Returning Fall 2025
Ross Street Magic Festival
The Ross Street Magic Festival in downtown Red Deer is a celebration of all things magical! Thanks to the support of local businesses, this annual, community-driven festival features roaming adventurers, folk music, mystifying magicians, medieval sword fighting, crafts for the kids, a scavenger hunt and costume contest, and a vibrant artisan market. It's entirely volunteer-run and free to attend!
Our Vision
Celebrating the MAGIC of Downtown Red Deer
The Ross Street Magic Festival, sparked by Kathryn Harris, began as a way to highlight the charm of downtown Red Deer and its local businesses.Over the years, it’s evolved into a lively celebration of magic, creativity, and the spirit of local makers and organizations. With a bustling outdoor market and a scavenger hunt that guides visitors through downtown’s unique shops, our focus remains the same: to highlight and support local businesses, all while embracing the magic of Downtown Red Deer.Ross Street Magic Festival is a fun, inclusive, family-friendly way to engage with your community!
Our Friends
Red Stags
As the Ross Street Magic Festival grew, we proudly partnered with Red Stags of Red Deer, a local non-profit historical LARP group. Joining us officially in 2023, they’ve helped the festival reach new heights.Red Stag brings the excitement of foam weapon battles and real armour to life, with their members engaging in battles, feasts, and festivities throughout the year. Like us, their vision is all about building community. We’re thrilled to have their support.
Our Theme
MAGIC
Our theme of MAGIC is intentionally broad. We aim to embrace whimsy, creativity, and a spirit of joy in an autumn festival.Though we started as a nerdy festival for fantasy fans, we have grown into a celebration of all forms of magic, from fairytales and pop culture to traditions with deep cultural roots. Whether it's sleight of hand or natural powers, wizards or magicians, medieval fantasy or sci-fi, our festival reflects the diverse interests of Central Albertans.Just as we wish to build an inclusive community event, we wish to honour all definitions of magic in a culturally appropriate way, celebrating creativity in all its forms.
Our Market
Become a Vendor
Our Artisan Market showcases talented creators from the Red Deer area and across Alberta. We carefully select vendors to bring you the best our community has to offer.We're on the lookout for unique artists, artisans, designers, makers, and non-profits who can truly embrace the magic of our event. We do not accept resellers or anyone selling stolen or AI-generated art. Applications are judged on three key factors: quality, alignment with our theme, and ensuring we don't compete with the downtown businesses we're highlighting.We’re proud of our artisan market and hope you’ll be a part of it!
Our Entertainment
Create the Magic
We strive to fill the festival with enchanting performers, from magicians and storytellers to professional cosplayers, dancers, musicians, and more.However, as a free-to-attend, volunteer-run event that makes zero profit, we rely on the generous support of donations, sponsors, and community members who believe in the value of our event.If you have a talent that you think would add even more magic to our festival and are open to working within our modest budget, we’d love to hear from you!
Our Location
Discovering Downtown
We believe in the magic of downtown Red Deer! Our festival unfolds along beautiful Ross Street, right in the heart of the city.As part of the event, attendees can join a scavenger hunt that leads them through downtown’s hidden gems. There, they will uncover new favourite shops, cafés, and restaurants. Sponsoring businesses are part of the adventure and are encouraged to embrace the festival’s theme with their own magical offerings.Our goal is to make everyone feel welcome in downtown Red Deer and inspire them to make it their new favourite haunt. In many ways, the Ross Street Magic Festival is our love letter to downtown Red Deer.
