14 wicked things to do in Edmonton this week: Sept. 1 to 5
Happy first week back to school! Summer may be winding down, but the sun is still shining and there’s no shortage of exciting things happening in Edmonton this week.
From the Kaleido Family Arts Festival to Purple City Music Fest and everything in between, here are 14 wicked things to check out around the city.
Purple City Music Festival
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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 Mural Festival
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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
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 to Monday, Oct. 27, 2025
Where: 26171 Garden Valley Rd., Spruce Grove
Cost: Prices vary, and tickets can be found online
Cruise on the Edmonton Riverboat
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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
Strathearn Art Walk
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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
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.
Royal Alberta Museum
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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
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
Snow Valley Aerial Park
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What: With over 100 elements on 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
Where Dark Things Dwell
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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
Kaleido Family Arts Festival
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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
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. 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
Elk Island National Park
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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
Fort Edmonton Park
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What: Fort Edmonton Park is the largest living history museum in Canada. Visitors can experience the history of Edmonton before their very eyes, with a recreation of a fort from 1846 that was located on the grounds during that time, as well as streets that detail each time period from 1885 to 1920.
Where: Fort Edmonton Park — 7000 143rd St. NW
When: Wednesdays to Sundays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Cost: $27.90 adult admission; find tickets online