Summer in Alberta is like nothing else. Steady streams of festivals, hiking, lake trips and non-stop events throughout the province will have you soaking up every ounce of sunlight.
Calgary Stampede
Arguably the province’s biggest summer event, the week-long Calgary Stampede has something for everyone—from concerts and rodeos to powwows and cultural exhibits. Running July 5-14, it also includes acts like Motley Crue, Nickleback, and Miranda Lambert. Plus, get tickets to the Sam Centre and experience the Stampede Story through photos, interactive and immersive digital displays, artifact showcases, and more.
Do you dig it?
Alberta’s badlands are a notorious spot for dinosaur hunting—and the Royal Tyrell Museum is ready with a pick and brush to help you discover uncovered history. During this outdoor experience, you’ll get the chance to use archaeological tools to dig up the badlands earth and—if you’re lucky—find some dinosaur bones. What more incentive could you need?!
Screen scene
Need a break from the heat? Head to an air-conditioned movie theatre to relax! The beloved Despicable Me minions will be toddling across screens starting July 3, with the film franchise’s fourth release. Our favourite Canadian actor, Ryan Reynolds, will be delivering another fantastic (we’re sure) performance in Deadpool & Wolverine, set to hit theatres July 26. To top it all off, AMA members save on Landmark movie tickets and Cineplex tickets (purchased in-centre), plus earn 5% in reward dollars on Cineplex gift card purchases.
Festival city
Edmonton could be coined The City of Festivals with its long lineup of incredible and culturally diverse summer festivals. July is an especially hot month for events, with dance festivals, like the Magpie Collection, and weekend-long concerts including the Uptown Music Festival at Joe’s Garage starting July 13, the Reggae Festival July 20, and RavenWood Music Festival July 12. And don’t forget the classics: K Days runs July 19-28 at the Edmonton EXPO Centre and Taste of Edmonton is spread throughout Sir Winston Churchill Square that same week.
Get muddy
Get out your galoshes because it’s time to visit the mud bogs. For three days you can get down and dirty with mud-caked monster trucks, demo derbies and mud races at the Plamondon Mud Bogs in Lac La Biche. If the trucks aren’t enough action for you, take part in the Red Eye Slo-Pitch play-offs, dance to live music and fill up on food truck fares. You can even sign up for amateur mud racing! A full list of events, tickets and registration details can be found here.