Good Morning, Edmonton! ❄️

It’s Halloween weekend! We have many plans to keep you busy. 🎃 Tons of fun things to do, both free and paid, for families and adults, happening all around the city!

Tesoro Caffè Bar also makes its return on Jasper Ave, adding a tasteful touch of Italy to the downtown core. ☕

Stay warm, enjoy, and have the most wonderful end to the week!

—Eric

After 15 years away from the core, Tesoro Caffè Bar has returned to downtown Edmonton with a new home at 10550 Jasper Ave NW.

Owner Franco Maione originally opened Tesoro in 2006, and the revived café brings that same focus on Italian hospitality, quality coffee, and creating a place people actually want to spend time in.

Whether you remember the original or you’re discovering Tesoro for the first time, stop in for a coffee, stay awhile, and support a longtime Edmonton name making its return to the city centre! ☕

📸 @tesorocaffebar
📍 10550 Jasper Ave NW
🕒 Mon–Fri 7 AM–6 PM; Sat–Sun 8 AM–6 PM

New Downtown Pedway Extension Nears Completion 🚶 Edmonton’s underground pedway network is expanding with a new tunnel under 99 Street connecting Churchill LRT Station to the Station Lands development north of 104 Avenue. Construction began in 2024, and the link is expected to be complete by the end of 2026, improving weather-protected access through the downtown core.

Removing Edmonton Bike Lanes Could Cost $150M–$170M 🚲 An internal City of Edmonton estimate suggests removing bike lanes and related active transportation infrastructure installed since 2014 could cost roughly $150–$170 million. The estimate comes as Alberta prepares new legislation around municipal bike lanes, though the province has not said whether existing infrastructure would have to be removed.

Poll Finds Many Edmontonians Feel Lukewarm About the City 🏙️ A new CityNews-commissioned poll gave Edmonton an overall C+ across 13 measures of local life, with more than half of respondents saying they are not proud of the city or how it operates. Parks and green spaces scored best with a B, while affordable housing and support for vulnerable residents were among the lowest-rated areas at C-.

City Prioritizes Residential Alley Renewals 🚧 Edmonton City Council has voted to fast-track residential alley repairs while delaying some upgrades in Business Improvement Areas. Alberta Avenue, which had expected renewal in the next four-year budget cycle, could now wait until 2031, while areas including 124 Street, Downtown, and Kingsway remain slated for work by 2030.

BioWare Shuts Down After More Than 30 Years in Edmonton 🎮 Edmonton game-development pioneer BioWare is closing, with about 50 employees affected as part of broader cuts by parent company Electronic Arts. Founded in Edmonton in 1995, the studio became internationally known for titles including Baldur’s Gate, Dragon Age, Mass Effect, and Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, helping put the city on the global gaming map.

🆓 Ghostbusters Family Halloween Experience (October 30) 👻 Delwood Community League hosts a free Halloween night from 7–10 PM featuring a screening of Ghostbusters (1984), costume prizes, and a themed concession. Come dressed as a Ghostbusters character for a chance to win.

🆓 The Headless Carrot Halloween Party (October 30) 🎃 The Carrot on Alberta Avenue hosts a free neighbourhood Halloween party from 3–8 PM with pumpkin carving, candy bags, Halloween crafts, fire pits, hot dog and marshmallow roasting, a spooky DJ, and plenty of family-friendly fun.

🆓 West Edmonton Mall Trick or Treat Festival (October 31) 🍬 Families can visit trick-or-treat stations throughout West Edmonton Mall from 3–6 PM and catch costumed characters at Centre Stage. It’s a fun weatherproof Halloween option!

🆓 Scare on the Square (October 31) 🎃 Sir Winston Churchill Square hosts a free Halloween festival from noon–6 PM with a ghost train, spooky maze, tarot readings, games, live music, DJs, and treats.

🆓 Pumpkin Smash (November 1) 🎃 Bring your old jack-o’-lanterns to the Booster Juice Rec Centre in Terwillegar from noon–3 PM for a free pumpkin-smashing event featuring a catapult and lift-truck drops. Families can also explore a real waste truck, and the smashed pumpkins will be composted afterward.

🎟️ SCREAM Halloween Music Festival (October 30–31) 🎧 One of Canada’s biggest Halloween electronic music festivals returns to the Edmonton EXPO Centre with Tiësto, Alesso, Chase & Status, Sara Landry, and more across four stages. Halloween night is sold out, with limited Friday VIP tickets still advertised. Grab tickets while you can!

🎟️ DARK at Fort Edmonton Park (Through October 31) 👻 Fort Edmonton Park transforms into a full-scale Halloween scare experience with immersive haunted attractions, eerie environments, and plenty of atmosphere for horror fans. Get your tickets!

🎟️ Deadmonton Haunted House (Through November 7) 😱 Deadmonton celebrates its 13th season with three haunted houses at the former Edmonton Sun building, plus special experiences including Lights Out. Get scared here!

🎟️ Plant Bingo: Fright Night (October 30) 🪴 Fresh Space by Grace brings a spooky twist to its sold-out summer favourite with multiple rounds of bingo, plant trivia, prizes, snacks, non-alcoholic drinks, and plenty of houseplant competition. Costumes are strongly encouraged, with a prize for best dressed. The event runs from 6–8 PM at the Creative Space in Londonderry Mall. Grab your spot before it disappears!

🎟️ The Phantom of the Opera — Live Organ Accompaniment (October 30–31) 🎹 The Winspear Centre screens the legendary 1925 silent horror film with live accompaniment on its massive pipe organ. Catch this unique Halloween show!

The Carrot Community Arts Coffeehouse 🎨 9351 118 Ave NW

The Carrot has been part of Alberta Avenue since 2007, but it’s much more than a coffee shop. The volunteer-powered, not-for-profit space was created by Arts on the Ave as a place for local artists, musicians, and neighbours to gather, perform, exhibit work, and build community.

Inside, you’ll find rotating art exhibitions, locally made goods, live performances, open mics, coffee, and baked treats — all in one welcoming neighbourhood space.

If you haven’t spent much time on Alberta Avenue, The Carrot is a great place to start. Check out their free halloween party happening tomorrow, and visit them anytime! 👇

📸 @thecarrotcoffeehouse
📍 9351 118 Ave NW
🕒 Mon 10–4; Tue–Thu 9–8; Fri 9–9:30; Sat 9–10; Sun closed