Good Morning, Edmonton! ☔

A rainy start to your Thursday! I hope it has been a wonderful week so far.

Labour Day weekend is upon us, and I’m sure everyone is looking forward to an extra day off this weekend. With school starting back up this week, it has likely been more chaotic than usual for many of us.

If you’ve been up to anything interesting or have any exciting plans for fall, I’d love to hear about them. Just hit reply to this email. 🤗

Have an incredible day.

—Eric

Historic Downtown YMCA Nears Reopening 🏢 The $35-million revamp of Edmonton’s former downtown YMCA is almost ready for its first residents after years of planning, delays, and construction. Now called Williams Hall, the mixed-use project will include 90 affordable one-bedroom units, plus future retail and office space meant to bring more life back to the core.

Cell Service Rolls Out in LRT Tunnels 📱 Edmonton Transit riders can now get underground cell service in the city’s LRT tunnels and stations. The rollout currently supports Telus, Bell, and their sub-brands, allowing riders to call, text, stream, and scroll while travelling underground, with more providers expected to be added in the coming weeks.

Edmonton Bike Park Grand Opening Delayed 🚵 Edmonton Bike Park has moved its official grand opening to spring 2027 after repeated rain, saturated soils, and drying time caused more than seven weeks of construction delays. The team says completed trails and features will still open to the public as they are ready, but the extra time will help finish the park properly and build a bigger community celebration next spring.

Weapons Screening Added at U of A Hospital ER 🏥 The University of Alberta Hospital emergency department has installed a weapons detection system to screen patients and visitors before they enter. Alberta Health Services says the system follows similar screening at the Royal Alexandra Hospital, where more prohibited items have been secured since new safety measures were introduced in May.

The Moth Cafe Closing Earlier Than Planned 🌱 The Moth Cafe will permanently close on September 13, earlier than its planned November closing date, after efforts to keep the plant-based downtown cafe open were unsuccessful. The team says this summer’s heavy rain left the roof “beyond compromised,” but customers still have a little time to stop in for their favourite vegan dishes before the final day.

🆓 Green & Gold Pop-Up Market (September 4–October 2) 🛍️ The University of Alberta campus welcomes local makers for three Fridays this fall, with handmade goods, food trucks, and buy-local vibe in the outdoor space between University Commons and Rutherford Library. You don’t need to be a student to check it out, making it a fun excuse to wander campus and support local vendors.

🆓 Kejia Fest (September 4–6) 🥟 Louise McKinney Riverfront Park hosts a three-day outdoor food and culture festival with street-food vendors, entertainment, and a river valley setting. Admission is free, with food available for purchase, making this one of the best free festival picks of the weekend.

🆓 Edmonton Art Crawl (September 4–6) 🎨 Downtown Edmonton turns into a walkable arts hub for three days of live painting battles, gallery experiences, artist talks, music performances, mural fest activations, community panels, and more. Presented by CIVIQ Labs, the free programming takes place across multiple downtown venues.

🆓 Habesha Festival 2026 (September 5) 🇪🇹 Alberta Avenue Community Centre hosts a free, family-friendly celebration of Ethiopian and Eritrean culture from 11 AM–8 PM. Expect authentic food, live cultural performances, music, art, local vendors, community organizations, and activities for all ages.

🆓 Sheep Leaving Parade (September 7) 🐑 Fort Saskatchewan says farewell to its four-legged lawnmowers with a free, family-friendly Sheep Leaving Parade at the Fort Heritage Precinct. Arrive at 11 AM for opening remarks and a safety brief before the flock leads a parade of sheep fans at 11:30 AM, followed by carrot feeding from noon to 1 PM (carrots provided).

🎟️ Horizon Drive-In Movies (September 3–6) 🎬 The Edmonton Valley Zoo hosts a full Labour Day weekend of movies under the stars, with titles including Deadpool, Superbad, Dirty Dancing, The Notebook, Jurassic Park, The Conjuring 2, and Cars. Grab your tickets here.

🎟️ Ballet of Lights: Sleeping Beauty (September 4) 🩰 Sleeping Beauty gets a glowing new twist at Triffo Theatre, with dancers performing the classic fairytale in illuminated costumes. The 60-minute show is recommended for ages 8+, with anyone under 16 required to attend with an adult. Tickets available here.

🎟️ INFEST Edmonton (September 4–6) 🤘 INFEST takes over multiple Edmonton venues for three days of heavy music, including shows at Fan Park, The Starlite Room, Temple, and more. The weekend features Power Trip, Sacrifice, Voivod, Revenge, Abysmal Lord, and a stacked lineup of metal, punk, and underground acts. Get your tickets here.

🎟️ Kinsmen Beer, Wine & Spirits Festival (September 5) 🍷 Kinsmen Clubhouse Field hosts an outdoor tasting festival near the river valley, with breweries, wineries, distilleries, food, and entertainment all part of the evening. Get your tickets here.

🎟️ Foundation Series ft. Dom Dolla (September 6) 🎧 Dom Dolla headlines one of the week’s biggest music events at Fan Park in ICE District, joined by Chris Lorenzo, Silva Bumpa, Bushbaby, Cole Knight, and more for a full outdoor electronic lineup. Tickets available here.

Fort Saskatchewan’s Famous Sheep 🐑

With the Sheep Leaving Parade happening this week, it’s worth appreciating one of the Edmonton region’s most charming traditions: Fort Saskatchewan’s summer sheep.

Each year, a flock of trained sheep arrives in the warmer months to graze around Legacy Park and the Fort Heritage Precinct. The program began in 1992 as an environmentally friendly way to manage grass and vegetation, and the sheep now help maintain about 12 hectares of parkland while giving the city one of its most recognizable attractions.

The best part is that the whole thing has become a seasonal ritual. The sheep arrive in spring, spend the summer acting as woolly lawnmowers, then head home in September with a proper farewell parade. This year’s Sheep Leaving Parade happens Monday, September 7, with opening remarks at 11:15 AM, the parade at 11:30 AM, and carrot feeding from noon to 1 PM.

If you can’t make it, don’t worry. They’ll be baaack next spring. 💛

Mudita Studio 🏺 17520 108 Ave NW, #100

Mudita Studio is a local pottery studio for anyone who wants to slow down, get a little messy, and make something with their hands! The studio offers pottery classes and creative clay experiences for beginners, hobbyists, and local artists looking for space to keep building their practice.

It’s great for people who have been meaning to try something new but don’t want another dinner-or-drinks plan. Their fall beginner pottery class for adults starts September 16, with Wednesday evening sessions designed for people learning the basics of working with clay.

Sign up for a class, browse upcoming workshops, and follow along for pottery inspiration, studio updates, and future openings. 👇

📸 @muditapotterystudio
📍 17520 108 Ave NW, #100
🕒 Class times vary; check their schedule before booking