Regina
Around ReginaPhoto: Jd.101 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Metro area · Saskatchewan · 249k people
Regina
“Queen City”, “Pile of Bones”
The Queen City of the prairies, where Rider pride runs deep.
Rider greenPrairie gold
Welcome to the Queen City! Whether you're here for a Riders game, a stroll around Wascana Lake, or just passing through, you'll find a friendly prairie spirit. Get ready for some cold winters and warm summers, and don't forget to try a perogy or two.
Clubs for Regina
No clubs for Regina yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Regina. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Regina. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Wascana Centre Huge urban park with a lake, trails, and the Legislative Building.
- Saskatchewan Legislative Building Iconic government building on Wascana Lake.
- Royal Saskatchewan Museum Natural history museum with dinosaur exhibits.
- Mosaic Stadium Home of the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
- Brandt Centre Indoor arena for the Regina Pats and concerts.
- University of Regina Main university campus with green spaces.
- Outdoors Walk or bike the Wascana Lake trail
- Outdoors Paddleboard or kayak on Wascana Lake
- With kids Visit the Royal Saskatchewan Museum
- With kids Spend a day at the Saskatchewan Science Centre
- Evenings Catch a concert at the Brandt Centre
- Evenings Watch a Regina Pats hockey game
- Locals love sports bars
- Locals love patio restaurants
Through the year
- Regina Folk Festival August Outdoor folk music festival in late summer.
- Queen City Ex August Annual summer fair with rides, exhibits, and concerts.
- Regina Dragon Boat Festival June Dragon boat races on Wascana Lake.
- Regina Marathon May Annual marathon and half-marathon through the city.
- Saskatchewan Roughriders home games June to November CFL football games at Mosaic Stadium, a huge local tradition.
Regina has a continental climate with cold, snowy winters and warm, sunny summers. The best time to be out is from June to August when festivals and outdoor activities are in full swing. Best: June to August
Talk like a local
- “The Queen City”
- Nickname for Regina
- “Rider Nation”
- The passionate fan base of the Saskatchewan Roughriders
- “The Ex”
- Short for the Queen City Ex, the summer fair
- “Wascana”
- The park and lake area, often used as a meeting spot
Getaways
Local flavour
Teams
- Saskatchewan Roughriders CFL
- Regina Pats WHL
- University of Regina Cougars U Sports
Eat and drink
- Perogies
- Kubasa Smoked garlic sausage, a prairie favourite at summer BBQs and Rider tailgates.
- Saskatoon Berry Pie Sweet prairie berries in a flaky crust, a local dessert classic.
Where people go
- Grain elevators Iconic prairie landmarks that dot the horizon, symbols of agriculture and history.
- Wascana Centre A vast urban park around Wascana Lake, home to the Legislative Building and walking trails.
- Sports bars Where locals gather to watch Roughrider games, especially during the CFL season.
- Ukrainian cultural centres Community halls preserving traditions, from dance to food.
Heritage and traditions
Regina is proud of its prairie spirit, its role as the capital of Saskatchewan, and its close-knit community, from the sea of green at Roughrider games to the city's rich multicultural heritage, including Ukrainian, Indigenous, and other traditions.
Say it like a local: “slough” — a small lake or pond
Festivals
- Cathedral Village Arts Festival May A week-long celebration in the Cathedral neighbourhood with live music, art, and street performances.
- Mosaic – A Festival of Cultures June Showcases the city's diverse ethnic communities with food, dance, and crafts from around the world.
- Regina International Fringe Theatre Festival July A juried fringe festival featuring local and international theatre performances.
- Regina Pride June Celebrates the LGBTQ+ community with a parade and events in Wascana Park.
Landmarks with a story
- Government House Built in 1891, it served as the residence of the Lieutenant Governor and is now a National Historic Site.
- St. Paul's Anglican Cathedral A historic cathedral in the heart of Regina, known for its Gothic Revival architecture.
- Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral of St. George A landmark of the Ukrainian community, with its distinctive onion domes and rich iconography.
- RCMP Depot Division The only RCMP training academy in Canada, where all Mounties begin their careers.
- Fort Qu'Appelle A historic fur trade post and now a resort town in the Qu'Appelle Valley, with museums and heritage buildings.
- The Exchange A former post office and now a cultural venue, known for its heritage architecture.
Food traditions
- Perogy suppers Ukrainian churches and community halls host perogy suppers, often with cabbage rolls and sausage, a staple of the city's Ukrainian heritage.
- Saskatoon berry picking In July and August, families head to the prairies to pick saskatoon berries, used in pies, jams, and syrups.
- Cabbage rolls (holubtsi) A Ukrainian dish of rice and meat wrapped in cabbage leaves, often served at holidays and family gatherings.
- Borscht with sour cream A hearty beet soup, a comfort food brought by Eastern European immigrants.
- Roughrider game day tailgating Fans gather in parking lots before games to grill perogies, kubasa, and burgers, a tradition on game days.
Music and arts
- Folk and roots music Regina has a vibrant folk scene, with venues like The Exchange and the Regina Folk Festival.
- Ukrainian folk traditions Ukrainian dance, music, and embroidery are celebrated through community groups and festivals.
- Indigenous art The First Nations University and galleries showcase contemporary Indigenous art and crafts.
- Indie rock Bands like The Dead South have put Regina on the map for indie and roots music.
A little history
- 1882 Founded as the capital of the Northwest Territories, named after Queen Victoria.
- 1905 Became the capital of the new province of Saskatchewan.
- 1882 The RCMP Depot Division was established, making Regina the training ground for the Mounties.
- 1912 A devastating tornado, the Regina Cyclone, destroyed much of the city but it was rebuilt.
- 1935 The Regina Riot during the On-to-Ottawa Trek brought national attention to the city.
Rivalries
- Roughriders vs Winnipeg Blue Bombers CFL's Labour Day classic rivalry.
- Regina Pats vs Moose Jaw Warriors WHL rivalry between Saskatchewan cities.
- University of Regina Cougars vs University of Saskatchewan Huskies Canada West university sports rivalry.
- Regina vs Saskatoon Friendly city rivalry over everything from sports to culture.
- Game day Labour Day Classic
- Game day Green Week
- Outdoors Snowshoeing
- Outdoors Fishing in Qu'Appelle Valley
- With kids RCMP Heritage Centre
- With kids Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame
People in Regina speak with a Canadian prairie accent, often using 'eh' and 'pop'. They have unique terms like 'bunnyhug' for hoodie and 'slough' for a pond.
Only here
- RCMP Depot Division: The only RCMP training academy in Canada, where all Mounties train.
- Wascana Centre: One of the largest urban parks in North America, with a man-made lake.
- Labour Day Classic: An annual CFL game between the Roughriders and Winnipeg Blue Bombers on Labour Day weekend.
- Queen City nickname: Regina is called the 'Queen City', a nod to its name meaning 'queen' in Latin.
New here? A few tips
- Prepare for cold winters with temperatures often below -20°C; invest in a good winter coat and boots.
- Learn to love the Saskatchewan Roughriders; wearing green on game days is a must.
- Try local foods like perogies, kubasa, and saskatoon berry pie.
- Understand that 'bunnyhug' means hoodie, and 'pop' means soda.
- Take advantage of Wascana Centre for walking, biking, and winter activities.
Make this page better
Know a place, a festival, a word locals use, or something here that's wrong? Suggest it; someone at Popchat checks every one.
Sign in and join a club here to suggest.
Nearby
Every areaRegina. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.