Local business program offering free KDays tickets with special purchase returns for 2026

From left, Wildroots Bistro's Mini Doughnut French Toast, Jack's Burger Shack's Prospector Burger and Drizzle Ice Cream's Carnival Taco are just three of 55 different products being offered by Edmonton-area businesses through KDays' local business partnerhsip program this year for the annual summer fair and exhibition. The promotion sees the businesses offer two free tickets with the purchase of special-themed items. (Credit: KDays/Explore Edmonton)

Buy local AND get into Edmonton’s annual summer fair and midway for free. Again.

It’s the third year for the KDays local business partnerships program, which this summer is seeing 55 local businesses – almost triple of last year’s 20 participants – in 92 locations offering two free tickets to the annual summer exhibition and midway when one buys special KDays-themed products.

The products – the majority of which are being peddled by food slingers – range from Meat’s Klondike Corn Dog and Chartier’s Butterscotch Bacon Popcorn Donut to La Poutine’s The Chuckwagon and a pint of Little Bear Gelato’s Ube Queso gelato.

There’s a full list of the businesses, products and deals on the KDays website.

“KDays has always been about celebrating Edmonton, and that celebration starts long before the gates open,” Jessie Radies, the director of KDays at Explore Edmonton, said in a Thursday media release. “This program is a fun way to support the incredible local businesses that make our city special while giving people another reason to get excited for the 10 Best Days of Summer (KDays’ slogan).”

KDays is slated to run this year from July 17-26 at the Edmonton Expo Centre and the surrounding exhibition grounds.

Since the program’s start in 2024, KDays said it has seen businesses distribute more than 52,000 free KDays tickets, welcome 26,000 additional guests to the festival, and generate more than $460,000 in revenue.