Melanie MoralesAlberta’s capital city is one of the province’s most culturally diverse and dynamic municipalities. Today, we’ll give you a glimpse of Edmonton’s unique and vibrant culture.
What is the culture like in Edmonton?
Edmonton’s culture is a melting pot of heritages and traditions. Early settlers and immigrants shaped Edmonton’s culture, so the biggest influences are arguably European, Christian, English, and French, as reflected in current demographics.
The Ethnic Origins of Edmontonians
Based on the statistics from World Population Review, the race makeup in Edmonton is as follows:
As you can observe, a large percentage of the population is Caucasian. However, there is still a fairly significant portion that came from different races.
Moreover, the city has well-established French and Eastern European communities in Edmonton. You may be surprised how many residents can fluently speak and understand French and other languages.
The Ethnic Lineages in Edmonton
Edmonton is one of the largest municipalities in Alberta. It features a wide range of ethnic lineages.
Here are some of the most prominent ethnic lineages in the city based on Canada Population’s statistics.
This already suggests that the city is indeed culturally diverse and consists of many ethnic and cultural groups.
That said, most of the ethnic groups in the city are of European origin. This includes British, Scottish, German, Irish, Ukrainian, French, and Polish, which helps explain why European cultural influences are dominant.
The Religions in Edmonton
What about religion? Compared to other Alberta cities, Edmonton is more secular and religiously diverse.
This can be attributed to early migration. You see, many religious groups migrated and settled in the city when Alberta was established as a province, and Edmonton was named Alberta’s capital city.
Apart from that, the city has a long-settled population of Christians due to early European settlers.
The table below shows Edmontonians’ religious makeup according to Canada Population’s statistics.
The Languages in Edmonton
Language is another key part of culture. There are over 100 spoken languages in Edmonton, but English and French are the most common languages used and spoken in the city.
Based on the data we gathered from Canada Population’s report, 91.2% of Edmonton residents speak English only, while 0.1% speak French only.
On the other hand, 7.3% of Edmontonians are knowledgeable of English and French, while 1.4% know neither English nor French.
Note that in Francophone-concentrated areas, French is more commonly used as the mother tongue and first language.
What are the cultural attractions and activities in Edmonton?
If you want to experience Edmonton’s culture firsthand, you can attend vibrant festivals such as the Edmonton Heritage Festival, Edmonton Fringe Festival, and A Taste of Edmonton.
On the flip side, if you want to know more about Edmonton’s heritage, you can visit various cultural attractions, including Fort Edmonton Park, Alberta Legislature Building, and Royal Alberta Museum.
The city of Edmonton loves to party and it shows. Whether it’s summer, spring, fall, or winter, you can witness the celebrations of various ethnic and cultural experiences.
Edmonton is also known as Festival City to locals because the city hosts an array of festivals and events every year. The city’s vibrant and multicultural landscape is showcased through more than 50 festivals every year.
Grown-ups and children of all ages can enjoy a myriad of music, dance, food, games, and other entertainment.
Want to learn more? Check out some of the most festive celebrations and popular attractions in Edmonton below.
Popular Celebrations in Edmonton
Edmonton Heritage Festival
The ever-famous Edmonton Heritage Festival is a three-day multicultural celebration highlighting the cultures of different nations such as Brazil, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Fiji, and Zimbabwe.
What’s more, this is an alcohol-free and family-friendly event. Thus, you can try a range of cuisines and activities with your family.
Moreover, the festival also features more than 70 pavilions to represent different countries. The pavilions have shops where you can buy souvenirs and handmade arts and crafts.
Edmonton Fringe Festival
The Edmonton Fringe Festival features dynamic theater performances of local, national, and international artists.
With over 1,200 indoor performances across Edmonton’s famous landmarks, it’s deemed the largest fringe festival in North America.
Another thing that makes this celebration unique is that it features live performances and indoor plays in different locations, including outdoor stages, local pubs, bookstores, and other places.
A Taste of Edmonton
If you’re looking for a fun way to explore various Edmontonian cuisines, attend A Taste of Edmonton. This festival features the best of the city’s culinary scene, and it’s a non-profit event, so admission is free.
Apart from that, this grand foodie festival is not just limited to food and drinks. You see, the festival also showcases free outdoor concert performances.
Popular Attractions in Edmonton
Fort Edmonton Park
Visit Fort Edmonton Park to learn more about the city’s heritage. It’s the country’s largest living history museum (by area), so there’s definitely a lot to see.
Here you can enjoy interactive virtual tours, workshops, and other educational programs. The Fort will even let you experience how life was in the mid-1800s to early 1900s.
Besides that, you can also try winter wagon rides and shop for antique gifts!
Alberta Legislature Building
Alberta Legislature Building offers free guided tours that showcase Edmonton’s art, history, and culture.
It’s best to visit “the Ledge” during summer or spring so you can explore the landscaped grounds, visitor center, and Pehonan Theater.
Royal Alberta Museum
Royal Alberta Museum features vast permanent art galleries with dynamic exhibits about Edmonton’s and Alberta’s history and culture.
It’s a nice attraction you can visit with your whole family because the museum also features public programs aimed at children. Moreover, it also offers a majestic view of the North Saskatchewan River.
