In this Urban Brief Edmonton Edition…
Edmonton Ended 2025 With More Money Than Expected and That Is Very Good News
After months of deficit warnings, Edmonton closed out 2025 with a $31.1 million budget surplus and city officials are breathing a little easier.
The surplus was driven by higher than expected tax revenues, lower fuel costs for city vehicles and underspending in several city departments
The money will be directed into city reserve funds rather than spent immediately
The result is a significant turnaround from mid year projections that had council worried about a shortfall heading into 2026
Your tax dollars working harder than expected. That does not happen every day in a major Canadian city.
🍺 Edmonton Bars and Restaurants Just Got Hit With a $7,000 Surprise and Patios Are on the Line
If you love a good patio season in Edmonton, this story affects you directly. City council has confirmed new patio licensing fees of nearly $7,000 per business taking effect April 1 and the hospitality industry is furious.
The new fees represent a dramatic increase from previous patio licensing costs and have caught many small restaurant owners off guard
Several well known Edmonton restaurant owners say the fees could force them to close their patios entirely rather than absorb the cost
Council voted against a pause in the fees despite urgent pleas from the restaurant community
Patio season is weeks away. Will your favourite spot survive this fee hike?
👶 RCMP Officers Cleared After a Newborn Died When Its Pregnant Mother Was Arrested
A deeply troubling Alberta story has reached its official conclusion today, and the outcome is sparking serious questions about how police treat pregnant women in custody.
A pregnant woman was arrested by Lloydminster RCMP in 2022 and gave birth while in custody, the newborn did not survive
ASIRT investigated the officers involved and has now cleared them of any wrongdoing
The family and advocates say the findings do not adequately address the systemic failures that led to the tragedy
This story is not easy to read. But it is important that Albertans know what happened and what was decided.
If You Are Heading Into the Alberta Backcountry This Weekend, Please Read This First
Avalanche Canada has issued an extreme danger warning for southern Alberta and BC backcountry, the highest warning level possible, after two people were caught in a slide west of Calgary this week.
One person was found unresponsive after being buried in the avalanche near the Kananaskis region
Extreme avalanche danger means natural and human triggered avalanches are certain — backcountry travel is strongly discouraged
The warning covers popular southern Alberta backcountry areas including Kananaskis, Crowsnest Pass and the Castle region
If you or someone you love is planning a backcountry trip this weekend, please check conditions at before you go. No adventure is worth your life.
Norway's Crown Princess Breaks Down on Live TV Over Her Ties to Jeffrey Epstein
In one of the most extraordinary royal moments in recent memory, Norway's Crown Princess Mette-Marit gave a tearful live television interview today saying she was manipulated and deceived by the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
The US Justice Department's release of millions of Epstein documents showed the princess had frequent contact with him from 2011 to 2014, years after he pleaded guilty to soliciting an underage girl
She stayed at his Palm Beach home for four days in 2013 and emails show she was aware of his reputation as early as 2011
Norway's support for the monarchy has dropped from 70% to 60% since the files were released, with 27% of Norwegians now supporting a republic
The Epstein files keep shaking the world. And the biggest revelations may not be over yet.
Edmonton local Weather
Day2⬇2° lower than historical avg, ⬇ 5° lower than historical avg.
🌤️ Edmonton Weather
Saturday brings a chilly -1°C with a 20% chance of snow flurries, so winter is reminding us it is not quite done yet. Layer up if you are heading out to any events this weekend. but do not let a little cold stop you from enjoying the city! ❄️
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📅 Events Happening This Week in Edmonton
ArtBus - Free Downtown Art Tour Details
🗓 March 21 · ⏰ All day
📍 Various stops across downtown Edmonton Hop on a free art themed ETS bus and explore Edmonton's best galleries and artist run centres. Free, all ages and a perfect way to spend a Saturday morning with the family.
CO*LAB March Equinox Illuminotion Details
🗓 March 21 · ⏰ Evening
📍 CO*LAB Community Arts Laboratory, Edmonton Welcome spring with illuminated historic buildings, fire features and seasonal storytelling to mark the spring equinox. A truly one of a kind Edmonton experience.
Caribbean Winter Food Festival Details
🗓 March 21 · ⏰ All day
📍 Alberta Avenue Community Centre, Edmonton Authentic Caribbean dishes, vibrant music and cultural performances bringing island heat to Edmonton in the best possible way. Free entry!
Edmonton Pet Parrot Show Details
🗓 March 21 · ⏰ All day
📍 Edmonton, AB From tiny parrotlets to giant macaws, the 2026 Edmonton Pet Parrot Show is a colourful family adventure featuring a vendor market, scavenger hunt and bird enthusiasts of every kind.
Black Label Society and Zakk Sabbath Live Tickets here
🗓 March 20 and 21 · ⏰ Evening
📍 Midway Music Hall, Edmonton Heavy metal legend Zakk Wylde brings two nights of powerhouse rock to Edmonton. If you love raw guitar and serious stage energy this one is for you.
Alan Doyle and The East Pointers Live Get your tickets here
🗓 March 21 · ⏰ Evening
📍 Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium, Edmonton Great Big Sea frontman Alan Doyle brings his beloved Celtic and folk sound to the Jubilee for a night of pure East Coast warmth. A crowd favourite every single time.
🎨 ArtBus Details
🗓 March 21 · ⏰ All day
📍 Downtown Edmonton
A free all-ages art crawl that uses special ETS buses to move visitors between galleries and artist-run centres.🏮 Lantern Parade and Performances Details
🗓 March 21 · ⏰ Evening
📍 Downtown Edmonton
A glowing lantern walk through the city, followed by live performances and community celebration.🍦 Ice Cream 101 Workshop Details
🗓 March 21 · ⏰ Time varies
📍 Made by Marcus, Edmonton
A hands-on workshop where participants learn the basics of artisan ice cream and create their own flavour.🎤 Anika Details
🗓 March 21 · ⏰ 8:00 p.m.
📍 Starlite Room, Edmonton
Vancouver-based experimental electronic artist Anika brings a genre-bending live set to the stage.Edmonton Oilers vs Tampa Bay Lightning Tickets
🗓 March 22 · ⏰ 3:00pm
📍 Rogers Place, Edmonton The Oilers are back on home ice Sunday afternoon. Come out and show McDavid and the crew some love with Draisaitl still on the mend!
🍽 Downtown Dining Week Details
🗓 March 22 · ⏰ All day
📍 Downtown Edmonton
The final day of Downtown Dining Week, with prix-fixe menus at nearly 100 participating restaurants.🎭 Dîner en Rose Details
🗓 March 22 · ⏰ Evening
📍 Dolly’s Cocktails, Edmonton
A Francophone queer burlesque-themed pop-up with food, drinks, and entertainment.💃 Drag Brunch at Campio Ritchie Details
🗓 March 22 · ⏰ Brunch hours
📍 Campio Ritchie, Edmonton
A drag bingo and brunch event mixing food, glam, and fundraising for local charities.🎵 Taylor Swift Music Bingo Details
🗓 March 22 · ⏰ 6:00 p.m.
📍 Old Yale Brewing, Beaumont
A Swiftie-themed bingo night that makes for a fun Sunday outing just outside Edmonton.Edmonton Boat and Sportsmen's Show Tickets
🗓 March 20 to 22 · ⏰ Various times
📍 Edmonton EXPO Centre Alberta's largest outdoor show is back with the latest boats, fishing and hunting gear. Perfect for anyone already dreaming of summer adventures. Tickets from $14.
🎭 The Wizard of Oz – Live Musical Tickets
📅 March 17 – April 12, 2026
🕢 Evening shows: 7:30 PM | Matinees: 1:30 PM
📍 Citadel Theatre, 9828 101A Ave, EdmontonThe Citadel Theatre brings the classic story of Dorothy and her journey down the Yellow Brick Road to life in a vibrant stage musical featuring iconic songs, colourful characters, and a magical adventure for all ages
📸 Spotted in Edmonton
Spring has officially arrived and Edmonton is waking up! This week we want to know — where did you spot the first real signs of spring in our city?
A bud on a tree, a patio chair getting dusted off, kids back on their bikes or just that first day you left the house without a winter coat — we want to see it all!
Drop your photo or story in the comments below and let's celebrate the season together. The best submission gets a shoutout in our next issue! 📸🌱👇