Moving to a new city as an immigrant can be a unique challenge, especially when it comes to establishing new relationships and forming a sense of community. Edmonton, with its vibrant and multicultural population, home to approximately 20.5% immigrants, offers many opportunities for immigrants to meet each other, share their experiences, and build strong social networks. From specialized immigrant services to community centers, cultural festivals, and social media networks, the city has numerous resources and platforms for immigrants seeking friendship, support, and a sense of belonging in their new home.
Specialized services for immigrants and research and education centers
The Edmonton Immigrant Services Association (EISA) is one of the oldest and most respected organizations in the city, with more than 30 years of experience helping immigrants integrate. EISA offers a wide range of programs, including English as a Second Language classes, school settlement programs, and its most well-known program, the New Neighbors Program. This program is especially valuable for immigrants who want to meet people and expand their social networks. The program connects new immigrants with mentors who have lived in Edmonton for several years and can share their knowledge of the city.
Mentors in the New Neighbors program provide social support to new immigrants through one-on-one connections, helping them make new friends, learn about local opportunities and resources, practice English conversation, get to know Edmonton and what it has to offer, build social networks, and engage in cultural exchange. Mentors also share information about Canadian culture, customs, and expectations, making the adjustment process less stressful. The mentor's commitment is approximately 20 hours over three months, providing enough interaction to establish a meaningful relationship.
In addition to the mentoring program, EISA also organizes English Conversation Circles, a series of regular sessions where adult immigrants practice English in a relaxed setting. These sessions take place weekly at the EISA office from September to June and are a great opportunity to meet other immigrants who are at a similar level of language learning and adaptation. The atmosphere in English Conversation Circles is specifically designed to be safe and encouraging, providing a space to communicate without fear of making mistakes.
Catholic Social Services (CSS) is the largest Catholic charitable organization in Edmonton and offers numerous programs for immigrants, including settlement and orientation services, assistance with the citizenship process, job search, and general integration into new communities. This organization views immigrants as part of a larger community and works to ensure that they are welcomed by other members of society.
The Centre for Newcomers organizes many programs focused on socialization and education. Their English for Success program is a series of voluntary ESL classes held on weekdays from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. These informal classes are great not only for learning practical English for everyday tasks and life skills, but also for making new friends in a relaxed group setting. The center also offers numerous other programs, including dance classes for development, where you can learn new moves, meet new people, and discover the benefits of dance.
The Edmonton Mennonite Centre for Newcomers (EMCN) is another recognized organization that has been helping immigrants with their integration process for over three decades. EMCN conducts English language classes with volunteers who help immigrants develop communication skills while establishing deep relationships with volunteers and other participants.
Volunteering as a way to make connections
Volunteering is a great way for immigrants to not only add value to their new community, but also to meet other people and establish meaningful contacts. EISA actively seeks volunteers and manages more than 400 volunteers who participate in their numerous programs and events. Volunteering with organizations like EISA gives immigrants the opportunity to share their unique talents and knowledge while helping other new immigrants in their adaptation process.
Volunteering opportunities at EISA include administrative volunteering, event volunteering, volunteering with the New Neighbors program (as a mentor or as a facilitator of English conversation circles), community interpreting services, and coaching and mentoring for youth in the After School Program. Volunteering at the Centre for Newcomers and other organizations also allows immigrants to make connections by using their skills and passions.
Cultural festivals and celebrations
Edmonton is known as “Festival City”. Throughout the year, the city hosts numerous cultural events that are great opportunities for immigrants to meet people, share their culture, and connect with members of their ethnic community and other groups.
The Edmonton Heritage Festival is the world's largest three-hour celebration of multiculturalism, held annually on the second weekend of August (August 2–4, 2025) in William Gavrelak Park. The festival features over 60 pavilions representing up to 100 countries and cultures and welcomes over 480,000 visitors. At the festival, visitors can sample food from over 70 cuisines, watch over 900 cultural folk music and dance performances on over 50 shared stages, and learn about different cultures through displays and storytelling. Admission to the festival is completely free, making it accessible to everyone. The festival is also a unique opportunity for immigrants to meet members of their ethnic community and tell visitors about their culture through volunteering in their ethnic pavilions.
The Cariwest Caribbean Festival is Western Canada's largest Caribbean arts festival, held annually in the heart of downtown from August 8 to 10. The festival celebrates infectious music, energetic performances, delicious cuisine, and the vibrant spirit of the Caribbean diaspora. Organized by the Western Carnival Development Association (WCDA), a non-profit organization run by volunteers, the festival is an excellent opportunity for Caribbean immigrants and people of Caribbean descent to meet, celebrate, and share cultural experiences.
Other cultural festivals and celebrations in Edmonton throughout the year include the Ice on Whyte Festival and Deep Freeze Festival in winter, Taste of Edmonton in summer, and K-Days (which also includes a carnival and numerous events). Each festival is an invaluable opportunity for immigrants to meet new people and experience Edmonton's friendly and welcoming culture.
The Ukrainian Museum of Canada and Ukrainian Heritage Village also organize numerous events throughout the year, including Ukrainian Day in May and various celebrations that allow Ukrainian immigrants and people of Ukrainian descent to meet and celebrate their culture.
Community Centers and Sports Groups
Edmonton's community centers offer great opportunities to make connections through participation in classes and programs. They often offer classes in fitness, cooking, dance, and other activities tailored to people of all ages. Joining a community center is a great way to make connections, especially in areas such as Strathcona, Oliver, or Westmount. The City of Edmonton Leisure Access Program also offers reduced rates for low-income immigrants, making participation accessible to all.
Sports groups, especially mixed sports teams, are great places to form lasting friendships. Visitors often join mixed basketball teams, walking and hiking groups, climbing groups, and other team sports through Meetup and local sports associations. Physical activity with other people often reveals more of a person's personality, making it more natural and organic to form friendships.
Social media networks and Meetup
Meetup is a popular platform where people can find groups with similar interests and attend meetings. The Edmonton Make New Friends Meetup Group is a group with over 4,000 members that organizes regular meetups to establish acquaintances and friendships. The group usually organizes meetups on the first and third weekends of the month at local cafes and restaurants, where participants can talk, laugh, and socialize.
Tandem and Linguar are apps and websites that help people find language exchange partners. These platforms allow immigrants to practice English (or their native language) with native speakers or other people who are learning the language. Language exchange is a great way to make connections while improving your language skills.
Reddit also has a community called r/Edmonton, where people can post questions, share experiences, and find others with similar interests or challenges. Many immigrants have found new friends and made valuable connections through r/Edmonton.
Language and Education Services
In addition to volunteering with organizations, immigrants can also make connections by participating in language programs and classes. The Edmonton Public Library offers free programs, including language classes, job search assistance, and children's activities. These programs are valuable resources for new immigrants, who not only develop skills but also connect with others who have similar needs and circumstances.
Faith Communities and Religious Organizations
Faith and religion often serve as powerful unifying forces in immigrant communities. Many ethnic communities have their own churches, mosques, synagogues, and temples where community members meet, pray, and celebrate together. Joining a religious organization that shares your faith can provide both spiritual comfort and an opportunity to connect with other community members.
The Edmonton Newcomers Centre and Self-Reliance Resource Centre are faith-based organizations that help new immigrants through English classes, self-reliance classes, and employment opportunities.
Planning and recommendations
When trying to meet other immigrants in Edmonton, it is important to be proactive and consistent. Regular participation in programs, classes, and events allows you to establish long-term friendships and lasting relationships. It is likely that classmates in an English language class or members of a volunteer group share similar experiences of adaptation and often become loyal friends.
In addition, joining several networks and groups (one for language exchange, one for sports activities, one for cultural events) expands your circle of acquaintances and provides more opportunities for networking. The most important thing is to be open, friendly, and willing to share your history and culture with others.
Conclusion
Edmonton is truly a welcoming and multicultural city for immigrants looking to make connections and build a community. From specialized immigrant services such as EISA and the Centre for Newcomers to cultural festivals, community centers, sports groups, and social media networks, the city offers many resources and platforms for immigrants. The key to success is to be active, consistent, and willing to take the initiative in making connections. Most immigrants who have successfully established new friendships and communities in Edmonton have done so through a combination of involvement in structured programs and participation in everyday community activities. With time, patience, and openness, immigrants can not only make connections, but also form deep, meaningful friendships that transform Edmonton from just a new place to a true home.