Alberta museums see record summer crowds

Alberta’s museums and historic sites set attendance records this summer, welcoming more than 603,000 visitors between May and August, a seven per cent increase over 2024.

The province’s 21 heritage sites offered new exhibits that brought Alberta’s history to life, including the Royal Tyrrell Museum’s Breakthroughs, Reynolds Museum’s Making Tracks, and a new Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump display created with Piikani knowledge keepers. The Royal Alberta Museum’s Orcas: Our Shared Future exhibition drew more than 112,000 visitors during its six-month run.

Special events and summer programming also boosted numbers. The Reynolds Museum’s Ultimate Car Show attracted 5,400 visitors, while Royal Alberta Museum summer camps sold out five of seven weeks.

Minister of Arts, Culture and Status of Women Tanya Fir said the record attendance highlights the public’s desire to engage with Alberta’s stories. “Our provincial museums and historic sites ensure Alberta’s story continues to inspire pride at home and spark curiosity around the world,” she said.

The provincial government invested $51 million in Budget 2025 to enhance offerings at museums and historic sites, while several facilities celebrated milestone anniversaries, including the Royal Tyrrell Museum and the Frank Slide Interpretive Centre, both marking 40 years.