The International Children’s Festival of the Arts brings the very best of children’s art to Edmonton, fostering cultural exchange, joy, and creativity while breaking down barriers. It also inspires the next generation of artists and patrons. The festival aims to create a safe, inclusive, and creative space where children can understand their own needs, explore the perspectives of others, and discover the world around them. You can find more details about the festival at edmontonski.com.
Kids’ Favourite Characters
Each year, the enchanting, multi-day International Children’s Festival of the Arts transforms the banks of the Sturgeon River in downtown St. Albert into a grand carnival, actively engaging over 55,000 children. The main goal of this vibrant and dynamic celebration is to develop and stimulate creative and cultural expression. Essentially, it’s the perfect opportunity for little ones to explore the world around them. The International Children’s Festival of the Arts is considered one of North America’s largest and oldest children’s festivals, combining main stage performances, affordable workshops, and free entertainment. World-class artists annually help children dive into a world of discovery. As visitors wander the grounds, they can hear and see whimsical French-language theatre performances, African drumming, Chinese dragon dances, breakdancing, and so much more.
One of the most anticipated roving performers to debut at the event each year is Imagicarlo’s Waykarü, a large stilt puppet. This playful and highly extravagant character, inspired by the Mexican Alebrije, absolutely delights children. Alebrijes are folk sculptures depicting fantastical creatures. It’s worth noting that they hold sacred significance and are considered guides and protectors.
This 3-meter-tall Waykarü character grabs attention wherever it appears, being a bit clumsy with its long legs and big tail. However, this charming creature loves to interact. Also, kids enthusiastically welcome the Gogga De dragon dance from Edmonton. The dragon is believed to bring good luck.
The dynamic duo Cirquetastic delights young audiences with their incredible dances and even lets them form mini-pyramids. Amanda Panda beautifully and spectacularly transforms into a clown, a fairy, and a butterfly, while circus artist Kate Ryan skillfully debuts with circus hula-hooping.
Musician Dan also shows children amazing tricks while playing guitar, drums, tambourine, and cymbals. And Darrell Brêttôn, a popular Indigenous dancer, showcases stunning powwow regalia.
Another regular festival participant, Jay Flair, will perform magic tricks, and the Merry Marching Band will present poetry, humour, and adventure, performing classic compositions.
Unique Festival Workshops
If your child is passionate about breakdancing, you absolutely have to send them to a workshop with B-Boy Pharush. There, they’ll learn to feel the music, make specific moves to it, and have a truly great time. Riki Lloyd, who possesses significant charisma and knows how to create energy, will also teach children to dance.
During “Du conte à la scène” (From Story to Stage), participants will get to know Jean de La Fontaine, an 18th-century writer. French-speaking artists Steve Jodoin and Nassim Nader will help participants create stage interpretations of his fables. It’s important to note that the key takeaway from this workshop is that it energizes little ones and sparks their imagination, teaching them to think and dream.
For everyone who wants to become one with nature, Indigenous artist Anna Mckay presents “Twigs and Moss: Collaging with Nature.” In this workshop, participants personally create works of art using plants and elements from the natural environment. The creations can be taken home.
Plenty of Free Festival Entertainment
The open grounds are the heart of the festival. During its run, St. Albert Place is filled with food trucks and attractions. Michelle Todd, an Edmonton TV presenter and actress, talks about various performances, plays music, and introduces circus acts, puppet theatre, and magic tricks.
It’s important to note that throughout the festival grounds, walls are adorned with paper-cut butterfly figures, and everyone is welcome to take free photos with them. The VASA Art Gallery invites children to express their creativity by creating characters from clothespegs. Another equally interesting attraction is the “Tall Wall,” where children’s heights can be measured, similar to how parents do at home with pencil marks.
The International Children’s Festival of the Arts also sponsors additional activities, including an open-air labyrinth, temporary tattoos, an open art studio, a public installation, and much more. Organizers offer affordable and free entertainment for the whole family so everyone can enjoy the festival.
The festival’s main stage also features performances by the St. Albert Children’s Theatre. Tickets for these shows cost $18-25, while workshop tickets are $8.
From everything mentioned above, it’s clear that the International Children’s Festival of the Arts allows children and adults alike to relax and have a fantastic time.