The biggest week of June.
This is genuinely one of the most packed weeks of the entire Edmonton summer. Roller Disco at Rogers Place. The Works Art and Design Festival launches. Jazz Festival kicks off. Shakespeare opens in Hawrelak Park. Father’s Day weekend. National Indigenous Peoples Day. A floating waterpark opening in Sylvan Lake. Ne-Yo and Akon at Rogers Place. Game Con. A Soap Box Derby in St. Albert. And a whole lot of free. Here is everything confirmed, with links. ☕
✨ Edmonton Mama’s Weekly Pick
⭐ Top Pick
Roller Disco at Rogers Place
25% off tickets and rentals using code FAMILY25
📅 June 20 (Saturday)
⏰ Family session 3:00-5:00 PM · 18+ session 6:00-8:00 PM
🎟️ Adults $35 · Youth $25 · Non-skating guardians FREE · Skate rental add-on $15
Rogers Place transforms into a glowing retro roller rink under the scoreboard disco ball for one night only — and last year it sold out. Dress in your best neon, sequins, and throwback gear and skate to DJ sets in one of the most unique venues in the city. The family session from 3-5 PM is all ages (kids under 12 must be on the rink with an adult, both need tickets). The 18+ session from 6-8 PM has drinks, live DJs, and a full adults-only vibe. No skates? Just add the rental when you buy your ticket. Helmets required under 18. Grab tickets now! This one will sell out again.
🚗 Edmonton Mama’s Road Trip Pick
🚗 Road Trip Pick
Aqua Splash Sylvan Lake: Opening Weekend!
📅 Opening weekend June 20-21, then daily through Sept 7
⏰ 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM · Last admission 7:00 PM
🎟️ 1-hr pass $18 · Half-day $29 · Full day $40 · Ages 6+
Alberta’s original floating inflatable waterpark opens for the summer this weekend and it is worth the drive. A massive on-lake obstacle course with 130 elements including a climbing tower, monkey bars, 15-ft tower, wiggle bridge, trampoline, and launch bag. Life jackets included, certified lifeguards on site. Kids 6-9 must be accompanied by an adult on the water. Check their Facebook before heading out as the park is weather dependent. Opening weekend energy is always the best! Go Saturday or Sunday and make a full day of it in Sylvan Lake.
👨👩👧👦 Family Events
FREE · Launches This Week
The Works Art and Design Festival
📅 June 20 – July 1 · ⏰ Daily 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM · FREE all ages
North America’s largest free outdoor art and design festival launches this Saturday. Over 200 artists across 41 exhibits at 18 sites downtown, plus a live Street Stage at Churchill Square noon to 9:15 PM every single day. June 21 has special Indigenous Peoples Day programming featuring Jay Gilday, Jimmy Guiboche Trio, and Donita Large. Come for an hour or stay all day — it costs nothing and there is always something happening.
🎮 Canada’s Largest Gaming Expo
Game Con Canada 2026
📅 June 19-21
⏰ Fri 11 AM-7 PM · Sat & Sun 10 AM-6 PM · After-hours gaming until midnight Fri & Sat
Canada’s largest gaming expo is back for its fourth year. Hundreds of games from studios worldwide, tournaments for Warhammer 40K, Pokemon and more, a cosplay contest judged by Daredevil star Deborah Ann Woll and Dragon Age voice actor Mark Meer, and a massive 4,200 sq ft Warhammer booth. Open to all ages and genuinely fun for the whole family — not just hardcore gamers.
🎪 Alberta Circus Arts Festival
Alberta Circus Arts Festival + FREE Outdoor Show
📅 June 18-21
Four days of contemporary Canadian circus from Firefly Theatre and Circus with performances, workshops, and panels. The closing outdoor show on Sunday June 21 titled “Sante!” is completely FREE. A great family option Thursday through Sunday before the weekend gets fully packed.
🏈 Elks Home Opener
Edmonton Elks vs. Montreal Alouettes: Home Opener
📅 June 20 (Saturday) · ⏰ 2:00 PM kickoff · 🎟️ From $15
The Elks Home Opener against the defending East Division Champion Alouettes falls right on Father’s Day weekend. Pre-game Fan Park opens early with live music and great food. Tickets start at $15 making this one of the best-value big days of the whole summer.
FREE · St. Albert
Fountain Tire St. Albert Soap Box Derby
📅 Practice June 19 (Fri) · Race day June 20 (Sat) 7:30 AM – 4:00 PM
🎟️ FREE to watch
About 200 young racers aged 6-14 race homemade carts down St. Vital Hill in one of the most joyful free spectator events of the summer. VIP races, food trucks, and great community energy. A perfect Father’s Day morning road trip to St. Albert before the afternoon kicks off.
🐕 FREE · Father’s Day
Horses N’ Hounds at Century Mile Racetrack
📅 June 21 (Father’s Day Sunday)
⏰ Doors 12:15 PM · Horse races 1:15 PM · 🎟️ FREE · Free parking
Father’s Day live horse racing followed by Dachshund Races. Yes, really. Come cheer on the thoroughbreds then stay for tiny dogs sprinting to the finish. Free admission, free parking. A classic Sunday outing that Dad will actually love.
🚗 FREE · Father’s Day Weekend
5th Annual Currents Car Show at Currents of Windermere
📅 June 20 (Saturday)
⏰ 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
🎟️ FREE · No tickets required
The 5th Annual Currents Car Show is a full family affair right in time for Father’s Day weekend. Jaw-dropping cars of all makes and models, live music, games and activities for kids, tons of prizes for both participants and attendees, and support for Kids With Cancer Society (KWCS). Awards include Best in Show, Best Classic (Pre-1980), Best Interior, Currents Most Unique, and a Kids Choice Award voted on by the youngest car enthusiasts in the crowd. Want to enter your own car? Registration is free and all makes and models are welcome.
🚤 Father’s Day Brunch
Edmonton River Boat Father’s Day Brunch Cruise
📅 June 20 & 21 · Reservations required
Brunch buffet on the North Saskatchewan River over Father’s Day weekend. Beautiful river valley backdrop, a relaxed pace, and a genuinely memorable way to celebrate. Books fast every year so call ahead.
🌿 FREE for Indigenous Guests
National Indigenous Peoples Day at TELUS World of Science
📅 June 21 (Sunday)
⏰ Tipi raising from 8:00 AM · Science Centre from 10:00 AM
🎟️ Free admission for Indigenous guests · Regular admission for others
Tipi raising and trapper tent build starting at 8 AM, smudge ceremony and opening prayer with Elder Gilman, Indigenous vendor market with 20 local artists from 10 AM to 4 PM, live performances, storytelling, dance, and a FREE BBQ from 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM. One of the most meaningful days on the Edmonton calendar. Open and welcoming to everyone.
🎪 FREE Outdoor Show
Alberta Circus Arts Festival: Sante! Outdoor Show
📅 June 21 (Sunday) · 🎟️ FREE outdoor performance
The Alberta Circus Arts Festival closes with a free outdoor show on June 21. Contemporary Canadian circus in the open air. A wonderful way to cap an already packed Indigenous Peoples Day Sunday with something surprising and joyful.
FREE · Morinville
Morinville Festival Days
📅 June 19-20 · 🎟️ FREE
Two days of small-town summer fun. Pancake Breakfast, Festival Fun Zone, Show N’ Shine car show, Firefighter Combat Challenge, Pedestrian Parade, and evening Cabaret. Free Park and Ride available.
FREE · Kids Field Hockey
Free Field Hockey Training for Kids
📅 June 19 (Friday) · ⏰ 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM · 🎟️ FREE
A free field hockey training session for kids hosted by the Youth Field Hockey Club. A low-pressure way to try the sport. Confirm the exact location with the club before heading out.
🤠 FREE · Nisku
Fired Up Fridays: Western Party at Century Mile
📅 June 19 (Friday) · 🎟️ FREE
Western night at Century Mile with live racing, custom cowboy hat making from El Chapeau, and western wear from Fringed Gypsy Western Wear. Free entry, free parking. A great Friday warm-up before the weekend kicks off.
🛍️ Pop-Up Market
Agora Market in the Parks
📅 June 20 (Saturday) at 2:00 pm · 🎟️ FREE entry
Agora Market brings their curated pop-up to The Parks this Saturday. Local vendors, handmade goods, fashion, treats, charm bars, and their signature pink aesthetic vibes. First in line gets goodie bags. A fun Saturday morning outing before the afternoon fills up.
🎊 FREE · Ardrossan
79th ARAS Annual Parade and Picnic
📅 June 20 (Saturday) · ⏰ Parade starts 11:00 AM · 🎟️ FREE
The Ardrossan Recreation and Agricultural Society’s 79th Annual Parade and Picnic. A beloved community tradition east of Edmonton in Strathcona County. Small-town parade energy, family fun, and a lovely Saturday morning road trip for families who love a classic summer parade.
💦 FREE · YMCA
FREE Family Pool Party at Castle Downs YMCA
📅 June 20 (Saturday) · ⏰ 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM · 🎟️ FREE
A free family pool party at the Castle Downs YMCA. Call ahead to confirm if registration is required as spots can be limited. A perfect Saturday afternoon cool-down after a busy morning.
🎵 FREE · 124 Street
Make Music Edmonton on 124 Street
📅 June 20 (Saturday) · ⏰ 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM · 🎟️ FREE
Edmonton’s edition of the global Fete de la Musique celebration, organized by Alliance Francaise of Edmonton on 124 Street. Multiple stages with musicians of all genres. Part of a worldwide event in over 1,000 cities on the summer solstice. All ages, no tickets, no registration.
🌊 Opens June 20
Borden Natural Pool Opens for the Season
📅 Opens June 20 for the summer
Edmonton’s chemical-free, plant-filtered natural swimming pool at Borden Park opens this weekend. One of the most unique outdoor swim spots in the city. Add it to the summer rotation starting now.
⚾ Riverhawks Theme Nights
Riverhawks Baseball at RE/MAX Field
⏰ Mon-Sat 7:05 PM · Sun 1:05 PM
Tue June 17: Girls Who Ball Night. Fri June 19: Fireworks Friday — fireworks after the game. Sat June 20: Santa’s Toy Takeover. Sun June 21: Barking Bleachers Sunday — bring your leashed dog. A perfect Father’s Day family afternoon at 1:05 PM.
FREE · Churchill Square
Salsa in the Square: Bachata + Merengue
📅 June 17 (Bachata) · June 24 (Merengue) · ⏰ 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM · FREE
Two more free Wednesday dance nights. Level 1 lesson at 6 PM, Level 1.5 at 6:30, social dancing 7-8 PM. No experience needed, no partner required. A great evening for the whole family or a spontaneous date night.
FREE · Mitchell Art Gallery
Art Buffet at Mitchell Art Gallery
📅 June 17 & 24 (every Wednesday through July 29) · ⏰ 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM · FREE
A table of art materials open to everyone. Drop in, no experience needed, all ages welcome. Running every Wednesday afternoon all summer.
Fort Edmonton Park · Edmonton Valley Zoo · TELUS World of Science
All three big family destinations in full summer swing. Fort Edmonton: steam train rides, Indigenous Peoples Experience, and historical streets. Valley Zoo: animal encounters and train rides. TELUS World of Science: Dogs! A Science Tail exhibit through September plus IMAX — and the big Indigenous Peoples Day celebration on June 21.
🍷 Date Nights & Social Plans
🎸 Big Concert
Ne-Yo and Akon: Nights Like This Tour
📅 June 19 (Friday) · ⏰ 8:00 PM · Doors 7:00 PM
Two generational R&B artists sharing one stage. Ne-Yo’s “So Sick,” “Closer,” and “Miss Independent” alongside Akon’s “Smack That,” “Lonely,” and “Right Now.” A nostalgia rush for anyone who grew up in the 2000s. Friday night, Rogers Place, full arena energy. A great girls’ night or date night.
🎭 Opens This Week
Freewill Shakespeare: Much Ado About Nothing
📅 Opens June 17, runs June 17-28
⏰ Eve shows Tue-Sat 7:30 PM · Matinees Wed, Sat, Sun 1:30 PM · 🎟️ From $20
After years away, Edmonton’s beloved outdoor Shakespeare festival is back at the newly renovated Heritage Amphitheatre in Hawrelak Park. Picnic blanket, a warm June evening, great cast. One of Edmonton’s best date nights and a genuine summer tradition finally restored.
🎷 Jazz Date Night
Edmonton International Jazz Festival
📅 June 19-28 · 🎟️ Free outdoor stages + ticketed indoor shows
Nine days of date night options kick off this Friday. The outdoor La Cite Francophone stage is always free. Ticketed highlights this week include Shebad on June 20 and Raul Midon with Montuno West on June 24 — a bucket list show for music lovers. Pair a free Works afternoon with a Jazz show in the evening for the perfect Saturday.
🍸 Drag + Cocktails
Dolly’s Drag Railcar: CELINE DEJION
📅 June 17 (Wednesday) · ⏰ 6:00 PM & 7:15 PM
Dolly’s Wednesday Drag Railcar series continues this week with CELINE DEJION. Cocktails, drag, and the river valley at golden hour. One of Edmonton’s most unique date nights all summer long.
☀️ Ongoing
Patio Season is at Peak
The longest days of the year, The Works taking over Churchill Square, and Jazz Festival filling downtown makes this the absolute peak of patio season in Edmonton. The Common, Woodshed Burgers, Cafe Bicyclette at La Cite Francophone during the Jazz Festival — just get outside.
Edmonton Mama’s Weekly Guide · June 17-24, 2026 · All events verified at time of publication. Always confirm details before heading out.
