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Edmonton Public Schools BANS All International Trips — Students Left Grounded!
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Edmonton Public Schools BANS All International Trips — Students Left Grounded!
✈️ Big news! Edmonton Public Schools pulls the plug on ALL international trips this year!
Edmonton Buzz Team :)

Edmonton Buzz Team :)

Sep 3, 2026

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Trivia Question❓

What was the name of the first enclosed shopping mall to open in downtown Edmonton, debuting in 1972 and later becoming part of a vast underground pedway network?

Answer at the bottom of the newsletter

Happy Thursday! 🥂

 

Some necessary action regarding public schools is the featured story for today. 

 

The Edmonton Buzz Team 🐝

Our featured story

In the news this week

Families in Edmonton are experiencing disappointment after Edmonton Public Schools cancelled all international student trips for the upcoming academic year.

 

The decision, prompted by global fuel shortages, health risks, and increasing travel unpredictability, abruptly ended anticipation for journeys to destinations like France, Thailand, and Costa Rica.

 

For many students, these trips represented milestones and the reward for years of classroom work, fundraising, and language study, leaving both teens and teachers scrambling to adapt.

 

Instead of passports, students will now focus on local field trips, virtual exchanges, and regional projects across Alberta.

 

While some families support the safety-led decision, others are struggling with lost deposits and disrupted plans, especially for seniors eyeing graduation milestones.

 

School leaders have promised to review the situation as new information arises, keeping the hope of future travel alive for Edmonton youth.


Read More...
 
 

What's happening?

Things to do this weekend

1. Outdoor and Nature

The Twilight Picnic Experience: Umberto, Accordion: A special evening edition of the garden's guided sunset picnic featuring live accordion music.

Date: Friday, September 4, 2026
Location: University of Alberta Botanic Garden
Cost: Paid, ticket price varies
Click for details

Experience Alberta Farm Stand Tour: A self-guided countryside drive east of Edmonton, stopping at roadside stands along the way.

Date: Sunday, September 6, 2026
Location: Departs from Roadside Stand Tour, Fort Saskatchewan
Cost: Free
Click for details

Free Admission Day: Elk Island National Park: Free entry to the national park east of the city.

Date: Running through September 7, 2026
Location: Elk Island National Park, Fort Saskatchewan
Cost: Free
Click for details

Parkbus – Free Bus Transportation to Elk Island National Park: A free shuttle from Edmonton to the park.

Date: Running through September 26, 2026
Location: Departs Edmonton
Cost: Free service and admission
Click for details

Blooms on 7 U-Pick: Cut your own flowers from a field of more than 250 varieties.

Date: Running through September 13, 2026
Location: Blooms on 7, Sherwood Park
Cost: $5
Click for details

2. Shows & Entertainment 📺

Mike Vecchione: Stand-up from the Italian-American comedian known for rapid-fire delivery.

Date: Thursday, September 3 – Saturday, September 5, 2026
Location: The Comic Strip
Cost: $26.50 – $35.00
Click for details

Symphony Under the Sky: The Edmonton Symphony Orchestra's outdoor festival, celebrating conductor Bob Bernhardt's 20th year.

Date: Starts Thursday, September 3, 2026 (runs through September 6)
Location: Hawrelak Park
Cost: $49 and up
Click for details

Lorrie Morgan: The country singer known for her torchy vocal performances.

Date: Friday, September 4, 2026
Location: River Cree Resort & Casino
Cost: $58.60 and up
Click for details

Brenn! – Amateur At Best World Tour: Folk-pop singer-songwriter Brenn! (Brennan Keller) on tour.

Date: Friday, September 4, 2026
Location: Midway Music Hall
Cost: $38.25 and up
Click for details

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3. Arts, Crafts & Culture 🎭

'90s Retro Craft Night at the RAM: A nostalgic evening of retro crafts at the Royal Alberta Museum.

Date: Thursday, September 3, 2026
Location: Royal Alberta Museum
Cost: $16 – $25
Click for details

Mural and Food Tour: A guided walking tour pairing Edmonton Mural Festival artwork with local food stops.

Date: Thursday, September 3, 2026, 6:00 p.m.
Location: Starts at ATB Place
Cost: Paid, ticket price varies
Click for details

Edmonton Mural Festival: Local and international artists painting murals across the city.

Date: Running through September 15, 2026
Location: Various venues, Edmonton
Cost: Free & ticketed events
Click for details

Chinatown After Dark: A night market turning Chinatown's alleys into patio and play space.

Date: Running through October 10, 2026
Location: 10640 98 Street
Cost: Free
Click for details

Bead Market Edmonton: Beads, gemstones, crystals, charms and jewellery-making supplies from a large vendor selection.

Date: Saturday, September 5, 2026
Location: Ramada Edmonton South
Cost: Free
Click for details

4. Family Activities & Kid-Friendly 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 

Kejia Festival: A free, three-day outdoor street food celebration with more than 50 vendors and live performances.

Date: Starts Friday, September 4, 2026 (runs through September 6)
Location: Louise McKinney Riverfront Park
Cost: Free
Click for details

Afro & Indigenous Cultural Festival: A free celebration of African, Afro-diasporic and Indigenous cultures through music, dance, food, art and storytelling.

Date: Saturday, September 5 – Sunday, September 6, 2026, 1:00–7:00 p.m.
Location: Borden Park
Cost: Free
Click for details

Prairie Skies and Perogies Festival: A family farm festival built around Alberta's Ukrainian food heritage.

Date: Starts Saturday, September 5, 2026 (runs through September 7)
Location: Prairie Gardens and Adventure Farm
Cost: Paid, ticket price varies
Click for details

Reynolds-Alberta Museum Wetaskiwin Harvest Festival: A two-day celebration of Alberta's agricultural heritage, with crops harvested using traditional steam and gasoline-powered threshing machines.

Date: Saturday, September 5 – Sunday, September 6, 2026
Location: Reynolds-Alberta Museum, Wetaskiwin
Cost: Regular admission
Click for details

Horizon Drive-In Movies: An outdoor movie night at the zoo.

Date: Running through September 6, 2026
Location: Edmonton Valley Zoo
Cost: $15 + fees
Click for details

5. Night Life🌜 

Foundation Series: A long weekend open-air dance music event featuring Dom Dolla.

Date: Sunday, September 6, 2026
Location: FanPark at ICE District
Cost: Paid, ticket price varies
Click for details

INFEST: A metal and hardcore bill featuring Power Trip and Sacrifice.

Date: Friday, September 4, 2026
Location: Fan Park, ICE District
Cost: $49.95 and up
Click for details

6. Sports⚾

2026 Golden Bears Football Home Opener: The University of Alberta football team opens its home season.

Date: Friday, September 4, 2026
Location: Foote Field, University of Alberta
Cost: Paid, ticket price varies
Click for details

Bare Knuckle Ice Wars: A new combat sport blending hockey enforcer culture with bare-knuckle fighting on a custom-built ice rink.

Date: Saturday, September 5, 2026
Location: River Cree Twin Rinks, Enoch
Cost: $90.10 and up
Click for details

City of Edmonton Drop-In Pickleball: Ongoing drop-in pickleball at city recreation facilities, all skill levels welcome.

Date: Various times this week, check schedule
Location: City recreation centres
Cost: Low drop-in fee
Click for details

Westmount Volleyball Drop-In: Weekday drop-in volleyball, intermediate and advanced.

Date: Thursday and Friday this week
Location: Westmount
Cost: $15.00 + GST
Click for details

7. Meetups👬

Bikes & Beverages x Grow Together YEG: A casual community meetup pairing cycling with a social hour.

Date: Friday, September 4, 2026, 5:00 p.m.
Location: The Buckingham Pub
Cost: Check event page
Click for details

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7. Food, Drink and Happy Hours🍿🍾 🍻🍔

Our Food & Drink, and Happy Hours sections are now featured exclusively in our sister publication Edmunchie.com : Click here

 

It's getting hotter...

This Week's Weather

🌤️ Edmonton Weather Forecast: September 3 – 6, 2026

Thunderstorm risk sticks around into Thursday, then the week cools and turns cloudier with scattered showers heading into the weekend.

 

📅 Thursday, September 3, 2026
⛈️ Risk of thunderstorms through the day
🌡️ High: 18°C | Low: 10°C

 

📅 Friday, September 4, 2026
🌦️ Mix of sun and cloud, risk of an evening thunderstorm
🌡️ High: 19°C | Low: 11°C

 

📅 Saturday, September 5, 2026
🌧️ Cloudy with morning showers
🌡️ High: 15°C | Low: 11°C

 

📅 Sunday, September 6, 2026
🌦️ Cloudy with sunny breaks, showers developing later
🌡️ High: 19°C | Low: 12°C

 

📡 Weather data sourced from Environment Canada (weather.gc.ca)

In coming...

Related stories from Edmonton Scoop

💡 Answer to Trivia Question:
Edmonton Centre (now Citadel Square / part of the City Centre mall complex)

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Edmonton Buzz

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