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Thursday's Buzz: "Edmonton's New Patio Fees Spark Debate: Businesses Fear Impact"
Thursday's Buzz: "Edmonton's New Patio Fees Spark Debate: Businesses Fear Impact"
Thursday's Buzz: "Edmonton's New Patio Fees Spark Debate: Businesses Fear Impact"
"Breaking news: Edmonton's new patio permit fees spark controversy among local businesses! 🍻 #patiopermits #yegbiz"
Edmonton Buzz Team :)
Mar 19, 2026
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Trivia Question❓What are the oil sands in northern Alberta also commonly called? Answer at the bottom of the newsletter |
Happy Thursday! 🥂
There are new patio rules that you should now.
Lets see what's going on..
The Edmonton Buzz Team 🐝 |
Our featured story | ||
In the news this week |
Edmonton’s patio scene faces big changes as the city introduces new permit fees for businesses using public spaces, effective April 1, 2026.
Patio operators will pay fees from $500 for small, seasonal spaces to $6,900 for large, year-round setups, ending the pandemic-era waivers that helped owners expand outdoors.
City leaders argue the fees will create a fair shared-investment model, but local restaurant owners say the added costs are tough, especially as they recover from COVID-19’s impact.
Wayne Jones of Rocky Mountain Icehouse warns the fees could force some patios to close, threatening downtown’s vibrancy and sense of community.
With the cancellation of the Winter Patio Grant and higher taxes looming, many small businesses fear losing ground to cities like Calgary, which waived its own patio fees.
The future of Edmonton’s patios, and the local culture they fuel, hangs in the balance as the debate continues. Read More... |
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What's happening? | ||
Things to do this weekend |
1. Outdoor and Nature |
Edmonton Boat & Sportsmen's Show: Western Canada’s largest event for outdoor enthusiasts. Explore the latest in boating, fishing, and hunting gear, or visit the Kids' Fishing Pond for a live catch-and-release experience.
Winter Storytelling Series: âcimowin: A celebration of Indigenous storytelling that connects the community to culture and tradition during the quiet of the winter season. Featuring local artists and Elders from Treaty 6 territory.
Xpainting River Valley Exhibition: An interactive, multi-media digital installation about Edmonton’s river valley. It blurs the lines between art and nature using lighting, sound, and video elements that respond to human participation.
St. Albert Trekkers Walking Club: Join a guided morning walk through the scenic trails of the capital region. A great way to enjoy the crisp March air with a group of like-minded nature lovers.
Languages and Hiking Meetup: Combine a love for the outdoors with cultural exchange. This group hikes through the river valley while practicing different languages with fellow participants.
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2. Shows & Entertainment 📺 |
The Wizard of Oz The Musical: A high-energy, enchanting retelling of the timeless classic. Perfect for all ages, this production at the Citadel brings the Land of Oz to life with stunning visuals.
Beethoven & Beer: An evening with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra featuring the music of Beethoven paired with a complimentary food or beverage item. A more casual, social way to experience classical music.
War On The Catwalk: A jaw-dropping drag performance featuring stars from around the world. Expect incredible costumes, comedy, and high-energy stage acts.
The Dark Purple Slice Tour: Bruce McCulloch: The Kids in the Hall alumnus brings his unique brand of comedy and storytelling to Edmonton for a night of laughter and reflection.
Handcrafted Magic with Christopher Gowen: Step into an intimate Victorian-style parlour for world-class magic. With only 40 guests per show, everyone gets a front-row seat to the illusions.
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3. Arts, Crafts & Culture 🎭 |
Downtown Edmonton ArtBus: A free, all-ages event where special buses transport you to various downtown galleries and artist-run centres. Participate in hands-on activities and shop for local art.
Drop-in Sketching: Bones: The Royal Alberta Museum hosts a creative evening where you can sketch real museum specimens. All skill levels are welcome and basic supplies are provided.
Cheremosh Ukrainian Dance Festival: One of the largest festivals of its kind in North America, featuring vibrant costumes and high-energy performances from dancers across the country.
Francophone Film Festival: Immerse yourself in a curated selection of five films from around the world. All films are in French with English subtitles, celebrating Francophone culture.
Spring National Stamp Show: Explore competitive exhibits and browse collections from dealers across Western Canada. A "juniors table" is available for young collectors just starting out.
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Be Like Blippi Tour: A brand-new interactive adventure for families! Kids can dance, sing, and learn about the world with Blippi and Meekah in this high-energy live show.
Family Fun Bash at WEM World Waterpark: Enjoy an exclusive evening at the waterpark with half-off regular admission and reduced capacity for a more relaxed family experience.
DIY Cat Gardens Workshop: Create a planter that both you and your cat will love while learning about local animal rescue efforts with SAFE (Saving Animals From Euthanasia).
Jurassic World by Brickman: Explore the largest LEGO exhibition ever shown in Canada! Featuring over 50 large-scale dinosaurs, props, and activities from the Jurassic World franchise.
Mochi Market: A unique spring market featuring local vendors, craft fairs, and a focus on community gathering. Great for picking up local snacks and handmade goods.
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The Upside Down: Supernatural Synth Rave: A Stranger Things-inspired rave featuring retro-synth music, themed cocktails, and an immersive atmosphere.
March Madness Party: A high-energy nightclub event downtown featuring local DJs and a lively Saturday night dance floor.
Comedy Hypnosis with Keith Miller: An evening of laughter and mind-bending entertainment where audience members become the stars of the show.
House of Hush Burlesque: A Common Tryst: Experience the glamour and comedy of local burlesque in an intimate, cabaret-style setting.
Jeremy Olander at Double Dragon: Catch the Swedish DJ and producer for a night of progressive house and techno in one of Edmonton’s popular electronic music venues.
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Edmonton Oilers vs. Florida Panthers: The Oilers face off against the reigning champions in a high-stakes NHL matchup.
Edmonton Oilers vs. Tampa Bay Lightning: Continue the hockey action as the Oilers host the Lightning for a weekend showdown.
Love Pro Wrestling 46: Savage Love: Experience the high-flying, hard-hitting action of local professional wrestling. Expect rivalries and dramatic showdowns.
Edmonton Oil Kings vs. Calgary Hitmen: The legendary "Battle of Alberta" comes to the junior level. A great atmosphere for families and hockey fans alike.
Co-ed Pickup Soccer: Join a friendly, low-pressure game of futsal. It’s a great way to stay active and meet fellow soccer fans in the city.
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Dev Society – Monthly Hack Day: A collaborative environment for developers and designers to work on projects and share knowledge.
Thursday Board Game Night: Meet new people and challenge them to a variety of tabletop games in a relaxed cafe setting.
Edmonton Death Café: A respectful and engaging space to sip coffee and discuss thoughts on mortality. It’s not a grief support group, but a social discussion.
University of Alberta Pedway Walk: A guided walk through the university’s pedway system, perfect for newcomers and locals to connect while staying warm.
Karaoke Night Meetup: Join the Language Meetup group for a fun night of singing and socializing. All skill levels and languages are welcome.
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Our Food & Drink, and Happy Hours sections are now featured exclusively in our sister publication Edmunchie.com : Click here
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It's getting cold... | ||
This Week's Weather |
Weather Forecast: March 19 to 22, 2026
The period starts with unseasonably warm temperatures and light rain, which will transition into a cooler, snowier weekend. Be prepared for a significant drop in temperature and potential snow accumulation by Friday evening.
📅 Thursday, March 19, 2026 🌦️ Scattered Showers/Peeks of Sun High: 9°C | Low: -1°C
📅 Friday, March 20, 2026 ❄️ Periods of Snow (2-4cm) High: 1°C | Low: -6°C
📅 Saturday, March 21, 2026 ☁️ Mostly Cloudy / Flurries High: -2°C | Low: -9°C
📅 Sunday, March 22, 2026 🌤️ Mainly Sunny High: 2°C | Low: -8°C
Source: The Weather Network |
In coming... | ||
Related stories from Edmonton Scoop |
💡 Answer to Trivia Question:
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