Most EMBFest Activities are FREE to Access! The following activities require the purchase of an activity pass: -Group Rides -The Bike Rodeo -The Big Wheel Trike Races -Trailblazers Race -Timed Hot Laps -Skills Sessions -Photo Contest & Show and Shine Entry -AB Provincial XCO Race (*Weekend & Race Pass ONLY*) XC Race + Weekend Passes - Access to all festival activities all weekend long + access to registration in the XC Race Weekend Passes - Access to festival activities all weekend long Day Passes - Access to festival activities on the day of your choosing Trailblazer Passes - For riders 12 yrs and under, Access all the weekend activities + access to registration in the Trailblazers Race *You will need to check in and pick up a wristband each day of the festival* Purchasing an EMBFest Activity Pass support the longevity of the festival and goes to more than just awesome activities. The group behind EMBFest aims to invest all proceeds back into the Edmonton mountain bike community and to help develop the area into a worls class mountain bike community. Plus it gets you access to all 2022 EMBFest activities!

You can sign up in advance online or check-in the day of the event with your EMBFest Activity Pass wristband. Some activities have limited spots available, so pre-registration is recommended. The XC Race and Trailblazers Race require pre registration online and can be accessed with your Activity Pass. ​ *All participants in organized group rides, sessions & events are required to complete a waiver prior to participation. Participants under the age of 18 years of age must have the waiver completed by a parent/guardian*

Activity Pass Wristbands can be picked up at the following locations each day: - Any of the Ticket & Info booths at Queen Elizabeth Park *Wristbands must be picked up prior to participation in any group ride, session, event or activity*

This event will be following all current Government of Alberta Guidelines including recommending the use of masks and mask requirements in all areas where proper distancing cannot be maintained. Immunization vaccinations are recommended for all individuals. Participants, staff and volunteers are recommended to stay home if they present symptoms as outlined by Alberta Health Services. Any purchased tickets will be refunded as needed. Please do not attend EMBFest if you answer "Yes" to any of the following: Do you currently present any symptoms of COVID-19, including sore throat, fever, cough, fatigue, loss of taste or smell? Have you been in contact or suspect to have been in contact with a positive case of COVID 19 within the last 7 days? Have you traveled within the last 14 days and are required to isolate? Additional hand wash and sanitization stations will be available on site during the festival. This includes sanitization in all portable toilets, at all service areas, and in volunteer areas. There are also additional hand wash stations on site for the duration of the event.

EMBFest takes place at Queen Elizabeth Park in Edmonton, Alberta. Queen Elizabeth Park is by the Walterdale Bridge across the road from the Kinsmen Centre. There are also a number of offsite venues for organized group rides and sessions on Saturday and Sunday mornings. Check out the Schedule OR Map Page for locations and times.

Via Bike: All EMBFest locations are accessible via the Edmonton River Valley existing trail network. Bike Parking available! Via Vehicle: Parking is available at various location close to the renue site. Via Transit: Both ETS bus routes 9 and 701 stop at Queen Elizabeth Park along Walterdale Hill/Queen Elizabeth Park Road

EMBFest takes place September 8-10, 2023. The main venue at Queen Elizabeth Park has activities running during the following hours: Friday from 6:00 - 10:00 PM Saturday from 10:00 AM - 10:00 PM Sunday from 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM Please see the Schedule Page for further details.

Yes. Unfortunately for this year, we are unable to provide donor bikes for the festival. There are still plenty of activities to take part in without a bike including trying bikes from a number of local bike shops!

A bike helmet is required for participation in all EMBFest activities taking place on a bike.

Group rides and activities are available for all levels of riders! The riding levels that EMBFest uses are as follows: New to Mountain Biking = You have experience riding a bike, but are new to off trail riding. You understand the basic of how a bike works and ride your bike on paved trails or simple wider gravel trails. Beginner = You have ridden some green single track and are comfortable with easier trails. You understand how your bike works. You understand one finger braking, but need to practice more. You are getting better at knowing when to shift on hills and are walking up them less. You remember and execute basic body positions to suit trail needs (climbing, descending, gentle corners). Beginner Plus = You are consistent on all green rated single track and most blue rated single track. You have attempted black rated but maybe walked a bunch of sections. You can ride over most obstacles comfortably. You have started steeper roll downs, but aren't totally comfortable yet. You have a solid understanding and execution of body positions to suit the trail needs. You can adjust quickly to sharp corners, climbs or descends. One-finger braking is natural. You know when to shift for sudden trail changes but are working on consistency. Intermediate = You are successfully accomplishing the blue rated single track in Edmonton. You have shown consistency on black rated and are walking less sections. Quick thinking is coming easier (ie: shifting, independent braking, rad cornering). You are a natural when it comes to executing proper body positions to suit the trail needs. You are consistent at utilizing the space required for corners. You can climb most technical trails without stopping or getting hung up. You can descend most technical sections; choosing lines to keep you smooth. Intermediate Plus = You are consistently riding all blue rated single track and most of the black rated trails. You don’t think twice about riding a new (to you) trail. You can successfully complete smaller drops on trail and execute high speed efficient cornering. Your bike handling is like second nature and you can quickly shift, adjust body position and pedal power. You have the ability to successfully accomplish most technical climbs and descents.

Local businesses and ride groups can apply to take part in EMBFest on our Exhibitor Page. This includes: -The Local business EXPO -Food Trucks -Craft Beer Hub Vendors -Sponsors

Contact us directly to lead an official partner group ride at EMBFest 2022. EMBFest organized group rides are led by certified mountain bike coaches. We also have a number of Community Led Group Rides. Please apply to volunteer or contact us and information to sign up as a leader will be sent directly to you!

Volunteers can apply through the Volunteer Page. Volunteers get FREE access to EMBFest for the entire weekend, get an EMBFest volunteer shirt, receive beverages from Blindman Brewing following their shifts, and become VIB's (Very Important Bikers)!