Edmonton’s first ‘art walk’ has been around for over 30 years

Whyte Avenue Art Walk has been around for 30 years now, and each year it just keeps getting bigger and better.

If you aren’t familiar with this summer tradition, this art walk takes over the heart of Edmonton, Old Strathcona, every year. It’s actually Alberta’s largest and oldest non-juried arts festival. According to its website, it’s also the first art walk in Edmonton.

With over 470+ artists sharing their creative talents and lining the streets of Old Strathcona, the second weekend of July is always slated to be a vibrant affair.

What to expect

Spanning three days, from July 10 to 12, people are invited to buy art directly from the artists on Whyte and watch as they create.

A unique aspect of this festival is that it’s not juried. To add to this, there are very few guidelines to follow. Artists are asked to create art on site as well as exhibit their own original pieces.

Due to overwhelming artist participation, the Art Walk chose to distinguish among mediums rather than to jury the event. This was allowing for organic growth and diversity. With each year getting stronger and more diverse, there’s no better place to see such a wide variety of paintings and sculptures.

In addition to all the beautiful scenery, there will also be a few other pop-ups you can check out. There’s music curated by Music March, Edmonton Public Library programming for the kids who want to tag along, and artisans and crafters taking over the South Side Memorial Chapel parking lot on Saturday and Sunday.

The pop-up and demonstration I’m most excited for is the sand carving. It was a hit in prior years, and for 2026, it’s back in action all weekend. Stay tuned for more information on the Art Walk’s website, including the sculptors being featured this year.

If you consider yourself to have anything close to an affinity for artwork, this will definitely be something you’ll need to check out. Wandering through Old Strathcona? There’s a high possibility you’ll stumble into the Art Walk.

Mark your calendar and clear your walls. You’re definitely going to be coming home with more than a few pieces to show for it.

Whyte Avenue Art Walk

When: Friday, July 10, to Sunday, July 12, 2026
Time: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: Whyte Avenue, Edmonton, Alta.
Cost: Free

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