MOOSE JAW — Downtown Moose Jaw will come alive once again with the sights, sounds, and flavours of summer as the annual Kinsmen Sidewalk Days Festival returns this July.
Sidewalk Days will run from Thursday, July 3, to Saturday, July 5. On Thursday and Friday the festival will run from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and on Saturday it will run from 10 a.m. until closing at 5 p.m. All events take place outdoors along Main Street North.
Now a staple on the city’s calendar, the three-day street festival will once again transform nine downtown blocks into a pedestrian-friendly zone filled with food trucks, artisan booths, kids’ activities, and live entertainment. Organizers say this year’s edition will be one of the biggest yet.
“We have nine blocks of entertainment, food, crafts, and clothing; we have home and garden items, we have souvenirs, and we have food vendors,” said Donna Fritzke, executive director of Tourism Moose Jaw. “It’s going to be just absolutely amazing.”
All 249 vendor spots are officially sold out, mirroring the high demand seen in 2024, and festival organizers are expecting a large turnout — particularly with more residents opting for local travel this year. For contrast, Tourism Moose Jaw estimated around 22,000 visitors attended Sidewalk Days in 2024.
“There are so many visitors coming (to the Tourism Moose Jaw kiosk). People are staying home this year, and they’re not travelling as far,” Fritzke said. “They want to be shopping in their own backyard.”
Fritzke noted that the Tourism Moose Jaw Visitor Centre saw 500 more guests last month compared to the same time last year, with many travellers citing a preference to “stay in Canada and shop local.”
“That’s why we’re thinking that Sidewalk Days is going to be a huge success — because we’re (as Canadians) shopping local and supporting our own,” she said.
Families will find plenty to enjoy at this year’s festival. The Children’s Village, sponsored by Moose Jaw Ford, features games, a roaming magician, bouncy castles, and free sunscreen and water. Nearby, the Moose Jaw Co-op Chill Tent offers a shady spot for adults to relax. For older kids and teens, Déjà Vu Café’s inflatable “Duel Zone” will bring back its popular gladiator-style games.
Tourism Moose Jaw and the Downtown Moose Jaw Association will team up at a dedicated booth to sell Moose Jaw-branded merchandise and promote local tourism. Live music will fill the streets from main stages and buskers alike, with dance zones and events like Saturday’s “Battle of the Bands” adding to the fun. Local groups such as the Moose Jaw Humane Society and the Saskatchewan Dragoons will also be on site.
While no major changes are planned for this year, Fritzke said organizers are keeping the tried-and-true format in place.
“(Sidewalk Days) has always been successful, so we’re sticking with the same plans,” she said.
One constant, she emphasized, is the continued support from local volunteers and service clubs, including the Moose Jaw Kinsmen Club.
“I’d like to give a special shout out to the Moose Jaw Kinsmen Club. They’re our biggest supporter for Sidewalk Days, and without them, all of this wouldn’t be possible,” she noted. “A lot of other sponsors have also supported this — it really, truly is a community event.”
These sponsors include Veroba’s Restaurant, Water Vision, Little Chicago Entertainment, SaskPromo.com, Elite Coating Systems, and more.
For more information, including the full entertainment schedule, volunteer opportunities, and a full list of sponsors, visit TourismMooseJaw.com/Sidewalk-Days.
