Taste of Edmonton 2025: Your Ultimate 3-Day Itinerary to Savour, Celebrate, and Stay

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One weekend. Three unforgettable days. Unlimited flavour.

Every summer, downtown Edmonton transforms into a bustling playground of bold flavours, local music, and sensory magic—and this year, Taste of Edmonton 2025 is bringing the heat like never before. From July 17–27, Sir Winston Churchill Square will pulse with the rhythm of over 50 local restaurants, 200+ menu items, and dozens of live performances—all served in one open-air celebration of food and community.

But here’s the thing: you don’t just attend Taste of Edmonton—you build a weekend around it.

Whether you’re flying in for a foodie getaway, turning your hometown into a staycation haven, or planning the ultimate weekend with friends or family, this guide is your step-by-step invitation to experience the festival in full flavour. And if you book your hotel through Edmonton’s Best Hotels, you’ll be rewarded with up to $225 in gas, meal, or cash cards—just for choosing the perfect place to stay.

Let’s dig into your itinerary.

Where to Stay: Festival-Friendly Hotels You’ll Love

Booking a hotel near the festival doesn’t just save you time—it immerses you in the experience. These three Edmonton’s Best Hotels partners put you in the heart of the city with comfort, convenience, and a few unexpected perks. Whether you’re here to eat, explore, or escape, you’ll find your perfect home base just steps from the action.

Courtyard by Marriott Edmonton Downtown

One Thornton Court (99 Street & Jasper Avenue)
780.423.9999

For riverside views and casual downtown luxury

You couldn’t ask for a better pairing—panoramic river valley views and front-row access to Churchill Square. Courtyard by Marriott combines upscale simplicity with thoughtful touches like free Wi-Fi, mini-fridges, and the sleek, airy feel of business-class design. Enjoy morning coffee on the Riverside Bistro patio, unwind after a full day of feasting, or take a short stroll back after catching the evening’s headliner. This is your relaxed, scenic, walkable launchpad for Taste weekend.

Holiday Inn Express Edmonton Downtown

10010 – 104 Street NW
780.423.2450

For central comfort, thoughtful service, and festival-at-your-feet convenience

Newly renovated and refreshingly easygoing, Holiday Inn Express offers all the downtown essentials without the fuss. It’s the kind of place where the beds are cozy, the coffee is hot, and everything you want to see—Taste of Edmonton, the Alberta Legislature, Citadel Theatre, and Rogers Place—is within walking distance. If you’re looking for clean design, modern comfort, and unbeatable value just a few blocks from the square, you’ll find it here.

Matrix Hotel

10640 – 100 Avenue NW
780.429.2861

For urban style and next-level convenience

Matrix Hotel brings boutique energy to the downtown core, with design-forward rooms, luxe amenities, and effortless access to it all. Located near the Legislature, LRT, and Edmonton’s river valley trails, this hotel is a favourite for travelers who want form and function. Whether you’re in town for the food, the fun, or a little of both, Matrix makes a stylish basecamp for your summer weekend. Plus, their service is as polished as their aesthetic.

Pro Tip: Book your stay through Edmonton’s Best Hotels and unlock up to $225 in FREE gas, cash, or meal cards. That’s Taste Tickets, dinner, or even your road trip fuel—on the house.

Your 3-Day Taste Itinerary: July 18–20

FRIDAY, JULY 18 – Arrival, Eats & Opening Night Energy

There’s no better way to kick off a summer weekend than with Taste. Whether you’re arriving by car, train, or plane, check into your hotel early and make your way downtown—because the food isn’t going to eat itself.

By early afternoon, Churchill Square is alive with clinking forks, sizzling grills, and the mouthwatering aroma of international cuisine. Grab your Taste Tickets and explore your first bites:

The 3 Amigos’ cheesy birria tacos, slow-braised and dipped
Takopo’s yakitori skewers, smoky and tender
Choco N’ Dip’s fruit + chocolate combos, ready for Insta and indulgence
Szechuan Paramount’s bold noodle bowls, packed with heat

Cool off with a lemonade from Lemon Heaven, then head to THE BAR, Taste’s newest addition, where Edmonton’s top brewers and distillers are pouring summer in a glass.

As the sun sets, so does the volume rise—Alli Walker and Clayton Bellamy headline the night with an all-Canadian concert under the stars. Want a front-row seat? Reserve a table at THE PATIO and watch the show with dinner and drinks delivered to your seat.

SATURDAY, JULY 19 – Market Wanders, Food Adventures & Big Stage Moments

Start your Saturday slow with breakfast at Little Brick Café (tucked inside a heritage home with garden seating) or OEB Breakfast Co., where brunch dreams come true.

By midday, you’ll be ready to dive back in. Return to Churchill Square for round two of tastings:

Spicebros’ Indian fusion wraps, bursting with flavour
Irie Foods’ Jamaican jerk chicken, spiced to perfection
Royal Treats’ deep-fried everything, because why not
Kokom’s bannock tacos, the local comfort food legend

Feeling full? Walk it off with a trip through THE MARKET by Wholly Handmade—a local artisan showcase of 75+ vendors. From jewelry and artwork to festival fashion, you might just leave with more than a full stomach.

Or, go mobile and join one of Taste’s guided Food Bike Tours—perfect for adventurous eaters who want to explore on two wheels and sample hidden gems beyond the square.

Come nightfall, Taste transforms again. Local stars The Royal Foundry, Mellow the Lion, and Limited Hangout take the stage with a soundtrack made for dancing, digesting, and memory-making. Grab a rice hotdog from Chungchun, your crew, and your best summer energy—and lean into the night.

SUNDAY, JULY 20 – Chill Vibes, Final Bites & Closing Acts

Sundays are for slow starts. Whether you brunch at Bread & Butter Café with fresh croissants or sip matcha lattes at the dreamy Moth Café, your final Taste day begins with calm.

But there’s still so much more to enjoy.

Afternoons at Taste are family-friendly and culture-packed. The Kids Area now features expanded fun, including bouncy castles and games. On the stage, performances like the South Asian Dance Experience and Métis fiddler Brianna Lizotte give the day a celebratory, soulful feel.

Food-wise, it’s your last chance to try what you missed:

Mr. Waffle’s sweet-stacked desserts
Blue Willow’s bite-sized dim sum classics
Dagu Rice Noodle’s rich, aromatic bowls
Fantasia Caffe’s Italian comfort plates
The Cheesecake Cafe, because… cheesecake.

As golden hour hits, the music rises once more. Arlo Maverick, Rumba Caliente, and a showcase of local legends close out Taste of Edmonton with heart, rhythm, and joy.

Stay, Play, and Get Rewarded

Why just book a room when you can get rewarded for doing it smart?

With Edmonton’s Best Hotels’ 1-2-3 Rewards Deal, the longer you stay, the more you earn:

That’s free cash, meal, or gas cards to use during your weekend of fun.

Book your stay now and claim your rewards before rooms sell out.

Taste the City. Love the Weekend.

From Korean-style street eats to Caribbean soul food, from family brunches to late-night beats, Taste of Edmonton 2025 is a full-on sensory experience—and the perfect reason to treat yourself to a stay, not just a visit.

Whether you’re flying in, staying local, or rolling deep with your crew, there’s one thing we know for sure:

You’ll never forget the taste of this weekend.

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Rockin Thunder Festival Bucks, 2025
Terms and Conditions

The Offer

The Rockin Thunder Festival Bucks offer is valid for hotel stays from Thursday, July 10 to Sunday, July 13, 2025. Hotel bookings must be made through Edmonton’s Best Hotels booking platform at www.edmontonsbesthotels.com

The Festival Bucks offer will close on Monday, July 7, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. NO ROCKIN THUNDER FESTIVAL BUCKS OFFERS WILL BE PROVIDED AFTER THE JULY 7, 2025, CLOSE DATE.

If you book a hotel stay for July 10 to the 13^th, 2025, and choose a non-Festival Bucks reward, the value of the Festival Bucks is not transferable to the other rewards.

If you do not use all your Festival Bucks, no refund will be provided. In the event of a cancellation due to an act of God, no refund will be provided, and no exchange will be offered for other rewards through Edmonton’s Best Hotels program.

The Festival Bucks offer is:

Book a one-night hotel stay and receive $75 in Festival Bucks.

Book a two-night hotel stay and receive $175 in Festival Bucks.

Book a three-night hotel stay and receive $250 in Festival Bucks.

HOW DO I RECEIVE MY FESTIVAL BUCKS: PROCESS:

STEP ONE: You must check into your hotel first.

STEP TWO: You will receive your Festival Bucks Voucher at the front desk of your hotel upon check-in.

STEP THREE: Redeem your Festival Bucks voucher at Rockin Thunder’s Will Call Booth, which is located at the festival site. You will need to provide your letter to them. They will cross-reference your letter with the registration list that we provide to them. NO FESTIVAL BUCKS WILL BE SENT ONLINE, BY POSTAL SERVICE OR BY COURIER.

Festival Bucks can be used for concessions and merchandise on-site only (no online sales) at the Rockin Thunder Festival on Friday, July 11, and Saturday, July 12, 2025. Festival bucks are non-transferable and non-refundable.

Terms and Conditions of the Offer

Guests must be at least 18 years of age at the time of redemption.

Reservations must be made through Edmonton’s Best Hotels’ booking site (www.edmontonsbesthotels.com). Reservations made directly with hotelsare not eligible for Rockin Thunder Festival Bucks.

Multiple reservations are not eligible for Festival Bucks.

Multiple reservations for the same person for the same night(s) from July 10-13, 2025, are considered double bookings, and only one of those bookings will be eligible for Festival Bucks. (For example, if a guest books two nights during the July 10-13, 2025, period and then makes another two-night booking during that same period at the same hotel or another hotel, EBH considers this a double booking and will honour only one of those bookings.)

Cancelling and date changes to reservations.

If a guest wants to cancel, they must contact Edmonton’s Best Hotels directly. Do not cancel the hotel directly. To cancel, please contact info@edmh.ca. We will cancel your booking and send you a cancellation number for your records.

If a guest wants to change the dates of their reservation, they must cancel their reservation with Edmonton’s Best Hotels first, then re-book. Edmonton’s Best Hotels does not make changes to reservations.

Cancellation rules vary by each member hotel. Consult the hotel you are interested in staying at to inquire about their cancellation policies.

Terms and Conditions

The “1,2, 3 Pick Your Rewards”, Terms and Conditions and Blackout Dates

Rewards Program campaign dates

Reward package available to book from January 5, 2022 for stays to December 31, 2025 for rewards except for possible blackout dates. At present there are no blackout dates scheduled.

Rewards are subject to while supplies last. Substitutions of equivalent kind, value may be made as necessary. Rewards are non-transferable, no cash value, no cash back.

Rewards are non-transferable, non-exchangeable, have no cash value, no cash back.
Rewards cannot be combined with any other offer or promotion.
Reward deal is net non-commissionable.

Blackout dates

At present there are no blackout dates scheduled.

In the event blackout dates are scheduled, any guest who makes a booking for a hotel stay during the blackout period prior to the blackout period being named will receive the rewards they are booked for.

Rewards Program offerings

Book one night’s stay with Edmonton’s Best Hotels and receive your choice of one of three $50 rewards excluding blackout dates:

$50 Gas Card or
$50 Prepaid Mastercard, or
$50 Ultimate Dining Card

Book two night’s stay with Edmonton’s Best Hotels and receive your choice of one of five reward packages excluding blackout dates:

$150 prepaid MasterCard, or
$75 Gas card and $75 MasterCard, or
$75 Gas card and $75 Ultimate Dining Card, or

Book three night’s stay with Edmonton’s Best Hotels and receive your choice of one of four reward packages excluding blackout dates:

Three Night Reward 1: $225 Prepaid Mastercard
Three Night Reward 3: $75 Ultimate Dining Card + $75 Prepaid Mastercard + $75 Gas Card

One choice of reward per stay.

Guest must be 18 years of age or older at time of redemption.

Virtual Prepaid Mastercard offer three convenient ways to shop. You can use it for online purchases anywhere Mastercard is accepted, add it to your mobile wallet for contactless in-store payments, or request a physical card after activation for traditional in-store purchases.

Rewards distribution

Rewards will be emailed directly to guests within 48 hours of Edmonton’s Best Hotels confirming their check-in. Rewards are not provided by the hotel’s front desk. All rewards are sent electronically.

Reservations

Guest must reserve a minimum of 24 hours prior to arrival.

Rewards are NOT available for reservations made less than 24 hours in advance of arrival.

Reservations made directly with hotels and not through Edmonton’s Best Hotels are not eligible for rewards. No exceptions. Rewards are only provided to guests who book through Edmonton’s Best Hotels online booking platform. Booking reservation confirmations will have Edmonton’s Best Hotels branding on them. Rewards not provided for hotel reservations during specified blackout dates.

Reservations cannot be extended by hotels for additional rewards.

Guests may add a night to an existing one-night deal reservation and receive additional rewards if the request is made a minimum of 24 hours in advance of arrival.

Booking terms and conditions

Rewards provided for more than one night, must be for consecutive nights under one registration under one name at one property. In addition, no more than up to three consecutive nights will be honoured. If a guest checks in for three days and then checks out and re-checks in for the next day, this is considered a consecutive night booking even if the second booking is made at different hotel.

There must be a minimum of three days between bookings.

Multiple reservations for the same person for the same night(s) is considered a double booking and only one of those bookings will be eligible for rewards. For example, if a guest books two nights on x and y date and then makes another two-night booking for the same dates at the same hotel or another hotel, EBH considers this a double booking and will honour rewards for only one of those bookings.

Is there a limit on the number of bookings I make on different dates? Edmonton Best Hotels welcomes repeat business. Some of our guests visit Edmonton every month. Please note as stated earlier there must be a minimum of three days between bookings. Please also note stated blackout dates.

Cancelling and date changes to reservations

If a guest wants to cancel or change the dates of their booking.

What if I want to cancel my booking? Edmonton Best Hotels must cancel your booking (not the hotel). If you want to cancel, contact info@edmh.ca and let us know. We will cancel your booking and send you a cancellation number for your records. Please do not cancel directly with the hotel.

What if I want to change the dates of my booking? You must contact Edmonton Best Hotels at info@edmh.ca and let us know you want to make a date change. Your original booking must be cancelled first. You will receive a cancellation number for your records. Then, you must rebook for your new dates. The hotel nor Edmonton’s Best Hotels cannot make date changes to the original booking. Please note this does not guarantee you will receive the same hotel rate when you rebook for different dates.

Any questions, please contact Edmonton Best Hotels at info@edmh.ca

Taste of Edmonton 2025: Your Ultimate 3-Day Itinerary to Savour, Celebrate, and Stay