Local Events & Festivals

Get to know the Lesser Slave River region and its many wonders. Download this simple graphic map showing key routes and destinations in Slave Lake and surrounding communities.

Frost Fest is a favourite February event in Slave Lake with winter games and family fun including a family ski trip, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, outdoor scavenger hunts, and indoor displays. After your family has finished with all of the exciting activities, the Boreal Centre offers indoor displays while you warm up with some hot chocolate.

Canada Day festivities in Canyon Creek and Slave Lake include BBQs and fireworks and outdoor events for the whole family. Our small and connected communities make great locations for enjoying this national holiday.

The Smith-Hondo Fall Fair and Rodeo is held on Labour Day weekend each year and showcases the rodeo, chariot racing and calf roping, with a large dance and open festival.

In addition to these events, local museums and interpretive centres offer a fascinating insight into aboriginal and modern history alike. They include the High Prairie & District Museum & Historical Society, the Kinosayo Museum, the Pioneer Thresherman's Association in High Prairie, and the Native Cultural Arts Museum in Grouard, while the Native Friendship Centre in Slave Lake offers a variety of programs and displays Aboriginal crafts and artifacts.

The Slave Lake Region celebrates National Aboriginal Day each June with traditional dancing, face painting and a meal. It’s a great chance to experience First Nation and Metis culture and enjoy some performances and crafts.

Held at the Boreal Centre for Bird Conservation in Lesser Slave Lake Provincial Park, the Annual Songbird Festival takes place in early June and offers educational activities for the entire family. Visitors can participate in workshops, tours, and guided hikes. This event features plenty of free children's activities including face painting and crafts.

Route 88 Rods & Customs was established in 2005 by a group of fellow vehicle enthusiasts that banded together for our passion of vintage, classic, hot rod, muscle and customs rides. We gather once a month to have fun, share ideas, information , attend Sunday Cruise "Nights" and plan for our Annual Show 'N' Shine. Our goals have never changed over the years we are dedicated to supporting our community with funding from the monies raised from our annual Show 'N' Shine. Non-profit groups, schools, and/or local programs- Santa's Anonymous, Slave Lake Food Bank, Lakeside Nursery School, C.J. Schurter School, The Boys and Girls Club, Slave Lake Cadets, St. Mary of the Lake Catholic School. We are always accepting new members! You don't need a ride to join. Join us for your passion of vehicles and your love of our great community.

Running every Friday from 11:00am until 3:00pm, starting June 6th, 2014 until August 29th, 2014, the Farmers' Market provides a unique shopping experience in the community, supporting regional producers and growers that provide quality homemade, grown or baked goods in a friendly and vibrant atmosphere. This is a true farmers' market where you have to make it, bake it, or grow it, in order to sell it here. The market is sponsored by Slave Lake & District Chamber of Commerce.

This catch and release walleye tournament accommodates as many as 150 fishing teams in a 2 day, total weight tournament. The tournament in one leg of the Western Canadian Walleye Trail. The tournament is one of the richest cash events in Canada with a total of $145,000 in prize money available. Proceeds from the event benefit the Lesser Slave Lake Regional Fire Service.

E: anglerscup (@) outlook.com

Riverboat Daze is Slave Lake's annual summer fun festival. Its name hearkens back to a booming period in the history of the town before railroads, when riverboats plied the waters of Lesser Slave Lake bringing settlers and supplies from the south into the vast Peace Country of northwestern Alberta. 'Rubberboot Daze' as it is affectionately known locally, has been going on for over 30 years and consists of a few main events, with a host of lesser attractions to provide fun and entertainment for all interests and ages.

Taking place annually on Devonshire Beach in Lesser Slave River, Sand Blast (formerly the Open Sand Sculpture Championship) began more than ten years ago. It has since transformed into one of the most highly anticipated events in the Slave Lake region, attracting visitors of all ages. Guests are invited to showcase their sand castle sculpting skills at the main event, or partake in a variety of family-friendly activities and entertainment scheduled throughout the day.