Honourable Salma Lakhani

Lieutenant Governor of Alberta

As His Majesty the King’s representative in Alberta, it is my pleasure to welcome everyone to the 2025 Kaleido Family Arts Festival.

Edmonton is known across Canada as the home of an incredible community of artists and performers. But if the arts are to flourish, creative people also require large, enthusiastic, engaged audiences—and the earlier we cultivate an appreciation for the arts, the better.

For many Edmontonian kids, the Kaleido Festival will be one of their first encounters with professional live theatre, dance, visual art, and street performances. Kaleido’s fun, unpredictable, child-friendly atmosphere ensures that they will have positive associations with the arts that hopefully will last throughout their lifetimes, and perhaps even inspire them to become artists themselves.

As Kaleido marks its 20th anniversary, I congratulate the Arts on the Ave team and the hundreds of artists, vendors, and volunteers who have helped bring so much joy and colour to a generation of Edmonton children.

Have a spectacular festival!

Honourable Eleanor Olszewski

Cabinet Minister
Minister of Emergency Management and Community Resilience
Minister responsible for Prairies Economic Development Canada

On behalf of the Government of Canada, and as your Member of Parliamentfor Edmonton Centre, it is with great pleasure that I welcome you to 20th annual Kaleido Family Arts Festival.

For two decades, Arts on the Ave has brought heart, colour, and creativity to Edmonton’s Alberta Avenue District. This beloved festival is more than just an arts celebration—it is a reflection of our city’s incredible spirit.

This year’s theme, Hearts A-Glowin’, invites us all to light up Alberta Avenue through, music, dance, and visual art. It’s a fitting tribute to what Kaleido has always done so well: bring people together through the power of the arts, and shine a spotlight on the stories, talents, and voices that make our city vibrant and strong.

To the dedicated Arts on the Ave team, the 400 passionate volunteers, and over 500 talented artists: thank you for lighting up the Avenue—and our hearts—once again. Your dedication and efforts are what makes Edmonton’s arts community truly glow.

Let your heart glow a little brighter this weekend—and may the spirit of Kaleido carry on long after the final performance. Thank you to all those attending. I wish you an exciting and memorable 20th Kaleido Family Arts Festival!

Honourable Danielle Smith

Premier of Alberta

On behalf of the Government of Alberta, it is my pleasure to welcome everyone to the 20th anniversary of the Kaleido Family Arts Festival in then heart of Alberta Avenue!

For two decades, this celebration of creativity has been entertaining Edmontonians and bringing fun to the Alberta Avenue Arts District. From performances to displays, markets to galleries and great food, there is plenty to delight the senses and inspire the imagination. Artists, performers, and craftspeople sharing their talents in an open setting and welcoming spaces throughout the district make Kaleido a wonderful opportunity to experience the arts with friends and neighbours.

Thank you to everyone at Arts on the Ave and to the dedicated volunteers who have created this uniquely joyful event. I deeply appreciate your commitment to the arts and strengthening community in our capital city.

Have a great time as you get your hearts-a-glowin’!

Honourable Paula Simons

Independent Alberta Senator

Autumn has always been my favourite season, and September has always been my favourite month. It’s a time when we celebrate the bounty of the harvest, and prepare for the all the adventures of a new year ahead. It’s that moment when the joy and relaxation of summer crosses over into the excitement of getting back to business. And there’s no better way to mark that September nexus than the Kaleido Family Arts Festival.

It’s a truly community celebration, a free and accessible street party, rooted in arts and culture and food and fun. It’s a chance for the whole city and the whole family to experience the history and renaissance of Alberta Avenue. And it’s a chance to glory in the multicultural diversity that makes Edmonton/amiskwaciwâskahikan so vibrant, welcoming and strong.

Thank you, merci, and hiy hiy to the entire Arts on the Ave team, to the artists, and to the hundreds of volunteers who light the lanterns and bring the magic to 118th each September.

Honourable Tanya Fir

Minister of Arts, Culture, and Status of Women

This annual festival is a community-driven celebration of the arts that takes place in the heart of Edmonton during Alberta's Month of the Artist andCulture Days. Every September, we take extra time as a province to recognize artists and how their work reflects who we are, shares our stories and enriches our lives.

Alberta's government is proud to support Arts on the Ave Edmonton Society. This festival has become a staple in Alberta's art scene. With diverse artistic disciplines represented, the Kaleido Family Arts Festival offers opportunities for attendees to experience art in new and exciting ways.

I want to recognize the leadership of Arts on the Ave for organizing this vibrant event every year and acknowledge the sponsors and hundreds of volunteers that bring this festival to life. Your support allows our local artists an opportunity to inspire their fellow Albertans.

Enjoy this year's festival!

MLA Janis Irwin

Member of the Legislative AssemblyEdmonton-Highlands-Norwood

Friends, welcome to the 20th annual Kaleido Family Arts Festival here onTreaty 6 territory! Kaleido is truly one of my favourite festivals of the year! We’re truly lucky that they’ve given us an incredible 20 years of art and community-building here on Alberta Avenue—and I know they’re just getting started!

This year’s Hearts A-Glowin' theme is a reminder of the incredible joy and sense of fun to be found in the many vibrant communities that I’m so proud to represent. As always, I’m grateful to the Alberta Avenue residents who welcome us into their neighbourhood this weekend and throughout the year.

Thank you so much once again (for the 20th time!) to the incredible Arts on the Ave team, their dedicated volunteers, and the talented and generous artists for all they do to promote the arts in our communities, not just during their fabulous festivals, but all throughout the year. On behalf of Alberta NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi and our entire team, I wish you all a very happy Kaleido Family Arts Festival!

See you on the Ave!

His Worship Mayor Amarjeet Sohi

Mayor | City of Edmonton

On behalf of City Council and the people of Edmonton, welcome to the 20th annual Kaleido Family Arts Festival!

From festivals and districts, to galleries and theatres, Edmonton has a vibrant arts and culture scene that is fuelled by creativity and fearless expression. This festival plays an important part in amplifying that scene; and for the past two decades it has done an incredible job showcasing the remarkable talent in our city.

The City of Edmonton is committed to growing our arts community as part of our efforts to make Edmonton more wholesome, welcoming and inclusive–festivals like Kaleido help us do just that!

Thank you to the many artists that share their soul through their artwork. And thank you to the many organizers and volunteers who light up the neighbourhood with this kaleidoscope of creativity and fun.

Enjoy the festival!

Councillor Ashley Salvador

City Councillor | Ward Métis

On behalf of City Council and the people of Edmonton, welcome to the Kaleido Family Arts Festival 2025: Hearts A-Glowin’!

There’s nearly always a festival happening in our city, and each one highlights a unique part of what makes Edmonton so special.

The Kaleido Family Arts Festival is defined not just by its location in the heart of Ward Métis, but by its enthusiastic celebration of all art forms presented in every corner of Alberta Avenue. Exploring the festival, it feels like hundreds of artists and art pieces have burst out of the buildings and spilled out into the neighbourhood, beautifully illustrating the openness and vibrancy of Ward Métis.

I am grateful for the work that Arts on the Ave does to bring Edmontonians together in celebration of the transformative power of the arts. Thank you to the many volunteers and artists sharing your talents and skills, and to the businesses and residents along the avenue for being such wonderful hosts!

Enjoy the festival!