Edmonton, AB in Canada has a Full Arts Scene

Vacation in Alberta’s Capital City for Theatre, Dance, Opera & Music

© Lori Henry

Oct 22, 2007
Edmonton International Fringe Theatre Festival, AB, Ellis Brothers
Travel to downtown Edmonton, Alberta for the top festivals in theatre, art, dance, opera and music in western Canada.

The arts scene in Edmonton, Alberta is thriving with theatre, art, dance, opera and music festivals. Follow the downtown crowd to the city's talent centre, where annual events are highly anticipated.

The City of Edmonton, Alberta

Located in western Canada and in the northern region of the province of Alberta, Edmonton is desired for its local arts and culture scene. This year's theme "Building Connections" will feature a yearlong poetry festival. As well, light displays and performances will be highlighted in Nightworks and visual and media arts will take the stage in Edmonton Explorations.

Theatre in Edmonton

Heading up the drama is The Citadel Theatre, Canada's largest regional and western Canada's only classical theatre. On a smaller scale, there are around 20 theatre companies and a few dozen acting co-ops to satisfy the taste of everyone. With eight companies based in the Old Strathcona district and dinner theatre an always-popular option, there never has to be a dull night out.

Art in Edmonton

With more than 60 galleries in the city, there is an abundance of talent to fill them with great pieces. The Art Gallery of Alberta tops the group with more than 5,000 works and is the longest running cultural institution in Alberta. During the fall and spring, visitors are treated to the Gallery Walk, an unguided walking tour that includes eight galleries in a nine-block radius.

Dance in Edmonton

Pull out the rhythm for dance downtown. Alberta Ballet is the third largest dance company in Canada and performs at the Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium, while the Brian Webb Dance Company runs a complete season of contemporary dance each year.

Music in Edmonton

The Francis Winspear Centre for Music is home to the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra. Its large, 1,900-seat concert hall has the largest concert organ in Canada. On another note, folk music is very much alive, with a connection to Folkways Records in New York. It provides documents, preserves history and is a reference for folk music study and research.

Annual Edmonton Events

Edmonton brings live music during the summer with the Edmonton’s Blues Festival, Symphony Under The Sky, Yardbird Jazz Festival and the Edmonton Folk Music Festival. If theatre is more suitable, annual performances include the Edmonton International Fringe Festival, Festival of Dance, the Edmonton International Film Festival and the VisualEyez Festival of Performance Art.

Buy Tickets

Same-day tickets are available at a discounted rate from TIX on the Square, located in Churchill Square.


The copyright of the article Edmonton, AB in Canada has a Full Arts Scene in Alberta Travel is owned by Lori Henry. Permission to republish Edmonton, AB in Canada has a Full Arts Scene in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.


Edmonton Folk Music Festival in AB (Canada), Ellis Brothers
Yardbird Jazz Festival in Edmonton, AB (Canada), Laughing Dog Photography
Feats Dance Festival in Edmonton, AB (Canada), Laughing Dog Photography
Edmonton International Fringe Theatre Festival, AB, Ellis Brothers
Symphony Under the Sky in Edmonton, AB (Canada), Festival City


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