Media Release: UFest Edmonton Ukrainian Festival returns May 29–30 with free admission and 1300 performers
May 3, 2026
EDMONTON — UFest Edmonton Ukrainian Festival will return to Borden Park on May 29–30, 2026, bringing together more than 1300 performers across two days of programming featuring music, dance, food, and cultural activities.
The festival, which is free to attend, is the largest Ukrainian cultural festival in Western Canada and kicks off Edmonton’s summer festival season.
The festival will feature 18 hours of non-stop entertainment across two outdoor stages, showcasing performances by leading Ukrainian artists and ensembles from across Canada. Audiences can enjoy appearances by 52 performing groups including Calgary’s Tryzub Ukrainian Dance Ensemble and HUP Ukrainian Vocal Ensemble, Dauphin’s Sche Raz Ukrainian Dancers, and Regina’s Tavria Ukrainian Dance Ensemble, alongside Edmonton’s own celebrated groups, including the Cheremosh Ukrainian Dance Company, Ukrainian Shumka Dancers, and Volya Ukrainian Dance Ensemble.
Nearly 1300 performers will participate in this year’s festival.
UFest After Dark will run each evening after 9 p.m., featuring Ukrainian dance (“zabava”) bands including Neech and Zabava u Koli.
Festival grounds will also include 18 food vendors, more than 42 artisan marketplace vendors, and a licensed area serving craft beer, wine, and cider. Family programming, including children’s activities, will be offered at no charge.
The Heritage Pavilion will showcase Ukrainian history and cultural education, while the Community Pavilion will host 14 organizations presenting programs and services.
Each year, UFest features a guest cultural community; this year’s partner is the Irish-Canadian community, featuring cultural displays, Edmonton’s Mattierin Irish Dancers and Knock O’Hogan Irish Dancers.
The festival’s charitable partner is the Canada-Ukraine Foundation, supporting its “Canada Ukraine Surgical Aid Program” that provides life-changing care to patients affected by the war in Ukraine.
UFest 2026 will run Friday, May 29 from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m., and Saturday, May 30 from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. at Borden Park in Edmonton. Gates will open 30 minutes early.
Admission is free. In 2025, the festival reported more than 65,000 visitors.
For more information or to speak with a UFest representative, please contact:
Veronika Ivanytska at 825-343-1052 (voice or text) or by email at
An electronic UFest media package is available on request. The media package includes: photos, video and other UFest branded material.
Free media parking at the festival can be arranged by request.
