Hello Edmonton! Hope the week is going swell. We have a great little round up for you today. Bite-sized nuggets to keep you informed, entertained, and continually exploring all our city has to offer.
By the way, who else is shocked that January is already coming to an end? Let’s not think about that part.
Today’s Edition:
Council debates continue over how growth and density are playing out on the ground
Downtown safety and transit confidence remain linked civic concerns
A sustained cold stretch tests winter services across the city
Late-January cultural programming shifts indoors
A handful of places and reads well matched to the depth of winter
This Week In YEG
Edmonton city council debated next steps for public safety funding downtown, including the possible expansion of community outreach and peace officer patrols in transit-adjacent areas.
City administration presented an update on the implementation of the new Zoning Bylaw, noting an increase in permit applications for small-scale multi-unit housing since it came into effect.
Edmonton Transit Service reported continued pressure on bus service reliability during extended cold weather, with mechanical issues cited as the primary cause of recent delays.
Alberta Health Services confirmed Edmonton hospitals were operating near seasonal capacity as influenza and RSV cases remained elevated across the region.
Environment Canada issued a multi-day extreme cold warning for Edmonton, with daytime highs near −25 °C and wind chills approaching −40 overnight (!).
Events You’ll Love
The Works Art & Design Festival: Winter Edition
January 29–February 1 — Indoor exhibitions and talks showcasing contemporary Alberta artists across downtown galleries.Chinatown Lunar New Year Celebration
January 31 — Lion dances, food vendors, and cultural performances marking the Lunar New Year in the Chinatown district.SkirtsAfire Winter Cabaret
January 31 — An evening of performance highlighting women-led work across theatre, music, and spoken word.
Worth Your Time
“How Edmonton’s Zoning Changes Are Being Tested in Real Time” — A grounded look at early applications and neighbourhood responses under the new planning framework. Read more by clicking here.
“Why Cold Snaps Hit Some Neighbourhoods Harder Than Others” — An explainer on infrastructure, shelter access, and uneven winter vulnerability across the city. Here’s the article.
Local Finds
Olia — I love the lighting here. A warm, composed dining room and a menu that leans into restraint and balance, well suited to a week when the city feels especially cold.
Swish Vintage — A Whyte Avenue fixture offering carefully selected vintage clothing that rewards unhurried browsing.
Stanley A. Milner Library — Expansive children's area, Indigenous cultural spaces, and endless resources to browse, right on Churchill Square.
Before You Go…
What keeps me constantly optimistic about our city is the quality of the people that live in it — people just like you. Everybody walks around trying to look busy, but you’ll be surprised how welcome a simple compliment or friendly “hello” lands on the unsuspected.
Something I’m trying to do more of lately…
Time will fly.
Until next time.
E. Lister