Downtown summer kicks off with 1,000+ free events
Turn Up Downtown campaign launches with live music, workshops, and family activities across the city centre.
Downtown Edmonton is throwing open its doors this summer with more than 1,000 free events over the next seven months, part of a city-wide push to prove the core is a safe and welcoming destination.
The Turn Up Downtown campaign officially launched Friday at Michael Phair Park, where a three-piece band performed as city officials announced the programming.
"We are seeing a substantial increase in foot traffic," said Downtown Edmonton Community League president Cheryl Probert. "We're overall very pleased with the updates to the Edmonton Police Service community police approach. We're seeing a lot more presence on the street, it's creating a sense of safety. The more people from outside of the core come down here, the better off the whole city is."
The summer lineup includes Salsa and Tai Chi lessons at Churchill Square, family-friendly games at O-day'min Park, the Downtown farmer's market, and live music throughout the city centre. A complete list of events is available on the city's website.
Downtown Revitalization Coalition chairwoman Cheryll Watson welcomed the initiative but urged the city to follow through on the basics. "The same focus and urgency needs to be applied to the fundamentals that shape people's day-to-day experience — cleanliness, safety, accessibility, and the overall condition of public spaces," she said. "Festivals can attract people Downtown, but the basics determine whether they return. For many visitors, festival season is their first experience with Edmonton's Downtown. First impressions matter. We want people leaving our city talking about a vibrant, welcoming, and well-managed Downtown — not distracted by issues that should be addressed through routine maintenance and operations."
Edmonton Chamber of Commerce executive director Akanksha Bhatnagar echoed the concern. "You can't have all these events Downtown and then there's nowhere to park and there's garbage everywhere. We're already having a hard time getting people to come here, so how can we up our cleanliness standards?"
Mayor Andrew Knack pointed out that Downtown has enough parking capacity to cover an Oilers playoff game, so space is available for those willing to look.
The campaign reflects a broader effort to boost daytime economic activity following the return of government workers to offices after years of remote work.