20 awesome things to do in Edmonton this September

Aug 21 2025, 7:35 pm

Summer may be winding down in Edmonton, but there are still plenty of incredible things to see and do around the city.

Edmonton International Film Festival

What: Enjoy the best in short and feature-length cinema when the Edmonton International Film Festival returns later this month!

Where: Various theatres in Edmonton
When: Thursday, Sept. 25 to Saturday, Oct. 4
Cost: Varies

Elk Island National Park

What: Located just 35 minutes east of Edmonton, Elk Island National Park offers rolling hills, glassy lakes, and some of the best stargazing around. Explore over 80 km of trails or paddle the lakes while spotting bison, elk, and hundreds of bird species.

When: Open 24 hours
Where: Improvement District No. 13, Alta.
Cost: Free admission until Sept. 2

Edmonton Mural Festival

What: Dive into a world of colour and creativity at the Edmonton Mural Festival, where local and international artists transform the city into an open-air gallery! Enjoy a month-long celebration of stunning murals, hands-on art experiences, and vibrant community events, including an epic closing party you won’t want to miss.

When: Friday, Aug. 15 to Monday, Sept. 15
Where: Various locations across Edmonton
Cost: Varies; find ticketed event information online

Catch an Edmonton Elks game

 

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What: Catch the Edmonton Elks twice at home this month as they battle it out at Commonwealth Stadium! It’s a great atmosphere, and those ticket prices aren’t bad either!

When: Multiple dates in September
Where: Commonwealth Stadium — 11000 Stadium Rd. NW
Cost: Tickets start at $19

Purple City Music Festival

What: Purple City Music Festival runs from Sept. 5 to 7 and will feature more than 60 artists on nine stages within a two-block radius in downtown Edmonton. Some genres represented at this year’s festival include punk, psych-rock, post-punk, and shoegaze.

Where: Multiple venues downtown
When: Friday, Sept. 5 to Sunday, Sept. 7
Cost: Free and paid shows; get tickets here

Edmonton Corn Maze

 

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What: Grab your friends and family and get lost in a cornfield, because the Edmonton Corn Maze is open with a brand-new design for the season.

When: Thursday, July 25, 2025, to Monday, Oct. 27, 2025
Where: 26171 Garden Valley Rd., Spruce Grove
Cost: Prices vary, and tickets can be found online

Strathearn Art Walk

What: Taking place on the stunning parkland alongside Strathearn Drive, the Strathearn Art Walk is something we look forward to every September, and it’s totally free to check out! Even if you don’t pick something up, it’s a great day browsing through the local art.

Where: Along Strathearn Drive between 91st Street and 89th Street
When: Friday, Sept. 5 to Sunday, Sept. 7
Cost: 
Free

Cruise on the Edmonton Riverboat

What: For three decades, Edmonton’s iconic riverboat has offered unparalleled views of the Edmonton city skyline and the stunning river valley. This incredible 90-minute excursion lets you indulge in fantastic dining options, drinks, and some awesome live music, and you get to experience Edmonton from a whole new vantage point.

When: Seven days a week throughout the summer
Where:
 9734 98th Ave. NW
Cost: Starts at $75 for adults (buffet included); book online

AsiaFest 2025

 

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What: AsiaFest is back and better than ever! This year, guests are encouraged to indulge in a sensory journey filled with mouthwatering dishes, captivating performances, and cultural experiences like no other. With over 90 vendors lined up, visitors will discover even more flavours, crafts, and unique finds. And for the thrill-seekers, don’t miss the Extreme Eating Contest — it’s going to be wild!

When: Evenings from Friday, Sept. 12 to 14
Where: Currents of Windermere — 6183 Currents Dr. NW
Cost: Free

Streetcar Cask Series

 

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What: Hop aboard! One of Edmonton’s most exciting experiences combines all things beer and all things Edmonton on a scenic ride aboard one of the city’s historic streetcars. Every Thursday evening from May to October, The Common features a rotating lineup of Alberta breweries showcasing their beer on board. Each trip promises a unique brew available exclusively on the streetcar.

When: Every Thursday
Time: 6:45 and 8 p.m.
Location: 10910 100th Ave. NW, Edmonton
Admission: $63.10

DSTRKT25

 

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What: DSTRKT25 is a two-night dance festival that celebrates electronic music and is set to transform the Fan Park at ICE District into a high-energy, groove-filled destination! Grammy-winning DJ and producer Kaytranada will take the stage alongside Excision, renowned for his iconic live shows and stunning visuals, as they headline this unforgettable event.

When: Friday, Sept. 5 to 6
Where: Fan Park — 10104 104th Ave. NW
Cost: Ticket prices vary

Where Dark Things Dwell

What: Step into a village-wide escape room experience set in the historic Village of Edmonton, where a mysterious curse has taken hold. Using only lantern light, you’ll explore buildings, solve puzzles, and piece together clues to uncover what’s driving the townsfolk to madness, if you dare…

When: Various dates until Sunday, Sept. 14
Where: Fort Edmonton Park — 7000 143rd St. NW
Cost: Individual tickets start at $35

Chinatown After Dark

What: Chinatown After Dark is a vibrant mix of a traditional Chinatown Night Market and food sampling galore! Watch as alleys are transformed into lively patios, complete with seating, entertainment, activities, and good vibes. Guests can purchase food tickets and curate their own dinner spread from over 20 participating Chinatown restaurants.

When: Saturday, Sept. 20, from 6 to 11 p.m.
Where: Alley of China Marble Restaurant — 10566 97th St. NW
Cost: Varies

Royal Alberta Museum

What: Marvel at the Royal Alberta Museum’s vast collections. From its archaeology, Indigenous studies, and work-life industry sections to Earth and Life Sciences that will wow you, it’s one of the most intriguing things to do in Edmonton.

When: Hours vary 
Where:
 9810 103a Ave. NW
Cost: $10 to $21; tickets can be found online

Kaleido Family Arts Festival

What: Kaleido Family Arts Festival is a joyous, exuberant, radically open arts festival that shares the love of the Alberta Avenue Arts District. Arts on the Ave and Kaleido welcome arts and cultural experiences with multi-arts collaborative performances such as music, dance, theatre, film, literary and visual arts with performances on rooftops, sides of buildings, back alleys, parks and found spaces. It’s an extravagance of creative exploration, imagination, and play.

When: Friday, Sept. 5 to 7
Where: Alberta Avenue Arts District (118th Aveune from 90th to 95th Street)
Cost: Free

Snow Valley Aerial Park

 

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What: With over 100 elements in the structure, there is something for everyone. Crawl, climb, swing, and step your way through locally themed elements up to 15 metres high, including the rainbow wall, ski bridge, swinging picnic table, and tons of other challenges!

When: Hours vary
Where: 3204 Rainbow Valley Rd. 
Cost: Ticket prices vary

Deadmonton

 

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What: Ready to get scared? Edmonton’s iconic Deadmonton is back, and the spooky haunted houses at this event will send chills down your spine. This year, the terrifying event has three new themes to be frightened by, including the House of Madame Tortura, Danse Macabre, and Biogen Organics: The Human Experiment.

When: Friday, Sept. 26 to Saturday, Nov. 8; the Lights Out event is Nov. 7 to 8
Where: 9300 47th St. NW, Edmonton
Cost: Regular admission to all shows is $43.99 to $48.99; reserve tickets online

Bike/hike in the River Valley

 

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What: Edmonton’s River Valley is vast, and boy, are we ever lucky to have the largest urban park in North America. With more than 160 km of maintained pathways and 20 major parks, the River Valley is a gem and a natural wonder for all to enjoy. It’s the perfect place to spend a bright summer afternoon.

Art Gallery of Alberta

 

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What: Right in the heart of downtown, the Art Gallery of Alberta has been Edmonton’s go-to for art and culture for 100 years. With rotating exhibitions, workshops, and events, it’s the perfect spot to get inspired, learn something new, or just soak up some creativity.

When: Open Wednesdays 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursdays 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Fridays to Sundays 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: 2 Sir Winston Churchill Square, Edmonton
Cost: $13.33 adult admission

Pumpkins After Dark

What: Pumpkins After Dark will spook up Borden Park from Sept. 26 to Oct. 31 with pumpkins carved to resemble classic Halloween characters, dinosaurs and dragons, and movie and pop culture icons. The event boasts more than 6,000 hand-carved pumpkins, and it’s certainly a must-do activity for Halloween in Edmonton.

When: Saturday, Sept. 27 to Friday, Oct. 31
Where: 7727 Borden Park Rd. NW
Cost: Ticket prices vary by date; find them online

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