From The Fairmont Hotel Macdonald Best Nearby Events (Events) (10 Overall Closest) Metro: Edmonton, AB Jingle On Indoor Santa Claus Parade & Holiday Light-up (Events - Best of the City) Downtown Pedway System, Edmonton Distance: ~0 m         Description: This magical parade, starring Jolly Old Saint Nick himself, winds its way through the pedway system bringing holiday cheer to about 15,000 spectators every year. As the day progresses, the fun continues in and around Sir Winston Churchill Square, where families can enjoy some quality time with a variety of activities, hayrides, hot cocoa and the ceremonial lighting of Edmonton's Christmas lights. Jingle on! Mom, Pop & Tots Fair (Events - Best of the City) 7515-118 Ave NW Northlands AgriCom - Hall A, Edmonton  AB  T5B 4X4 Distance: ~0 m         Description: A family event that's a lot of fun for everyone, this fair brings together a wide array of exhibitors, musicians and entertainers, and experts on child care and nutrition, all under one roof. Kids will adore the petting zoo, which you can visit after getting their faces painted and taking in a performance of silly songs. Moms and dads can take turns relaxing with a massage, learning about infant nutrition or checking out the latest in fitness technology. An entertaining and educational day for all. The Works Art & Design Festival (Events - Best of the City) 99 St & 102 Ave Sir Winston Churchill Square, Edmonton  AB Distance: ~0 m         Description: During this 13-day festival, works from a broad range of Canadian and international artists are displayed throughout nearly 30 traditional and non-traditional spaces (banks, hotels, art galleries, libraries, government buildings) in and around Sir Winston Churchill Square. The square itself is transformed into a festival site, with a plethora of arts and crafts booths, food and beverage vendors, activities for kids, artist demonstrations, and concerts. Most of the exhibit sites are open from 11am-9pm; specific details are included in the festival program. Freewill Shakespeare Festival (Events - Best of the City) 9330 Groat Rd NW Heritage Amphitheatre � Hawrelak Park, Edmonton  AB  T6G Distance: ~0 m         Description: Shakespeare festivals are a dime a dozen, right? If you've seen one, you've seen them all. Not so!! Especially at Edmonton's Shakespeare Festival, presented by the Freewill Players every summer at Hawrelak Park. The company presents modern interpretations of the Bard's classics � think Baz Luhrman's \"Romeo+ Juliet\" or Kenneth Branagh's \"Love's Labours Lost.\" The month-long, two-play season includes several \"pay-what-you-will shows.\" Canada Day River Valley Festival (Events - Best of the City) 9529 Grierson Hill NW Louise McKinney Riverfront Park, Edmonton  AB  T5K 1N4 • 780-423-2822 Distance: ~0 m         Description: Canada's national holiday is celebrated with a fun family festival at Louise McKinney Riverfront Park, followed by a fireworks display over the Great Divide Waterfall on the High Level Bridge. Start out the day with rides and games, a petting zoo, kid's crafts and live music. Once the sun has set, the fireworks begin – this is one of the best shows you'll ever see. Parking is a nightmare so plan to take public transportation. The best public viewing spots for the fireworks display are: the Alberta Legislature Grounds, Louise McKinney Riverfront Park (9529 Grierson Hill NW), Ezio Farone Park (west entrance to High Level Bridge on 109 St N), Dantzer's Hill (below Queen Elizabeth Park), Government House Park (Groat Rd and River Valley Rd). International Street Performers Festival (Events - Best of the City) 99 St & 102 Ave Sir Winston Churchill Square, Edmonton  AB Distance: ~0 m         Description: Buskers unite! Every summer, the acrobats, clowns, mimes and musicians who perform on street corners and in train stations the world over converge on Edmonton for an entertaining ten-day celebration of the buskers' art. About 1000 individual outdoor performances cheer onlookers, and another handful of new shows enthrall on the Maclab Stage of the Citadel Theatre. For younger audience members, there's even a Kids' World complete with activities, games and child-centered performances. Sir Winston Churchill Square is abuzz with activity and laughter from 11:30am-10pm for the entire ten days, rain or shine. And when the hat is passed, chip in generously! Great White North Triathlon (Events - Best of the City) RR2 Allan Beach Resort, Stony Plain  AB  T7Z 1X2 Distance: ~0 m         Description: Some 800 athletes from around the world converge on the town of Stony Plain each July to participate in the Great White North Triathlon. The race takes place in and around the Allan Beach Resort, and starts with a 2-km (1.2 mi) swim in Hubbles Lake, followed by a 90-km (56 mi) bike ride and a 21-km (13 mi) run. Formerly an Ironman qualifying event. Sourdough River Festival (Events - Best of the City) 159 St and 45 Ave Terwillegar Park, Edmonton  AB Distance: ~0 m         Description: One of Edmonton's most hilarious summer events, the Sourdough River Festival focuses on the North Saskatchewan River and the antics it can inspire. Ostensibly, this is a race, but in reality it's way more. Competitors design and build rafts and then proceed to race them down the river from Terwillegar Park to Rafter's Landing in downtown Edmonton. Rafts range from traditional log craft to dragons to floating cars. Imagination is virtually the only limit. Awards are given for fastest time, most innovative raft, and best skit or theme. The Titanic Award goes to the craft that had the most damage, or sank. The festivities also provide a good excuse for residents to have an all-out water fight, complete with balloons and super soakers – be prepared to get wet. The deadline for registration is usually about a week before the race, so plan accordingly! Capital EX (Events - Best of the City) 73 St & 116 Ave Northlands Park, Edmonton  AB  T5J 2N5 • 780-471-7210 • FAX: 780-471-8176 Distance: ~0 m         Description: It's an EXtravaganza! Formerly known as Klondike Days, this festival was revamped in 2005 and is now a huge event drawing over 800,000 people. Here's what to expect: lots of concerts from performers like Our Lady Peace and Nelly Furtado, a hysterical Chuckwagon Derby, arts and crafts shopping, a casino, parade, international marketplace for shopping and food, recreated gold mine town, family fun fair, and nightly fireworks displays. Gates to the main festival grounds open at noon each day; a few events at other locations occur at different times. Heritage Festival (Events - Best of the City) 9330 Groat Rd Hawrelak Park, Edmonton  AB  T6G Distance: ~0 m         Description: A three-day celebration of Edmonton's (and indeed, Canada's) multicultural heritage, this lively festival features more than 50 pavilions devoted to some 70 international cultures. Immerse yourself in the sights, sounds, tastes and textures of Guatemala, China, Chile, Poland, Korea, Turkey, Uganda, Tanzania, Germany, France and the Caribbean; sample native foods like empanadas, cassava chips, pierogis, jerk chicken, egg rolls, bulgogi, salted herring, kielbasa and crepes. Foods must be purchased with food tickets, most items are about three to six tickets. Admission to the festival is free, but bring a canned good or two to donate for Edmonton's Food Bank. And don't plan to drive – there's no parking anywhere nearby, so take public transportation or a park ‘n ride service. Copyright ©2001 10Best Inc. All rights reserved.