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Five Events and Festivals to Help You Embrace Winter in Edmonton
Every year I want to embrace winter and be more active outside. Then the snow and cold wind hits and I just want to run inside and hibernate. You would think with growing up in Canada I would be used to it by now, but my mind is still stuck and longing for warm sun and beach days. But since Edmonton is the Festival City, they don’t let a little snow and below freezing temperatures stop them from having fun. There are great festivals year round that showcase culture, food, art, and recreation. Here are five festivals and events that make you want to go out and celebrate the winter…
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Body Worlds: Animal Inside Out
Body Worlds is a hugely popular traveling science exhibit. It was in Edmonton just over 10 years ago at Telus World of Science. It was something I had wanted to see but I was pregnant at the time and I heard there was a section showing a fetus at various stages, so I wasn’t sure if I could handle that. I went anyway and I’m so glad I did! It was amazing to see inside a human body and also see what the baby inside me looked like at that stage. Body Worlds is back at Telus World of Science from November 30 till the end of March 2019, but…
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New Library in YEG – Calder Branch
Yes, I admit I’m a bit of a book nerd. New and used book stores and libraries are some of my favorite places to visit. When I heard the new Calder branch opened up at the end of January, I was itching to try it out. But with trip prep and packing and being away for two weeks, I never had a chance yet. Until today. As homeschoolers, we try not to go anywhere on a PD day to avoid the crowds but we braved it anyway to check out something new. Located at 12710 131 Ave, Edmonton, the bright and open concept is very inviting. There’s a tv and…
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Paws the Cat Cafe
There’s a new Cat Cafe in town, full of more beautiful, adoptable kitties! Paws the Cat Cafe opened this month just north of downtown at 10588 109 Street. The kitties in the cafe come from the Edmonton Humane Society and are adoptable after going through an application process. The cafe offers a great selection of coffees, teas, Italian sodas and snacks. There is a small seating area in the cafe section, or you can take your beverages into the cat lounge to one of the tables in there (just watch your drink because kitties are curious creatures). Admission to the cafe is $12.50 and includes an hour in the cat…
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Light Walk and A Blue Christmas at the Muttart
Visiting the Muttart Conservatory at night is a magical experience that isn’t offered too often. The last time we were able to visit at night was during the bloom of Putrella the Corpse Flower earlier this year. For the remainder of December however, the Muttart is open until 9pm on Thursday evenings. Showcasing a feature called Light Walk (6-9pm), you can take an illuminated stroll through the Temperate Pyramid. Also part of the Thursday evening line up are visits with Santa on December 7 from 5-8pm (free with regular admission, take pictures with your own phone or camera), and Concert Series: Holiday Cheer with Amati Musicians December 14 and 21…
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Kid’s Hour at the Cat Cafe on Whyte
My 8 year old is cat OBSESSED! She greets her kitty as soon as we walk through the door, wants to make a cat tower with her grandpa and if she touches anything soft, it’s as soft as “5000 cuddly cats!” When I heard that there was a Cat Cafe coming to Edmonton, I knew we would have to visit. I was initially disappointed to hear that the cafe would be for adults and children 10 and up. I totally understood though – you don’t want the kitties to be overwhelmed and stressed out from little ones chasing them and pulling their tails all day long. But I was…
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The Goats Have Arrived!
There’s a new pilot project on right now in one city park that will help combat noxious weeds. A herd of 170 goats is being introduced to Rundle Park between July and September and they have been specially trained to munch on Canada thistle, leafy spurge, common tansy, common burdock, yellow toadflax as well as the occasional dandelion. This pilot project comes after the city voted in 2015 to reduce it’s use of herbicides. Goats are known for their iron stomachs. They are able to consume plants that may be toxic to other animals due to special stomach enzymes. The plan is to have the goats consume the weeds before they…
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YEG’s Favorite Summer Festivals
Edmonton is nicknamed the Festival City and for good reason. Summertime in Edmonton means non-stop festivals and fun. Here’s a list of some of the great festivals and cultural experiences YEG has to offer. June 20-July 16 – Freewill Shakespeare Festival June 30-July 9 – Sand on Whyte July 7-9 – Whyte Avenue’s Art Walk July 7-16 – Edmonton International Street Performers Festival July 20-29 – Taste of Edmonton July 21-23 – Interstellar Rodeo July 21-30 – K-Days August 5-7 – Servus Heritage Festival August 10-13 – Edmonton Folk Music Festival August 11-13 – Cariwest August 12-13 – Edmonton Latin Festival August 17-27 – Edmonton International Fringe™ Theatre Festival…
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Children’s Educational Classes, Drop-in Programs, Events & Festivals – June 2017 + Canada Day
Edmonton does not have a shortage of fun family activities. But sometimes it’s nice to pass on the bouncy house and food truck events for something a bit more educational. As homeschoolerss / unschoolers, we use many of the great attractions, events and festivals in Edmonton and beyond as our classroom. Here’s a list of some of the great learning opportunities going on in and around Edmonton for June. Some of the activities require pre-registration and / or are additional costs, so check the event link or attraction website for full information (links provided). Alberta Aviation Museum Weekly drop-in programs, Wednesdays 10:30-11:30, Ages 2-6 June 24 – Blatchford Field 90th Anniversary…
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Get Back To Nature: Upper Mill Creek Ravine
Mill Creek Ravine North and South (north and south trail off of 82 Ave) are fairly well know Edmonton trails, but do you know of the lesser know Upper Mill Creek Ravine tucked away in the Minchau neighbourhood, in the Mill Woods area of Edmonton? Adjacent to Minchau Park, a large green space and playground, and Barbara Danelesko Park, Upper Mill Creek Ravine is a granular trail that runs from about 34 Street and 34B Ave to around 40 Ave and 50 Street and also doubles as an off leash dog park. I parked in a mini cul de sac at the SE corner of the trail. Full Google Maps…
