offer free parking;
• Self-serve racks are available for cyclists at both guest gates;
• E-scooters are also an option but are allowed only outside the gates;
• Yellow Cab will have two taxi stands at the site: Coliseum Lot B and the east side of Borden Park Road off 73 Street.

With files from CTV News Edmonton’s Darcy Seaton