Good Morning, Edmontonians! 🌞

A beautiful Thursday we have today. I hope everyone had a wonderful May Long!

Spring and summer activities are heating up around the city with outdoor pools starting to open, live music happening outdoors, farmer’s markets back in full swing, and of course festivals-galore happening almost every single day. So much to do and see in your own backyard.

Also…

I’m looking for a Marketing Assistant! Part-time. Remote. Paid. If you love social media and want to help me make River City Lights the best thing in Edmonton, respond to this email and tell me about yourself! 🙌

Have a fantastic end to the week.

—Eric

Edmonton’s outdoor pool season officially kicked off this week 🏊 with the city also preparing all 78 spray parks to open for summer. Reservations are available online to help avoid long lines. Another big change this year: outdoor pool concessions are gone, so visitors are encouraged to bring their own snacks and sealed drinks.

Opening schedule:
- Wîhkwêntôwin — May 20th
- Mill Creek — May 23rd
- Queen Elizabeth — May 30th
- Fred Broadstock — June 6th
- Borden Natural Swimming Pool — June 20th

Our High Level and Low Level bridges may be replaced 🌉 after the city announced both are nearing the end of their lifespans. The High Level Bridge is now 113 years old, while parts of the Low Level date back 126 years. City officials estimate replacing them could cost around $1 billion over the next two decades, with planning already underway for future crossings.

Edmonton’s 24/7 Crisis Diversion program launches public dashboard 🧭 showing where outreach teams are responding across the city. The data highlights growing needs across Edmonton — especially in McCauley, downtown, Central McDougall, and the University area — while organizers say protecting dignity and privacy remains central to the project.

Two pieces of Edmonton history were officially protected this week 🌳 as City Council designated Windsor Park North Park and the 1916 Elizabeth Bell Residence as Municipal Historic Resources. Windsor Park North Park — now Edmonton’s 200th historic designation — was the centrepiece of the city’s first master-planned neighbourhood and is still home to dozens of mature elm trees, sunken gardens, and original 1950s pathways.

🏆 The U of A made Canadian university sports history this week as volleyball star Abby Guezen and sprinter Ryder Rattee were both named U Sports athletes of the year — only the second time one school has swept both national awards! Guezen helped lead the Pandas to their first national volleyball title in nearly 20 years, while Rattee broke a U Sports record in the 300m and went undefeated in his individual events this season. Congratulations you two!!!

🆓 Live at Lunch Series (Tuesdays; May-June) 🎶 Back at Churchill Square for the season, bringing free outdoor concerts to downtown every Tuesday and Thursday from 12–1 PM through June 18. It’s one of the city’s best low-key lunch breaks; grab a coffee, sit in the square, and catch local musicians in the heart of the Arts District.

This week’s lineup includes J Scope today, May 21st and Ben Sures & the Lunch Counters on Tuesday, May 26th. Outdoor performances are weather and air quality dependent.

🆓 Twinfest Edmonton returns to Mill Woods Town Centre (May 21-23) with a celebration dedicated to twins, multiples, and families of all backgrounds. 👯 Featuring massive balloon sculptures, cultural performances, live drumming and dancing, plus family-friendly activities like crafts and face painting. Twinfest is part of National Multiple Births Awareness Week and aims to celebrate both the joys and challenges of raising multiples in a fun, high-energy environment.

🆓 Complimentary Bike Tune Ups at Frank’s Pub (Saturday, May 23rd) Frank’s Pub is teaming up with Hardcore Bikes this Saturday for a patio takeover from 12–4 PM. 🚲 Swing by for a beer and a free mini bike tune-up to get your ride trail-ready for the season. Bikes, patio hangs, good weather…what’s not to love?!

🆓 Edmonton Regional Nonprofit Roundtable (Wednesday, May 27th) Happening next Wednesday at the Santa Maria Goretti Centre! 🤝 Hosted by Imagine Canada and ECVO, the free full-day event brings together nonprofit and community leaders to discuss burnout, the future of work, leadership, and long-term resilience across the sector. Space is limited, with registration open for executive directors, board chairs, funders, and community organization leaders. Reserve your spot.

🆓 124 Grand Market (Thursdays & Sundays) Back for the season with outdoor markets happening Thursdays from 4–8 PM at 108 Ave & 124 Street, and Sundays from 11 AM–3 PM at 102 Ave & 124 Street. 🛍️ Local makers, fresh food, coffee, baked goods, live music, and one of the city’s best patio-and-people-watching stretches all summer long!

🎟️ AXIOS: JUNO Celebration & Tour Launch (Tonight!) The Edmonton-based choir AXIOS Men’s Ensemble is hosting a JUNO celebration and national tour launch Thursday night at the Ukrainian Youth Unity Complex. The ensemble recently won the 2026 JUNO Award for Classical Album of the Year (Large Ensemble) — a category usually dominated by major orchestras. Get your tickets here!

🎟️ Fat Tire Tuesdays are back at Terwillegar Park (Every Tuesday) 🚵 The long-running weekly mountain bike race series runs every Tuesday through July 14, with riders of all levels welcome across A, B, and C categories. Registration and pre-rides begin at 6 PM, races start at 7 PM, and entry is just $5. Hosted by PRW and Hardcore Bikes, it’s one of Edmonton’s most accessible ways to get into the local MTB scene this summer.

🎟️ The Fray: Summer of Light Tour (Friday, May 22nd) Playing at the Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium this Friday—every millennial will recognize fan favourites like You Found Me and How to Save a Life, plus sound from their new album. 🎤 The Fray is all set to fill the room tomorrow, 8pm at the Jubilee! Tickets (if there’s any left!)

🎟️ Pride & Prejudice Spring Ball (Saturday, May 23rd) Returning to the Fairmont Hotel Macdonald this Saturday, and transforming the historic ballroom into a Regency-era evening inspired by Jane Austen. 🕯️ Period costumes, live music, formal dancing lessons, cocktails, and a surprisingly welcoming atmosphere for both longtime Austen fans and complete newcomers; no partner or dance experience required! Tickets here.

🎟️ Summer Lovin’ 2026 Music Festival (May 22-23) Taking over The Faculty Event Centre this Friday and Saturday with two nights of DJs, patio vibes, and outdoor party energy on Whyte Ave. The festival features 16 DJs spinning house, funk, disco, and dance music across the weekend — turning the venue into one of the city’s bigger early-summer nightlife events as patio season fully kicks into gear. Tickets.

🎟️ Lunch & Listen: Vietnamese Art & Heritage Exhibit (Tuesday, May 26th) This midday event includes a Vietnamese lunch, a live Vinahouse DJ set, and access to Where We Came From (and where we go from here) — Edmonton’s only Vietnamese-centered Asian Heritage Month exhibit exploring art, culture, and identity. 🎧 Happening at the ArtsHub Creative Studios. Tickets here (only $10!)

🧱 Edmonton’s Forgotten “Dogpatch”

Long before Little Brick became one of Edmonton’s coziest café spots — and before Dogpatch turned the river valley edge into a local hangout — this part of Riverdale was home to one of Edmonton’s poorest hidden communities.

Known as “Dogpatch,” the area was filled with modest shacks built by mostly Dutch immigrant families working at nearby brickyards and mills in the early 1900s. Many homes had no plumbing or sewer service, residents hauled water from a community tap, and some families raised chickens and gardens just to get by. Despite the hardship, former residents often remembered the area fondly; surrounded by nature, tight-knit neighbours, and kids playing along the riverbank.

The community survived into the 1980s before the remaining residents were forced out, and much of the site was later buried beneath excavated clay from the construction of Canada Place. Today, thousands of Edmontonians pass through the area for coffee and river valley walks without realizing they’re standing on top of one of the city’s most overlooked stories.

Little Brick 📍 10004 90 St NW

Set inside a restored 1903 brick home near the river valley, it’s become one of the city’s most beloved cozy spots for coffee, brunch, and quiet mornings. The area itself was once part of Edmonton’s historic “Dogpatch” district (mentioned above): a working-class riverside community built around the old J.B. Little brickyard that gave the café its name.

Today, the neighbourhood has transformed into one of the city’s most charming corners, where historic homes, river valley trails, and cafés like Little Brick give old Edmonton a second life.

📸 @littlebrickyeg
📅 Mon–Fri: 8 AM–4 PM | Sat–Sun: 9 AM–5 PM