Senior Summer Events

There are many great senior summer events in Edmonton.  Edmonton in the summer is a sight to behold; we shake off our winter blues, toques and mittens are put away, sunscreen is stocked up and we venture out to play. The city’s vibrancy shines in the summertime with festivals and events crammed into the calendar, while Edmontonians scramble to jam-pack these few warm months with fun activities, creating memories that will get us through the next long winter.

Call up your senior loved one and make a plan to enjoy the summer together with some of the city’s fun-filled events! Many of the events are senior-friendly, accessible, and free to enjoy.

Music Festivals

There are tons of great music festivals happening, and it is almost certain you can find one to match your beloved senior’s musical tastes. Be it jazz, classical, or folk, there’s something for everyone.

• Jazz Fest – June 22-July 1 – 10 days of jazz, with over 70 events across 10 venues, from the Winspear to the Blue Chair Café – https://www.edmontonjazz.com/schedule/
  
• Seven Music Fest – Mission Hill Park, St. Albert, July 7 1pm-11pm – Spend the afternoon listening to some incredible musicians on Seven Hills; there will be designated space for persons with disabilities and their caregivers if required. Caregivers can be admitted without charge by making arrangements via info@sevenmusicfest.com – http://sevenmusicfest.com/
• Folk Music Festival – Gallagher Park, August 9-12, 2018 – Around since 1980, the EFMF has become a summer staple and a leading festival world-wide; all ages gather to listen to the wide spectrum of music, explore the many vendors, and partake in the friendly community of festival-goers.  Accessible parking is available on a first-come, first-served basis as well as taxi and DATS drop off areas at the gates. Paying patrons who require caregivers can have their caregiver admitted at no charge if arranged, and there are resources available for people with hearing, mobility, or visual impairments – https://edmontonfolkfest.org/faq/ 

• Symphony Under the Sky – Hawrelak Park, August 30-September 2 – Enjoy the sounds of the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra as the sun begins to set, with a variety from Beethoven to Tchaikovsky to Hollywood Hits – https://www.winspearcentre.com/ 

Art & Theatre

Edmonton has a multitude of opportunities to enjoy the art and theatre scene this summer – many that also allow you to enjoy the sunshine!

• • Freewill Shakespeare Festival – Heritage Amphitheatre in Hawrelak Park, June 19-July 15 – Enjoy watching Shakespeare’s great works come to life at the Freewill Shakespeare Festival. This year the troupe is staging Comedy of Errors and Hamlet in the outdoor amphitheatre. https://www.freewillshakespeare.com/

• • Whyte Avenue Art Walk – 82 Avenue between 101 Street & 108 Street, July 6-8 from 10-5 daily – (Free) Outdoor art gallery and live studio where you can enjoy art of many styles and mediums made by locals as you stroll down the Ave http://art-walk.ca/

• • The Works Art & Design Festival – Capital Plaza, Alberta Legislature Grounds, June 21-July 3 – (Free) Explore displays of visual art and design scattered about the legislature grounds and enjoy their live musical performances spanning from folk to hip-hop and roots to jazz – http://www.theworks.ab.ca/2018-festival
    

• • Improvaganza – Citadel Theatre, Sir Winston Churchill Sq, June 13-23
    Bust a gut with your beloved elders at this 10-day festival of improv, comedy, and music with top improvisers from all over the world.

• Edmonton Fringe –  Old Strathcona (ATB Financial Arts Barns and area), August 16-26 – (Partially Free) Edmonton’s biggest theatrical festival with indoor shows, outdoor street performers and buskers, vendors and booths, and various artisans. You can enjoy the atmosphere or attend some shows; for a discounted ticket, check out the ‘daily discount booth’ where artists offer tickets for up to half off for day-of performances. https://www.fringetheatre.ca/current-season/ (For wheelchair and hearing aid accessibility information, see https://www.fringetheatre.ca/plan-your-trip/accessibility/ )

Culinary Arts & Culture

Can’t take your aging loved one on a world-wide trip? There are festivities that allow you to explore the cuisine and culture of countries ranging from China to the Caribbean and everywhere between, and it’s happening right in our very own city!

• • Edmonton Dragon Boat Festival – Louise McKinney Park, August 17-19 – (Free) Bring some lawn chairs to Louise McKinney park to cheer on the Dragon Boat racers as they rip down the North Saskatchewan River. Teams race each other in boats adorned with dragon heads while drumming, a past-time that originated in China over 2,000 years ago. Races run all weekend, with the finals beginning at 1pm on Sunday. https://160.acc.godaddywp.com/

• • Taste of Edmonton – Capital Plaza, July 18-29 11am-11pm – an outdoor food festival where you can sample culinary treats from all over the city while meandering the heart of downtown. Plan for public transit or getting dropped off – https://www.tasteofedm.ca/

• • Cariwest – Downtown, August 10-12 – (Free) Caribbean Canadians share their music, cuisine, and carnival culture with Edmonton; go to enjoy the performances, dancing, music, costumes, and lively atmosphere – https://www.cariwest.ca/

• Heritage Festival – Hawrelak Park, August 4-6 – (Free) Take in the various tastes, sights, smells, and sounds of the cultures that make Canada the multicultural country it is today. There are wheelchairs for rent at the bus drop-off area. https://www.heritagefest.ca/

Harmony Caregiving is a local Edmonton home care agency bringing more peace and dignity to the seniors and families we serve. If you have questions or would like to talk to somebody about home care, call us at 780-328-3917 or fill out our contact form.