Celebrating Community in one of Edmonton's Most Vibrant Shopping and Dining Districts
A Winter Festival in Downtown Edmonton Alberta Canada Urban Adventure
All is Bright Festival on 124 Street in Edmonton, Alberta is not to be missed. 124 Street is one of Edmonton's most vibrant shopping and dining districts, so you know that when they host a festival it is going to be a good one. I have always enjoyed exploring the unique shops and eateries in this area. The All is Bright Festival seemed like a perfect excuse for an urban adventure.
All is Bright Festival on 124 Street in Edmonton
The All is Bright Festival on 124 Street in Edmonton is a heart-warming celebration kicking off the winter season. There is something about cool weather, dark nights, and community celebrations for creating memories with friends and family. Even though, 124 Street is in downtown Edmonton, the festival really felt like a quaint main street community celebration. The All is Bright Festival on 124 Street in Edmonton is a free festival put on by the local business association. It is an inclusive festival which includes a Sensory Sensitivity Hour ensuring everyone in the community gets to participate.
Winter Fun at the All is Bright Festival
Local businesses and eateries come together to create a special festival. The All is Bright Festival on 124 Street in Edmonton launches with the official lighting up of 124 Street. Winter fun at the festival includes traditional family activities like cookie decorating, crafts and photos with Santa. However, there are also plenty of unique features in keeping with the personality of 124 Street. Businesses participate in a storefront light up contest and stay open offering special activities. Local eateries offer special features and treats. And there is live music and an ice carving workshop too. Pop up vendors and street performers entertain the festival goers. Whereas fire pits provide warmth and a great way to roast marshmallows.
Edmonton Alberta's Vibrant 124 Street
124 Street in Edmonton is a neighbourhood full of creatives, makers, artists, and people that are experts in their crafts. To a foodie's delight, there are over fifty eateries to choose from making 124 street an ideal location for a food crawl. There are thirty boutiques and shops too. 124 Street is home to Canada's oldest gallery walk and several live music venues too. When exploring Edmonton be sure to include one of the city's most vibrant neighbourhood's, 124 Street.
Our Urban Adventure Begins at Partake
We started off our evening at All is Bright Festival on 124 Street in Edmonton with a stop at Partake. This is a cozy restaurant serving rustic French cuisine has a welcoming neighbourhood atmosphere. In fact, while we were there is seemed as is every second person through the door was meeting friends, family or knew the staff. It is a place, where everyone knows your name. Saving our appetites for later, we popped by for an expertly crafted cocktail before making our way down the street to the All is Bright Festival on 124 Street in Edmonton.
Duchess Bake Shop in Edmonton
I'm not sure how I can say that bakeries are my favourite places when I have never been to Edmonton's world class French Bakery, the Duchess Bake Shop. It is scandalous really. Located in the heart of the All is Bright Festival on 124 Street in Edmonton area, the line up was expectedly massive to get in. Alas, my dreams were dashed, and I would have to wait for another time for my Duchess Bake Shop experience. Like many places on 124 Street, the staff at the Duchess are experts at their craft. One might even say they are artists; however, their medium isn't paint, it is gingerbread. They have created a beloved Edmonton Christmas tradition by building elaborate and incredibly detailed gingerbread scenes. In the past they have recreated Hogwarts Castle, a cathedral and even an accurate replica of Whoville. This year's creation was none other that Arendell Castle, home to Frozen's Elsa and Anna. The craftsmanship is exquisite. The final product takes months to build. In fact, the construction begins in August!
Sidewalk Poetry
Sidewalk Poetry was a new-to-me installation that I discovered during our winter evening adventure at the All is Bright Festival on 124 Street in Edmonton. Spanning 10 blocks, the sidewalks on 124 Street are adorned with sidewalk poetry. I thought this was a brilliant idea for sharing the incredible talent of Edmonton's 9th Poet Laureate, Titilope Sonuga with the public. It is also a fun way to get people exploring neighbourhood and hopefully stepping inside to support the many independent and locally owned businesses that call this area home. The poem can be enjoyed from any starting point and is meant to be read from all directions.
Eating out on 124 Street in Edmonton Alberta Canada
Naturally, with above zero temperatures the All is Bright Festival on 124 Street in Edmonton was packed this year. Even though we couldn't get into most of the restaurants during the festival as they were all full, I still wanted to point out a few of the fantastic places that locals love to eat at.- 124 Street is Woodshed Burgers' original location. They make delicious hand smashed burgers with fresh, locally sourced ingredients.
- Tiramisu Bistro is a wonderful Italian restaurant. It even has a bakery and a market complete with a sidewalk pick up window. The patio goes year-round here as several tables are enclosed in an igloo-like structure.
- Koutouki Taverna is a long-time Edmonton staple for Greek food. As could be expected, it is also very good.
- Nuovo Bistro is another Italian Bistro. I haven't been here yet but now that I have discovered it that problem will soon be fixed.
Shopping on 124 Street at Makers Keep
Most of the shops stayed open late for the All is Bright Festival on 124 Street in Edmonton. We popped into Makers Keep. This is a neat concept that has a marketplace vibe but in a boutique setting. Makers Keep specializes in providing shoppers with the best locally designed and handmade products. In fact, Makers Keep has been so successful in creating a welcoming environment connecting local artisans and business owners with customers that they are several Makers Keep locations around the region now.
Winner Winner Chicken Dinner at Northern Chicken
With so many great restaurants it was hard to choose our dinner spot. We eventually landed on Northern Chicken and even lucked out and found a table. This Edmonton original serves up southern classics but with a modern twist. The atmosphere is wonderfully comfortable too. This is likely inspired by the owners love of hanging out in their basement rumpus rooms as kids while listening to music and enjoying great food. The chicken was fantastic and so much better than fast food alternatives. We spoke to one of the owners while we were here. He was very warm and hospitable and truly passionate about the restaurant. He was a solid down to Earth guy. I have been craving Northern Chicken ever since.... if only I could convince him to open one closer to home.
An Urban Adventure at the All is Bright Festival on 124 Street in Edmonton
Always a fun place for an urban adventure, 124 Street is one of Edmonton's most vibrant districts. Combining a neighbourhood full of creatives, makers, artists, and expert craftspeople with a winter festival is a magical combination. If you are visiting Edmonton, Alberta, Canada in November, then be sure to include the All is Bright Festival on 124 Street in Edmonton your urban adventure list.