"Whitemud Drive Expansion Sparks Debate in Edmonton!"

Trivia Question❓

What is the "official" name of the end-to-end trail system in the River Valley, which is the longest expanse of urban parkland in North America?

Answer at the bottom of the newsletter

Happy Thursday! 🥂

Whitemud is getting an uplift.....today's story is in!

Lets get to it..

The Edmonton Buzz Team 🐝

Our featured story
In the news this week

Whitemud Drive Widening in Edmonton Alberta

Edmonton’s west end is set for a dramatic upgrade as Whitemud Drive will be widened from two to four lanes between Lewis Estates Boulevard and 231 Street.

This $27.9 million project, funded equally by the Alberta government, City of Edmonton, and Enoch Cree Nation, promises to relieve congestion and address safety concerns.

Chief Cody Thomas of Enoch Cree Nation stressed the urgent need for expansion, referencing past crashes and fatalities on the narrow stretch.

Construction begins in spring 2026, targeting completion in 2027.

The new 2.4-kilometre section will feature a raised median, dedicated turn lanes, and modern intersections for safer, smoother commutes.

Alongside Whitemud, work continues on Terwillegar Drive, with recent widening and shared paths already complete and bridge upgrades expected by 2026.

These major projects reflect Edmonton’s commitment to safer, more connected roads as the city continues to grow.

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What's happening?
Things to do this weekend

1. Outdoor and Nature

Wîhkwêntôwin Outdoor Pool - Now Open for Summer: Edmonton's first outdoor pool of the season opened May 20 and is running daily public swim from noon to 8 p.m. Book online up to two weeks ahead or just show up. Date: Open daily through summer 2026 Location: Wîhkwêntôwin Outdoor Pool, 10315 119th St Cost: $6.50+ (free for kids under 2) Click for details

Mill Creek Outdoor Pool Opens: The second City of Edmonton outdoor pool to open this season. Bring your own snacks - concessions are no longer available, but vending machines are on-site. Date: Saturday, May 23, 2026 (noon–8 p.m. daily) Location: Mill Creek Outdoor Pool, 9555 84th Ave Cost: $6.50+ (free for kids under 2) Click for details

Urban Hike at White Mud Nature Reserve: The Edmonton Outdoor Club is hosting a group hike through the river valley trails in the White Mud Nature Reserve. A good way to explore the ravine system with other outdoorsy locals. Date: Saturday, May 24, 2026 Location: White Mud Nature Reserve Cost: Free (Edmonton Outdoor Club membership may apply) Click for details

Summer Lovin 2026 - Patio Music Festival: A two-day outdoor music and patio event presented by The Faculty, Cherry Noir and CannaBliss Festival. Live music, good vibes, and fresh air. Date: Friday, May 22 (6 p.m.) – Saturday, May 23 (10 p.m.), 2026 Location: The Faculty, Edmonton Cost: Ticketed Click for details

2. Shows & Entertainment 📺

Carmina Burana - Edmonton Symphony Orchestra: The ESO performs Orff's Carmina Burana alongside Ravel's Daphnis et Chloé Suite No. 2 and a world premiere ESO commission by Julien Bilodeau. Conductor Jean-Marie Zeitouni leads, with soprano Claire de Sévigné, tenor Andrew Haji, and baritone Phillip Addis. Date: Friday, May 22 – Sunday, May 24, 2026 (Fri/Sat 7:30 p.m., Sun 2:00 p.m.) Location: Winspear Centre Cost: $37–$121 Click for details

Cyrano de Bergerac - Citadel Theatre: Jessy Ardern's Canadian adaptation of the classic, starring Scott Shpeley as Cyrano and Stephanie Sy as Roxane. Final weekend of the Citadel's 60th anniversary season run. Date: Runs until Saturday, May 24, 2026 (evenings 7:30 p.m., matinees 1:30 p.m.) Location: Shoctor Theatre, Citadel Theatre Cost: Varies - check box office Click for details

The Fray & The Strumbellas - Summer of Light Tour: The Fray and The Strumbellas share the stage at the Jubilee. A solid double bill of alt-rock and indie folk. Date: Friday, May 22, 2026, 8:00 p.m. Location: Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium Cost: Ticketed via Ticketmaster Click for details

From Cradle to Stage - New Play Festival: Walterdale Theatre presents staged readings of nine new scripts from Edmonton playwrights, with support from professional dramaturgs Collin Doyle, Beth Graham, and Darrin Hagen. Date: May 19–24, 2026 Location: Walterdale Theatre Cost: $10/show or $24 festival pass Click for details

Kundiman at Edmonton EXPO Centre: A live performance event at the EXPO Centre on Saturday evening. Date: Saturday, May 23, 2026, 6:30 p.m. Location: Edmonton EXPO Centre Cost: Ticketed Click for details

3. Arts, Crafts & Culture 🎭

48hr Mobile Device Filmmaking Challenge: Register for this free annual challenge from the Edmonton Short Film Festival. You'll receive three secret elements on Friday at 6 p.m. and have 48 hours to shoot, edit, and upload a short film on your phone. Qualifying films screen at the Film Expo on May 31. Date: Friday, May 22, 6 p.m. – Sunday, May 24, 6 p.m. Location: Citywide (film anywhere in Edmonton) Cost: Free Click for details

Northern Bricks LEGO Convention: The Northern Alberta LEGO User Group brings hundreds of unique LEGO creations to the Alberta Aviation Museum. Expect workshops, games, vendors, awards, and a big play brick area for kids. Sensory-friendly hour on both mornings at 9 a.m. Date: Saturday, May 23 (10 a.m.–5 p.m.) & Sunday, May 24 (10 a.m.–3:30 p.m.) Location: Alberta Aviation Museum (free parking) Cost: Ticketed - available at the door or online Click for details

Wayfinders: A Constellation of Women Artists: An ongoing exhibition highlighting the work of women artists. Currently on display and worth a stop during the long weekend. Date: Ongoing through May 2026 Location: Art Gallery of Alberta Cost: Gallery admission applies Click for details

Fix, Fire, Forge - Alberta's Unseen Engine of Craft: An exhibition exploring the craft traditions that shaped Alberta's communities and industries. Date: Ongoing through May 2026 Location: Art Gallery of Alberta Cost: Gallery admission applies Click for details

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

FREE Petting Zoo at Callingwood Farmer's Market: A free afternoon with a petting zoo, bouncy castle, face painting, roving entertainment with Spandy Andy, live music, and food trucks at the Marketplace at Callingwood. Date: Saturday, May 23, 2026, 1–4 p.m. Location: The Marketplace at Callingwood (69 Ave & 178 St) Cost: Free Click for details

St. Albert Rainmaker Rodeo & Festival: Three days of rodeo events (bronc riding, bull riding, barrel racing), a Saturday morning parade, a midway, Family Zone with petting zoo, pig and pony races, and live concerts headlined by Finger Eleven on Friday and Chad Brownlee on Saturday. Date: Thursday, May 22 – Saturday, May 24, 2026 Location: Kinsmen Fair Grounds, 47 Riel Drive, St. Albert Cost: Varies — see website for tickets Click for details

Beaumont Days / Town & Country Daze: Beaumont's annual community celebration featuring a Friday night street party and market, Saturday pancake breakfast, parade at 11 a.m., car show, soap box derby, midway, and lots of free family activities. Date: Thursday, May 22 – Saturday, May 24, 2026 Location: Beaumont, AB (ring road and downtown) Cost: Many activities are free Click for details

Glow-in-the-Dark Mini Golf at Leduc Grain Elevator: The Grain Elevator Youth Council is transforming the historic grain elevator into a glow-in-the-dark 9-hole mini golf course. All ages welcome. Date: Saturday, May 23, 2026, 3–8 p.m. Location: Leduc Grain Elevator, Downtown Leduc Cost: $5 per person Click for details

Toonie Swim at Eastglen Leisure Centre: Bring the kids for a budget-friendly swim at just $2 per person. Good option for a rainy-day backup plan this weekend. Date: Friday, May 22 & Saturday, May 23, 2026 Location: Eastglen Leisure Centre Cost: $2 Click for details

5. Night Life🌜

Emo Night Edmonton: Classic emo, pop-punk, and alt-rock anthems all night long at the Starlite Room. Doors at 9 p.m. Ages 18+ with valid photo ID. Date: Friday, May 22, 2026, 9 p.m.–2 a.m. Location: The Starlite Room, 10030 102 St Cost: Ticketed Click for details

Furreal at EVO Underground: A Friday night event at EVO Underground on Jasper Ave. Date: Friday, May 22, 2026, 10 p.m. Location: EVO Underground, 11508 Jasper Ave Cost: Ticketed Click for details

Midnight Tyrannosaurus: Devil In the Jungle Tour: Heavy bass music at the Pawn Shop. If you like it loud, this is your Saturday night. Date: Saturday, May 23, 2026, 9 p.m. Location: Pawn Shop Live Cost: Ticketed Click for details

Sunday School DnB 2026 Premiere — Episode 1: The drum and bass series kicks off its 2026 run with RULE OF TWO, LETHAL D, and MEEBERZ. Afternoon event. Date: Sunday, May 24, 2026, 3 p.m. Location: The Pint, Whyte Ave Cost: Ticketed Click for details

6. Sports⚾

Edmonton Stingers vs. Niagara River Lions (CEBL Basketball): The Stingers host the River Lions in Canadian Elite Basketball League action. The EXPO Centre holds about 4,000 fans and is connected to the Coliseum LRT station. Date: Sunday, May 24, 2026, 4:00 p.m. Location: Edmonton EXPO Centre, 7515 118 Ave NW Cost: Ticketed via Ticketmaster Click for details

St. Albert Rainmaker Rodeo Events: Competitive rodeo events including saddle bronc, bareback, bull riding, tie-down roping, steer wrestling, ladies' barrel racing, and team roping across the weekend. Date: May 22–24, 2026 Location: Kinsmen Fair Grounds, 47 Riel Drive, St. Albert Cost: Included with Rainmaker admission Click for details

Beaumont Days Soap Box Derby: Part of the Town & Country Daze weekend — a classic gravity-powered downhill race for all ages. Date: Saturday, May 23, 2026 Location: Beaumont, AB Cost: Free to watch Click for details

7. Meetups👬

Deep Water Conversations (50+): A social gathering for Edmontonians over 50, focused on meaningful conversation and connection. Date: Friday, May 22, 2026, 6:30 p.m. Location: Edmonton (check Meetup for venue details) Cost: Free Click for details

Active Living Club — Saturday Session: A meetup for people interested in staying active and social. Check the group page for the specific activity planned this week. Date: Saturday, May 23, 2026, 7:00 p.m. Location: Edmonton (check Meetup for details) Cost: Free Click for details

Active Living Club — Sunday Session: The Sunday edition of the same group, earlier in the afternoon. Date: Sunday, May 24, 2026, 4:30 p.m. Location: Edmonton (check Meetup for details) Cost: Free Click for details

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 cold...
This Week's Weather

🌤️ Edmonton Weather Forecast: May 21–24, 2026

A pleasant stretch of late-May weather ahead. Thursday is mild and mostly sunny, and Friday warms up further but brings a chance of afternoon showers. Saturday is shaping up to be the warmest day of the long weekend with sun and highs around 24°C. Sunday cools off a bit with more cloud cover moving in.

📅 Thursday, May 21, 2026 ☀️ Mainly Sunny 🌡️ High: 19°C | Low: 9°C

📅 Friday, May 22, 2026 🌦️ Mix of Sun and Cloud, Afternoon Showers Possible 🌡️ High: 22°C | Low: 9°C

📅 Saturday, May 23, 2026 ☀️ Sunny and Warm 🌡️ High: 24°C | Low: 11°C

📅 Sunday, May 24, 2026 🌤️ Partly Cloudy, Cooler 🌡️ High: 18°C | Low: 9°C

📡 Weather data sourced from Environment Canada and AccuWeather — retrieved May 21, 2026

In coming...
Related stories from Edmonton Scoop

AI in law and recent developments in Edmonton, Alberta

High speed rail opportunities in Edmonton, Alberta

World Cup of Hockey in Edmonton, Alberta

💡 Answer to Trivia Question:

The Ribbon of Green.

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