Ahhhh, August! It’s the month we all want to last at least twice as long as it really does. Hang on to every last moment of summer by enjoying plenty of family fun! We’ve picked a mere sampling of the family fun events in Edmonton in August – to see everything this month has to offer, head over to the Family Fun Edmonton Events Calendar!
Drop-In Park Programs for FREE Summer Fun!
All Month | Keep boredom at bay all summer long with this roundup of drop-in park programs in and around the city! We’re talking Green Shack Shows, Play Mobs, Pop-up Libraries, Cruisin’ Clubhouse, Nature Nights, and more.
Outdoor & Drive-in Movies in Edmonton & Area
Grab your lawn chairs and blankets for these great outdoor movie events. There are currently 10 options for August, with more being added weekly!
Cultural Campfires in Stony Plain
August 1, 8, 15 & 22 | Celebrate diversity and learn about different cultural customs and traditions during Cultural Campfires! The Town of Stony Plain will welcome an array of storytellers to Shikakoi Park for this community favourite event on Thursday evenings. Don’t forget your lawn chairs!
Have a Bright Night at the Edmonton Water Lantern Festival
August 3 | Our summer nights will be a bit brighter with the Edmonton Water Lantern Festival set to return to Rundle Park! This event begins with music, entertainment, family-friendly activities, and food trucks. Each attendee can design their own lantern, and then at nightfall, the lanterns will be launched onto the water to set the park aglow!
Edmonton Heritage Festival
August 3-5 | Celebrate the many cultures that make Edmonton so special in a temporary new location at the Edmonton EXPO Centre. Enjoy dozens of pavilions representing countries and cultures across the world through music, dance, entertainment, and of course, FOOD!
Fairy Berry Festival at Prairie Gardens and Adventure Farm
August 3-5 | The fairy berries are said to be the sweetest of the strawberry season! Celebrate them and enjoy all that the venue has to offer with Fairy themed crafts, face painting, mazes, games, and petting farm, and trackless train rides. Kids 12 and under get FREE admission to the festival if they come dressed as fairies, pirates, or knights!
Bull Dog Race at Century Mile Racetrack and Casino
August 3 | The postponed Billy Bacon Memorial Bull Dog Race will now take place at Century Mile Racetrack & Casino on Saturday, August 3, 2024! Be there to cheer on these loveable bull dogs as they sprint 25 yards down the track, plus enjoy family-friendly activities like face painting, glitter tattoos, balloon twisting, and more.
FREE LEGO Make-and-Take Back to School Apple
August 4 | Make plans to visit a Lego Store on August 4, 2024 to make-and-take an adorable APPLE – perfect for Back to School! 🍎 Plan to be there early to avoid disappointment – mini builds will be available in limited quantities at both Edmonton locations (Southgate Centre and West Edmonton Mall).
Summer Movies at the Capitol Theatre
August 9 & 23 | Escape the summer heat during a special screening of Back to the Future or The Princess Bride at Fort Edmonton Park’s historic Capitol Theatre. Get your tickets now to watch Marty McFly time travel in his DeLorean on Friday, August 9 or watch farmboy-turned-pirate Westley embark on a quest for true love on Friday, August 23. Both events will include a licensed concession.
Summer Weekends at Rutherford House
August 10 & 11, 24 & 25 | Summer is the perfect time to visit Rutherford House! On select Summer Weekends you can tour the historic house and beautifully landscaped grounds while enjoying exciting themed events and additional activities (free with regular admission). August 10 & 11 will feature Butter & Biscuits, while August 24 & 25 is all about Laundry Day.
FREE Saturday Kids Club at Edmonton Urban Farm
August 3, 10, 17, 24 & 31 | Come explore this unique 2-acre farm in the heart of the city and help your kids more learn about growing through free garden-focused activities like planting and nature-based crafts. Some Saturdays will even offer the opportunity to meet a farm animal friend!
Youth Day Edmonton 2024
August 10 | Join in the 13th anniversary celebration of SOS Safety Magazine as they present Youth Day Edmonton. This fun-packed afternoon in Castle Downs Park is set to include games, bouncy castles, free food & drink, face painting, a live DJ, special guest appearances, prizes, plus even an outdoor movie at 9 pm featuring Migration. Event is free for all ages.
Fire Station Open House
August 10 & 24 | Edmonton’s friendly fire fighters invite you to check out the station, trucks, equipment and more during a Fire Station Open House. Participating fire city stations in August include Capilano and Lauderdale.
Vegreville Fair
August 7-11 | This 5 day Country Fair is celebrating it’s 150th year with bit of everything including a midway, chuckwagon races, grandstand entertainment, horse shows, fireworks, and a Kids Fun Zone. It is a little less overwhelming then K-Days, but still offers up the full exposition experience!
Family Nature Nights
August 7, 14 & 21 | Join Nature Alberta for Family Nature Nights events in local nature areas. Recommended for ages 4 to 12 and their families, this free program includes activities like tree IDing, wildlife tagging, birding, pond dipping, chasing bugs, and touching trout. Come out with your budding naturalist to experience nature, learn something new, and create some fun memories!
Cariwest Fest & Parade
August 9-11 | Let the rhythm get you at this vibrant and colourful festival in which Caribbean Canadians share their music, cuisine and carnival culture! Introduce your kids to amazing dance, music and fun during the parade on August 10 and free family-friendly activities happening in the Caribbean Village.
Fringe Theatre Festival
August 15-25 | The Edmonton International Fringe Theatre Festival returns to the heart of Old Strathcona this August for 10 days of all-new live theatre and improv adventures. Come on a journey at North America’s largest and longest-running Fringe Theatre Festival – all you need is your backpack, festival guide, walking shoes and your best fringing pals!
ESO Outdoors Summer Concerts
August 15-18 & 25 | Join members of the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra for 5 special ESO Outdoors Summer Concerts in local parks. Each concert will feature a curated group of ESO members performing memorable songs from all genres including classical, pops and Hollywood. Concerts are pay-what-you-can ($25 suggested).
FEATURED
Londonderry’s Classic Car Show N Shine
August 17 | Find all the coolest cars in the Londonderry Mall during their 5th annual Show N’ Shine. Car Buffs of Edmonton invites everyone to spend the day in the sun admiring beautiful classic cars and meeting other car enthusiasts behind the wheel. The family-friendly event will include prize draws, BBQ, music, and more!
FEATURED
Swifties Under the Sky Outdoor Music Celebration
August 17 | Are you ready for it? Don’t miss your chance to spend the night outdoors in Edmonton’s beautiful River Valley listening to hits from the Eras tour under the stars! This amazing event at RE/MAX Field will include your favourite T-Swift music alongside live dance performances, a stunning light and video show, DJs, vendors, great food, face painters, bracelet making, and an explosive fireworks show to end the night!
Alberta Open Farm Days
August 17 & 18 | Meet your rural neighbours, learn about farming operations, and enjoy some of the freshest food you can find in our province! Alberta Open Farm Days is a province-wide event for foodies, farmers, and families. Albertans are encouraged to come meet their rural neighbours to share stories, see demonstrations, and learn more about the farmers who grow their food.
AGA100 Birthday on the Square
August 18 | The Art Gallery of Alberta is celebrating its 100th Birthday and everyone is invited! Join the party in Churchill Square on Sunday, August 18, 2024 with live music and performances, art stations, special guests, surprises, prizes, giveaways, and, of course, birthday cake!
Stony Plain Road Business Association FREE Outdoor Movie Night
August 18 | The Stony Plain Road Business Association invites you to an outdoor showing of WISH! Bring your lawn chair or blanket to cozy up in front of the screen, or enjoy it from your vehicle with the drive-in option. Be there at 3:00 pm for all the pre-show fun including bouncy castles, a pop-up market, and balloon animals, plus FREE popcorn for the movie.
FEATURED
Monster Truck Throwdown at RAD Torque Raceway
August 23-25 | Be in the stands at Rad Torque Raceway to cheer on these 10,000 pound, 10 foot tall mammoth machines as they race around the track to smash huge obstacles and pull off some astounding feats!
FEATURED
Kickstart Your Style! Back-to-School at Londonderry Mall
August 24 | Kickstart Your Style! Londonderry Mall is where you will find exclusive shopping experiences, exciting giveaways, and all the latest back-to-school fashion trends. Whether you are shopping for a new wardrobe, fresh school supplies, or chic seasonal decor, Londonderry Mall has everything your family needs for fall. Be there on Saturday, August 24, 2024 to kickstart the season with a day of shopping, selfies, sales, and free teen skincare advice.
FREE Disney Concert at Symphony in the Square
August 30 & 31 | Plan for an enchanted evening as the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra once again brings you the magic of Disney in Concert during Symphony in the Square! Once Upon a Time is a FREE family-friendly concert that will feature the music of beloved Disney films including Cinderella, Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid, The Lion King, Tangled, Frozen, Encanto, and more.
Rural Roots Fair in Beaumont
August 24 | Enjoy pony rides, duck herding, a petting zoo, bouncy castle and obstacle course, art activities, traditional voyageur games, wagon rides, tool and equipment displays, live entertainment, and a Marketplace. Bring your appetite, too – there will be food trucks on site!
The Big Bounce Canada: The World’s Biggest Bouncy Castle Tour
August 31 – September 8 | Big Bounce Canada is bringing The World’s Biggest Bouncy Castle to Edmonton’s RAD Torque Raceway! Book your dedicated 3-hour timeslot now to enjoy unlimited access to the spectacular 16,000 square foot feature inflatable, plus “The Giant” 300 m obstacle course, an out-of-this-world “Air Space” zone, and the “Sport Slam” arena!
FREE Parkbus to Elk Island National Park
Saturday & Sundays | Elk Island National Park and Parkbus have teamed up again to offer FREE Summer shuttle service from Downtown Edmonton to Elk Island National Park! The bus will pick up visitors at the MEC store at 8:30 am and the Royal Alberta Museum at 8:45 am for a day visit to Elk Island National Park. Your FREE shuttle ride will include a guided tour of the Elk Island National Park Visitor Information Centre and a behind-the-scenes tour with Parks Canada Interpreters. Registration is required with a $15 credit card deposit to reserve your spot.
RiverWatch Eco Float Guided Raft Adventures
All Month | View the city skyline, historic bridges and beautiful North Saskatchewan River valley from a whole new vantage point during a 4 hour scenic Eco Float Guided Raft Adventure route from Laurier Park to Gold Bar/Capilano Boat Launch.
Summer Fun Bucket List
All Month | STILL need ideas for Summer family fun? Check our Summer Fun Bucket List to discover ideas for things to do in and around Edmonton before the kids go back to school!
Love seeing the Family Fun Events in Edmonton in August, but want MORE? Sign up for the monthly Family Fun Edmonton enewsletter! Also, keep tabs on everything happening in #YEG with our calendar, and stay tuned to all the best local family events through our Facebook and Instagram.
