Red Deer is located in Central Alberta near the midpoint of the Calgary–Edmonton Corridor amid rolling hills and aspen parkland, arranged along the banks of the Red Deer River. Indigenous people named the river for herds of elk that migrated through the area, which European settlers called “red deer,” after the elk’s overseas cousins.
Consistently ranked as an excellent place to do business, Red Deer is a growing community and the third most populous city in the province. Previously named a “Cultural Capital of Canada,” Red Deer offers a wide variety of visual and performing arts, cultural groups, sports and recreation for an outstanding lifestyle. Home to unique cultural facilities such as the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame, Red Deer residents love having a full range of urban amenities, shops, and services combined with a small-town, friendly feel.
Newcomers receive a warm welcome in a community that is easy to get around and a great place to live, raise a family, work, or play. Red Deer transit connects people with most parts of the city with regular and school routes. There’s a full calendar of events, including the annual Agri-Trade, Oktoberfest, Shakespeare festival, Central Alberta Film Festival, Red Deer Airshow and Afro-Caribbean festival.
Nature lovers can enjoy over 110 kilometres of multi-use trails or explore one of several provincial parks and protected areas within an easy day-trip distance from the city – some as little as a half hour out of town. There are beautiful parks and green spaces, as well as off-leash areas for four-legged family members. Summer invites fishing, paddling, or a leisurely float down the Red Deer River.
Discover Red Deer and area’s rich local history and culture at one of five local museums, historic sites, galleries, and interpretive centres, all with family-friendly things to do and learn. Cheer on The Red Deer Rebels hockey team, see a live performance, dine at local restaurants or upgrade your skills at one of several post-secondary institutions. Red Deer has all the amenities you need: great school systems, well-equipped hospitals and health centres.
To learn more about this vibrant community,