Turn Up Downtown launches 1,000+ summer events

Edmonton is throwing open the doors to downtown with a new summer campaign called Turn Up Downtown — 1,000+ events and activities designed to draw residents and visitors into the core from now until December.

The city's marketing push is backed by the Edmonton Arts Council, Downtown Edmonton Community League, Edmonton Downtown Business Association, and other local organizations. The programming spans parks, transit hubs, and public spaces with offerings like live music, fitness classes, art classes, mini golf, and more.

"The more that people from outside of the core come here and support the businesses and come to the events, the better off the whole city is," said Cheryl Probert, president of the Downtown Edmonton Community League.

Mayor Andrew Knack framed the effort as broadening what downtown offers beyond major venue events. "You want to have people coming down to events at Rogers Place, but you also want people to take in the great atmosphere, enjoy the great restaurants, experience the community that exists, go to the parks," he said.

Probert added: "Come and see us downtown — experience for yourself all the wonderful arts and culture that there is down here and hopefully that will start to change the perception that has been in the public for some time now."

For a full schedule of events and locations, visit the city's website. This is the city's most coordinated effort yet to rebuild downtown as a destination for residents, not just a business district.