Things to Do This Week

Things to do this week: the Edmonton Fringe Festival, Open Farm Days, Mushroom Expo & MORE!

Catch an Edmonton Fringe Festival show (various locations)
The 45th Edmonton International Fringe Theatre Festival returns this week August 13 to 23, spotlighting more than 200+ theatre productions across 37 venues with more than 1,600 artists! I’m going to catch Just Felice Makes Friends on Opening Night!
Head out to rural Alberta for Open Farm Days (various locations)
Alberta Open Farm Days returns this weekend Aug 15 & 16. This is your opportunity to take a free, behind-the-scenes look at the province’s agriculture and local food system, learning where your food comes from, how it’s produced and the meet the farmers, ranchers, brewers, and more producers who make it happen. Browse farms by distance, type, events and activities offered, and plan your rural route. Plenty of options close to home!
Taproot has a round-up of food-focused Open Farm Days events!
Celebrate Ukrainian Day (Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village)
Ukrainian Day 2026, an annual celebration of Ukrainian culture and heritage in Alberta featuring a vibrant afternoon of traditional music, song and dance, is at Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village. Enjoy historical village activities, children’s activities, community pavilions, vendors, food services, performances and more!
Check out Youth Day Edmonton (Castle Downs Park Pavilion)
The 15th annual, FREE, Youth Day Edmonton presented by SOS Safety Magazine takes place Saturday, Aug. 15 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Castle Downs Park Pavilion. The all-ages event includes bouncy castles, free food, face painting, DJ, special guest appearances, lots of big prizes, and MORE!
There’s a few art-themed events to take in this weekend:
The Highlands Art Walk runs Saturday, Aug. 15 from 1-8 p.m. at 65 Street south of 112 Ave.
The Station Park Art Walk on Whyte Ave. runs Saturday, Aug. 15 from 12-8 p.m. at 8115 Gateway Blvd.
Catch an Afternoon Sound Session on 124 Street and area this Saturday, Aug. 15. (various locations) from 12-2 p.m. and 4-6 p.m. There are three more summer Sound Sessions after this weekend too.
You may also be interested in these events & activities:
The Edmonton Dragon Boat Festival runs August 14-16. Check out the race at Telford Lake (Leduc Boat Club). I guess the North Saskatchewan River is too low so they had to switch to the lake.
FAVA, Film and Video Arts Society of Alberta presents a FREE summer BBQ (and Edmonton’s littlest Folk Fest) on Aug. 15 at 6 p.m.
Peach Fest and the Orchard Seed Market is taking place at Steve And Dan’s Wildflower Farm Store on Saturday, Aug. 15 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Spruce Grove’s last Summer Night Market is Saturday, Aug. 15 from 4-9 p.m.
Home in Chinatown is offering a FREE Family Photo Day on Saturday, Aug. 15 at the Edmonton Chinatown Multi-Cultural Centre from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Share feedback about what makes you feel at home in the neighbourhood and enjoy free family portraits, snacks, and more.
You can get tickets to the Edmonton Love & Unity Reggae Festival at the Heritage Amphitheatre Hawrelak Park on Aug. 15.
Check out The Summer Series curated Saturday pop-ups, tasting, and meet-the-maker moments at Little Brick Cafe (the next one is Aug. 15)
The Wild Mushroom EXPO presented by the Alberta Mycological Society runs Sunday, Aug 16 from 10 a.m to 5 p.m. One day only, hundreds of wild mushrooms in one place!
Attend a FREE Garden Party at CO*LAB Courtyard on Sunday, August 16 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Food, games, community connection and more!
Stop by my non-profit Chúng Ta Cùng Nhau Vietnamese-Edmonton Cultural Society’s entertainment booth at the Edmonton Marathon this Sunday, August 16 between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. (approx) and join us in cheering on runners! We have a local Vietnamese BSMT DJ TINA spinning Vinahouse & Top 40s to keep the energy up and thanks to Banh Mi Diddy and Rachel Fung & Associates we are sharing free, cold Jasmine green tea as bonus hydration!
Don’t miss Stony Plain Road’s free Music on the Road outdoor concert series taking place Saturdays through the summer.
And here’s some things happening just outside of Edmonton:
Mundare Agri Days runs this weekend Aug. 14-16 in the central Alberta Town of Mundare, about an hour drive from Edmonton. There’s a parade, ball tournament, beach bash, street party, entertainment, market, bouncy castles, and more including:
Mundare’s World’s Largest Sausage is turning 25! Celebrate 25 years of one of Alberta’s most recognizable roadside landmarks located at 5212 50 Street, Mundare. Come for the party from 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Take a photo with the sausage, and celebrate a big piece of Mundare history!
Head out to Stony Plain, Alberta on Thursday, Aug. 13 (evening) for a FREE outdoor film screening of the Smurfs movie.
Also on Saturday, August 22, check out the Stony Plain Artwalk.

Food to Eat This Week

Enjoy the return of SABOR’s Fish & Chips Friday Fundraiser (10220 103 St.)
Fish & Chips Friday by SABOR is back for August! Line-up for affordable and delicious $15 fish & chips with 100% donated to Ronald McDonald House Alberta and Santa’s Anonymous. Starts at 11 a.m. until they run out (and they do often sell out so come early!) Remaining dates: August 14, 21, 28.
Check out the first Edmonton Food Truck Frenzy! (Klondike Park, EXPO Centre)
10 Edmonton food trucks including some longtime favourites Drift Food Truck, Calle Mexico, and Smokehouse BBQ, are coming together on Friday, August 14 from 5-9 p.m. at Klondike Park, Edmonton EXPO Centre for the first Edmonton Food Truck Frenzy. It’s FREE to attend plus free parking, family-friendly, bar available for drinks, DJ for vibes, and Edmonton’s Food Bank is collecting donations on site.
Matcha lovers you may be interested in the Matcha Social (10242 106 St.)
Brewkada and neverthesame are hosting a MATCHA SOCIAL at Last Modern Events in downtown Edmonton (10242 106 St.) this weekend Aug. 15 & 16. It’s free to attend, there’s giveaways, passports, prizes, and $5 or less for mini matchas! I’m looking forward to checking it out (I love matcha lol).
Go on a little 110 Street & Area Food Crawl (110 St. between 105 & 106 Ave.)
The 110 Street strip between 105 & 106 Avenue (and surrounding streets) near downtown Edmonton just north of MacEwan University has become such a fantastic local food zone! For my belated birthday, my friend and I planned a delicious lunch food crawl featuring three spots that were all conveniently located right on the same street!
Stop 1: Banh Mi Diddy for cold cut ($11) & chicken ($12) Vietnamese sandwiches (freshly baked daily with the best mayo) and a comforting cup of pho.
Stop 2: White Rabbit Ice Cream for a kids cup of mango sorbet ($4) & Cookie Monster single scoop ice cream ($6).
Stop 3: Rari-Tea for strawberry matcha lattes ($8) & passion fruit teas ($6.50).
All three are great spots to support with tasty food & drink to try, and they’re all Asian-woman owned (Vietnamese, Japanese and Filipino). Copy this food crawl or add in some other stops at great local spots on 109 St. and 111th St.!
Here’s a few Edmonton food events & activities you may be interested in:
Congratulations to Coliseum Steak and Pizza on 50 years in business!
Props & Hops (ages 18+) takes place at Alberta Aviation Museum on Aug. 14.
The Willow Park Wine & Cheese Tasting Fundraiser is on Aug. 14 supporting Hope Lives Here Animal Rescue Society.
There’s a few Edmonton restaurants participating in Alberta on the Plate Dine Around Festival, a tasty food festival running until August 16!
The Taco Shop is offering a three-course Oaxacan Dinner with Three Mezcal pairings on Aug. 17.
Get tickets to West Block Food Crawl taking place August 19, September 16, and 23.
Stop by The Butchery by RGE RD for a Summer Patio BBQ on Aug 21 or 27.
Ignite Market, a new Edmonton night market, runs August 28-30.
The Common’s Streetcar Cask parties take place on Thursdays every week this summer. Sister restaurant Dolly’s is doing streetcar parties Wednesdays.
Edmonton’s Chinatown Dragon Food Tours run Wednesday through Sunday throughout the summer.
The Old Red Barn’s Farm to Flame Dinners run weekly through September.