. . . . in Canada. For most people, that’s an easy one. Vancouver is right up there, as Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, Calgary, and Ottawa. But how about Edmonton? Likely, there are many who think they know Canada, but actually only scratch the surfaces with The Big Five. But what about Edmonton? Ring a bell? Well, if not, let us clue you in to one of the least known, but actually kinda cool and certainly worth the trip.
Sadly, one of the aspects of Edmonton’s location is that it is a bit of a slog to get there, given its location. But that kind of exclusivity has its benefits. Edmonton stands out as a unique Canadian destination because it successfully balances the scale of a major metropolis with an unconventional, “northern” spirit. While cities like Vancouver and Toronto are often defined by their skylines or coastal views, Edmonton is defined by its massive urban nature, a relentless festival culture, and a history of building “the world’s largest” attractions.
Also, Edmonton’s most significant natural feature is the North Saskatchewan River Valley which is the largest urban parkland in North America. It is approximately 22 times the size of New York’s Central Park and significantly larger than Stanley Park in Vancouver. Features over 150 km of interconnected trails that allow you to travel across the entire city without ever leaving a forested environment.
Offers year-round recreation, including “IceWays” (illuminated skating paths through the trees) in the winter and boat launches for paddling in the summer. Edmonton holds the title of “Festival City” because it hosts over 50 major festivals annually—more than there are weeks in a year. And, get this: The Edmonton Fringe: This is the oldest and largest fringe theatre festival in North America, second only to Edinburgh globally.
Winter Festivals: Unlike many cities that “hibernate,” Edmonton embraces the cold with events like SilverSkate and Flying Canoe Volant, which feature large-scale light installations and ice sculptures. The Folk Music Festival: Set in the natural amphitheater of Gallagher Park, this is considered one of the premier folk festivals in the world, famous for its “candlelight” hill during the final acts. And there’s more. You might want to step away from the big names and simply chillax.
This is quite the place to be if the snow and the cold is your thing. Flying Canoe festival, Edmonton,
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Our affiliate partners, Tiqets have lots for you to do. How about the Fort Edmonton Park: Indigenous Peoples Experience the vibrant history, culture, and viewpoint of Indigenous tribes Click here
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