Edmonton Guitar Seminar
Edmonton, Canada · Guitar festival
This welcoming weekend retreat is designed for classical guitar players who want to learn, play, perform, and connect in a supportive community setting. With a focus on ensemble playing, shared learning, and musical growth, the seminar brings together professional musicians, teachers, adult amateurs, students, developing players, and beginners for a relaxed but inspiring weekend of guitar.
- Location
- Edmonton, Canada
- Type
- Festival
- Most recent edition
- 26 September 2026 – 27 September 2026
- Next edition
- Usually each September — dates to be announced
- Frequency
- annual
- Eligibility / age
- classical guitar players across a wide range of ages, backgrounds, and skill levels. All levels are welcome
- Venue
- Strawberry Creek Lodge
- Tickets
- Weekend Seminar: $390 (includes Saturday-Sunday seminar, private accommodation, meals, instruction, ensemble playing, seminar activities); Weekend Seminar + Friday Concert: $420 (includes full Saturday-Sunday seminar package plus admission to Simon Farintosh’s Friday evening concert); Friday Concert Only: $35.
- Who it's for
- Classical guitar players across a wide range of ages, backgrounds, and skill levels, including professional musicians, teachers, adult amateurs, students, developing players, and beginners. All levels are welcome.
Programme & line-up
Simon Farintosh concert on Friday, September 25, 2026.
Workshops & masterclasses you can join
Guided ensemble work; workshops; informal playing.
Official website
https://www.edmontonguitarseminar.ca/
See this festival alongside every other guitar event on the calendar and map.
Open the calendar & mapVisiting? A guitarist's guide to Edmonton
As North America's northernmost city with over a million people, Edmonton, Alberta, offers a unique blend of urban sophistication and vast natural beauty, making it an intriguing destination for the Edmonton Guitar Seminar. This annual event takes place in a city renowned for its expansive river valley park system, bustling festivals, and a lively cultural scene, providing a distinct backdrop for classical guitar study and enjoyment.
Getting there
Edmonton International Airport (YEG) is located a few kilometers south of the city, near Leduc, and serves as the primary gateway. From the airport, various transport options are available to reach the city center. Once in Edmonton, the city is well-served by its public transit system, and many downtown attractions are easily walkable. For exploring the wider metropolitan area or nearby communities like St. Albert, a car might be beneficial, though not strictly necessary for seminar attendance within the city.
Compare trains, buses & flights to Edmonton on Omio →
Canada uses Type A/B sockets, so pack a travel adapter for your tuner and chargers.
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Where to stay
For convenience, consider basing yourself downtown or near the North Saskatchewan River Valley, where many of Edmonton's cultural attractions and potential seminar venues are located. The city offers a range of accommodation, from upscale hotels to more modest options, allowing visitors to find suitable lodging. Staying centrally provides easy access to dining, shopping, and the extensive network of river valley trails.
What you'll hear
The Edmonton Guitar Seminar, held annually, provides a focused environment for classical guitar enthusiasts. As a seminar rather than a traditional competition, the event typically features masterclasses, workshops, and concerts by guest artists, offering opportunities for learning and artistic exchange within the classical guitar community.
Edmonton, widely known as 'Canada's Festival City,' boasts a vibrant arts scene year-round, extending beyond the seminar itself. While there isn't a specific classical guitar heritage tied directly to the city, its robust theatre community and continuous cycle of annual festivals ensure a rich cultural backdrop, providing ample opportunities to experience diverse musical and artistic performances across various venues.
The local table
Edmonton's culinary scene benefits from its surrounding agricultural areas, with local farmers' markets, such as the popular one in nearby St. Albert, supplying fresh produce. Visitors can expect a diverse range of dining options, reflecting Canada's multicultural tapestry, with an emphasis on fresh, seasonal ingredients. While there are no specific grounded local dishes mentioned, the city's diverse population ensures a wide array of international cuisines alongside Canadian staples, often prepared with regional ingredients.
Fancy a guided taste? Food and wine tours in Edmonton →
While you're there
Between seminar sessions, Edmonton offers a wealth of activities. Explore the North Saskatchewan River Valley, a vast urban park system with over 100 kilometers of recreational trails perfect for walking, cycling, or wildlife viewing. Immerse yourself in history at Fort Edmonton Park, Canada's largest historical park, offering a living history experience. For shopping and entertainment, visit West Edmonton Mall, North America's largest shopping mall. The city also hosts numerous festivals throughout the year, earning it the moniker 'Canada's Festival City,' and its vibrant theatre community provides ample cultural enrichment. The Royal Alberta Museum offers insights into the province's natural and human history.
Tours, tickets and day trips in Edmonton →
The organizer offers partner-hotel discounts — see the official site.
Compare hotels and apartments near Edmonton for your dates.
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This map centers on Edmonton in general, so the venue may be elsewhere in town. Check the competition's official website before booking.
More guitar events in Canada: Canadian Music Competition - Guitar · Classical GuitarFest West · Guitar Alla Grande Festival · Quebec Music Competition - Guitar · SGM Next Generation Competition · Vancouver Classical Guitar Festival
Also in September: All Japan Guitar Competition · Cawsand Bay Guitar Festival · Certamen Internacional María Luisa Anido · Denver Guitar Festival - Tuason Competition · Michele Pittaluga International Guitar Competition · Nagoya Guitar Competition
Listing data is compiled from official sources and can change each edition. Always confirm dates, deadlines and requirements on the organizer's official website before applying or booking travel. Spotted an error? See our terms or let us know via the About page.