Rather read from our website? Click here

Hey Edmonton!

It is Thursday!

The weekend is coming, but before we check out the events section, we have an important update on the looming teacher strike..

Lets get to it!

Alberta is on the brink of a historic province-wide teacher strike that could shutter schools for 700,000 students as early as October 6.

The potential job action follows the overwhelming rejection of a proposed contract by the Alberta Teachers' Association (ATA), with 89.5 percent of members voting against the deal.

In a controversial move, Premier Danielle Smith’s government announced it will pay parents $150 per week for each child 12 and under if the strike proceeds.

These payments will be funded by money saved from striking teachers' unpaid salaries.

ATA president Jason Schilling called the plan disrespectful, saying the government would rather pay parents to wait out a strike than pay teachers to prevent one.

Educators argue the core issues remain unresolved: lagging pay, ballooning class sizes, and inadequate support for students with complex needs.

With no new talks scheduled, families across Alberta face deep uncertainty.

1. Outdoor and Nature

City of Edmonton Play Rangers: Join Play Rangers for children and family participation with planned special outdoor recreation activities that can be enjoyed by all. Experience Edmonton's beautiful river valley and parks through structured outdoor fun.

Date: Saturday, October 4, 2025, 1:00 PM Location: Whitemud Park Cost: Free admission Click for details

River Valley Trail Exploration: Take advantage of Edmonton's massive urban park system with over 160 kilometres of maintained pathways and 20 major parks. Perfect for hiking, biking, or leisurely walks during beautiful fall weather.

Date: October 3-5, 2025 (All weekend) Location: North Saskatchewan River Valley Cost: Free admission Click for details

Elk Island National Park Fall Visit: Experience Alberta's wildlife including bison herds, hiking trails, and stargazing opportunities just 45 minutes from Edmonton. Perfect for fall colors and photography.

Date: October 3-5, 2025 (All weekend) Location: 54401 Range Road 203, Fort Saskatchewan Cost: Parks Canada pass required Click for details

Harvest Gathering at Greenland Garden Centre: A fun outdoor event for the whole family featuring hayrides, marshmallow roast, corn on the cob and more fall activities celebrating the season.

Date: Sunday, October 5, 2025, 1:00 PM Location: Greenland Garden Centre Cost: Free admission Click for details

Edmonton Corn Maze: Get lost in a cornfield with friends and family at the Edmonton Corn Maze, featuring a brand-new design for the 2025 season.

Date: October 3-5, 2025 (Open through October 27) Location: 26171 Garden Valley Rd., Spruce Grove Cost: Varies by date Click for details

2. Food and Drink

Harvest Festival at Currents of Windermere: Celebrate fall with free family fun including petting zoo, games, treats, and prizes in a community festival atmosphere. Date: Saturday, October 4, 2025, 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM Location: Currents of Windermere Cost: Free admission Click for details

Bountiful Farmers Market: Wide variety of fresh local goods including vegetables, meat, coffee roasters, beer and wine, plus ethnic food hall and live entertainment. Date: Friday-Sunday, October 3-5, 2025 Location: 3696 97th St. NW Cost: Free admission Click for details

Kidzone at Callingwood - Cupcake Decorating: Bring the kids for a free cupcake decorating activity with Lil Bites Baking at the market. Date: Sunday, October 5, 2025, 11:00 AM Location: Callingwood Market Cost: Free admission Click for details

Streetcar Cask Series: Unique beer experience combining Edmonton's historic streetcars with rotating Alberta breweries showcasing exclusive brews available only on board. Date: Thursday evenings (continuing through October) Location: 10910 100th Ave. NW, Edmonton Cost: $63.10 Click for details

Smoky Lake Great White North Pumpkin Fair: All-day festival featuring giant pumpkin weigh-offs, local food vendors, and the famous Pumpkin DROP event. Date: Saturday, October 4, 2025 (All day) Location: Smoky Lake Cost: Admission fee applies Click for details

3. Shows & Entertainment 📺

Dark at Fort Edmonton Park: Edmonton's largest Halloween festival returns for its eighth year, transforming Fort Edmonton Park into the city's most extensive haunted experience with multiple haunts and spooky entertainment. Date: October 3 - November 1, 2025 Location: Fort Edmonton Park, 7000 143rd St. NW Cost: $50 Click for details

Edmonton International Film Festival: Enjoy the best in short and feature-length cinema with films from around the world at various Edmonton theatres. Date: September 25 - October 4, 2025 Location: Various theatres in Edmonton Cost: Varies by screening Click for details

Hocus Pocus Outdoor Movie: Family-friendly outdoor screening of the Halloween classic in Blatchford's Littlewood Park, with complimentary drinks and home tours available. Date: Friday, October 3, 2025, 4:30 PM Location: Littlewood Park, Blatchford Cost: Free admission Click for details

Life of Pi at Citadel Theatre: Breathtaking theatrical adaptation following Pi Patel's survival story with a Royal Bengal tiger, showcasing resilience and the human spirit. Date: September 13 - October 5, 2025 Location: Citadel Theatre, 9828 101A Ave. NW Cost: Varies Click for details

Pinocchio Musical: Alberta Musical Theatre Company's award-winning musical adaptation of the classic fairy tale, featuring magnificent adventures across Italy. Date: Sunday, October 5, 2025, 2:30 PM Location: Theatre Network venue Cost: Ticket prices vary Click for details

4. Arts, Crafts & Culture 🎭

Fleurs de Villes Artiste at Muttart Conservatory: Curated collection of 15 unique floral art installations featuring mannequins adorned with elaborate flower arrangements in the conservatory's iconic pyramids. Date: September 26 - October 5, 2025 Location: Muttart Conservatory Cost: Regular conservatory admission Click for details

VASA Annual Silent Art Auction: Student and faculty artwork showcase at the University of Alberta's FAB Gallery featuring "Homegrown" theme with silent auction format. Date: October 3, 2025, 11 AM-2 PM & 4-8 PM Location: University of Alberta FAB Gallery Cost: Free admission Click for details

Art Gallery of Alberta: Edmonton's premier art destination featuring rotating exhibitions, workshops, and cultural events in the heart of downtown. Date: October 3-5, 2025 (Open Thursday-Sunday) Location: 2 Sir Winston Churchill Sq. NW Cost: $13.33 adult admission Click for details

Royal Alberta Museum: Vast collections including archaeology, Indigenous studies, and Earth and Life Sciences, perfect for cultural exploration and learning. Date: October 3-5, 2025 Location: 9810 103A Ave. NW Cost: $10-$21 Click for details

RONA Kids Workshop - Halloween Lantern: Children's craft workshop to build and paint bat-shaped lanterns with expert guidance and creative activities. Date: Saturday, October 4, 2025, 10:00 AM Location: Participating RONA stores Cost: Free admission Click for details

Read with an RCMP at Strathcona County Library: Special storytime session for kids of all ages featuring RCMP officers reading stories and community engagement. Date: Friday, October 3, 2025, 10:00 AM Location: Strathcona County Library Cost: Free admission Click for details

LEGO Controller Make & Take at Mastermind Toys: Hands-on building activity for kids to create and take home their own LEGO gaming controller creations. Date: Saturday, October 4, 2025, 11:00 AM Location: Mastermind Toys Cost: Free admission Click for details

Integra Haunted Tire Shop: Family-friendly haunted experience in Fort Saskatchewan for ages 12+ with activities for younger kids, supporting the local food bank. Date: Saturday, October 4, 2025, 2:00 PM Location: Integra Tire, Fort Saskatchewan Cost: Food bank donation requested Click for details

Kiwi's Haunted House: Annual family-friendly Halloween experience featuring transformed trail system and growing house for spooky seasonal fun. Date: Sunday, October 5, 2025, 5:30 PM - 9:30 PM Location: Kiwi Nurseries Cost: Admission fee applies Click for details

Telus World of Science: Interactive science exhibits, IMAX theatre shows, and hands-on learning experiences perfect for curious minds of all ages. Date: October 3-5, 2025 Location: 11211 142nd St. NW Cost: Varies by experience Click for details

Blues on Whyte: Edmonton's iconic venue in Old Strathcona featuring funk and soul music with open mic nights and live performances. Date: October 3-5, 2025 (Check schedule) Location: Old Strathcona Cost: Varies by event Click for details

On The Rocks: Edmonton's premium live music and party venue offering great food, drink specials, and entertainment throughout the week. Date: October 3-5, 2025 Location: On The Rocks venue Cost: Varies by event Click for details

Salsa in the Square: Fall 2025 edition bringing five weeks of Latin dance and community celebration to downtown Edmonton's Churchill Square. Date: October 1-4, 2025 Location: Churchill Square Cost: Free admission Click for details

Various Downtown Bars and Clubs: Edmonton's vibrant nightlife scene in downtown and Old Strathcona districts with multiple venues offering different music genres and atmospheres. Date: October 3-5, 2025 Location: Various downtown locations Cost: Varies by venue Click for details

Scream Halloween Event (Preview): Canada's largest Halloween dance event featuring immersive experiences, live performers, and world-class DJs (main event October 31). Date: Preview events October 3-5 Location: Edmonton Expo Centre Cost: Varies Click for details

Golden Bears Hockey vs Trinity Western: University of Alberta Golden Bears hockey game featuring competitive university-level hockey action. Date: October 3, 2025, 7:00 PM Location: Clare Drake Arena, Edmonton Cost: Ticket prices vary Click for details

Canadian Finals Rodeo (CFR): Elite rodeo athletes competing for $1.65 million in prize money with heart-pounding Western action and Alberta heritage celebration. Date: October 1-4, 2025 Location: Rogers Place, 10220 104th Ave. NW Cost: Starting at $54.23 Click for details

Edmonton Oilers NHL Games: Professional hockey action at Rogers Place as the Oilers kick off their regular season with home games throughout October. Date: Check NHL schedule for October 3-5 Location: Rogers Place, 10220 104th Ave. NW Cost: Varies Click for details

Edmonton Elks Football: CFL football action at Commonwealth Stadium with affordable ticket prices and exciting game-day atmosphere. Date: Check schedule for October games Location: Commonwealth Stadium, 11000 Stadium Rd. NW Cost: Starting at $19 Click for details

Sport Card & Memorabilia Expo: Canada's largest sports collectibles show featuring autograph sessions with hockey, football, and baseball personalities. Date: October 3-5, 2025 Location: Millennium Place Cost: Admission fee applies Click for details

Friday MINGLE for Widows & Widowers: Social meetup for widows and widowers to connect and share experiences in a supportive community environment. Date: Friday, October 3, 2025, 6:59 PM Location: Check Meetup page for venue Cost: Free or minimal cost Click for details

Mega Meetup Monday: Large networking event bringing together various Edmonton meetup groups for professional and social connections. Date: Monday, October 6, 2025, 6:00 PM - 8:30 PM Location: Check event details Cost: Free admission Click for details

Edmonton .NET User Group: Professional development meetup for IT professionals and developers using Microsoft .NET Framework technologies. Date: Check schedule for October events Location: Various tech venues Cost: Free admission Click for details

General Meetup Events: Various social, networking, and hobby-based meetups available through Meetup.com covering diverse interests and age groups. Date: October 3-5, 2025 Location: Various venues throughout Edmonton Cost: Varies by group Click for details

Small Business Networking: Networking opportunities for small business owners to connect, share resources, and offer mutual support. Date: Check schedules for weekend events Location: Various business venues Cost: Varies Click for details

Chop Steakhouse & Bar (Downtown & West): Premium steakhouse offering happy hour specials on cocktails, wine, and appetizers in upscale downtown and west Edmonton locations. Date: October 3-5, 2025 (Check daily times) Location: Downtown and West Edmonton locations Cost: Happy hour pricing varies Click for details

Añejo Restaurant: Daily happy hour featuring $4 classic tacos and half-price tequila and mezcal, including top shelf selections. Date: October 3-5, 2025 (Daily, twice per day) Location: Añejo Restaurant locations Cost: Happy hour pricing Click for details

XIX Nineteen Lounge: Premium happy hour available in the lounge area with extensive food and drink specials in an upscale atmosphere. Date: October 3-5, 2025 (Check lounge times) Location: XIX Nineteen venue Cost: Happy hour pricing Click for details

Various Edmonton Establishments: Over 30 Edmonton locations offering happy hour specials Monday through Sunday with beer, wine, and cocktail discounts. Date: October 3-5, 2025 Location: Throughout Edmonton Cost: $4-$10 for most happy hour items Click for details

Cactus Club Cafe: Extensive happy hour menu with food and drink specials in a casual dining atmosphere. Date: October 3-5, 2025 (Check daily times) Location: Various Edmonton locations Cost: Happy hour pricing Click for details

A Guide to Unforgettable Adventures

Grandpa Joke Of The Day

Why did the Edmonton Oilers go to therapy?

Because they had issues with being unable to score!

Finally, this newsletter stays free thanks to local support. If ever you want to support our work with a small donation, click this LINK to do so. If you are a business who wishes to sponsor, just hit 'Reply' and let us know.

Thank you!