Everything you need to know about living, working and studying in Edmonton

Edmonton has events happening all year long; it is, after all, the capital of Alberta! Although it might not be as big as Toronto or Vancouver, Edmonton will have plenty going on to keep you busy and entertained.

To discover everything Edmonton has to offer, check out Explore Edmonton.

Sports activities

The city has plenty of sports clubs and gyms, including Kinsmen Sports Centre, which is both a sports complex and an entertainment centre.

You will also find rugby clubs, with the Edmonton Clansmen Rugby Club taking part in a championship each summer.

Generally speaking, you will find popular sports such as football (soccer), tennis, volleyball, golf, baseball, Canadian football and, of course, ice hockey.

For golf, you can play at one of the ten golf courses across Edmonton’s city centre, and choose from even more golf clubs in the outskirts of the city.

Winter sports

The city has several places where you can try downhill skiing:

• Rabbit Hill
• Snow Valley
• Sunridge

Cross-country skiing is also popular.

For ice skating, the West Edmonton Mall has a year-round rink where you can rent skates. There are also outdoor rinks, only open if the weather permits. Popular rinks include the one at City Hall, the Ledge, and Hawrelak Park (this one is large because it’s a lake!). However, you have to bring your own skates here.

There are also curling halls, which is another popular winter sport in Canada.

Sports teams

Edmonton has two major sports teams:

• The Oilers: An ice hockey team that has a very large fan base. The Oilers are considered a pretty good team in the league. They play home games at Rogers Place.
• The Edmonton Elks: A Canadian football team. They are honestly known for being a particularly bad team, with a losing record of 22 games in a row! The Elks play in the Commonwealth Stadium.

Cultural life

Festivals

Edmonton comes alive during the summer, with many festivals of all kinds (music, art, theatre, culture, etc.). Most festivals are easily accessible with dedicated shuttle buses.

Here are some of the most famous festivals in Edmonton:

• A Taste of Edmonton
• The Edmonton Fringe Festival
• The Folk Festival
• Edmonton Heritage Festival
• Edmonton International Street Performers

Festivals don’t just take place in the summer, however. There are also a few winter festivals, including ice sculpture festivals. The full list can be found here.

If you have the chance, head to Churchill Square to see The Edmonton International Street Performers Festival. It is coupled with another festival called The Works, which showcases art installations and sculptures. Artists from all over the world put on incredible performances.

Museums

• The Royal Alberta Museum: Home to Alberta’s only cockroaches! Alberta is a dry climate, so cockroaches don’t thrive there. You can only see them at the museum.
• Art Gallery of Alberta: Emphasising the work of local artists from the region, as well as international works of art.
• Alberta Aviation Museum: Explore the evolution of flight in Alberta.

What else is there to do in Edmonton?

• You can visit the Valley Zoo. It’s a small zoo but where you will find some cool species like lynx and red pandas.
• The Muttart Conservatory is a giant pyramid-shaped greenhouse that houses a botanical garden.
• The city has many theatres, the most famous being the Citadel Theatre in the downtown area. There is also the Alberta ballet company.
• There are lots of cinemas, especially in the city centre.
• Edmonton has many casinos, the largest being the Pure Casino on Yellowhead.
• Discover the bars and restaurants of Whyte Avenue.
• Visit the big shopping centres of Southgate, Kingsway and the City Centre. Don’t forget the famous West Edmonton Mall (WEM)!

To learn more about attractions and events in Edmonton, click here.

Active lifestyle

Although Edmonton is not designed as a pedestrian city, it is still relatively easy to explore the city on foot, by bike or electric scooter.

Especially in the summer, you’ll want to spend your time walking along the River Valley, or in the parks that line the North Saskatchewan River. The two most popular parks are Legislature Park and Hawrelak Park.