If your family loves exploring, learning, and uncovering hidden gems around the city, then you won’t want to miss the 29th Annual Historic Festival & Doors Open Edmonton, running from July 6-13, 2025. Hosted by the Edmonton & District Historical Society, this week-long celebration invites families to discover local stories, historic sites, and community landmarks through tours, activities, and special open houses—all centered around the 2025 theme, The Evolution of Connectivity.
Throughout the week, you’ll find a wide range of events happening across Edmonton and surrounding communities. Many are free or by donation, and several are especially well-suited for families with kids of all ages. From aviation adventures to schoolhouse stories, here are just a few of the family-friendly highlights:
- 🛩️ Alberta Aviation Museum Scavenger Hunt | July 6-13, 2025
Kids can become mini-detectives as they follow clues among real aircraft and exhibits focused on the early days of flight and communication. - 🍴 Savour Strathcona with Alberta Food Tours | July 11-13, 2025
For ages 14 and up, join Alberta Food Tours to explore Edmonton’s vibrant food scene in trendy Old Strathcona. On this fully guided walking tour, you’ll visit five venues, enjoy delicious local eats like Texas-style Alberta beef sandwiches and fresh-baked treats, and discover behind-the-scenes stories about the neighbourhood’s history, art, and culture. - 🚜 St. Albert’s Historic River Lots + Grain Elevators Tours | July 6 & 9-13, 2025
🆓 Hop just outside the city for a fascinating look at early prairie life, complete with towering wooden elevators, historic homes, and interactive experiences. - 🐴 Historic Tour of Olde Towne Beverly via Horse-Drawn Carriage | July 8-10, 2025
🆓 Beverly Historical Society invites you to take a step back in time with a charming horse-drawn carriage ride through the historic streets of Beverly. Learn about the early coal mining community and local landmarks while enjoying a unique and family-friendly tour experience. - 🏫 Edmonton Public Schools Archives & Museum History Tour | July 7-11, 2025
🆓 Step inside the beautifully restored 1905 McKay Avenue School to explore how education and connection have changed over time. This self-guided tour features historic classrooms, exhibits from 1881 to the 1950s, and the restored 1906 legislative chamber where Alberta’s first legislature met. - 🏠 John Walter Museum: A Ferry Tale in Walterdale | July 6 & 13, 2025
🆓 Discover how Walter’s ferry service helped connect the early community of Walterdale with a visit to the historic John Walter homes and celebrate the role of the ferry in shaping Edmonton’s past. Families can explore authentic artifacts, try hands-on pioneer activities, and sample traditional family recipes for a true taste of early Edmonton life. TIP: John Walter Museum runs programs every Sunday throughout the Summer. - 🛶 Métis Crossing: Paddle Into the Past | July 6-13, 2025
Explore the North Saskatchewan River like the voyageurs once did! This guided canoe experience combines nature, history, and Métis storytelling for a memorable and hands-on cultural adventure ideal for families. Discover multiple experiences happening at Métis Crossing during the festival.
There are more than 35 events and tours taking place throughout the week, from cemetery and garden tours to behind-the-scenes access at archives, museums, and historic homes. It’s a unique opportunity to learn more about the people, places, and stories that have shaped our region while creating new family memories along the way.
With so many opportunities to connect past and present, this is the perfect week to explore Edmonton in a new way. Whether you drop in for one or two stops or plan a full week of discovery, the Historic Festival & Doors Open Edmonton is a chance to slow down, look closer, and see our city through a new lens. Visit historicedmonton.ca to explore the full schedule and plan your family’s festival route.
Historic Festival and Doors Open Edmonton:
When: July 6-13, 2025
Time: Events vary, please see website for more details
Where: Throughout the Greater Edmonton area
Website: www.historicedmonton.ca
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