Events and Promotions
Events & Promotions
Family Festival Downtown
February
In support of Family Day, the Downtown Business Association of Edmonton collaborates with nearly a dozen downtown event venues for various free and/or low cost family day fun.
The Family Day Festival Downtown attracts over 10,000 parents and children downtown for the day each year. Activities in the past have ranged from roving entertainers, themed games, ice skating, movie matinées, arts & crafts, face painting, sleigh rides, and more. Stay tuned for the next Family Day Festival Downtown as every year gets bigger and better!
Stay tuned for more information about Family Day 2010, as we celebrate Winter Sport: Come and Play Downtown!
Downtown Dining Week 
March
The tremendous success and continued popularity of Downtown Dining Week in major cities such as Calgary, Toronto, and Vancouver prompted the Downtown Business Association to bring this Epicurean extravaganza to Edmonton. For ten tasty days, residents and visitors alike are able to experience a variety of custom menu options at fixed prices. During Downtown Dining Week, patrons can enjoy lunch or dinner for $15, $25 and/or $50.
“I have been taking part in Downtown Dining Week for over five years and have watched it grow and improve each and every year. Every March, several friends and I look forward to getting together and trying out as many ‘old favourites’ and ‘new concepts’ as possible. It gives us all an excuse to experience Edmonton’s diverse restaurant scene. In my opinion, it is a festival in its own right and is definitely worth taking part in.”
- Rick H., Downtown Dining Week Patron/Contest Winner
Capital City Cleanup
May – August
In 2005, the Downtown Business Association partnered with the City of Edmonton to launch the Capital City Cleanup pilot project, in the Downtown core. As a result of its success, Capital City Cleanup has been expanded to address litter on a city-wide scale.
The City of Edmonton leads the way by increasing services provided throughout the city, including substantially increasing the amount of street cleaning and litter pick up in business districts, major roadways and entrances to our city. The Downtown Business Association follows the City’s lead by encouraging downtown business owners to become Block Captains and Adopt-a-Block in the downtown area. The DBA also adopts a block of its own, and the Core Crew lends a hand by keeping their block clean on a regular basis. For details on the Capital City Cleanup Project, visit the City of Edmonton’s website at www.edmonton.ca.
Downtown Tours
June – August
Discover Downtown Edmonton! From the past to the present, you’ll get a peek at some of Edmonton’s historic buildings and landmarks, along with information on the best places to experience art, entertainment, dining, and recreation in Downtown Edmonton!
Take a walk with the Downtown Business Association's Core Crew on a FREE one-hour guided tour of Downtown Edmonton, focusing on the Arts District and River Valley Vista. Tours occur every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 1:00pm - 2:00pm and begin at the Downtown Business Association office at 10121 Jasper Avenue.
Chili Cook Off
November
This tongue-scorching event happens every year in support of Rodeo Week Downtown. The Chili Cook Off is organized by the Downtown Business Association to raise money for their selected charity. The event includes the city's hottest chili cookers and live western-style entertainment. Participants range from local hotels and restaurants to non-profit groups, businesses and corporations, all vying for the title of "Ultimate Chili". Join in the fun taste the best chili in the West!
Christmas on the Square Holiday Light Up
November
The Downtown Business Association and City of Edmonton come together to present Edmontonians with Christmas on the Square Holiday Light Up. The light up of the massive Christmas tree in Sir Winston Churchill Square and amazing fireworks show can be seen from all corners of the core.
During the afternoon, families are encouraged to come out to the Square for an afternoon of fun leading up to the light up ceremony. Enjoy arts & crafts, mascots, roving entertainment, shopping at the 104th Street City Market, activities with the Art Gallery of Alberta, live performances on stage, and Santa Claus himself!
Spread the holiday cheer by bringing down a donation for the Edmonton Food Bank or Santa's Anonymous. Check the Downtown Business Association's homepage for more detailed information.
Jingle On Indoor Santa Claus Parade
December 
The Downtown Business Association, its downtown partners, numerous volunteers, and a variety of sponsors band together each year to unwrap the holiday season with Jingle On Indoor Santa Claus Parade. Families of all ages are encouraged to stake their spot in the Downtown pedways linking Commerce Place, Manulife Place, and Edmonton City Centre for an amazing lineup of entertainment. Mascots, dancing groups, marching bands, and floats wind their way through over one kilometre of pedway system in Downtown's major shopping centres.
In the weeks following the parade, the festivities continue with great holiday shopping in Edmonton City Centre and surround shopping malls, family activities in the Arts District, and entertainment in and around Sir Winston Churchill Square.
Get Involved!
Join the fun as a participant, volunteer, partner, or sponsor in one or all of the events hosted by the Downtown Business Association! The following are some tips on how you can get involved:
Family Festival
Visit downtown and enjoy a day full of Family Fun! If your business is located within Downtown boundaries, join in the festivities by giving special offers or hosting themed family activities at your venue.
Capital City Cleanup
Become a Block Captain and Adopt-a-Block in the Downtown to keep our city clean throughout the summer. Click here for more information about how to get involved with this City of Edmonton initiative.
Chili Cook Off
Don't miss out on your chance to win the title of the Ultimate Chili! Form a company team and whip up a chili concoction to enter in the Chili Cook Off, or volunteer to keep the event running smoothly. Whatever your choice, be sure to come out and sample Edmonton's hottest chili dishes.
Jingle On - Downtown's Indoor Santa Claus Parade and Christmas on the Square Holiday Light Up
There are endless opportunities to get involved in the Indoor Santa Claus Parade and Holiday Light Up initiatives. Enter a float or group in the parade, join as a sponsor for lights, candy, and hot chocolate, or volunteer as one of Santa's little helpers for the day. If you would like to volunteer for the parade, click here for the application form and send it in today!
If you would like to become a partner, sponsor, or participant, please contact:
Downtown Business Association
info@edmontondowntown.com
P: 780.424.4085
See the Events Calendar for complete calendar listing of events downtown events.
