Rain or shine, here’s what’s on in Edmonton for the July long weekend! Check out a Canada Day event, cheer on the home team at RE/MAX Field, or experience Edmonton’s queer history with each footstep.
Rain: Dodge the summer storms and head indoors!
Edmonton International Jazz Festival | July 1-3
This weekend is your last chance to catch some of the best jazz music in the city! You don’t want to miss out on performances by legendary performers like JUNO winner Jocelyn Gould. Head over to the Yardbird Suite at 7:30 PM to experience Jocelyn’s infectious energy and passion for music. Or, close out your weekend by attending the Festival Jam Session at the Chateau Lacombe starting at 11:15 PM where visiting and local musicians will share the stage to create unique moments of collaboration. Edmonton International Jazz Festival’s final weekend will also include Lina Allemano Four, Andy Milne & Unison, and many more.
Freewill Shakespeare Festival | ongoing
Yes, this isn’t technically indoors. But the Heritage Amphitheatre will shield you from any sudden rainstorms, so let’s say it counts. Plus, a perfectly timed boom of thunder makes the lines of Shakespeare even more magical! On Friday and Sunday, you can catch Measure for Measure, an unconventional and riveting play that falls outside of traditional Shakespearean dramas and comedies. Or, stick to the classics with A Midsummer’s Night Dream on Saturday. The festival is also offering date night picnic baskets curated by Partake. Take it from us, there is no better complement to a timeless comedy of errors than a glass of wine and some delicious charcuterie!
Shine: Soak up some sun between rain showers with these outdoor events!
Edmonton Riverhawks Baseball | July 1-3
Help the Riverhawks secure a win against the Nanaimo NightOwls by screaming your support from the stands. With games on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, there is ample opportunity to show your Edmonton pride! For Canada Day, celebrations will start at 5:30 PM and include a DJ, bouncy castle, and free Nanaimo Squares! On Saturday at 6:00 PM, RE/MAX field will turn into a performing arts space AND a movie theatre with a pre-game improv show and a post-game screening of the 1993 film The Sandlot. To wrap up the weekend, Sunday will feature music both before and after the 1:00 PM game.
Edmonton Queer History Walking Tour | July 2, 9:30 AM
Did you know that the first play put on by the Citadel Theatre was written by a gay playwright? Or that Centennial Plaza was the site of Edmonton’s first openly gay rally? Learn these stories and so much more through The Edmonton Queer History Project’s guided walking tour. Starting in Michael Phair Park, this tour features 90 minutes of information on the people, places, and moments that form the rich tapestry of Edmonton’s queer history. With over 20 stops throughout Edmonton’s downtown core, this tour asks Edmontonians to seriously consider the history of the buildings that form the backdrop for our daily commutes. If you can’t make it to the tour, don’t despair! A self-guided version of the map is available online.
Canada Day at the Legislature, ICE District, and more! | July 1
This weekend round-up wouldn’t be complete without a shout-out to all the Canada Day events happening in Edmonton and surrounding areas this Friday! Head down to the Alberta Legislature, where celebrations will be in full swing from noon to 5:00 PM, with fireworks starting at 11:00 PM. Or, stop by the ICE District for a special Canada Day performance by the Stereos at 9:00 PM. If you are looking for something a little more low-key, check out featured talks about Canadian animals at the Edmonton Valley Zoo, or performances at Fort Edmonton Park before learning at the Indigenous Peoples Experience.
And that’s just scratching the surface! Find our full list of Canada Day events here.
Looking for even more options? Check out great events, concerts, theatre & more in our online Events Calendar!
