Saskatoon
Around Saskatoon
Photo: Martin Cathrae from Charlottetown, PE, Canada · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Metro area · Saskatchewan · 317k people
Saskatoon
“The Bridge City”, “Paris of the Prairies”, “Toon Town”
Where the prairie meets the river
City Flag YellowHuskies GreenRiver Blue
Welcome to the Bridge City! Whether you're here for the river trails or the berry pie, you'll find a friendly prairie vibe. Come join the conversation and share what you love about Saskatoon.
Clubs for Saskatoon
No clubs for Saskatoon yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Saskatoon. 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 Saskatoon. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Meewasin Valley Trail Network of riverside paths for walking, biking, and cross-country skiing
- Bessborough Hotel Iconic castle-like hotel on the riverbank
- University of Saskatchewan Historic campus with the Diefenbaker Canada Centre
- Remai Modern Contemporary art gallery with a renowned Picasso collection
- Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park & Zoo City zoo and conservation area in a former tree nursery
- Western Development Museum Exhibits on prairie history and a 1910 boomtown street
- Outdoors Bike or walk the Meewasin Valley Trail
- Outdoors Canoe or kayak on the South Saskatchewan River
- With kids Visit the Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park & Zoo
- With kids Explore the Western Development Museum
- Evenings Catch a concert at SaskTel Centre
- Evenings Bar-hop on Broadway Avenue
- Locals love River valley trails
- Locals love Farmers markets
Through the year
- SaskTel Saskatchewan Jazz Festival June Ten days of jazz and blues across downtown venues
- Taste of Saskatchewan July Sample dishes from local restaurants along the river
- Saskatoon Ex August Summer fair with midway, livestock, and concerts
- Saskatoon Fringe Festival August Theatre performances in Broadway district venues
- WinterShines February Family-friendly winter festival with skating and lights
Saskatoon has a continental climate with long, cold winters and warm, relatively short summers. The best time to be out is from late spring to early fall when it's comfortable and sunny. Best: Late spring to early fall (May–September) is ideal for outdoor activities with mild temperatures and long daylight.
Talk like a local
- “Toon”
- Nickname for Saskatoon
- “Bridge City”
- Nickname for the city due to its many bridges
- “Saskabush”
- Slang for Saskatchewan
- “River City”
- Nickname for the city along the river
Getaways
- North Battleford Explore the Western Development Museum and the river valley
- Prince Albert Gateway to Prince Albert National Park and Waskesiu Lake
- Moose Jaw Visit the Tunnels of Moose Jaw and the spa
- Swift Current Check out the Swift Current Museum and the prairie landscape
Local flavour
Teams
- Saskatoon Blades WHL
- Saskatchewan Rush NLL
- Saskatchewan Huskies U Sports
- Saskatoon Hilltops CJFL
Also rooting for Saskatchewan Roughriders (CFL, Regina)
Eat and drink
- Saskatoon berry pie Made from the local Saskatoon berry, a prairie staple.
- Perogies with farmer sausage
- Bison burger Prairie bison, a regional twist on a classic.
Where people go
- River valley trails Meewasin Valley, a green corridor along the South Saskatchewan River.
- Grain elevators Iconic prairie landmarks, often visible from the highway.
- Ukrainian cultural centres
- Hockey rinks Community rinks where junior and recreational hockey thrive.
Heritage and traditions
Saskatoon is proud of its river valley, its Ukrainian and Métis heritage, and its nickname as the 'City of Bridges' and 'Paris of the Prairies'.
This time of year in Saskatoon
- Ukrainian harvest festivals Fall Celebrations of the fall harvest with food and music.
Say it like a local: “honey dill” — a sweet and tangy sauce for chicken fingers
Festivals
- Saskatoon Folkfest August Multicultural pavilions celebrate the city's ethnic diversity.
- Saskatoon Ukrainian Festival June Music, dance, and food showcase Ukrainian heritage.
- Saskatoon Pride Festival June Parade and events celebrating the LGBTQ+ community.
- Saskatoon Highland Games June Scottish athletics, pipe bands, and dancing.
- Saskatoon Dragon Boat Festival August Races on the South Saskatchewan River with a festival atmosphere.
- Saskatoon International Children's Festival May Performances and workshops for young audiences.
Landmarks with a story
- Wanuskewin Heritage Park Indigenous archaeological site with bison jumps and tipi rings.
- Ukrainian Museum of Canada Preserves Ukrainian cultural artifacts and folk art.
- Cathedral of the Holy Family Ukrainian Catholic cathedral with distinctive onion domes.
- St. John's Anglican Cathedral Historic Anglican cathedral in the city centre.
- Marr Residence Saskatoon's oldest building, now a museum.
- Diefenbaker Canada Centre On the University of Saskatchewan campus, dedicated to John Diefenbaker.
Food traditions
- Borscht and cabbage rolls Ukrainian staples served at community events and family dinners.
- Bannock Métis tradition, often cooked over a fire or in a pan.
- Honey dill sauce A Prairie favourite for chicken fingers, made with honey and dill.
- Farmer sausage Smoked pork sausage, a Ukrainian and prairie staple.
- Saskatoon berry picking Summer tradition of picking the namesake berry for pies and jams.
Music and arts
- Jazz scene The SaskTel Saskatchewan Jazz Festival draws international acts.
- Ukrainian folk arts Dance, embroidery, and pysanky (Easter eggs) are celebrated.
- Métis fiddle music Traditional tunes and jigs are part of local heritage.
- Indie rock The Sheepdogs and other bands have put Saskatoon on the map.
A little history
- 1882 Founded as a temperance colony
- 1903 Barr colonists arrived, boosting settlement
- 1906 Incorporated as a city
- 1907 University of Saskatchewan established
- 1935 Bessborough Hotel completed
Rivalries
- Saskatoon Blades vs Regina Pats WHL rivalry between the two Saskatchewan teams
- Saskatchewan Huskies vs Regina Rams University football clash for the province's bragging rights
- Saskatoon Hilltops vs Regina Thunder Junior football rivalry in the Canadian Junior Football League
- Saskatchewan Rush vs Calgary Roughnecks NLL battle of the prairies
- Game day Saskatoon Hilltops junior football
- Game day Saskatchewan Rush lacrosse
- Outdoors Picking saskatoon berries
- Outdoors Floating down the South Saskatchewan River
- With kids Visiting Wanuskewin Heritage Park
- With kids Exploring the Ukrainian Museum of Canada
Prairie Canadian English with a mix of Ukrainian and French loanwords. 'Saskatoon' is pronounced 'Sass-kuh-TOON', and 'perogy' is 'puh-ROH-gee'.
Only here
- The Meewasin Valley Trail runs along both sides of the river.
- Saskatoon has over 8 bridges, earning the nickname 'City of Bridges'.
- The Saskatoon berry is named after the city.
- The Delta Bessborough is a CN hotel, one of Canada's grand railway hotels.
New here? A few tips
- Dress in layers; winters can drop to -40°C.
- Try perogies and bannock at a local Ukrainian or Métis restaurant.
- Pronounce 'Saskatoon' as 'Sass-kuh-TOON'.
- The river is the South Saskatchewan; it divides the city into east and west.
- Get a library card; the public library system is excellent.
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Nearby
Every areaOutlookSaskatchewanMineral waters and prairie sunsetsHumboldtSaskatchewanPrairie roots, hearty welcomeNorth BattlefordSaskatchewanPrairie skies, river valley, and hometown spirit.Prince AlbertSaskatchewanWhere the prairie meets the borealNortheast SaskatchewanSaskatchewanWide skies, warm hearts.West Central SaskatchewanSaskatchewanGolden fields and friendly townsMoose JawSaskatchewanA friendly heart on the open prairieSwift CurrentSaskatchewanWhere the wheat meets the wind.
Saskatoon. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.