10 things to look forward to in Edmonton in 2026

Edmonton is gearing up for an exciting year in 2026, with new attractions, events, and plenty of reasons to get out and explore the city. From world-class music and festivals to new (and old) parks, recreation spaces, and unique dining experiences, there’s something for everyone.

From reopenings to revivals and so much more, here are 10 things to get excited about in Edmonton in 2026.

Coronation Park Sports and Recreation Centre

The highly anticipated Coronation Park Sports and Recreation Centre is opening on Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026. The modern, copper-clad facility, which connects to the newly upgraded Peter Hemingway Aquatic Centre, includes a 333-metre running track, a 50-metre pool, indoor courts, a bouldering wall, a one-of-a-kind urban court, a fitness centre, training studios, functional training spaces, an indoor playground, a cycling track and more. With its pool, running track and cycling track, Coronation Park will be the first indoor triathlon training centre in North America.

You might also like:
• Alberta forecast to face HUGE temperature swings to end 2025
• A new Edmonton Public Library branch just opened and it’s packed with features
• 5 concerts we can't wait to see in Edmonton this January

Ice Castles return

After a five-year hiatus, the Edmonton Ice Castles are finally coming back this January. This time around, the frozen attraction will be set up at Fan Park in the ICE District, instead of its usual spot in Hawrelak Park. The Ice Castles haven’t been built in Edmonton since the 2019 season after the pandemic forced the 2020 edition to be cancelled, and the city’s been missing out ever since. In 2026, you can once again bundle up, race down shimmering ice slides, crawl through frozen tunnels, and wander through icy arches that feel straight out of a fairy tale.

William Hawrelak Park reopens

Edmontonians have been patiently waiting for Hawrelak Park to reopen ever since the massive river valley space closed for rehabilitation in March 2023. While it won’t be ready in time for the return of the Ice Castles, the park is expected to reopen in early 2026.

The rehabilitation project was launched to address aging infrastructure and prepare the park for future use, with upgrades spanning utilities, transportation, open spaces and facilities. Much of the infrastructure dates back to the park’s original 1967 opening and has reached the end of its lifespan.

During the closure, several beloved festivals, including the Silver Skate Festival, Heritage Festival, Freewill Shakespeare Festival and the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra’s outdoor concert series, were temporarily relocated, and we can’t wait to see them return home!

Roundhouse Park at Station Lands opens

2025 was a big year for downtown revitalization, with the opening of O-day’min Park and the reopening of Beaver Hills House Park. In Spring 2026, Roundhouse Park at Station Lands is also set to open to the public. Designed as the central public space for the Station Lands development near 101st Street and 10th5 Avenue, the park is transforming a former train yard into a people-first plaza.

Edmonton Bike Park opens

Queen Elizabeth Park will soon be home to the Edmonton Bike Park, a first-of-its-kind facility designed to provide a dedicated and safe space for riders to build their skills on flow trails, jump lines and skills areas. According to the most recent update, the design draws on lessons from successful bike parks across North America, including Whistler, Moab and Bentonville, as well as several Alberta communities such as Hinton, Nordegg, Canmore, Valemount and Grande Prairie. The park is expected to open in Spring or Summer 2026.

Exhibition Lands Urban Farm opens

Edmonton is getting a new Urban Farm next to Borden Park, set to open in 2026. The project, led by Sureway Construction Group Ltd., is a collaboration with Explore Edmonton Corporation and the city’s urban farming community. “The Urban Farm will be a valuable part of Edmonton’s agricultural community and will remain a part of the Exhibition Lands as the site continues to develop,” the City of Edmonton says.

Gordon Ramsay’s Hell’s Kitchen opens at River Cree

In a first for Canada, Gordon Ramsay’s Hell’s Kitchen is coming to the River Cree Resort and Casino, with an opening expected in early 2026.

Based on the hit TV series where chefs compete in red and blue teams through high-pressure dinner services and eliminations, Hell’s Kitchen restaurants offer a dining experience that makes guests feel like they are on set.

The River Cree menu has not yet been announced, but the restaurant is known for dishes such as Beef Wellington, pan-seared scallops, lobster risotto and sticky toffee pudding. The opening comes as the resort undergoes a $200-million expansion set to be completed in 2027.

Edmonton will host Boots and Hearts West on Aug. 28 and 29, 2026, at Fan Park in the ICE District. Republic Live, the company behind the long-running Ontario festival, is partnering with OEG Sports & Entertainment to bring the event to the city for the first time. Platinum-selling Russell Dickerson will perform on Friday night, and Grammy-nominated Shaboozey will close out Saturday. Organizers say more performers will be announced closer to the festival.

Pawn Shop Live reopens after more than a decade

A popular South Edmonton music venue is closing at the start of the new year, but live music fans have something to look forward to. Union Hall is shutting down to make way for Pawn Shop Live, the Whyte Avenue venue that initially closed in 2015 at 10551 82nd Ave. The venue is officially returning with a new space designed to host everything from 300-person shows to concerts with up to 1,250 attendees, organizers say.

Major concert dates already announced

It’s shaping up to be a big year for concerts and music generally in Edmonton, with some major names coming to town in 2026. In addition to the headliners announced for the Boots and Hearts festival, acts such as AC/DC, the Goo Goo Dolls, and a Rush double-header are all confirmed for the city next year.