How to celebrate Canada Day in Edmonton (2024)

Canada Day weekend is just around the corner, so here are activities Edmontonians can do to celebrate the holiday.

Fireworks

Fireworks will light up the river valley at 11 p.m. from Kinsmen Park. The best viewing locations are at the Alberta legislature grounds, Queen Elizabeth Park, River Valley Road trail and Constable Ezio Faraone Park.

The city warned that pedestrian and trail access will be unavailable in Kinsmen Park due to road closures. Kinsmen’s playground, tennis courts and picnic areas are closed starting at 6 a.m. on Canada Day.

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Alberta legislature

From 12 p.m. to 5 p.m., visitors are invited to the Alberta legislature grounds for a variety of Canada Day events.

Rob Clark, the Edmonton Oilers’ official anthem singer, will sing O Canada on the main stage at Violet King Henry Plaza at 12:30 p.m.

The Alberta Family Fun Zone will be happening from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m., featuring interactive entertainment including Cree storytelling, magicians, balloon-twisting, crafts, a science show and circus performances.

From 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., there will be dance and musical performances, and Captain Tractor will headline the main stage show at 4 p.m.

Ice District

The Ice District will host free Canada Day celebrations headlined by Canadian country music star Tim Hicks and featuring Nice Horse and Taylor Rae from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m.

The Fan Park will have drop-in basketball, pickleball and street hockey, as well as snacks and non-alcoholic refreshments.

The Ice District Plaza will have music, games, inflatables, photo booths, face painting, performers, food trucks, non-alcoholic refreshments and adult beverages. Musical acts are set to perform on the plaza’s main stage starting at 5 p.m.

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Art festival

The Works Art and Design Festival will take over Sir Winston Churchill Square on July 1.

There will be visual art installations, food trucks and tours opening at 11 a.m. All-ages art-marking workshops will run from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m., and guests can enjoy music and comedy on the Works Street Stage from 12 p.m. until 9:30 p.m.

The zoo

The Edmonton Valley Zoo is marking its 65th anniversary and will be hosting an all-ages event featuring music and magic activities. The event runs from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and guests can learn about how the zoo protects wild spaces and wildlife.

The pyramids

The Muttart Conservatory will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Canada Day.

An event will take place from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. that will include henna, airbrush tattoos, crafts and a scavenger hunt.

Guests can explore the conservatory’s summer feature pyramid called “Where Pyramids Collide” and see how botanicals were used in ancient Egyptian society.

The nature centre

If you’re buzzing for something else to do, the John Janzen Nature Centre will be hosting an event from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. to kick off “Super Fly July.” Guests can discover what kind of insects live in Edmonton with a bug hunt and pond dipping for aquatic creatures.

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Mill Woods

From 2 p.m. to 11 p.m., Mill Woods Park will host its 32nd Canada Day celebration, which will include multicultural performances, dance, music, and fireworks at 11 p.m.

Riverhawks baseball

Edmontonians are invited to Re/Max Field to watch the Edmonton Riverhawks battle it out against the Port Angeles Lefties at 7:05 p.m. Attendees are invited to watch fireworks at the field, and a post-game party will include performances by Brasstactics and the Canadian classic rock band Giv’R.

Spray parks

The city’s spray parks will be open on Canada Day, but Kinsmen’s spray park will close at 7 p.m. In the event of extreme weather/poor air quality, city hall’s fountain and spray parks will close.

Recreation centres

City of Edmonton recreation and leisure centres will be open during the long weekend. Saturday and Sunday operate as regular hours, but statutory holiday hours are in effect for Canada Day.

Peter Hemingway Fitness and Leisure Centre will be closed due to rehabilitation work.

St. Francis Xavier Sports Centre and Central Lions Recreation Centre are closed on Canada Day.

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Outdoor pools

The city’s outdoor pools — Borden Natural Swimming Pool, Fred Broadstock, Queen Elizabeth and Wîhkwêntôwin (formerly Oliver) — are open for the long weekend depending on extreme weather/air quality.

ctran@postmedia.com

@kccindytran

— with files from Ramin Ostad

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