Good Morning, Edmonton! ☀️

We have the most beautiful day ahead of us and one of the most packed newsletters in awhile to kick it off! So much happening around the city as we eek into fall. Hope you’re getting out to enjoy the cooler temps and gorgeous colours. 🍂

A special note and thanks to our Official Arts Partner, NUOVA Vocal Arts, for their exceptional and ongoing support of the newsletter. Be sure to check out the discounted tickets we have for their upcoming performance of Fun Home October 1-4!

Have the most incredible day.

—Eric

October 1–4 | The Westbury Theatre | $5 Off: RIVERCITY5

Our Official Arts Partner, NUOVA Vocal Arts, launches their first-ever fall production with the Tony Award-winning musical Fun Home this October!

Based on Alison Bechdel’s acclaimed graphic memoir, Fun Home follows cartoonist Alison as she looks back on her childhood, university years, and relationship with her brilliant and complicated father. Moving between different stages of her life, the story explores family, identity, memory, and the unexpected parallels that emerge as she revisits her past.

Featuring Jeanine Tesori’s celebrated contemporary score, Fun Home stars Edmonton favourites Jaimi Reese, Doug Mertz, and Kim Mattice-Wanat and runs October 1–4 at The Westbury Theatre.

Use our exclusive discount code RIVERCITY5 for $5 off your ticket!

🎟️ Get your tickets here!

Lunchbox Joe Returns to Churchill Square 🥪 Edmonton’s familiar Lunch Break sculpture is back downtown after spending about a year and a half away for repairs following an attempted theft. First installed in Churchill Square in 1983, the 400-pound statue has been restored with repaired fingers, a new bench, and a fresh coat of paint.

Galaxyland’s New NERF Coaster Nearly Complete 🎢 West Edmonton Mall’s new NERF-themed roller-coaster is taking shape inside Galaxyland, replacing the iconic Mindbender that closed in 2023. The ride will feature two modes — a family-friendly “Core” experience and a more intense “Quantum” mode with added inversions, twists, and speed. Opening planned for spring 2027!

Edmonton Commercial Real Estate Cools After Strong Start to 2026 🏢 Commercial real estate investment slowed in Edmonton during the second quarter, with multi-family activity dropping from $648.7 million to $204.9 million as the market entered an absorption phase. Retail did have some major moves, though including new ownership at Kingsway Mall and Edmonton City Centre.

Edmonton Named a North American “City to Watch” 🌟 Edmonton has been named an “emerging star” in Oxford Economics’ 2026 Global Cities Index, which highlighted the city for its fast-growing economy, population, employment, affordability, research base, and ability to attract skilled workers and new businesses!

🆓 The View From Alberta: Films by Tom Radford (September 18) 🎬 The Provincial Archives of Alberta hosts its 38th Annual Film Night at Metro Cinema, featuring short documentaries by acclaimed Alberta filmmaker Tom Radford. The free screening runs from 6:30–8:30 PM and explores subjects including conservation, Indigenous rights, immigration, and Alberta history.

🆓 Kaleido Family Arts Festival (September 18–20) 🎨 Alberta Avenue comes alive with three days of live music, dance, street performers, visual art, markets, and family-friendly activities spread throughout the 90–95 Street and 118 Avenue area. Admission is completely free.

🆓 Recovery Day Alberta — Bif Naked + Sloan (September 19) 🎸 Sir Winston Churchill Square hosts a huge free outdoor concert from 12–5 PM, with Bif Naked performing at 2 PM and Sloan at 4 PM. The afternoon also includes more live music, food trucks, a kids zone, and community organizations.

🆓 Callingwood Fall Carnival (September 19) 🎃 The Marketplace at Callingwood hosts a free community fall carnival alongside the Callingwood Farmers’ Market, with carnival-style activities and entertainment. It’s an especially good pick for families looking for an easy Saturday outing.

🆓 Come Dance With Us — Free Square Dancing (September 21) 💃 Belmead Community Hall hosts a completely free beginner-friendly introduction to square dancing. No registration or previous dance experience is required, and parking is free too.

🎟️ Foo Fighters: Take Cover Tour 2026 (September 17) 🎸 Foo Fighters take over Commonwealth Stadium with Queens of the Stone Age and Mannequin Pussy for one of the biggest concerts of the week. The show starts at 5:30 PM, with tickets listed from roughly $53+, get yours here!

Paint Your Pet at WEM (September 17) 🎨 West Edmonton Mall hosts a guided Paint Your Pet workshop aboard The Ship at 6 PM. Submit a photo of your pet beforehand, receive a custom sketch created by artist Ken Christensen, then paint it during the session with all materials included. Tickets here!

🎟️ Edmonton EXPO (September 18–20) 🦸 Edmonton EXPO Centre hosts three days of comics, sci-fi, anime, horror, gaming, cosplay, celebrity guests, panels, shopping, and more. Admission varies by day, with different ticket options available for adults, youth, and families. Find yours here.

🎟️ Oktoberfest at ICE District (September 18–19) 🍻 ICE District Fan Park transforms into a huge Oktoberfest celebration with German-inspired food, drinks, live music, and plenty of festival atmosphere. Tickets right here!

🎟️ An Evening with Raine Maida & Chantal Kreviazuk (September 20) 🎹 The husband-and-wife Canadian music duo bring their I’m Going to Break Your Heart tour to River Cree Resort & Casino. The show starts at 7:30 PM. Tickets here!

The Story of the Garneau Theatre 🎬

The Garneau Theatre was completed in 1940 and officially opened on October 24, 1940 with a screening of The Great Waltz. Designed by architect William Blaikie in the Art Moderne style, the theatre became a neighbourhood landmark and later operated under Famous Players and Magic Lantern.

Metro Cinema took over the space in 2011, helping preserve it as a home for independent, classic, local, and specialty film. The theatre still retains much of its old character, including its mezzanine, and remains equipped to screen 35mm film.

More than 85 years after opening, the Garneau is still doing what it was built to do: bringing people together to watch movies on a big screen. 🎞️

Mood Cafe ☕ 7601 115 St NW

Tucked into Belgravia, Mood Cafe is a neighbourhood café and bakery built around French pastry, freshly baked viennoiserie, coffee, and a rotating selection of sweet and savoury treats.

There’s some incredible history behind those pastries too. Owner Chef Ed has spent more than 40 years in the industry, with a career that has taken him from Paris to luxury hotel kitchens in Montreal, government and royal events in Ottawa, and SAIT’s chocolate and sugar program in Calgary.

Stop in for a coffee, pick something that catches your eye in the pastry case, and follow along to see what Chef Ed is baking next. 👇

📸 @moodcafeyeg
📍 7601 115 St NW
🕒 Tue–Sat 8 AM–8 PM; Sun 9 AM–5 PM; Mon closed