Colors of Edmonton - traditions, festivals, mentality and lifestyle

Edmonton is home to a huge number of interesting festivals and national holidays; the cultural calendar of the city is simply amazing because of an abundance of cultural activities. There are more than 30 festivals in Edmonton, many of which have international status. One of the oldest and most interesting is The Edmonton International Fringe dedicated to theater arts; it has been celebrated for more than thirty years.

The festival starts in mid-August and lasts for at least 10 days. It is the most ambitious and bright theatrical festival in North America. The main part of celebrations is held in the picturesque historic district of Old Strathcona. There are grand open-air performances and small acts with aspiring actors; the festival's program includes about 200 shows and 1,500 individual performances.

Traditionally, the festival is attended by theater actors from Japan, Austria, New Zealand, Argentina, the United States, the UK and even Africa, which makes the holiday even more rich and interesting. The majority of events are free of charge; in particular, it concerns kid performances and shows. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

As any large-scale festival, The Edmonton International Fringe isn’t complete without an abundance of treats and colorful fairs. During the festival, city streets house a tremendous amount of attractive stores and retail shops where you can buy refreshments in addition to interesting crafts and souvenirs.

Fans of modern art are recommended to visit Edmonton during the Whyte Ave Artwalk, which is attended by the best painters and sculptors of Canada. Guests can visit interesting exhibits and themed events, fairs and auctions. The Edmonton Folk Music Festival is very popular among young travelers. It is attended by the most popular modern bands; much of the action takes place in the open air. Those preferring classical music would like the Symphony Under the Sky. As you might guess from the name, the grandiose concerts also take place in the open air.