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Monday's Buzz: "Hops and Controversy: Happy Beer Street to Transform into Entertainment Hub!"
Monday's Buzz: "Hops and Controversy: Happy Beer Street to Transform into Entertainment Hub!"
Monday's Buzz: "Hops and Controversy: Happy Beer Street to Transform into Entertainment Hub!"
Exciting times in Edmonton as Happy Beer Street transforms into vibrant new entertainment district! 🍻🎉
Edmonton Buzz Team :)
Feb 16, 2026
Trivia Question❓Edmonton is often called the "Gateway to the North." What major 1940s construction project used Edmonton as its primary supply hub? Answer at the bottom of the newsletter |
Happy Monday!
Hopefully you've had a great weekend.
Lets talk about the Beer district! Got some thoughts? Share on our page HERE.
Also: Check out today's 'Food and Drink' section, and 'Happy hour' too. Wow!
Now, on to today's Buzz!
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In the news today...! | ||
Featured story |
Edmonton is poised to energize its cultural scene with a proposed pedestrian-friendly entertainment district on 78 Avenue NW, known to locals as Happy Beer Street.
The plan would allow public alcohol consumption and boost community events, with beloved local breweries like Bent Stick Brewing, Sea Change Brewing, and newcomers such as Yeasty Boys Brewing joining forces.
Businesses are already collaborating with the city, aiming for a lively space filled with live music, patio events, and local markets, free from vehicle traffic.
Previous success on Rice Howard Way and 104 Street has fueled optimism, while added features like a new bike lane on 100 Street further connect the area for cyclists and pedestrians.
While some locals express concerns about noise and parking, strict security measures and responsible event planning are in place to ease worries.
Mayor Andrew Knack and community leaders are optimistic, anticipating that Happy Beer Street will become a vibrant destination for both residents and visitors. Read More... |
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What's happening? | ||
Things to do this week |
1. Outdoor and Nature🌲 |
Silver Skate Festival (Final Day): Celebrating its 36th year, this is Edmonton’s longest-running winter festival. Enjoy the Recreation Zone with free skating, snow sculptures, and wandering the Folk Trail with its magical fire and light installations.
Free Family Day Glow Skate: A high-energy skating event featuring glow sticks, music, and a festive atmosphere for the whole family to enjoy the ice under vibrant lights.
Winter Village Warmup: Experience winter magic at Maple Leaf Pond with outdoor skating, live music, ice carving demonstrations, and free hot drinks to keep you warm.
Alberta Free Family Fishing Weekend: A provincial initiative where Albertans and visitors can fish without a license. It’s a perfect opportunity to try ice fishing at local spots like Wabamun Lake or Hermitage Park.
Ice Grooves at Churchill Square: Skate to the beats of live DJs under the downtown lights. The rink offers a vibrant "outdoor club" atmosphere suitable for all ages.
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2. Shows & Entertainment 📺 🎭 |
Grindstone Comedy Open Mic Night: A weekly staple for Edmonton’s comedy scene. Watch local amateurs and seasoned pros test out new material in an intimate, high-energy setting.
Mbira Renaissance Band at City Hall: A vibrant performance of Afro-diasporan music. Experience the unique sounds of the Mbira (thumb piano) paired with modern instruments for a high-energy afternoon show.
Rapid Fire Theatre at the AGA: Edmonton’s premiere improv troupe brings their quick-witted, family-friendly humor to the gallery for a series of laugh-out-loud performances.
Christopher Gowen’s Handcrafted Magic: An intimate magic show featuring sleight-of-hand and mentalism that happens right before your eyes.
B-Sides at Winspear Centre: A mid-week musical escape featuring unique orchestral arrangements and lesser-known gems performed by talented local musicians.
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3. Arts, Crafts & Culture 🎨 |
Free Admission to Royal Alberta Museum: Explore Alberta’s history and natural wonders. From the Mammoth hall to the live bug gallery, this is the best time to see the museum’s massive collection for free.
Art Gallery of Alberta Family Day: The AGA opens its doors for free, offering access to all galleries along with special "AGA Bingo" and take-away art projects for visitors of all ages.
North Edmonton Ramadan Bazaar: A vibrant cultural marketplace featuring exclusive vendors, festive décor, and delicious treats in anticipation of Ramadan.
Rutherford House Tours: Step back in time at the home of Alberta’s first Premier. Enjoy costumed hosts, historical tours, and traditional family crafts.
Audreys Genre Book Club: Join fellow book lovers for a discussion on The Lost City of Z. A great way to connect with the local literary community in Edmonton's oldest independent bookstore.
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Family Day at the Legislature: The "place where it all began" offers free indoor fun, educational tours about democracy, and activities that connect kids to Alberta's history.
Hula Hoop Circus: A high-energy performance featuring circus arts and interactive fun that encourages kids to get up and move.
Prehistoric Petals and Predators: The Muttart Conservatory transforms into a dino-paradise with scavenger hunts, "dino-sprout" planting, and airbrush tattoos.
St. Albert Fire and Ice Festival: A massive Family Day celebration featuring a firefighter obstacle course for kids, petting zoo, sleigh rides, and fire dancers.
Family Day at Edmonton Garrison: A military community celebration open to the public, featuring inflatables, face painting, open skating, and swimming.
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That 90s Party: Dust off your flannel and combat boots for a night of nostalgic hits from the 1990s.
Ice Grooves DJ Night: Transform your Friday night into a winter dance party on skates with live local DJs playing at the heart of downtown.
Trivia Night at The Canadian Brewhouse: Gather your friends for a competitive night of general knowledge trivia with the chance to win prizes.
Alchemy Bar: Love in the Glass: A sophisticated cocktail experience titled "Cocktails 101" where you can learn the art of mixology in a chic rooftop setting.
The Bell In Scona Live Music: Catch local artists performing in one of Old Strathcona’s newest and most popular brewery settings.
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Indoor Soccer - Free Drop-in: A casual, no-pressure environment to play soccer indoors and meet other local sports enthusiasts.
Super Smash Bros Ultimate Tournament: A competitive gaming tournament for fans of Nintendo’s flagship fighter. Perfect for those who prefer their sports digital.
Try Quadball: Trans and Queer Women: An inclusive sports session designed for trans and queer women to learn and play the sport of Quadball (formerly Quidditch).
Silver Skate Winter Triathlon: A unique winter challenge involving skating, running, and cross-country skiing through the beautiful river valley.
Oil Kings vs. Lethbridge Hurricanes: The "Family Day Game" featuring a Scooby-Doo theme. A great way to experience professional hockey at Rogers Place with the family.
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Casual Walk & Meet New People: A peaceful evening walk starting from the Kinsmen parking lot, crossing the Walterdale Bridge to enjoy the downtown skyline.
Soccer for Absolute Beginners: A meetup for those who want to play soccer without the pressure of competition. Focused on exercise, fun, and meeting people.
North Edmonton Game Devs Meetup: Connect with local game developers, hobbyists, and artists to discuss projects and the local tech scene.
Bx Networking North Edmonton: A business networking event for local entrepreneurs and professionals to build connections and grow their networks.
Audreys Genre Book Club: Meet with other readers in a welcoming environment to discuss historical and adventure non-fiction.
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8. Food, Drink and Happy Hours🍿🍾 |
Our Food, Drink, and Happy Hour updates are now in our sister publication - Edmunchie.com - The Delicious newsletter. Go here now. |
Going outdoors? | ||
This Week's Weather |
Winter is making a firm comeback in Edmonton this week. After a relatively mild start to the month, a significant weather system is moving in, bringing heavy snowfall followed by a sharp drop in temperatures.
📅 Monday, February 16, 2026 ☁️ Mainly Cloudy High: -7°C | Low: -13°C Summary: A gray and chilly Family Day for the city. Cloud cover will persist throughout the day with a light accumulation of snow (around 1cm) expected by the evening.
📅 Tuesday, February 17, 2026 ❄️ Light Snow High: -12°C | Low: -16°C Summary: The main weather event of the week arrives today. Expect steady snowfall with accumulations between 5–10 cm, making for difficult driving conditions and much colder wind chills.
📅 Wednesday, February 18, 2026 🌤️ A Mix of Sun and Clouds High: -14°C | Low: -22°C Summary: The snow tapers off, leaving behind much colder Arctic air. While the sun will make an appearance, temperatures will continue to slide well below seasonal averages.
📅 Thursday, February 19, 2026 🌤️ A Mix of Sun and Clouds High: -16°C | Low: -22°C Summary: A frigid but bright day. Despite the sunny breaks, the biting cold remains the headline, with overnight lows dipping deep into the minus twenties.
📅 Friday, February 20, 2026 ☀️ Mainly Sunny High: -16°C | Low: -21°C Summary: The work week ends on a very cold but clear note. Plenty of sunshine is expected, though it will do little to move the mercury, keeping Edmonton in a deep freeze through the evening.
Source: The Weather Network |
Also.. | ||
Related stories from Edmonton Buzz |
💡 Answer to Trivia Question: The Alaska Highway |
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