Hi Edmonton,
The sky's been looking a little hazy the last couple days, and it's not just your imagination. Wildfire smoke rolled in from the N.W.T. and it's thick enough that Environment Canada slapped an air quality warning on the whole region. On a lighter note, KDays is in full swing and Taste of Edmonton just dropped almost a hundred new menu items, so there's plenty to actually get excited about too.
— The Edmonton Edit
⚡ Quick Hits
Wildfire smoke pushed Edmonton's air quality index to 9-10 Monday. That's high risk, not just "a bit smoky."
Yellowhead Trail flooded again, second time in a week. Someone needs to look at that drainage.
The Elks beat BC 19-17 and now head to Regina Thursday. Not flashy, but a win's a win.
🌤 Edmonton Weather
Tuesday's air isn't great. There's a yellow air quality warning in effect for the whole region because of wildfire smoke drifting down from the N.W.T., and the index has been sitting at high risk levels. If you've got asthma, a bad cough, or you're just sensitive to that stuff, keep outdoor time short today. Save the long river valley walk for later in the week.
📰 What's Happening
Wildfire smoke from N.W.T. triggers air quality warnings across the Edmonton region
Smoke from more than 200 wildfires burning up in the Northwest Territories has drifted into Alberta, and Edmonton's caught right in it. Environment Canada issued a yellow air quality warning for the region Monday morning, and it's expected to hang around into Tuesday.
The smoke is mostly coming from fires near Fort Smith, Fort Simpson and Wrigley. Edmonton's Air Quality Health Index hit 9 to 10 on Monday, which is the high risk range. It's not just us either. Fort McMurray landed in the high risk zone too, and Grande Prairie was rated very high risk.
This comes after a summer that's already thrown record rainfall and severe thunderstorms at the city, so it's been a rough stretch for anyone hoping for a normal Edmonton July.
If you've got kids, older family members, or anyone with breathing issues in the house, this is the week to dial back the outdoor plans. Environment Canada expects the index to stay elevated into Tuesday, and they'll update the advisory as the smoke shifts.
Yellowhead Trail floods for second time in a week after overnight storm
Yellowhead Trail flooded overnight again, the second time in a week. Edmonton Police put out an emergency advisory before 3 a.m. Wednesday after underpasses filled up with water.
The flooding stretched from 97 Street all the way to 184 Street. City crews and Epcor spent the morning pumping water so the road could reopen. Earlier in the week, a separate stretch between 66 Street and 121 Street had already gone underwater and closed.
Twice in one week on one of the city's busiest routes is not nothing.
Anyone driving Yellowhead during a heavy rain this summer should expect delays or detours. The city hasn't said anything yet about a longer-term fix for the drainage, so for now, just watch the road conditions when the storms roll through.
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🏛 City Update
Low Level Bridge Rehabilitation ongoing closures
Crews are pulling out and redoing the temporary paved detour sections around the Low Level Bridge. That covers Connors Road, Scona Road, Grierson Hill and McDougall Hill Road. Some of this is happening overnight, and there was a full closure from July 17 at 8 p.m. through July 20 at 4 a.m. If you use that stretch to get downtown or into the river valley, plan an alternate route for now.
→ Full announcement on edmonton.ca: https://www.edmonton.ca/projects_plans/roads/low-level-bridge-rehabilitation
95 Avenue Renewal construction
95 Avenue between 163 Street and 182 Street is torn up for renewal work. Southside access at 167 Street and 95 Avenue has been closed since June and stays that way until July 2026. The whole project is expected to wrap up in fall 2026. If you're in that pocket of the west end, budget extra time.
→ Full announcement on edmonton.ca: https://www.edmonton.ca/transportation/on_your_streets/95-avenue-renewal
Current Traffic Disruptions notice for 2026 construction season
The city's reminding everyone it's a busy construction season out there. They're pointing people to their traffic disruptions map since schedules keep shifting with weather and whatever crews find underground. If a route matters to your commute, check the map before you leave, or call 311.
→ Full announcement on edmonton.ca: https://www.edmonton.ca/transportation/current-traffic-disruptions
📅 Things To Do (Next 4 Days)
🎉 KDays
Source: k-days.com
Date: July 17 to July 26
Time: Midway open noon to midnight daily
Location: Edmonton EXPO Centre & Exhibition Grounds
Cost: $15.45 ages 13-59, $11.33 ages 7-12 and 60+, 10-day pass $30.89
This is the classic midway-and-mini-donuts fair, running for over a week straight. Good for a family afternoon or a late-night ride binge, just know there's no re-entry after 11pm.
→ Tickets / Info: https://www.k-days.com/tickets
🎉 KDays Music Fest, Connor Price
Source: Ticketmaster
Date: July 21
Time: 7:30 PM
Location: Edmonton EXPO Centre
Cost: Included with KDays admission
It's included with your KDays ticket, so if you're already going tonight, just stick around after the rides.
→ Tickets / Info: https://www.ticketmaster.ca/kdays-tickets/artist/1864421
🎉 KDays Music Fest, Peach Pit
Source: Ticketmaster
Date: July 22
Time: 7:30 PM
Location: Edmonton EXPO Centre
Cost: Included with KDays admission
Peach Pit's dreamy, laid-back sound is a solid way to close out a day at the fair. Also free with your KDays entry.
→ Tickets / Info: https://www.ticketmaster.ca/kdays-tickets/artist/1864421
🎉 KDays Music Fest, bbno
Source: Ticketmaster
Date: July 23
Time: 7:30 PM
Location: Edmonton EXPO Centre
Cost: Included with KDays admission
Different energy entirely, high-energy and a bit chaotic in the best way. Fun one if you're bringing a group.
→ Tickets / Info: https://www.ticketmaster.ca/kdays-tickets/artist/1864421
🎉 Taste of Edmonton
Source: tasteofedm.ca
Date: July 16 to July 26
Time: Sun-Thu 11am to 10pm, Fri-Sat 11am to 11pm
Location: Sir Winston Churchill Square
Cost: Free entry, food and drinks run on tickets
This is where you go to eat your way through half the city's restaurants in one afternoon. Bring cash for tickets and an empty stomach.
→ Tickets / Info: https://tasteofedm.ca/pages/frequently-asked-questions
🎉 Edmonton Riverhawks vs. Kamloops Northpaws
Source: Daily Hive
Date: July 21, July 22
Time: 7:05 PM
Location: RE/MAX Field
Cost: From about $10
Cheap tickets, low pressure baseball, and it's a genuinely nice way to spend a July evening by the river.
→ Tickets / Info: https://dailyhive.com/edmonton/things-to-do-edmonton-week-july-20-24
🎉 Edmonton Riverhawks vs. Kelowna Falcons
Source: Ticketwood
Date: July 24, July 25, July 26
Time: 7:05 PM Friday and Saturday, 1:05 PM Sunday
Location: RE/MAX Field
Cost: From about $25 to $32
Weekend series, so pick your day. Sunday's an afternoon game if you want something less late.
→ Tickets / Info: https://www.ticketwood.com/mlb/edmonton-riverhawks-tickets/index.php
🎉 Post Malone Presents: The BIG ASS Stadium Tour Part 2
Source: edmonton.ca
Date: July 24, July 25
Time: 7:00 PM
Location: Commonwealth Stadium
Cost: Not listed
Jelly Roll and Carter Faith are opening both nights. This is the reason the Elks had to move practice this week.
→ Tickets / Info: https://www.edmonton.ca/attractions_events/commonwealth_stadium/events
🎉 Ritchie Community League Pub Night
Source: Ritchie Community League website
Date: July 25
Time: 6:30 PM to 10:30 PM
Location: Ritchie Community League
Cost: Not listed
Low-key neighbourhood hangout, the kind of night where you actually run into people you know.
→ Tickets / Info: https://www.ritchie-league.com/
🎉 Tyler Shaw concert
Source: Songkick
Date: July 23
Time: Not listed
Location: Sir Winston Churchill Square
Cost: Not listed
A free-ish downtown show right in the square, easy to swing by after work.
→ Tickets / Info: https://www.songkick.com/metro-areas/27362-canada-edmonton
🎉 94fatso / Two Young
Source: Songkick
Date: July 23
Time: Not listed
Location: Starlite Room
Cost: Not listed
Club show at the Starlite for anyone wanting something a little heavier than the outdoor stuff.
→ Tickets / Info: https://www.songkick.com/metro-areas/27362-canada-edmonton
🎉 Absolute Losers
Source: Songkick
Date: July 23
Time: Not listed
Location: The Starlite Room, Temple
Cost: Not listed
Same night, different room at the Starlite complex, worth checking if the main stage show isn't your thing.
→ Tickets / Info: https://www.songkick.com/metro-areas/27362-canada-edmonton
🍽 New In Edmonton
Neighbourhood: Sir Winston Churchill Square
Opening: July 16 to July 26
Price: 2-4 tickets per dish
Over 96 new dishes hit the festival this year, and a couple stand out. Hong Kong Bakery's doing garlic butter prawn spring rolls, and Love Catering Kitchen brought shrimp gyoza into the mix. If you went last year, this is reason enough to go back.
→ More info: https://dailyhive.com/edmonton/taste-of-edmonton-menu-2026
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That's it for today. Take care of yourself out there, and take care of someone else while you're at it.
See you Friday!
