All is Bright Festival on 124 Street in Edmonton

All-is-Bright-Festival-on-124-Street-Edmonton

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.

Street Performer at the All is Bright Festival on 124 Street Edmonton. Photo credit: Janet Guthrie
OEB Breakfast Grocery Bag Fundraiser for the YWCA. Photo credit: Janet Guthrie

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.

Lighting up the Main Square. Photo credit: Janet Guthrie
Marshmallow Roasting Station. Photo credit: Janet Guthrie

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.

Live Music on the Main Stage. Photo credit: Janet Guthrie
The Beverage Gardens Includes Festive Drinks Like Mulled Wine. Photo credit: Janet Guthrie

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.

124 Street Lights Brighten up Cold Winter Nights. Photo Credit: Janet Guthrie
Lift me up Bakery Take out Window. Photo credit: Janet Guthrie

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.

Cozy, Retro Décor at Partake in Edmonton. Photo credit: Janet Guthrie
Expertly Crafted Cocktails at Partake. Photo credit: Janet Guthrie

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! 

Duchess Bake Shop. Photo credit: Janet Guthrie
Arendell Castle, the Duchess Bake Shop's 2023 Gingerbread Masterpiece. Photo credit: Janet Guthrie

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. 
Sidewalk Poetry on 124 Street in Edmonton. Photo credit: Janet Guthrie
Poem by Titilope Sonuga, Edmonton's 9th Poet Laureate. Photo credit: Janet Guthrie

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. 

A few of the 50 restaurants on 124 Street. Photo credit: Janet Guthrie
Tiramisu Bistro serves delicious Italian Food. Photo credit: Janet Guthrie

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. 

The Lake is my Happy Place. Photo credit: Janet Guthrie
Happy Camper Christmas Tree Ornament. Photo credit: Janet Guthrie

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. 

Rumpus Room Chic Décor at Northern Chicken. Photo credit: Janet Guthrie
Northern Fried Chicken. Photo credit: Janet Guthrie

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.

All is Bright Festival on 124 Street in Edmonton

A Winter Festival in Downtown Edmonton Alberta Canada Urban Adventure

Location (Map)

10718 124 St, Edmonton, AB T5M 0H1, Canada
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Comments 3

Kim Kenyon on Saturday, 02 December 2023 23:47

I need to hear more about the Duchess Bake Shop, I hope you get through the doors someday and I need to visit there!

I need to hear more about the Duchess Bake Shop, I hope you get through the doors someday and I need to visit there!
Janet Guthrie on Friday, 08 December 2023 02:32

I promise to go to Duchess Bake Shop, to try so many things and to share the experience! Too bad we can't create scratch and sniff posts yet.

I promise to go to Duchess Bake Shop, to try so many things and to share the experience! Too bad we can't create scratch and sniff posts yet.
Cora Lee Rennie on Sunday, 24 December 2023 13:47

I miss Edmonton sometimes! Even though the city life isn’t for me I really enjoyed the many festivals, activities and restaurants! And Northern Chicken is so good haha! Who doesn’t love a little chicken fried …cold beer on a Friday night… pair of jeans that fit just right …. LOL! If you know you know!

I miss Edmonton sometimes! Even though the city life isn’t for me I really enjoyed the many festivals, activities and restaurants! And Northern Chicken is so good haha! Who doesn’t love a little chicken fried …cold beer on a Friday night… pair of jeans that fit just right …. LOL! If you know you know!
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