Don’t Let the Chilly Weather Stop You From Enjoying a Weekend in Edmonton, Canada’s Festival Hub

What if I told you that Canada’s festival capital is located in the northernmost city of the continent? It’s true: Edmonton hosts more than 60 festivals annually, earning its title as the “festival city.” This reputation is well-deserved, as even when winter temperatures drop to -22 degrees Fahrenheit, locals embrace the season with cross-country ski events, ice carving contests, and celebrations that honor the northern climate.

Moreover, warming up with drinks is a celebration in itself in E-town. Edmonton boasts a lively culinary scene, cocktail culture, and craft beer offerings, featuring several award-winning chefs and mixologists who have gained national and international acclaim—showcasing the high-quality ingredients sourced from local producers, farmers, and ranchers in this agriculturally rich region. But it’s the city’s residents that truly illuminate the atmosphere, with a vibrant community of creative individuals, artists, and craftspeople keeping the culture alive.

In short, Edmonton loves to go big and welcomes visitors with open arms. Here’s how to make the most of your weekend in the city.

Accommodation Options in Edmonton

Premier downtown lodging: JW Marriott

This upscale hotel is situated in the ICE District—Canada’s largest designated entertainment and mixed-use area. Spanning 25 acres, it features 1.5 million square feet of retail and office space, a public plaza, restaurants, and Rogers Place (where NHL games and major events take place just steps from the hotel).

The Marriott offers 346 guest rooms adorned with custom designs incorporating wood, stone, and metal, reflecting the rugged beauty of Alberta’s landscape. Amenities include a full-service spa, a fitness center, a pool, steam rooms, and whirlpools. Its four dining venues encompass Braven, an elegant steakhouse, and Alchemy, a cozy bar on the fifth floor accessed through a concealed entryway.

Affordable B&B: Corduroy Suites

In 2019, the century-old Gibbard Block underwent a multimillion-dollar renovation that included Corduroy Suites. This delightful B&B features eight units on the top floor, each designed to feel like a home-away-from-home, complete with well-equipped kitchens stocked with locally sourced goodies like Evoolution olive oil and Transcend coffee.

A retreat from the crowds: The Mettera

This luxury boutique hotel is located on Whyte Avenue in Old Strathcona, a historic neighborhood in south central Edmonton teeming with shops, restaurants, and pubs. The hotel’s decor showcases an organic-inspired color scheme complemented by granite features, live-edge wood tables, and rich textiles, inviting guests to unwind after a busy day on the Avenue. Asian-themed artwork and unique global artifacts enhance the experience, making you feel as though you've entered a different realm after the lively atmosphere of one of the city's most vibrant areas.

Dining and Drinking Options in Edmonton

Get your taste buds ignited at Smokey Bear

Smokey Bear is a sizzling hotspot located just off Whyte Avenue. Indulge in the tasting menu crafted by chef Riley Aitken and his talented team, as Smokey Bear specializes in dishes prepared over an open flame, highlighting delicious options like bone-in pork chops and grilled flatbreads. The roasted fruits and vegetables—cooked over a maple-wood fire—are especially delightful; ingredients picked at their peak and charred over sweet maple create a mouthwatering experience.

Discover hidden gems at Fu’s Repair Shop

Don’t be deceived by the façade of Fu’s Repair Shop. Although the windows are papered over with ads for stereo and video repairs, they serve merely to catch attention. And judging by the long lines, it’s certainly working since Fu’s opened its doors in the spring of 2022.

Fu’s serves exceptional food and drinks, with chef Winnie Chen preparing a feast that includes dim sum, five-spice duck tacos, and her family’s renowned (at least in their eyes) beef noodle soup. The spicy mandarin sour has quickly become a crowd favorite, but honestly, any of the unique craft cocktails is a great pick.

Experience bold Mexican flavors at Tres Carnales Rostizado

Enter the historic Mercer Building in downtown and grab a seat at Tres Carnales Rostizado, a contemporary Mexican eatery dishing out vibrant and flavorful meals like duck carnitas, cauliflower roasted in pork fat, and generous platters of succulent chicken, brined, dry-rubbed, and spit-roasted in-house. Don’t forget to try their frozen tamarind margaritas; they’re a must on your drink list!

Indulge, socialize, and enjoy at Baijiu

Baijiu, styled like a 1930s Shanghai speakeasy, offers Asian-inspired dishes paired with ’90s music. Share the pineapple and green papaya slaw along with the fish sauce-infused sticky chicken wings, but keep the peach bao all to yourself. The cocktails are strong yet well-balanced, with the citrus-forward Juice Wrld, accented by fresh ginger, being especially refreshing.

Insider tip: Ask your server about availability inside Little Hong Kong, the cozy bar tucked away behind a bookcase. If you’re lucky, you might have James Grant, Diageo World Class Global Bartender of 2021, crafting your cocktails that night.

Indulge your cravings for ice cream at Made by Marcus, Kind, and Fleisch Delikatessen

This northern city is crazy for ice cream. Discover artisanal delights at Made by Marcus or the small-batch wonders at Kind across from the Ritchie Market. The soft serve at Fleisch Delikatessen is often made with cereal-milk, and be prepared to wait for the Filipino-inspired flavors at Yelo’d in Old Strathcona.

Visit the eateries on 124 Street, such as Duchess Bake Shop, Northern Chicken, and Woodshed

Make sure to visit the award-winning Duchess Bake Shop on 124 Street. The lines have been long since the bakery opened in 2009, and while you’re in the area, stop by Northern Chicken if you prefer bourbon, beer, and fried chicken. If you’re craving locally sourced wagyu, cross the street to Woodshed for a delicious burger, or try its sister restaurant, Hayloft, for amazing dry-aged cuts and delightful cocktails.

Things to do in Edmonton

Wander through Old Strathcona

Close to the Old Strathcona Farmers’ Market is the boarding point for one of the finest ways to explore the city: the High Level Bridge Streetcar. This beautifully restored trolley from the early 1900s runs across the North Saskatchewan River. Purchase either return or one-way tickets from the conductor. Once aboard, relax and enjoy the views. At 185 feet above, you’ll be treated to breathtaking vistas of the city, the River Valley, and two picturesque bridges: the shining white Walterdale and the Tawatinâ, adorned with over 500 painted panels celebrating First Nations and Métis heritage.

You’ll also catch sight of the Beaux Arts–style Legislative Building; if you disembark on the north side of the river, a short walk will take you to tour the building and its sprawling, park-like grounds. Pick up an Alberta-made souvenir at the visitor center or enjoy a short film at the Pehonan Theatre, which recounts events since Alberta became a province in 1905.

While every season brings its own beauty, one of the best times to visit Old Strathcona is during the Fringe Festival, where nearly 1,600 artists from local, national, and international backgrounds perform for 10 days each August. In between performances, grab a fried green onion cake from one of the food stalls; these savory, circular flatbreads are a unique local delicacy.

Discover the River Valley

For a natural experience in Edmonton, cycle along the Valley’s 100 miles of trails or join a walking tour with Talking Rock Tours to delve into local Indigenous culture and the geological features of the Valley, including coal, bedrock, and bentonite clay. You’ll get to hold pink granite, sandstone, and various other rocks and minerals that form the banks and bed of the North Saskatchewan River. You might even stumble upon a dinosaur bone!

Discover Indigenous culture

Explore the significance of the Métis people with a day trip to Métis Crossing, located northeast of the city, or opt for an overnight stay at the luxurious boutique lodge on this expansive 512-acre educational site. This hub serves as a center for Alberta Métis cultural interpretation, community gatherings, and business initiatives. Visitors can partake in guided tours, delve into historical exhibits, or engage in activities like weaving and cooking while uncovering the rich history of the Métis people.

Experience galleries, museums, and theaters

From musical to theatrical, visual to culinary, Edmonton has a profound appreciation for the arts. Is a library worth visiting? Absolutely, if it’s the newly renovated Stanley Milner library downtown, which reopened in 2020 after a significant -year makeover. This library is not just for reading; it’s a place to explore and engage. The floor-to-ceiling interactive LED screen on the main level draws crowds, particularly when Dino Zoo is showing. Challenge yourself to identify as many prehistoric creatures as they wander across the screen, but beware of the velociraptor; it enjoys pecking at the screen, sending visitors of all ages darting for safety. If that’s too intense, enjoy the tranquil scenes of the Great Barrier Reef on select days.

Adjacent to the library is the Citadel Theatre, the go-to venue for theatrical arts, and right next door is the enchanting Winspear auditorium, home to the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra, hosting performances throughout the year. Just a few more steps will bring you to the Art Gallery of Alberta. Indulge in seasonally inspired dishes at May, the gallery's restaurant, before or after immersing yourself in art exhibits showcasing a range of notable works from emerging local talents to Renaissance greats, along with Canadian legends like Emily Carr, Maud Lewis, and the Group of Seven.

For museum enthusiasts, the Royal Alberta Museum is a must-see destination. Spanning 419,000 square feet, it's one of Alberta's premier cultural landmarks. The museum showcases artifacts that reflect the province's history and environment, featuring tools, bones from the past, military memorabilia, and everyday items that narrate the stories of communities. Notably, it houses around 18,000 Indigenous artifacts dating from the mid-1800s to the present. Close by, the outdoor neon museum offers a stunning view at night and is conveniently located near several acclaimed restaurants and bars.

Getting to Edmonton

You can reach Edmonton via the Edmonton International Airport, rent a car and drive, or take a taxi ride that takes about 15 minutes north to the city's outskirts.