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Children and Family Services Minister Searle Turton speaks at the KDays 2025 media launch on Thursday, July 17, 2025, in Edmonton. Photo by Greg Southam /Postmedia
KDays is back for 2025, promising 10 days of summer excitement in Edmonton. The official media launch, held Thursday morning at Klondike Park, offered the first look at whats ahead for one of Albertas most iconic festivals.
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Hosted by Explore Edmonton, this years event brings together tradition and innovation, featuring new attractions, major partnerships, enhanced safety measures, and a growing focus on local and Indigenous communities.
As one of the oldest and largest fairs in Canada, dating back to 1879, KDays continues to evolve with Edmonton. Last years event drew more than 740,000 visitors and generated $70 million in economic impact.
A worker puts the rails together for the roller coaster at KDays on Thursday, July 17, 2025. The fair begins Friday. Greg Southam/Postmedia Photo by Greg Southam /Greg Southam 
But organizers say its value extends far beyond numbers. Its about fostering connections, supporting community spirit and creating multi-generational memories.
KDays is the second largest gathering in Alberta and the fourth largest fair in Canada. Arent we proud we have the two largest events in the country or in Alberta, said Arlindo Gomes, vice-president of business development at Explore Edmonton. KDays continues to be a celebration of Edmontons vibrant and diverse spirit. Weve deepened our partnerships with Indigenous communities and are welcoming more local performers, artists and grassroots organizations than ever before.
Gomes said this year marks the fourth year of Explore Edmontons reimagined strategy for KDays, focused on reflecting the community through partnerships and event design. This includes hosting two international competitions, which are the FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) and a Head-to-Head Obstacle World Series, alongside traditional festival attractions.
Arlindo Gomes, vice-president of business development and venues management at Explore Edmonton, speaks at the KDays 2025 media launch on Thursday, July 17, 2025, in Edmonton. Greg Southam/Postmedia Photo by Greg Southam /Greg Southam Attendees can also expect expanded cultural programming at the kiy�naw Indigenous Experience, and a new Eat, Play, Laugh Pass in collaboration with Taste of Edmonton and the Great Outdoors Comedy Festival.
I think its a magical time to be in Edmonton in the summer, and KDays is really a large part of that annually. So were excited about this year, he said.
KDays 2025 is backed by both provincial and municipal governments with funding, attendance, and public support playing a significant role in the festivals continued growth.
This advertisement has not loaded yet. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.Alberta Children and Family Services Minister Searle Turton spoke at the event on behalf of Minister Tanya Fir, highlighting the provinces $1 million investment in KDays through the Ministry of Arts, Culture and the Status of Women.
Albertas government is proud to support events that lift community spirit, support local economies and help build an even stronger Alberta, Turton said. This investment helps ensure that Edmontons largest summer fair can continue to bring Albertans and out-of-province visitors together to support summer in the absolutely best way.
The true value of KDays goes far beyond fun, said Turton, as its about the lasting social impact it has on families and communities, whether its a childs first ride on the carousel, or a family laughing together over a new food discovery.
For over 130 years, KDays has been a fun, family-friendly event for people of all ages, creating a space where culture, commerce and community can thrive, he said.
Mayor Amarjeet Sohi speaks at the KDays 2025 media launch on Thursday, July 17, 2025, in Edmonton. Greg Southam/Postmedia Photo by Greg Southam /Greg Southam Edmonton Mayor Amarjeet Sohi echoed the importance of the festivals impact on local tourism and the economy.
Last year, this iconic event generated $24.7 million in total economic impact, supporting over 600 jobs and boosting our tourism and hospitality sectors. Big cities lead big festivals, he said. If we want to continue to attract the talent, investment and visitors, we need bold, unforgettable events that put Edmonton on the map.
Several new and returning partnerships were announced during the launch, including a new title sponsorship with North Central Co-op and the expansion of a second music stage in collaboration with CKUA Radio Network.
On behalf of everyone at North Central Co Op, I am thrilled to officially kick off our partnership as the title sponsor of KDays, said Samantha Dunn, vice-president of marketing and community relations. KDays has been a summer tradition that brings families, friends, neighbours and visitors together. Its a celebration of community connection and the vibrant spirit of this city we all call home.
Marc Carnes, CEO of CKUA and board member of Explore Edmonton, said music fans are in for a treat at this years festival with a main stage packed with big-name headliners, fan favourites, and high-energy performances that will light up the night, as well as the launch of a second stage the CKUA Radio Stage which he described as a perfect complement to the main stage.
KDays is back and this year were turning the volume way up, Carnes said. Youll get to discover some of Albertas most exciting emerging talent, from country to blues, to everything in between, homegrown sounds, intimate sets, and the kind of musical discoveries that make you say, I saw them before they blew up.'
With safety often a concern at large public events, organizers say several measures have been added to ensure a secure environment for attendees.
A worker puts the rails together for the roller coaster at KDays on Thursday, July 17, 2025. The fair begins Friday. Greg Southam/Postmedia Photo by Greg Southam /Greg Southam Weve introduced a code of conduct policy that helps our team, along with EPS, ensure that behaviour on our site is up to standard, said Gomes. We partner with the police services, have our own security teams on site, and implement all security screening at the gates.
He added that ensuring families feel safe is Explore Edmontons top priority.
Thats the Number 1 thing we pay attention to, and were monitoring it all the time.
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