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Boasting an average of 325 days of sunshine yearly it’s easy to see why Edmonton, the lovingly dubbed ‘Festival City’, thrives in summertime. Throngs of Edmontonians clamour to find any and every reason to celebrate outdoors, taking advantage of the heat (finally!), and twilight that lasts until well past 11 pm.

When you’ve spent a bulk of the year with cabin fever, waiting for snow to melt so you can leave the house in comfort, it’s hard to imagine a better place to emerge than Edmonton. With events, festivals, and cultural activities every day it’s easy to see why so many choose to stay in the city all summer long. Here are just of few of our favourite, and sometimes forgotten, gems to experience this summer in our fair city:

Freewill Shakespeare Festival 

Freewill Shakespeare Festival

Formerly known as the ‘River City Shakespeare Festival’, the newly monikered theatre company is now well into its 27th season. Much to the delight of Edmontonians and our great need to be outside, the company performs every summer at the outdoor Heritage Amphitheatre in Hawrelak Park. Their modern and creative take on old classics create an accessible experience for a wide range of audiences, while the idyllic nature setting makes for an ideal evening out. The company is producing two plays this summer, Coriolanus and As You Like It, running June 23 to July 19th.

Catch a Baseball Game

Edmonton Prospects Baseball Club

Gone are the days of taking in an Edmonton Trappers Game with a few friends in old John Ducey Park, but did you know the city still has a thriving team in the Western Major Baseball League? The Edmonton Prospects are a collegiate summer team that have played out of Telus field since moving there in 2012. With the exception of a handful of away games, you can catch them multiple times per week all summer long, for as little as $14 a person.

Movies on the Square

Scotiabank® Movies on the Square

Every Tuesday in August, Scotiabank^® hosts a free, family friendly, movie night in Churchill Square. The 3 story inflatable screen can be seen from all corners of the square, just bring a chair if you like and take in the outdoor cinematic experience. The first 300 people to arrive even get free popcorn!

Taste of Edmonton

Taste of Edmonton

For 31 years Taste of Edmonton has been one of the City’s most popular summer events. With new fare every year it’s hard for the this festival not to say fresh. Boasting the city’s newest and trendiest eateries, side by side with classic favourites, the festival provides a chance for foodies and non foodies alike to sample Edmonton’s best restaurant offerings all in one place. This year the festival will be held July 22-25 in Centennial Plaza (located at the corner of 100 Street NW and 101a Avenue NW).

Edmonton International Street Performers Festival

Edmonton International Street Performers Festival. Image Credit: Metro News

Renowned in the international theatre scene, the Street Performers Festival is the longest running celebration devoted exclusively to street theatre. Crowds are drawn to music, magicians, children’s and adult entertainers, juggler’s and fire breathers, the list goes on. With something for everyone it’s easy to see why this event has gained such popularity amongst locals and tourists. The festivities can be caught July 3-12 this year in Churchill Square.

Fort Edmonton Park

Fort Edmonton Park

This living history museum captures the glory and grandeur of pioneer life in Edmonton. It is a stunning recreation of the prairie life experienced by settlers and many of our ancestors, presented in an educational yet entertaining way. Hosting special events all throughout the summer, the park truly comes alive. Every Thursday the historic yet fully functioning cinema shows classic films for a fraction of urban theatre prices, additionally you can book a romantic stay at their Hotel Selkirk for the full pioneer experience. Another hi-light includes Opera performances outdoors in the park limited runs. Visit their website to keep up to date on coming events.

Heritage Festival

Heritage Festival

If you’ve ever craved Greek salad, green onion cakes, pyrohy, empanadas, and crepes all in one sitting, this is the place to be. Amazing eats, colourful attire, world music, and traditional dance are just of few of the experiences not to be missed at the Heritage Festival. For 3 days 60 pavilions showcase more than 85 cultural experiences from around the world, right in the heart of the river valley. The Heritage Festival is held August long weekend (1-3rd) in Hawrelak Park.

Take a Dip at an Outdoor Pool

Queen Elizabeth and Kinsmen Spray Park Outdoor Pool

Probably the most relaxing, laid back, and easiest to plan on our list. Soak in the sunshine at one of Edmonton’s four outdoor pools. There are pool toys and games for the kids and refreshing beverages and ice cream for purchase. Queen Elizabeth offers a spray park and sun deck, while Oliver pool boasts a water slide. Visit the City of Edmonton Outdoor Pools page for hours and information.

We can’t possibly include ALL the city’s activities in one article, and many are so much a part of the city they hardly need discussing, yet here are a few of our honourable mentions: Edmonton Folk Music Festival, K-Days, Edmonton International Fringe Theatre Festival, and  the Muttart Conservatory.

Visiting Edmonton? Why not stay awhile? CLICK HERE to contact one of our friendly, experienced agents who can help you find your dream home right here in Festival City. 

The current population of the city of Edmonton is around 835,000.

Projections expect that number to break one million within the next 10 years. If that number is hard to swallow, consider these statistics: in the next 30 years there is an expectation of half a million new residents living within city limits. That’s like the entire population of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan picking up and moving to Edmonton…TWICE. Every one of those 500,000 new neighbours of ours will need a bed to sleep in, a kitchen to cook in, and access to all the same amenities we use each and every day.

What is the key to this potential population crunch? New housing in established neighbourhoods. And the number one strategy to achieve this measure is infill projects.

Project Definitions. Source: City of Edmonton

The City of Edmonton is looking ahead, and presently establishing solutions to keep the city thriving while supporting an elevating population in the distant, as well as not-so-distant future. The city developed the “Evolving Infill” project which liaised with any and all interested members of the community to establish a conversation about the pros and cons of the upsurge of residential infill. The dialogue took place from November 15, 2013 and was wrapped up this August, 2014 when an extensive report was been published with in-depth responses to the challenging questions posed to concerned citizens.

Taking into account the information gleaned from this project, the city is now able to move forward in an effort to encourage and support the creation of more diverse housing options. The two year work plan explains measures taken to make the entire infill process more streamlined, with higher degrees of efficiency. Many of these measures address the inefficiencies of bureaucracy  and attempt to remove some of the red tape attached to municipal construction projects. Examples include addressing zoning bylaw location criteria (opening up more opportunities for garage or garden suites), changing RF1 zoning to allow narrower subdivisions of land, and simplifying approval processes for medium density houses in RF3 zones.

The city has published a user friendly guide to this new action plan (in plain English for us non-contractors out there), “Edmonton’s Infill Roadmap” outlining measures and approaches expected to change in the coming months and years.

Excerpt from the publication. Source: City of Edmonton

Excerpt from the publication. Source: City of Edmonton

According to an anonymous contributor to the report:

“My neighbourhood desperately needs to infills to replace tired housing stock, and also to provide enough density to support the schools and commercial businesses in the area.”

While a contractor explains:

“If garage suites were allowed, this would allow the original house to stand and the homeowner still to increase density while also having an income suite.”

Infill is important for a young, growing city; by making the best use of existing infrastructure we can allow for the thriving population expected within the next three decades. For more information on infill visit the City of Edmonton’s website, to create a custom search of properties available for purchase CLICK HERE and speak with an agent about exciting potential for infill projects in an area of your choice.

St. Albert is located in Edmonton’s north-westernmost corner, with major throroughfares connecting the two. Though St. Albert’s borders are virtually indistinguishable from Edmonton’s, it is politically deemed a separate city. With a geographical area of just under 50 km squared and a population of over 61,000 and growing, it is a fraction of Edmonton’s size, yet encompasses all the amenities of, and proximity to, big city life.

Map showing Saint Albert’s proximity to Edmonton. Image Credit: nacha.ca

The surprisingly independent community has its own rich history separate from the development of Edmonton. Founded in 1861 by Father Albert Lacombe,2 the the small Métis community became the town of St. Alberta in 1904. It thrived, due to it’s proximity to Fort Edmonton, and become known locally as a popular resting point for journeying First Nations peoples on their travels. Agriculture, and specifically the construction of two important grain elevators, contributed significantly to the burgeoning economy.

St. Alberta, 1912. Image Credit: St. Albert Historical Network

Through it’s evolution from settlement, to Town, to City, St. Albert has developed a strong foundational infrastructure. The city has it’s own transit system, the renowned Sturgeon Community Hospital, a public school system, an Athabasca University satellite campus, and a municipal governing body comprised of a mayor and six city councilors. The city also has a blend of residential communities and major commercial areas, including St. Albert Centre, a premier shopping destination.

Just last year, MoneySense Magazine, published an article on the best places to live in Canada, and the top ranking city was none other than St. Albert, Alberta.  The ranking accounted for criteria such as employment rate, public transit, arts and culture, crime rates, and access to medical care. Here is the SHAW TV report on the article:

St. Albert has a noteworthy arts and cultural community, with thriving establishments like the Art Gallery of St. Albert, and St. Albert Place. For the more recreationally  inclined, the city is renowned for it’s Red Willow park trail system, the recently developed, Servus Credit Union Place.

St. Albert Place. Image Credit: AlbertDiary.ca

CLICK HERE to view available properties in St. Albert.

The town of Lamont is about a 45 minute drive out of Edmonton to the north-east. The 9.3 square kilometre community is home to a population of around 1700 residents. Lamont is also known as the “Gateway to Elk Island National Park“, which is located directly south of town. Within the park is Astotin Lake which is less than a twenty minute drive from town. To to west, along highway 15  is the town of Bruderheim and then Fort Saskatchewan.

Lamont Park Trail. Image Credit: Town of Lamont

The town is named after the prolific historical figure John Henderson Lamont. Lamont was a Canadian politician, lawyer, and supreme court justice; he received his law degree in 1893 and was active legally and politically until his death in 1936. Lamont was famously described by settlers as “the nicest open country a person could wish for.”  Infrastructure development began in 1912 upon the opening of the Lamont Hospital.

Original Lamont Hospital, as it looked in 1912. Image Credit: United Church of Canada Archives

Lamont has a rich cultural history, which carries into present day. In honour of the large Ukrainian population in the area, a Mohlya was erected just north of the town in 1991 to honour the centenary of Ukrainian settlement in Canada. Additionally, the town has an array of art, craft, and antique shops in which to display and sell cultural relics.

Parade on Main Street. Image Credit: Town of Lamont

In addition to a public library, hall, and curling rink, Lamont is home to a regulation NHL sized hockey arena. The small community is incredibly active in organizing festivities year-round at these various facilities and in outdoor public spaces. Activities include the Family Fun Circus,  Town Wide Garage Sale, Picnic in the Park, Fairs, Rodeos, Public Skating, and numerous Christmas events.

NHL Sized Hockey Arena. Image Credit: Town of Lamont.

Lamont has all necessary amenities including hotels and motels, pubs, daycare and youth programs, grocery, health and beauty services, an elementary and junior high school, and all means of medical care. A whole host of restaurants are in close proximity, as well as shopping, and recreation.  Lamont is also home to the Elk Island Golf Course, an historic 9 hole course built in 1936, one of the provinces oldest!

CLICK HERE to view properties available in Lamont.

The communities of Dunluce, Oxford, and Kensington are prominent neighborhoods in Edmonton’s residential north-west.

The borders of Dunluce run from 127 Street to Castle Downs Road, and from 167 Avenue to 153 Avenue. As explained by the City of Edmonton, in the 1970’s the city expanded its northern borders in response to the rising population caused by the oil boom. It was during this expansion that the communities of Castle Downs, including Dunluce, legally became part of Edmonton.

Dunluce Treestand. Image Credit: City of Edmonton

The neighborhood is home to two elementary schools, as well as The Castle Downs Recreation Centre, a dry pond, and the Dunluce Treestand, and is therefore conducive to family living, and recreational lifestyles. The area has a very active community league and activities include dance, soccer, softball, Pilates, gymnastics, and even Spanish classes.

About half of the area is comprised of single-family dwellings while the remainder are a mix of apartments, duplexes, and few mobile homes. Just over sixty-percent of homes are owner occupied.

Click Here  to view Dunluce properties for sale.

Oxford falls to the west of Dunluce, sharing it’s 127 Street border. It sprawls as far west as 133 Street and from 167 Avenue in the north down to 153 Avenue. The neighborhood of Oxford is part of the larger Edmonton area the Palisades ASP (area structure plan), which was annexed to the city in 1982. It was just after this that residential development began, and was completed in 1999.

This scenic area is positioned around a large, central green space and a small water feature that functions as both an area amenity as well as a storm sewer.

Oxford, Edmonton. Image Credit: COCL

Oxford shares a community league with it’s southern neighbor, the community of Cumberland, which is heavily active in organizing youth recreation programs. Additionally they also organize educational and cultural events year-round.

Around ninety-percent of residences in the area are single-family dwellings, the remainder are duplexes, and overall the rental rate is around ten-percent.

Click Here to view properties for sale in Oxford.

Kensington falls farther South than both Oxford and Dunluce, spanning from 137 Avenue and 113a Street, to 132 Avenue and 127 Street. Named after the trendy district in London, England, Kensington is a comparatively old neighborhood in the city’s north-west, it’s official annexation to Edmonton occurred in 1913.

The bulk of residential development didn’t occur until post-world war II and tapered off in the 1960’s. About sixty-percent of the area is single-family dwellings, followed by rental apartments, condominiums, and then duplexes. Around seventy-percent of residences in the area are owner occupied.

Kensington Elementary School. Image Credit: EPSB

Kensington, through primarily residential, is home to an elementary school, medical offices, and some small commercial developments that have cropped up on the corners of it’s main thoroughfares. These include small shops, restaurants, and other amenities.

CLICK HERE to view Kensington homes for sale.

The communities of Garneau, Strathcona, and Bonnie Doon neighbor each other from West to East, all bordering 82 Avenue to the north. Known to be exceptionally vibrant and culturally rich areas of Edmonton they are always trendy spots to visit, and make for lively neighborhoods to live in. With easy access to south-side amenities, the University of Alberta campus, and river valley and ravine trails, there’s something for everyone.

Garneau runs along 82 Avenue from 107 Street to 112 Street, spanning to it’s northern border of Saskatchewan Drive. Formerly a community in the city of Strathcona, it was adopted by Edmonton in 1912, making it one of the oldest south-side communities. Garneau takes it’s name from an original inhabitant of the time, Laurent Garneau, a consort of Louis Riel and successful trader with the Hudson’s Bay Company.

Garneau is notable for the trendy shopping district of Whyte Avenue; dotted with boutiques, cafes, and a plethora of nightlife venues. In the summer months it is a bustle of activities and festivals, when shoppers flood the sidewalks, and cafes and bars open their patios.

Whyte Avenue at night. Image Credit Travel Alberta

Garneau properties are comprised mostly of rental units predominantly occupied by Univerisity Students living in the hi-rise apartments so popular to the area. There is also a mix of single family dwellings, and homes considered Heritage Sites by the City of Edmonton.

Click here to view properties for sale in Garneau.

With Whyte avenue shopping spilling over into Strathcona, one of Edmonton’s oldest conversions, the area maintain a freshness and vibrancy as a major cultural center for Edmonton’s arts community. The area is home to the Edmonton Arts Barns which houses the popular Old Strathcona Farmer’s Market as well as the Fringe Theatre Company, not to mention the scores of restaurants, coffee shops, and boutiques running along Whyte Avenue.

Old Strathcona Farmer’s Market. Image Credit where.ca

The former city and it’s many communities were incorporated into Edmonton in 1912, and this area in heart of Strathcona maintained it’s original name. Like Laurent Garneu, Lord Strathcona was an important figure in the Hudson’s Bay Company.

Strathcona neighbors Garneau to the East, picking up where it leaves off at 107 Street and continues until it’s natural border ending at the Mill Creek Ravine. It too spans 82 Avenue to Saskatchewan drive, meaning a majority of its boundaries lead to scenic river valley walking trails. Around three-quarters of the residences in this area are apartment style buildings, mostly rentals, while the remainder are comprised of single-family dwellings, row houses, and duplexes.

Click here to view Strathcona properties for sale.

Bonnie Doon neighbors Strathcona on the eastern side of Mill Creek Ravine, carrying on until Connors Road/83 Street. Interestingly, the land was named for Premier Ruthorford, but rather than taking his name his Scottish heritage was honoured; the name Bonnie Doon recalls the “pleasant, rolling countryside” of Scotland.

Bonnie Doon is home to Edmonton’s exciting French quarter, La Cité Francophone, a cultural centre for the Francophone community of Edmonton. Including the University of Alberta’s Campus Saint-Jean, and the trendy Cafe Bicyclette, where you can comfortably order your latte in English or in French.

Cafe Bicyclette, Campus Saint-Jean. Image Credit University of Alberta

Bonnie Doon has a more residential feel to it, as the bustling livliness of Whyte Avenue tapers off a few blocks before the ravine. There are more owner occupied residences of the area, which is comprised of more single family dwellings. It centers around the convenience of Bonnie Doon Shopping Centre, providing all the necessary amenities for living in the area.

Click here to view properties in Bonnie Doon.

Diversity, ecology, proximity, family: these are the values cited by the extensive Grovenor community website . An unexpectedly old neighborhood, considering its relative distance from the city’s core, the original dwellings bordering the ravine were built around 1907. The community borders 149 Street to 142 Street on the east and west, and 107 Avenue south to the Mackinnon Ravine.

In the area’s extensive history it has changed names (formerly Westgrove) and spurred on by the railways passing through was almost completely industrial up until the 1940’s. Then a transformation began, completed in 1980, to an entirely residential community save a few bordering shops on it’s main thoroughfares.

Grovenor School

A tight knit community known for it’s elaborate Halloween houses, success in the sport of shinny, and it’s focus on family values, the community emphasizes the desirability of the area for raising children, noting it’s elementary school, historic church, and community league programs.

Bordering Grovenor to the east is the historic community of Glenora, which naturally falls just south of the community of North Glenora. Glenora extends from 142 Street to Groat Road and the River Vallery, and north until 107 Avenue. North Glenora resides on 107 Avenue to 111 Avenue and 142 Street to Groat Road.

It may not be surprising to learn that the area of Glenora was part of an 1860’s river lot owned by Malcolm Groat, namesake to much of the area’s landmarks and of course Groat Road, which at the time demarcated the outer city limits.

Glenora Bed & Breakfast. Image Credit: Darren Kirby

This sprawling riverside area is notable for the Royal Alberta Musuem and it’s surrounding parkland, as well as Alberta Government House and the local hidden gem, Glenora Bed and Breakfast. Glenora is also home to 4 schools; 2 public, 1 Catholic, and 1 private. The area is considered relatively affluent, according to recent census statistics, with 4 out of every 5 homes being owner occupied.

North Glenora is geographically one of the smaller residential areas in the city, occupying less than 87 hectares, and also made up part of the original parcel of land owned by Malcolm Groat. The residential boom of North Glenora occurred in the years following World War II when just over 86% of it’s residences were constructed. Before this time, much of the area was undeveloped land, trees, and dirt trails, save for a few residences.

Noted for it’s beautifully maintained, tree-lined streets, the area is especially picturesque in the autumn months. It’s residences surround the sprawling North Glenora Park, where recreation is facilitated year-round, with amenities that include a skating rink, spray park, soccer field, basketball court, and renovated community league hall.

Search for homes in Grovenor, Glenora, and North Glenora.