The Northern Alberta International Children’s Festival marks the start of the summer festival season. It runs from Tuesday, May 28 to Saturday, June 1, 2013 in St. Albert.

Enjoy roving performers, stage shows, free and pay-per activities, and a Saturday morning twoonie pancake breakfast (9 -11am). The full schedule can be found here.

2013 Main Stage Performers

The Main Stage shows feature wonderful children’s performers that will delight your kids. The following shows still had tickets available at time of publishing. Tickets are $9 for children and $11 for adults.

3 Street Beat – a dynamic dance show featuring the history of street dance.

Grug – creative and determined, Australia’s popular book series comes to life

Infinitus – this beatboxing classical string trio will delight your ears

The Kerplunks – this jazzy four-piece band will get kids grooving and singing along

Eric Litwin’s Pete the Cat – a musical story about looking on the bright side of life

The Snail’s Shadow – a tribute to beautiful bodies that move differently

Splash’N Boots – this children favourite duo is a must see

World of Rhythm – percussionists from seven different countries will have you tapping and clapping

ZooZoo – sporting larger-than-life costumes, Imago Theatre brings animal adventures to life

Telus Toddler Town

Do you have kids 4 and under? Toddler Town is designed just for them. This gated venue has activities and entertainment geared for kids 0-4. Enjoy unlimited storytelling, musical performances, story time, a free play area with hula hoops, balls and soft tumbling mats, a quiet space for nursing moms, a diaper change area and more stroller parking too. Will Stroet will even be performing on Friday and Saturday.

Cost: $5 per child. Adults are free.

Free Activities

In addition to the pay activities ($3/ ticket) there are many FREE things to do. If you pack snacks or a picnic lunch you could spend the day at the festival for no cost.

Enmax Outdoor Stage has continuous entertainment, including feature performers, Will Stroet and The Backyard Band, Firefly Theatre, The Street Circus, Allez Ouest. St Albert Place’s Front Plaza. #11.

Visit Grandma Willow to decorate a leaf and add it to the Festival dream tree. Lions Park. Tent #23.

Race mini-solar powered cars and learn about renewable energy with Enmax. Front Plaza. Tent #10.

Dress up your do at the Beaners tent. Lions Park. Tent #26.

Bounce around in the Inflatable Fun. Millenium Park. Near tent #31.

Build a castle, sculpt a mountain range or construct a magnetic skyscraper with Education Station. Front Plaza. Tent #8.

Face Painting. Tent #9.

Air brush tattoos. Tent #6.

Sidewalk chalk stations. Scattered through out the festival site.

Getting There

Parking around the Festival site is limited. A FREE Park-and-Ride service between the St. Albert Centre Bus Exchange and the Festival Site will be available during the week of the Festival. Buses will depart every 15 minutes.

Are you going? What are you looking forward to? Also, we'd like to hear your reviews after attending. Please share in the comment section below. Other readers are interested too!

Hope to see you there.