StreetFest, storms and a $4.6B power play

Hi Edmonton,

Friday looks decent enough, but Saturday may get dramatic with thunderstorms in the mix. Inside today, we’ve got a major power project north of the city, the $100 rebate rush, and a very full weekend downtown.

The one I’d flag to a friend: StreetFest is back in Churchill Square. That always makes downtown feel a little more alive.

— The Edmonton Edit

⚡ Quick Hits

Friday should be fairly comfortable, with a high around 23 C after a possible morning shower.

Saturday is the one to watch. It’s still warm, but thunderstorms are possible, so don’t trust the sky too much if you’re heading to an outdoor event.

Sunday cools down a bit to around 20 C, with a chance of afternoon showers.

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A major power project is moving ahead in Sturgeon County, just north of Edmonton. The Greenlight Electricity Centre is tied to growing demand from data centres and AI.

The project is being led by Pembina Pipeline, Morgan Stanley Infrastructure Partners and Kineticor Asset Management. It’s planned as a 932 MW natural-gas-fired combined-cycle power facility in Alberta’s Industrial Heartland.

The estimated total cost is about $4.6 billion, including financing costs. Aecon says its consortium has been awarded a multibillion-dollar contract, with Aecon’s share valued at about $1.7 billion.

For the Edmonton region, this is a big industrial bet. It touches construction, natural gas, power demand and the AI economy all at once.

The project now moves into construction and delivery planning. It’s expected to enter service in the second half of 2030.

The province’s new one-time $100 Energy Rebate opened this week, and people jumped on it fast. More than 106,000 Albertans applied in just over 24 hours.

The rebate replaces the fuel tax relief program that would have taken effect July 1. It’s meant to help with everyday costs like groceries, fuel and household essentials.

To qualify, Albertans must be 18 or older, live in Alberta, have filed a 2025 tax return and have household income of $225,000 or less. Nearly 3.4 million adults are expected to be eligible.

The rollout was not exactly smooth. The province acknowledged delays and website sign-in issues after the portal opened.

For Edmonton households, this is small money, but real money. Applications stay open until September 30, 2026, and payments are expected about two weeks after an application is received.

The City is accepting 2026 applications for the Affordable Housing Investment Program until July 31. The program helps fund new affordable housing construction and repairs to existing residential units.

The General stream can cover up to 25% of total capital costs. The Indigenous Housing stream can also cover up to 25%, with grants up to 40% considered for eligible Indigenous-led projects.

The City also updated maximum rental rates and income thresholds to match provincial median market rents and income thresholds. For housing providers, this is a real funding window, not just paperwork.

Applicants need to request a required pre-application meeting before submitting.

→ Full announcement on edmonton.ca: https://www.edmonton.ca/programs_services/funding_grants/affordable-housing-investment-program

The City is taking Infill Infrastructure Fund applications on a first-come, first-served basis until July 9, or until the money is gone.

Edmonton is receiving $192 million through the federal Housing Accelerator Fund. The plan supports 13 City policy actions meant to increase housing supply.

The City says the plan is intended to support more than 5,700 extra homes and nearly 36,000 permitted homes by 2026. In March, another $3.9 million was reallocated to prioritize affordable housing projects.

The point is pretty plain: help reduce infrastructure costs for multi-unit and non-market housing in redeveloping areas. Approved projects need a building permit before November 9, 2026.

→ Full announcement on edmonton.ca: https://www.edmonton.ca/programs_services/housing/housing-accelerator-fund

Council received an infrastructure renewal update as the City gets ready for the 2027 to 2030 budget. The City has also set up a Dedicated Renewal Fund reserve.

Edmonton manages about $39 billion in infrastructure, including bridges, roads, rec centres and fire halls. The City says maintenance needs are bigger than the funding available.

That means future budget talks will matter. Taxes, user fees, construction projects and service levels are all tied into this.

Renewal priorities will feed into the proposed 2027 to 2030 budget process.

→ Full announcement on edmonton.ca: https://www.edmonton.ca/city_government/budget-and-finances

🎉 Edmonton International Street Performers Festival 2026
Source: Edmonton International Street Performers Festival
Date: July 3 to July 12
Time: July 3: 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.; July 4 to 11: 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.; July 12: 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Location: Sir Winston Churchill Square
Cost: Free admission; pass-the-hat donations
StreetFest is back downtown with ten days of roving acts, family programming and the kind of weird little moments Churchill Square is built for. Good one if you want to wander without overplanning.
→ Tickets / Info: https://edmontonstreetfest.com/

🎉 Freewill Shakespeare Festival: Something Rotten!
Source: Freewill Shakespeare Festival
Date: July 1 to July 12
Time: Tuesdays to Saturdays at 7:30 p.m.; Saturdays and Sundays at 1:30 p.m.
Location: Heritage Amphitheatre, Hawrelak Park
Cost: Adults $50; students/seniors $40; children under 12 free; Pay-What-You-Will Tuesday evenings and Saturday matinees
Freewill is doing Something Rotten! at Hawrelak, which gives the summer theatre crowd something a little louder than quiet park vibes. The Pay-What-You-Will shows are worth noting if you want a lower-cost night out.
→ Tickets / Info: https://www.freewillshakespeare.com/something-rotten

🎉 Lee Harris: The Oneness Experience
Source: Citadel Theatre
Date: July 4
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Location: Citadel Theatre
Cost: $80 to $120
This is a three-hour evening with channeling, music and personal-development teaching. It’s a fit for the spiritual-growth crowd, especially if that’s already your lane.
→ Tickets / Info: https://secure.citadeltheatre.com/10736?z=0

🎉 Europa Super Circus
Source: Europa Super Circus
Date: July 2 to July 5
Time: July 3: 4:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; July 4: 1:30 p.m., 4:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; July 5: 1:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.
Location: Under the Big Top, Londonderry Mall
Cost: Tickets begin at $25 per child and $35 per adult; online flash-sale tickets listed from $20 for selected shows
The big-top circus is set up at Londonderry Mall for a short Edmonton run. This is the kind of thing kids remember, and parents remember mostly through parking logistics.
→ Tickets / Info: https://supercircus.com/tickets/

🎉 Seeyousoon with A Recorded Dawn, Epitaph Plain, Sumptorium and The Art of Moving Forward
Source: The Aviary / Showpass
Date: July 3
Time: Doors 7:30 p.m.
Location: The Aviary
Cost: $15 advance; $20 at the door
The Aviary has a stacked local-heavy screamo and heavy music bill Friday night. If you like your weekend loud and close to the stage, this is the one.
→ Tickets / Info: https://www.showpass.com/seeyousoonaviary2/

🎉 Autonomous Apes with Pails//Buckets, Drive Inn and Live A Life
Source: The Aviary / Showpass
Date: July 4
Time: Doors 7:30 p.m.
Location: The Aviary
Cost: $15 advance; $20 at the door
Saturday night at The Aviary brings another indie and heavy local lineup. Good pick if you want a smaller-room show instead of the bigger festival crowd.
→ Tickets / Info: https://www.showpass.com/autoapesaviary/

🎉 BlackHawk
Source: Midway Music Hall / Ticketmaster
Date: July 3
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Location: Midway Music Hall
Cost: From $53.75
BlackHawk plays Midway on Friday night. Country fans get a rare Edmonton stop, and Midway is usually a straightforward night out.
→ Tickets / Info: https://www.ticketmaster.ca/blackhawk-edmonton-alberta-07-03-2026/event/11006472E813E255

🎉 Candlelight: Tribute to ABBA
Source: Spectaculos
Date: July 3
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Location: Triffo Theatre, MacEwan University
Cost: From $31 CAD
ABBA gets the candlelight string-quartet treatment at the Triffo Theatre. A softer Friday option if you want music without a late night.
→ Tickets / Info: https://spectaculos.ca/spectacle/candlelight-tribute-to-abba-edmonton

🎉 Old Strathcona Farmers’ Market: Market Buds Weekend
Source: Old Strathcona Farmers’ Market
Date: July 4
Time: 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Location: Old Strathcona Farmers’ Market
Cost: Free admission
Old Strathcona Farmers’ Market has its kids-focused Market Buds program this weekend. Easy Saturday morning plan, especially if Whyte Ave is already on your route.
→ Tickets / Info: https://osfm.ca/

🎉 Downtown Farmers’ Market
Source: Edmonton Downtown
Date: July 4
Time: 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Location: 104 Street
Cost: Free admission
The Downtown Farmers’ Market is back on 104 Street with more than 35 vendors. Pair it with a patio nearby and you’ve got a proper July Saturday.
→ Tickets / Info: https://www.edmontondowntown.com/farmersmarket/

🎉 124 Grand Market: Sundays at 102
Source: 124 Grand Market Edmonton
Date: July 5
Time: 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Location: 102 Avenue and 124 Street
Cost: Free admission
124 Grand Market is on Sunday with rotating local vendors. It’s a good low-pressure wander if Saturday gets eaten by errands.
→ Tickets / Info: https://124grandmarket.com/sunday

🎉 Rooting for Rat Creek
Source: City of Edmonton / Root for Trees
Date: July 4
Time: Noon to 3:00 p.m.
Location: Kinnaird Park
Cost: Free
This rescheduled City tree-planting event brings volunteers to Rat Creek. Nice option if you want to do something useful outside, weather permitting.
→ Tickets / Info: https://www.edmonton.ca/city_government/initiatives_innovation/root-for-trees-events

🎉 Horsepower for Hope: Infinite Hope
Source: Horsepower for Hope / Edmonton EXPO Centre
Date: July 4
Time: 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Location: Edmonton EXPO Centre South Parking Lots
Cost: Free
Horsepower for Hope brings a 200-plus car show and shine to the EXPO Centre. It supports the Kids with Cancer Society, which gives the afternoon a little more weight.
→ Tickets / Info: https://horsepowerforhope.ca/

🎉 Summer SON-Sation Family Festival
Source: The Church at South Edmonton
Date: July 5
Time: 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Location: The Church at South Edmonton
Cost: Free
This south-side family festival has music, a foam party, water fun, bouncy castles, games, BBQ and a car show. Very much a “wear shoes you don’t care about” kind of day.
→ Tickets / Info: https://www.thechurchse.com/

🎉 Edmonton Stingers vs. Winnipeg Sea Bears
Source: Edmonton EXPO Centre / Ticketmaster
Date: July 5
Time: 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Location: Edmonton EXPO Centre Arena
Cost: $24 and up
The Stingers host Winnipeg on Sunday afternoon at the EXPO Centre. Solid weekend sports option if you want live basketball without making a whole night of it.
→ Tickets / Info: https://edmontonexpocentre.com/events/edmonton-stingers-vs-winnipeg-sea-bears-july5/

🎉 Fire Station Open House: Station 16 - Mill Woods
Source: City of Edmonton
Date: July 11
Time: Noon to 4:00 p.m.
Location: Station 16 - Mill Woods
Cost: Free
Station 16 in Mill Woods is hosting a fire station open house next weekend. Families can meet firefighters, see the trucks and sneak in a little fire-safety learning.
→ Tickets / Info: https://www.edmonton.ca/programs_services/fire_rescue/open-houses

Dickey’s Barbecue Pit opens at West Edmonton Mall

Dickey’s Barbecue Pit has opened in the West Edmonton Mall food court. It’s a Texas-style barbecue chain, so expect a mall-friendly version of brisket, sliders and quick barbecue plates.

The grand opening was June 26, with opening-day discounts and complimentary sliders for early customers. Listed hours are Monday to Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. and Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

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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 Tuesday!