Reason #64 of '101 Reasons Why I Heart Edmonton'
Sir Winston Churchill Square
By Emil Tiedemann
Every city has that plaza, block, or courtyard in the heart of town where folks come together to celebrate or commemorate something, where festivals and other events are held for the masses, and where locals congregate for that sense of community.
For us, it’s Sir Winston Churchill Square, a piece of land surrounded by City Hall, the Art Gallery of Alberta, the Winspear Centre, the Citadel Theatre, the Stanley A. Milner Library, and many other cool spots to eat, drink, and shop.
It is within walking distance of most of the rest of downtown, namely the future sites of Ice District and the new Royal Alberta Museum, as well as the river valley and Jasper Avenue, and is home to some of our most beloved get-togethers, including Taste of Edmonton, the Street Performers Festival, Movies on the Square, Nuit Blanche, and of course, the New Year’s Eve bash!
Even when there isn’t anything happening on Churchill, there’s something happening on Churchill! There are ping pong tables and basketball hoops, giant checkers and chess pieces, large art installations, and the hush of the water fountains right in front of City Hall.
You can have a seat and chow down on snacks from the hot dog vendors or rotating food trucks, grab a coffee from Three Bananas or L’Espresso cafes, check out the souvenir shop inside the TIX on the Square, or sit down for lunch or dinner at the neighbouring Zinc, Normand’s, or Kids in the Hall restaurants.
There are spots to sit on the grass under a lit-up elm tree to read or study; and spots where you can swing your bare feet in the public pool as speakers blare songs from some local radio station; and there are spots where you can just sit back and people watch the day away.
It’s a communal gathering place that, even with the arrival of Ice District, will always remain the true heart of Edmonton’s downtown. #churchillsquare
By Emil Tiedemann
Every city has that plaza, block, or courtyard in the heart of town where folks come together to celebrate or commemorate something, where festivals and other events are held for the masses, and where locals congregate for that sense of community.
For us, it’s Sir Winston Churchill Square, a piece of land surrounded by City Hall, the Art Gallery of Alberta, the Winspear Centre, the Citadel Theatre, the Stanley A. Milner Library, and many other cool spots to eat, drink, and shop.
Some folks playing a round of chess on Churchill Square. |
It is within walking distance of most of the rest of downtown, namely the future sites of Ice District and the new Royal Alberta Museum, as well as the river valley and Jasper Avenue, and is home to some of our most beloved get-togethers, including Taste of Edmonton, the Street Performers Festival, Movies on the Square, Nuit Blanche, and of course, the New Year’s Eve bash!
Even when there isn’t anything happening on Churchill, there’s something happening on Churchill! There are ping pong tables and basketball hoops, giant checkers and chess pieces, large art installations, and the hush of the water fountains right in front of City Hall.
You can have a seat and chow down on snacks from the hot dog vendors or rotating food trucks, grab a coffee from Three Bananas or L’Espresso cafes, check out the souvenir shop inside the TIX on the Square, or sit down for lunch or dinner at the neighbouring Zinc, Normand’s, or Kids in the Hall restaurants.
Summertime at the pool at City Hall |
There are spots to sit on the grass under a lit-up elm tree to read or study; and spots where you can swing your bare feet in the public pool as speakers blare songs from some local radio station; and there are spots where you can just sit back and people watch the day away.
It’s a communal gathering place that, even with the arrival of Ice District, will always remain the true heart of Edmonton’s downtown. #churchillsquare
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