Toddler Town
Thursday Family Fun Night
Outdoor Stage
Official Messages
Too much fun? Not for the Tim Hortons team! We are passionate about supporting our communities and the children who will shape the future of these communities. It’s a passion that's fueled by a simple conviction: we can’t just be a good corporate citizen — we must be an active participant and partner for positive change in the world.
At the Northern Alberta International Children’s Festival, that positive change is evident. We recognize the value of this vibrant festival in every smile, every giggle, every moment of blossoming creativity in the thousands of children who experience the festival each year. We are thrilled once again to be the presenting sponsor of this outstanding artistic and educational experience.
Beyond being an event that brings immeasurable joy to festival-goers, Tim Hortons is eager to support this opportunity to help children develop into optimistic, contributing members of their communities. By engaging youth in the arts and world traditions we help foster cultural understanding, giving each child a constructive view of the world and their place in it.
As a partner in this festival, we know we are making a true difference. Together with our restaurant owners, we are proud of the meaningful part we can play in the lives of children in St. Albert and all around Northern Alberta. We encourage you — have too much fun!!
Cultivate imagination. Cultivate inspiration. Cultivate the child in each one of us. The Northern Alberta International Children’s Festival is not only a flagship cultural event in St. Albert and region, but also a yearly reminder to each one of us to grow, to develop, to nurture our community, ourselves and most importantly, our children.
The festival cultivates the hearts and minds of our future leaders — and as such, I extend a warm thank you to the sponsors and volunteers that make this festival possible. Their gifts of time and financial support are indispensable.
We are so proud of our history as one of the longest-running Children’s Festivals in North America, helping young audiences learn through the arts for over three decades. The world comes to downtown St. Albert for five days a year — sharing traditions and innovation, while encouraging the artistic growth of our children. It is yet another way St. Albert residents joyfully Cultivate Life.
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Nolan Crouse
Mayor, City of St. Albert – The Botanical Arts City
Welcome to the 31st annual Northern Alberta International Children's Festival!
Our government knows how important arts and culture are to our identity, our economy, and the strength of our communities. When young Canadians are given a chance to explore the world of arts and culture, the experience enriches their lives, broadens their horizons, and lays the foundation for a lifelong love of the arts. This is why we are proud to invest in the Northern Alberta International Children's Festival, an event that introduces young audiences to performers from all over the world and allows people of all ages to let their imaginations run free.
On behalf of Prime Minister Stephen Harper and the Government of Canada, I would like to thank all the organizers, performers, and volunteers who have made this festival possible and have helped inspire our youth for more than three decades.
Bienvenue au 31e Northern Alberta International Children's Festival!
Notre gouvernement sait à quel point les arts et la culture sont importants pour notre identité, notre économie et le dynamisme de nos communautés. Quand on donne la chance aux jeunes Canadiens d'explorer le monde des arts et de la culture, on leur fait vivre une expérience enrichissante qui élargit leurs horizons et éveille en eux l'amour des arts. Voilà pourquoi nous sommes fiers d'investir dans le Northern Alberta International Children's Festival, qui présente au jeune public des artistes du monde entier et permet aux gens de tous âges de laisser libre cours à leur imagination.
Au nom du premier ministre Stephen Harper et du gouvernement du Canada, je remercie tous les organisateurs, artistes et bénévoles qui assurent la tenue de ce festival et contribuent à inspirer nos jeunes depuis maintenant trois décennies.
The Honourable / L’honorable James Moore
Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages
Can any child have too much fun? We can only hope that the answer is no, for in a child's laughter we find the hope and promise of a better world for us all. Yet, we must never cease in trying to find out just how much fun a child can have. One of the best ways is to allow them the freedom to be a child and to release all the imagination and creativity that only a child can possess.
On behalf of the Government of Alberta, I would like to extend a warm welcome to the performers and all those joining in the fun during the 31st annual Northern Alberta International Children's Festival.
Once again, artists from around the globe will converge on the City of St. Albert — all with the common mission of testing the limits of fun and fantasy for children from across Alberta and beyond. For five days in May and June, St. Albert will become a playground like none other in the world with performances and activities to delight and inspire the heart of our youth. There, surrounded by smiling faces and happy laughter, perhaps we might all rediscover that little boy or little girl we once knew as ourselves.
My thanks to the Children's Festival Board of Directors, staff and the many volunteers for your dedication and commitment to the youth of our province. Thanks also to the many sponsors and donors for your help in once again making this year's festival possible.
Have fun out there!
The Honourable Heather Klimchuk
Minister of Culture and Community Spirit
Warning: you are about to enter a world of wild imagination. Every year the Northern Alberta International Children's Festival blooms in the heart of St. Albert, bringing opportunities to laugh and learn, while creating lasting memories that draw families and communities together.
A devoted team of sponsors, board members, volunteers and staff work year ’round to create this international festival that bridges the gap between art, culture and education. Behind the smiles and underneath the laughter, children learn through the arts. “Children develop higher levels of thinking by learning to look at others' artwork or performances and developing an opinion through the arts.”1 The programming offered by the festival challenges our children to take chances and explore imaginary worlds and stories with great rewards and even greater smiles.
We are delighted to welcome over 55,000 people from communities all over Alberta to the festival and with the generous support of our sponsors and donors, we are able to offer tickets and activities at prices that are within reach for all families. We believe that everyone should have the opportunity to participate in this rich cultural experience that swill amaze and delight. To continue to entertain and engage our audiences, we look for ways to enhance our programs and service delivery. This year I am excited to introduce the addition of 
Toddler Town, as well as Fun Friday and Super Saturday wristbands.
It is a joy to be the director of this festival, especially when I see the smiles and hear the laughter of the children. I am deeply grateful to all the volunteers and staff who continue to put in the countless hours, and endless effort required to make this festival TOO MUCH FUN!! Thank you!
1. Excerpted from Young Children and the Arts: Making Creative Connections
Nancy Abrahamson
Festival Director
