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Monday's Buzz: Ring in 2026: Ready for January 1st?
Lights, Music, Action: Edmonton’s Ultimate Guide to NYE 2026
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Trivia Question❓Which Alberta city claims to have the world's largest Easter egg? Answer at the bottom of the newsletter |
Happy Monday!
Hopefully you've had a great weekend and enjoyed xmas, if you do celebrate.
Now...
Are you ready to open up 2026? Well, the city's got plans to kick-off the new year in spectacular style. Check out today's feature story! 🥳
Tip: Check out today's 'Food and Drink' section, and 'Happy hour' too. Wow!
Now, for today's Buzz!
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In the news today...! |
Featured story |
Edmonton is gearing up to celebrate New Year’s Eve with a lively program focused on Sir Winston Churchill Square and the Rice Howard Way Entertainment District.
Celebrations begin at 6 p.m. on December 31, offering music, cultural performances, and ice skating at Churchill Square.
Families can take in an early fireworks display at 8 p.m., followed by a dazzling midnight show above the Stanley A. Milner Library.
Rice Howard Way will buzz with live acts, including Funk the Matriarchy and DJ Suzanne Summers, plus winter fairies and LED hula-hoopers.
Art lovers can join a special postcard craft led by Jade Rickey, while mindful revelers enjoy alcohol-free options from Spilt Mocktail Bar on Jasper Avenue.
Residents are encouraged to dress warmly, arrive early for the best views, and check public transit schedules as the city comes together to welcome 2026. Read More... |
Supporting local! |
Business spotlight |
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What's happening? |
Things to do this week |
1. Outdoor and Nature🌲 |
Candy Cane Lane: Take a nostalgic stroll or drive down one of Edmonton’s most famous residential streets. The community of Crestwood comes alive with massive light displays and festive decorations. It is a perfect way to embrace the winter air with a hot cocoa in hand.
Skating at City Hall Plaza: Lace up your skates and enjoy the iconic outdoor rink right in the heart of downtown. With festive lights and a view of the massive Christmas tree, it’s one of the most scenic places to enjoy the Alberta winter.
Magical Christmas House: Visit Maisie's Magical Christmas House, a private residence that has become a local legend for its incredible, dense display of holiday lights and animatronics, attracting visitors from all over the city.
Ice Climbing at the River Valley: For those seeking a more adventurous nature experience, the massive 21-meter ice wall in the river valley is open for public viewing and climbing. Even if you don't climb, watching the athletes scale the six-story structure is a sight to behold.
Zoominescence: Festival of Light: The Edmonton Valley Zoo is transformed into a winter wonderland with artistic light installations and ice sculptures. It offers a unique way to see the zoo grounds after dark.
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2. Shows & Entertainment 📺 🎭 |
New Year's Eve Live Music at Churchill Square: A massive outdoor stage will feature a lineup of local talent to ring in 2026. This year's lineup includes the pop-rock alt band The Royal Foundry, Métis fiddler Brianna Lizotte, and folk artist Robyn Ashley.
Flowarrior Fire Performance: Witness a high-energy outdoor performance featuring fire spinning, twirling, and choreography against the winter night sky. It’s a captivating visual spectacle that leads up to the early fireworks show.
Salute to Vienna New Year’s Concert: A cherished annual tradition that recreates the beauty of Vienna’s golden age. Enjoy a program of Strauss waltzes and operetta melodies performed by a full orchestra, dancers, and singers.
Hollywood for the Holidays: The Edmonton Symphony Orchestra performs iconic scores from your favorite holiday films. From Home Alone to The Nightmare Before Christmas, it’s a cinematic musical journey.
Canadian Top Gunn: The 80’s Take Flight: A musical comedy dinner theatre show that parodies the classic 80s film with live music and a multi-course meal.
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3. Arts, Crafts & Culture 🎨 |
City Hall Craft Station: Families can head inside the warmth of City Hall to participate in hands-on crafting. This year features postcard design and New Year's themed art projects led by local artists.
iHuman Art Installation: Explore a large-scale outdoor art installation created by youth from the iHuman Youth Society. This immersive display showcases the creativity and stories of local emerging artists.
Art Gallery of Alberta (NYE Open House): The AGA opens its doors for special evening programming during New Year's Eve, allowing guests to view the current exhibits while enjoying live acoustic music in the lobby.
Winter Art Walk & Market: A gallery-style setting featuring original paintings, ceramics, and sculptures from local fine artists. It’s a great way to experience Edmonton's contemporary art scene in a holiday market atmosphere.
Muttart’s New Year’s Bloom: Experience the botanical pyramids while they are decked out in holiday lights. This cultural experience includes music and nature discovery within the diverse climate zones.
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New Year's Eve Early Fireworks: Specifically designed for families with younger children, this 8:00 PM show allows kids to experience the magic of New Year's fireworks without staying up until midnight.
Noon Year’s Eve at TELUS World of Science: A science-themed countdown at midday for those who can't stay up late. Includes explosive science demonstrations on the Syncrude Stage and hands-on experiments.
Family Dance Party at Citadel Theatre: The Citadel Theatre hosts a family-friendly dance party with a live DJ, face painting, roving balloon artistry, and free cookies/glowsticks for the first 200 guests.
Glow Edmonton - Mermaid & Princess Days: The indoor light festival features special character meet-and-greets during the holiday week. Kids can meet "Mermaid Princesses" and explore the "Sea of Sparkle."
Royal Alberta Museum: Noon Year Countdown: Kids 8 and under can create their own noise makers and explore the museum before a massive bubble-wrap countdown dance party at noon.
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ICE District NYE Plaza Party: A high-energy outdoor party featuring a live performance by country star Owen Riegling followed by a special midnight DJ set from Vavo and a countdown on giant screens.
NYE Emo Night at Starlite Room: For those who want a themed club night, the Starlite Room is hosting a massive New Year's Eve bash playing alternative and emo hits from the 2000s.
Leo Martinez Band at Blues on Whyte: Enjoy live funk and soul music at one of Edmonton’s most iconic live music venues. A great spot for a more casual but lively night out on Whyte Ave.
The Final Show at Union Hall (Borgeous): A massive EDM event featuring world-renowned DJ Borgeous. This serves as a significant nightlife event to kick off the first weekend of the new year.
New Year’s Eve at The Pearl Showroom: A live music showcase featuring tribute acts Runaway (Bon Jovi) and Stage Fright (Def Leppard).
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IIHF World Junior Championship: Edmonton is hosting several matchups for the prestigious World Junior Hockey tournament. Catch the world's best young players in high-stakes international competition.
Edmonton Oilers vs. Boston Bruins: Catch the home team as they face off against the Bruins in a high-profile NHL matchup right before the New Year's celebrations begin at the ICE District.
Oilers Hall of Fame Skate: A unique opportunity for fans to lace up their skates and hit the NHL ice at Rogers Place, with the bonus of a behind-the-scenes look at the Oilers Hall of Fame Room.
Minnesota Frost vs. Boston (PWHL): Check for professional women's hockey matchups at Rogers Place as the league continues its popular neutral-site or touring games.
Nitro Circus: If you prefer extreme sports, Nitro Circus features world-class daredevils performing stunts in FMX, BMX, and skate.
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Churchill Square Warming Geodomes: A casual, unorganized meetup spot where you can gather with friends and strangers alike. These heated domes are perfect for meeting new people while staying warm during the NYE festivities.
Old Strathcona Farmers' Market: A community staple where locals gather to shop and socialize. It's a great place to meet local makers and foodies.
GarageBand iPad Workshop: A creative meetup for those interested in music production. Participants can learn to create theme songs for shows or books using GarageBand.
Kids in the Kitchen: Cookie Dough Making: A social workshop for kids and parents to meet and learn together in a culinary setting.
New Year’s Eve Chef’s Table Meetup: A social dining experience where guests can enjoy a multi-course meal while interacting with the chefs and other diners in an intimate setting.
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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. |
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Going outdoors? |
This Week's Weather |
Edmonton Holiday Forecast Summary
Edmonton begins the week with unseasonably mild temperatures on Monday, but a steady cooling trend takes hold as we approach 2026. While the start of the week is overcast and dry, light snow is expected to develop by New Year’s Eve, leading into a significantly colder and more "traditional" Alberta winter feel for the first few days of January.
📅 Monday, December 29, 2025 ☁️ Overcast High: 3°C | Low: -5°C Summary: An unusually warm day for late December with temperatures climbing above the freezing mark. Expect thick cloud cover throughout the day with relatively calm winds.
📅 Tuesday, December 30, 2025 🌥️ Mainly Cloudy High: 1°C | Low: -8°C Summary: The mercury begins to drop back toward seasonal norms. It will remain mostly cloudy with a slight chance of flurries developing overnight as the cold air moves in.
📅 Wednesday, December 31, 2025 ❄️ Light Snow High: -4°C | Low: -9°C Summary: A snowy backdrop for New Year's Eve festivities. Light, steady snowfall is expected throughout the day and evening, totaling approximately 1–3 cm.
📅 Thursday, January 1, 2026 ☁️ Cloudy with Flurries High: -5°C | Low: -12°C Summary: Happy New Year! The first day of 2026 stays chilly with lingering clouds and intermittent light flurries. Temperatures will continue to slide downward after sunset.
📅 Friday, January 2, 2026 🌥️ Partly Cloudy & Cold High: -8°C | Low: -17°C Summary: A crisp and cold winter day. The sun may peek through the clouds, but the arrival of Arctic air will bring a significant drop in temperature, especially overnight. Source: weather.gc.ca |
Also.. |
Related stories from Edmonton Buzz |
💡 Answer to Trivia Question: Vegreville |
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