🦬 Alberta bison helping restore Alaska herds! Dozens of wood bison calves raised at Elk Island National Park have been safely relocated to Alaska as part of an ongoing conservation effort to rebuild wild populations. The transfer (about 40+ animals on a 40-hour journey) marks another step in restoring a species once pushed to near extinction, with Elk Island playing a key role in reintroducing bison across North America.

Push to make Edmonton the “safest major city”. A new coalition of downtown business and community leaders is urging the city to prioritize safety using existing resources more effectively, with the goal of making Edmonton the safest major city in Canada. The group is calling for better coordination between police, transit, and social supports, focusing on smarter deployment rather than increased spending.

Oilers clinch playoff spot, eyeing home ice tonight! 🏒 The Edmonton Oilers have officially locked in a playoff spot for the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs, punching their ticket for another postseason run! Now, in their final regular-season game tonight against the Vancouver Canucks, they have a chance to secure home-ice advantage in the first round with a win. Tickets still available.

Watch parties are back in Ice District! With playoffs locked in, the city’s biggest outdoor viewing experience is returning: fans can catch every game at ICE District Plaza (“Moss Pit”) and Fan Park on massive screens, completely free! 🎉 You can also watch inside Rogers Place with ticketed watch parties for away games, offering a full arena experience at a fraction of playoff ticket prices. We’ll keep you posted as they come up!

Parking returns to Chinatown stretch 👉 City council has voted to restore street parking along 101 Street in Chinatown (between 107 Ave and Kingsway), converting a bus lane back into daytime parking on weekdays. The move comes after local businesses reported declining sales since the lane was introduced. This new change aims to make the area more accessible and boost foot traffic.

🆓 Decades Market pops up this week (April 18-19) A vintage lover’s dream, this curated market by NEWLIFE Clothing brings together local vendors selling retro clothing, collectibles, and throwback finds from every era! Expect a mix of nostalgia, unique pieces you won’t find anywhere else, and a lively, browse-all-afternoon kind of vibe. Check out their Instagram!

📅 When: April 18th 12-6pm & April 19th 12-5pm

📍 Where: OEX 2, 12017 102 Ave

🆓 124 Street Gallery Walk returns this weekend (April 18-19) Take a stroll through one of Edmonton’s most vibrant arts districts as galleries along 124 Street open their doors for a seasonal showcase of new exhibitions. Expect everything from contemporary to traditional works, with many spots hosting special displays and a relaxed, walkable atmosphere perfect for an afternoon of local art discovery.

🆓 Edmonton Music & Speech Arts Festival (Monday, April 20th) Running April 20th through early May, this long-running local festival brings together thousands of performers—from musicians to actors—for adjudicated showcases across the city. Many events are free to attend, making it an easy way to catch emerging talent and support Edmonton’s arts scene!

🆓 Free screening of “My Dear Theo” tomorrow (Friday, April 17th) Filmmaker Alisa Kovalenko documents her time on the front lines in Ukraine while writing letters to her son, capturing the quiet, human moments between combat with raw, handheld footage. It’s a deeply personal and powerful film…less about war itself, and more about distance, love, and what’s at stake.

📍 Venue: Metro Cinema, 8712 109 St NW
📅 Showtime: Tomorrow @ 6pm

👉 Free tickets available here

🎟️ Riverview Crossing Mall Midway this week (April 17-20, 23-26) Bringing a nostalgic fair energy back to the city, with rides, games, and all the deep-fried, lemonade-fuelled staples you remember. This carnival runs across two stretches (Apr 17–20 and Apr 23–26), marking one of the first travelling carnivals of the season in Edmonton.

Ticket Information (available at entrance)

-Orange Single Ticket $1.00

-Red Book (20 Tickets) $20.00

-Blue Book (40 Tickets) $40.00

-Green Book (60 Tickets) $55.00

-All Day Wristband $50.00

🎟️ “Mildly sexy lumberjacks” at Metro Cinema (TONIGHT!) Canadian Steam brings a chaotic mix of improv comedy, live music, and cheeky crowd work to the Metro Cinema for one night only. Think fast-paced laughs with just enough flannel-fuelled absurdity to keep things interesting (18+).

📍 Venue: Metro Cinema, 8712 109 St NW
📅 Showtime: Tonight @ 7:30pm

👉 Tickets here!

🎟️ Edmonton Tattoo & Arts Festival at the Expo Centre (April 17-19) A high-energy mix of tattoo artists, live art, and exhibitions, this annual event draws talent from across the country for a packed weekend of art and fun. Check out their IG! Even if you’re not getting inked, it’s an easy one to wander, watch, and take in the creativity! 🖤 Passes available here.

📸 @albertatattooshows

🎟️ Sam Roberts Band at the Jubilee (Saturday, April 18th) Celebrating 20 years of their breakout album, the band is performing Chemical City front-to-back as part of a limited Canadian tour, stopping at the Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium. Expect a full run of early-2000s alt-rock staples and a nostalgic, high-energy night built around one of their most defining records.

📸 @samrobertsband

📍 Venue: Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium, 11455 87 Ave

📅 Showtime: Saturday, April 18th @ 8pm

👉 Buy your tickets!

🎟️ Darling’s April Wine Club explores the Okanagan (Sunday, April 19th) Head to Darling this Sunday for a relaxed, guided tasting featuring four curated wines from the Okanagan, paired with light snacks. 🍷 Hosted by their new Bar Manager, Sydney, it’s an easygoing way to sip something new, meet people, and ease into spring. Seats are limited 👉 Tickets here.

📸 @darling.yeg

🎟️ Diana Krall plays the Jubilee Monday night (Monday, April 20th) The Grammy-winning jazz icon brings her signature piano-driven sound to the Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium for an evening of smooth vocals and timeless standards. A rare chance to catch one of Canada’s most celebrated jazz artists live.

📸 @dianakrall

📍 Venue: Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium, 11455 87 Ave
📅 Showtime: Monday, April 20th @ 7:30pm

👉 Buy your tickets here!

🍫 Chocofest is back with full-on chocolate tasting for the city, April 24-25

📚 Edmonton Indie Bookstore Extravaganza returns, April 25-26

🎤 Meghan Patrick brings her Golden Child Tour to Midway, April 28th

Edmonton’s Neon Sign Museum: A glowing archive 💡

Many long-time locals will be familiar with the Neon Sign Museum, but have you ever stopped to read about its history? For newcomers, too, this is a free spot downtown you’ll want to check out. 👇

Along 104 Street, this open-air installation quietly stitches together pieces of the city’s past using restored signs from long-closed shops, theatres, and local landmarks. Many were salvaged or donated after businesses shut down, then carefully restored and mounted as part of a downtown revitalization effort, turning what were once ads into public art.

What makes it worth slowing down for is the context; each sign comes with a short story, giving you a glimpse into the people, places, and eras that shaped Edmonton.

It’s free, always open, and best experienced at night, when the signs light up and the whole thing feels less like a display and more like the city remembering itself in real time.

📍 104 Street & 104 Avenue NW

⌛ You can read about the history of each sign here.

The Colombian Coffee & Roastery 📍 Multiple Locations; linked below

The Colombian was just ranked one of the top 100 coffee shops (#15, to be exact) across North America, Central America, and the Caribbean…out of more than 4,600 cafés evaluated!

Founded by husband-and-wife duo Kristin and Santiago, The Colombian was created to showcase coffee the way it’s experienced at its roots, highlighting specific regions, farmers, and stories behind each cup. That connection shows up in everything from the beans they source to the way their spaces feel: intentional, welcoming, and rooted in culture rather than just caffeine.

Give their instagram a follow and DM them congratulations! What an incredible achievement. Visit them this weekend 👇

📍All locations and hours can be found here!