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Small towns, big hearts invite you to Battle River Online Festival
East-central Alberta There’s a quiet kind of magic in east-central Alberta, known as the Battle River region. You can find it in the wide-open blue skies that seem to stretch forever, in the rhythm of the gravel roads and rolling farmland.
And you can find it in the small and charming communities where businesses aren’t just places to shop, they’re spaces to meet the people who call the region home.
East-central Alberta is where small-town charm meets big-hearted hospitality. And this spring 2026, you don’t even need to hit the road to experience it!
Friendly folks like the multi-generation family at Maple Park Farms always have a warm welcome waiting for you.
From April 28 to May 7, 2026, the Battle River Online Festival invites you to explore East-Central Alberta through a series of live, virtual broadcasts featuring local makers, farmers, artists, and business owners.
RSVP to Battle River Online Festival, April 28-May 7
Streaming Tuesdays and Thursdays, this award-winning online festival format offers you a front-row seat to the stories, spaces, and people that make this region so special—all from the comfort of your home.
Tuning in is a simple and engaging way to support local and spark inspiration for your next Alberta road trip! RSVP here.
How to join:
- Plan to watch LIVE via @FestivalSeekers on Facebook / Instagram
- Discover new destinations and businesses in real time
- Enter to win $100 each week, to spend at participating businesses—just by commenting or sharing livestreams
- There will be additional incentives offered by businesses too!
You'll come away inspired to plan your in-person visit to the region after checking out the area through the livestreams.
Why east-central Alberta?
Located between 30 minutes to 3 hours drive southeast of Edmonton, you'll find a collection of counties and communities that offer a slower, more intentional way to travel.
A slower, more welcoming pace of life awaits in friendly east-central Alberta, amid small towns and rolling farmlands.
Picture scenic drives through prairie landscapes; locally owned shops, farms, and cafes; cute small town or village Main Streets; rich agricultural roots and welcoming communities where visitors feel like locals.
Pop in to shops like Dirt Road Studio, where visitors feel like locals through regular workshop offerings.
Whether you’re planning a future getaway or just exploring virtually for now, this region offers a refreshing reminder of how meaningful local travel can be (especially these days, as more of us choose to travel and shop Canadian!)
Battle River Online Festival Preview
While the festival brings these communities to you, here are a few highlights of participating communities and businesses that should inspire a future visit.
Flagstaff County
Just 1.5 - 2 hours from Edmonton, Flagstaff County is full of unexpected charm, from its rich history to its tight-knit rural communities. And it's home to awesome stops like the Country Cupboard Farm Store: part farm, part local market, and just the cutest stop you could make in the area.
Here, you’ll find fresh eggs, local goods, and most memorably: friendly farm animals including babydoll sheep and baby goats, ready to greet visitors!
Paintearth County
If you drive out a bit further east, about 2.5 - 3 hours from Edmonton, Paintearth County offers a true prairie road trip experience. There are plenty of locally-owned gems and small town charm to experience here!
Here, I met with Correna at Dirt Road Studio, a floral and art studio rooted in creativity, community, and rural charm. Owner Correna creates beautiful floral arrangements and artwork from her farm studio, where she also hosts private workshops and seasonal experiences.
Say hello to her many dogs as you pop in, or drop into the local drug stores in Coronation and Concert to find her beautiful everyday floral arrangements.
Beaver County
In Beaver County, the closest collection of communities to Edmonton at 30 - 60 minutes' drive, you’re not far from a peaceful countryside escape.
Here, you'll find Maple Park Farm, a family-run greenhouse and farm with everything from seasonal flowers and produce to hands-on workshops and farm-to-table experiences, filled with friendly warmth (partially from the greenhouse glass, but mostly from the warm, welcoming family).
One of the most unique aspects of the Battle River Online Festival is how it bridges virtual discovery with real-world exploration.
Expect to watch a livestream and meet a maker, continue to follow their journey online, then plan a trip to visit them in person!
Join the festival & support local
By tuning into the Battle River Online Festival, you’re not just passively watching a social media video, you’re helping amplify small businesses, supporting rural communities, and discovering a side of Alberta that often flies under the radar.
When: April 28, 30, May 5 & 7, 2026
Where: online via Facebook & Instagram (details via this Facebook event)
Bonus: engage in livestreams for a chance to win $100 to spend locally
Find all the festival details below, on the FestivalSeekers event page, and read more on my blog to meet even more of the small town charm and big-hearted hospitality that make the Battle River region magical.
The Battle River Online Festival is based off FestivalSeekers' national and provincial award-winning template of connecting seekers to local experiences and products. The festival is hosted by FestivalSeekers in partnership with the Battle River Alliance of Economic Development (BRAED), Community Futures Elk Island, Community Futures East-Central Alberta, the communities of the Battle River including Beaver, Flagstaff, Paintearth Counties, and Towns of Coronation and Castor.