1.1 Terrain

The main section of Churchill Square is primarily a flat concrete space. It is accessible for wheelchairs and those with wheeled mobility aids.

There are concrete stairs on the west side of the Square which becomes a place for audiences to sit during performances. The stairs themselves are not accessible for wheelchairs, but there is an accessible ramp directly behind the back row of steps.

The east garden, where Busker Academy and Kids’ World are located, are on a base of woodchips. Woodchips may make navigation in these areas difficult for those with wheelchairs and other wheeled mobility devices.

1.2 Available Seating

It is common for audiences to stand or sit on the ground while watching a Circle Show. This said, we do have an array of other seating available:

Concrete and Part of the Square:

1. The ledges separating the east garden from the rest of the Square.
2. The stairs on the west side of the Square.
3. The ground on the Square.

Limited Chair Seating:

1. Limited picnic tables throughout the Square.
2. Limited benches along the perimeter of the east garden facing the Square, and at the top of the steps behind the accessible ramp on the west side of the Square also facing the Square.
3. Folding chairs in Kids’ World for Kids’ Stage performances.

StreetFest Folding Chairs:

StreetFest can provide you with a folding chair to use during your time at the Festival. We encourage you to visit the Information Tent on the south end of the Square and ask us to borrow a folding chair if it will make your experience more comfortable.

Our Recommendations:

1. Bring a folding chair — or ask us for one!
2. If you would rather sit on the ground, a ledge, or the stairs, consider bringing a small blanket or seat pad to cushion you from the concrete.

1.3 Bathrooms

There are gendered public washrooms beside the EPCOR Waterfall on the west side of the Square. There is one wheelchair-accessible stall in each of the bathrooms.

There will also be three non-gendered portable toilets (“porta-potties”) in the northeast corner of the Square, beside the east garden. One of these will be wheelchair accessible.

1.4 Vendors

Food and artisanal goods (like jewelry and clothing) will be available for purchase along 102A Ave on the north end of the Square. Artisanal vendors are in tents on ground level. StreetFest food vendors are in food trucks. The windows you order from will vary in height from truck to truck. If this is a barrier, we encourage you to visit the Information Tent on the south end of the Square and ask for an Audience Services team member to accompany you and assist with ordering.

2.1 Hot Weather and Cooling Off

Please be sure to double-check the weather forecast before you join us on the Square and prepare accordingly.

Churchill Square is notably warmer than its surroundings on hot days due to its concrete foundation. To stay cool:

Find Our Shaded Areas:

1. The east garden (where Busker Academy and Kids’ World are located) is shaded by trees.
2. Patio umbrellas will be located across the Square in areas where audiences can sit to watch Circle Shows.

Visit the Water and Misting Features:

1. There will be a shaded misting tent located in front of the east garden beside the face painting tent.
2. There is a water fountain to drink from in the public washroom on the Square, as well as a free water bottle filling station by the Information Tent
3. The Edmonton City Hall Fountain and wading pool is located just off Festival grounds north of 102A Ave. This is a good place to wade in, with an indoor changeroom adjacent to the fountain.

Our Recommendations:

1. Bring sunscreen, sunglasses, and a good hat.
2. Bring an umbrella! Either to keep dry, or to keep the sun off.
3. Bring a fan or a cooling towel if you have one.
4. If you prefer sitting on the ground while watching a show, consider bringing a small blanket or seat cushion to put between you and the hot concrete.

2.2 Air Quality

There is no smoking or vaping allowed anywhere on the Festival site.

July is often a month when the air quality is impacted by wildfires throughout the province. There are no indoor spaces with their own air filtration systems on the Festival site to take a break from wildfire smoke — though there are many restaurants, businesses, and arts buildings around the Square that do have air filtration. If you are affected by poor air quality, we advise you to check the air quality index before attending StreetFest and plan accordingly: bring a mask or check out surrounding businesses and civic buildings as a break throughout the Festival action!

2.3 Noise and Crowding

StreetFest turns Churchill Square into a lively place! It can be loud and busy. If you are sensitive to noise, we recommend that you bring ear plugs or noise cancelling headphones to make your time at the Festival more enjoyable.

The Festival’s crowds move with the performances happening on the Square. This means that, even on the busiest days, there will always be an area that is a little less crowded where you can go to get away from some of the activity.

3.1 Accessible Drop Off Zone

There is an accessible drop-off zone for DATS, taxis and ridesharing. This zone is the intersection of 99 St and 102A Ave, which can be accessed by turning off of 97 St onto 102A Ave heading west.

Please note that this zone is only for being dropped off / picked up from the Festival, and not for parking.

3.2 Edmonton Transit System (ETS) Routes and Fares

Parking in the downtown core can be a challenge. Consider travelling with ETS – our official Festival public transit provider – instead. The LRT and ETS Buses stop on or near Churchill Square.

For detailed information on ETS routes to get to StreetFest, check out our transit to StreetFest page.

For ETS fares, visit: https://www.edmonton.ca/ets/fares-passes

For general transit info, call: 311 or 780-442-5311 (outside of Edmonton).

For general online info, visit: www.edmonton.ca/edmonton-transit-system-ets

3.4 Parking and Rates

Here are a few options for places to park close to Churchill Square:

Stanley A. Milner Library Parkade
10165 100 Street
NOTE:  The parkade entrance on 99 Street, at the Citadel Theatre, will be open.  The parkade’s entrance and exit on 100 Street will be closed due to construction.
View Map (credit to the Citadel Theatre)

Accessible Stalls: 13 regular, 10 additional from 5pm – 1am

Fares: See beside / below.

City Hall Parkade
1 Sir Winston Churchill Square
99 Street entrance
NOTE: The parkade entrance can be accessed by turning into 102A Ave heading west from 97 Street and turning north on 99 Street.

Accessible Stalls: 5 (located on P1 and P3)

Fares: See beside / below.

Canada Place Parkade
9700 Jasper Avenue
View Map (credit to the Citadel Theatre)

Accessible Stalls: 6

Fares: See beside / below.

City Market Surface Lot
9650 – 101A Avenue NW
Edmonton AB T5H 0C7

Fares: See beside / below.

Edmonton City Centre Parkades
EAST Main Parkade: 102A Avenue between 100 Street and 101 Street
WEST Main Parkade: 103 Street and 102 Street entrances
View Map and Rates

Fares: See below,