Edmonton is the capital of Alberta and its growing population is more than one million people. It is known as Canada’s Festival City and residents enjoy an endless number of activities throughout the year. Edmonton’s booming economy has helped to propel the city’s growth. It is often referred to as a "gateway to the north," where much of the recent oil exploration has been taking place. The following information is from the Edmonton Economic Development Corporation. Feel free to click on these links for a wealth of information about the city.

City of Edmonton

Edmonton Economic Development Corporation
 

Facts & Information about Edmonton, Alberta
Are you a first-time visitor to Edmonton? Do you want to learn about Edmonton? Here are some interesting facts about Edmonton:

Canada’s Festival City
Edmonton is Canada’s Festival City, welcoming visitors to more than 30 festivals each year. Favourites include:

•Edmonton Folk Music Festival is rated one of the world’s best by performers and fans alike.
•Edmonton International Fringe Festival attracts 500,000 visitors each year to more than 1,000 theatrical performances.
•The Heritage Festival, Canada’s longest-established multicultural celebration, celebrates the flavours, performances, and crafts of more than 60 cultures.
•The Edmonton International Street Performers Festival is Canada’s first street theatre festival.

Festivals take place in Edmonton every month of the year. To learn more, visit the official www.festivalcity.ca website.

Outdoor Adventure
•Edmonton’s magnificent river valley is North America’s largest urban park, offering opportunities for recreation all year.
•Edmonton boasts more than 70 golf courses, including Canada’s oldest municipal course. And our mid-summer golf days are 17 hours long!
•Elk Island National Park is a pristine oasis of aspen parkland, less than an hour from Edmonton. Visitors follow self-guided trails to view free-roaming herds of bison, moose, elk, and 250 species of birds.

Events & Attractions
•World-famous West Edmonton Mall has more than 800 shops, 100 eateries, and 9 world-class attractions, all under one roof.
•Old Strathcona is one of Canada’s top shopping districts and offers a variety of dining and pubs. This historic neighbourhood also is a centre for music, art, and theatre.
•Fort Edmonton Park is Canada’s largest living history museum.

Arts and Culture
•Edmonton is home to more than 20 theatre companies and dozens of acting co-ops. A big musical, improv, dinner theatre — what do feel like seeing tonight?
•Some of Canada’s finest visual artists are on display at 60-plus galleries and exhibits in the city. Take the Gallery Walk and visit 8 unique galleries in a 12-block area.
•A breathtaking, new Art Gallery of Alberta opened early 2010 in Edmonton’s Downtown Arts District, which also includes the Citadel Theatre and Francis Winspear Centre for Music.
 

For Year-Round Visitor Information:
Drop by the Gateway Park Visitor Information Centre (VIC)
2404 Gateway Blvd S.W. (Highway 2 South)

•Regular Hours: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm Monday to Friday; 9:00 am - 5:00 pm Saturdays, Closed Sunday
•Victoria Day-Labour Day: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm Monday to Friday; 9:00 am - 5:00 pm Saturday and Sunday
Or the Downtown Visitor Information Centre (VIC)
World Trade Centre Edmonton
Main Floor
9990 Jasper Avenue

Hours: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm Monday to Friday year round; 9:00 am - 5:00 pm Saturdays in July & August

For more information please contact Edmonton Tourism at 780.426.4715, call toll free 1.800.463.4667 or email all enquiries to Info@Edmonton.com

Learn more about Edmonton through the stories of people who've experienced it at www.edmontonstories.ca.