Looking to fill your weekend in Edmonton? There’s a festival for that

A performer can be seen at the 2025 Edmonton International Street Performers Festival in Churchill Square. (CTV News Edmonton)

Festival season is underway in the capital city, with free and paid options for anyone in search of art, music and entertainment.

Here are some of the things you could get up to this weekend in Edmonton.

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The Whyte Ave Art Walks started Friday and runs until Sunday. This year, 460 artists will line four kilometres of streets of Old Strathcona as the festival celebrates 30 years. More information can be found on the Art Walk website.

The Found Festival kicked off Thursday and runs until Sunday at Queen Elizabeth Park. The independent music and arts festival features dance, comedy, workshops and family activities. More information and event tickets can be found here.

The Rockin’ Thunder musical festival will bring rock-and-roll to the Exhibition Lands Racetrack on Saturday and Sunday, including big name bands like Def Leppard, Joan Jett, Weezer and Stone Temple Pilots. More information and tickets can be found here.

It’s the last weekend for the Edmonton International Street Performers Festival at Churchill Square, which wraps up Sunday at 6 p.m. A list of performers and schedule for the free family-friendly event can be found here.

The Freewill Shakespeare Festival continues in Louise McKinney Riverfront Park, with performances of As You Like It until July 20. Shows run at 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays, with 2 p.m. matinees on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays. Kids under 12 are free. Tickets are available online.

The Hellenic – Canadian Community of Edmonton and Region is hosting Greek Fest 2025 at its Wîhkwêntôwin location. The free event celebrates Greek food, music and culture from Saturday at noon until 8 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 7 p.m. Details are available here.

Gibbons Pioneers Days will run Saturday and Sunday across various venues in the town, with both free and paid events. Those include a parade, pancake breakfast, Farmers’ Market, a family barn dance and fireworks. More information can be found on the Gibbons Family Resource Centre Facebook page.

Other things to do

A free family fishing weekend invites Albertans to try out angling at local lakes and ponds. On Saturday and Sunday, no fishing licence is needed for provincial waterbodies with open fishing seasons, which include more than 130 that are stocked with fish. Normal fishing regulations still apply. More information can be found on the My Wild Alberta website.

A night market will pop up in Callingwood on Friday night. In addition to more than 70 vendors, the market offers live music, food and family-friendly entertainment and activities. It’s free to attend and runs from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. at The Marketplace in Callingwood. More information can be found on the Callingwood Farmers’ Market website.

Enoch Cree Nation is holding its annual competition powwow from Friday to Sunday, which will include the Nation’s handgames. Information can be found on the Enoch Cree Nation Facebook page.

Canada Strong Pass holders can visit Elks Island for free, or take advantage of provincial discounts at the Royal Alberta Museum: 50 per cent off admission for ages 18 to 24 and free for children 17 and under.

More Edmonton events can be found on the Explore Edmonton website.