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Free Things to Do in Edmonton This July

Edmonton is full of free things to do in Edmonton if you know where to look, and this page pulls all the best options together in one place. It’s updated regularly so you can always find what’s happening right now, without digging through multiple sites or social feeds. This guide is made for families, parents, and anyone trying to plan fun days out without spending a lot.

Top Free Things to Do in Edmonton This July

Check out one of the Free Drop-in Sports Events

This month, kids can learn how to skateboard, learn about and connect with the earth during free weekly drop in gardening sessions at Alberta Avenue Community Garden or Strathcona County Museum - or even take a free field hockey session to develop skills on the field. These no-cost events are a great way to add skill development to your summer adventures. Grab your skateboard (and your helmet) for one of the three free drop-in skateboarding events with local experts.

In addition to the free drop in sports programming - you can pop into one of the thirty local Edmonton parks offering free sports equipment rental through the summer months.

Free Edmonton Outdoor Movies

June’s erratic weather has caused the rescheduling of multiple outdoor movies events - so July is going to be stacked with outdoor movies as these get rescheduled. Start the month off strong with Canda Day outdoor movies (finished with fireworks) and continue through the month at the planned community outdoor movies.

Find the full schedule in the Edmonton Outdoor Movie Guide

Drop in Solar Observing

Learning something new this summer? Add a visit to the Department of Physics Astronomical Observatory to your summer plans and visit University of Alberta Observatory Thursdays, 12 pm to 1 pm - when visitors can drop in anytime during this hour. No tickets required. Admission is free. Plus, there are some cool collections to discover while you’re there.

Drop in days are available until August 27, 2026.

Join a Summer Reading Club

Skip the summer slide this year with a fun way to engage the kids and encourage them to read through the summer. There are four Edmonton summer reading clubs where kids can play a larger than life board game, or track their reading to win some epic prizes just in time for back to school. We’ve already started and smashed eight books this summer with the encourage of an early-start summer reading club!

Visit Miquelon Lake

This summer, there are programs happening every single week at Miquelon Lake. Kids can peek in a pond, take a walk to learn more about food that can be foraged from the local woodlands and even learn about the snakes in Alberta at one of the hour-long sessions.

Indigo Kids Free Summer Play Days

Get Free Admission to Royal Alberta Museum

As part of the Canada Strong Pass program, kids get free admission all summer long to museums and National Parks across Canada. Visit the Royal Alberta Museum this summer and get free admission for your children. This is an epic place to play during a rainy day in Edmonton, or a great place to spend a day indoors when it’s too smoky to play outside. The children’s gallery will entertain younger children for hours, while the older kids wander through the museum engaging in their summer programming.

Become a Garden Explorer at Strathcona County Museum & Archives

Garden Explorers is a brand new program for children aged four and older (and their adults) at Strathcona Museum and Archives! Drop by from 10:30–11:00 AM for gardening experience, every Friday in July. Children will have the opportunity to earn pins, and even take home small plants.

Catch an Edmonton Green Shack Show

Edmonton Green Shack Shows bring concerts, performances and arts experiences to Edmonton parks and playgrounds through the summer. Two shows a day, five days a week and endless opportunities to experience the arts for free this summer in Edmonton. Choose from morning or afternoon shows - or take a tip from our expert editors and plan a park, concert and performance crawl.

In addition to the Green Shack Shows, there are programming daily at multiple parks and programs around the city. There are morning and afternoon sessions.

Free Family Nature Nights

Free Family Nature Nights are a free way to learn about the local, natural ecosystem from expert presenters and volunteers. These evenings are all about simple outdoor fun. Think guided nature walks, hands-on activities for kids, wildlife spotting, campfire stories, and a chance to slow down for a few hours while learning about the local ecosystem from experts.

Read the Full guide and discover TEN+ Free Edmonton area Drop in Outdoor Summer Programs

Free Outdoor Events in Edmonton in July

Free Indoor Events in Edmonton in July

Find the best indoor things to do in Edmonton in the Edmonton Indoor Fun Guide

Kids Bowl Free

Kids Bowl Free is a fantastic way for families to enjoy affordable fun in Edmonton. Registered children can bowl free games throughout the summer at participating bowling centres, making it a great indoor activity for rainy days, hot afternoons, or outings without breaking the bank. Parents and caregivers can add on inexpensive passes, and you can bowl through summer 2026 at three bowling alleys taking part in the program.

Free Festivals in Edmonton in July

The Works Art & Design Festival

Visit Churchill Square until July 1, 2026 to discover magic at the Square. It’s a full-on art-installation experience that’s larger than life - and an incredible way to get kids interested in art and design, through engaging stations and art pieces. This activity is a fun way to meet local artists, engage with public art and learn more about design. Don’t forget to bring your swimsuit on this adventure because you can cool off with a splash through the fountains at City Hall.

Canada Day Festivals in Edmonton

Kick off Canada Day with one of the many free pancake breakfasts in Edmonton, and move on to a full-day festival with activities for the whole family. Read the full Edmonton Canada Day Guide.

Edmonton Street Performer’s Festival

Edmonton Street Performer’s Festival is a must-do summer festival. Popping up at Churchill Square, it’s a packed day out with the kids fill of entertainment. It’s technically free - but it’s common to tip performers after their live show. Before you visit with kids, check the schedule and map out a plan of performer’s that you would like to see, rather than going in blind. On hot days, bring a swimsuit so the kids can hop in the splash pool at City Hall. This also makes for a great place to have a picnic - anther cheap, and easy win for summer fun.

Code Ninjas Grand Opening Celebration

Code Ninjas Central Edmonton is celebrating their Grand Opening on July 4th, 2026. From 11am - 4pm enjoy coding games and activities, explore our dojo, meet the senseis, learn about the summer camps and discover how Code Ninjas turn kids into confident creators through coding, technology, and problem-solving! '

While you’re there - learn about Edmonton Summer Camp options!

Free Things to do for Teens in Edmonton

Cheap Things to do in Edmonton

Cineplex Family Favourites Movies

Every Saturday there are $3.99 movies at Cineplex. Book online as a Cineclub Member or pop by in person to book your ticket to save on the fees and keep this activity a cheap thing to do with the kids. Find these movies at Cineplex locations, every Saturday at 11:00 a.m.

  • July 4, 2026: Anaconda

  • July 11. 2026 The Land Before Time

  • July 18, 2026: Curious George