Big openings to big losses: Top 10 Edmonton stories of 2025
This year was full of twists, turns, and the unexpected, and here in Edmonton, that was no exception.
From Stanley Cup Final heartbreak to fairytale weddings to new bridges, music venues, and shifts in the food scene, these are the top 10 stories that got Edmontonians talking in 2025.
The cost of living alone in 2025 in Edmonton
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Life sure was expensive in 2025, and a report highlighting the cost of living in Edmonton this fall showed just how much it takes to live alone in the city. With rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, and going out added up, a single person would need around $2,900 a month, leaving only a little extra on top of the city’s average income.
Leon Draisaitl and Celeste Desjardins’ wedding weekend in the South of France
@celestedesjardins/Instagram
Edmontonians couldn’t get enough of Oilers captain Connor McDavid and Lauren Kyle-McDavid’s magazine-worthy wedding in 2024, so it was no surprise to see teammate Leon Draisaitl and Celeste Desjardins’ fairytale wedding captivate locals in 2025.
The German hockey superstar and his longtime girlfriend tied the knot this summer in the South of France, throwing a weekend-long celebration under clear, sunny skies. And judging by the Instagram photos, it looked like nothing short of a blast. Congrats to the happy couple!
New footbridge opens between Edmonton and Strathcona County
Laine Mitchell/Daily Hive
No matter the season, Edmonton loves its outdoor spaces, so it comes as little shock to see that a long-awaited footbridge linking the City of Edmonton with Strathcona County caused quite a bit of buzz when it finally opened to the public this August.
The new bridge connects 167th Avenue in northeast Edmonton with Township Road 540 in Strathcona County, forming a more thank 100 kilometre-long continuous trail from Leduc and Devon to Fort Saskatchewan via the Great Trail of Canada and the Amisk Wacîw Mêskanaw (Beaver Hill Road Trail).
Dave Chappelle gets heckled in Edmonton
Laine Mitchell/Daily Hive | Arash Ghadishah/Shutterstock
Dave Chappelle rolled into Edmonton in early December on his Pacific Northwest tour, and it did not go smoothly. Between audio issues, sweltering heat, and hecklers, fans said the whole experience “wrecked” their night. Someone apparently heckled Dave with “Edmonton has the best coffee shops in the world,” according to local Instagram meme superstar @yego.death, which is the most hilariously Edmonton heckle we’ve ever (allegedly) heard.
Union Hall shuts down to make way for The Pawn Shop
PeopleImages/Shutterstock
After 22 years as a mainstay of Edmonton’s live music scene, Union Hall is closing its doors on Jan. 3, 2026. But fans won’t be left without a stage for long; the closure paves the way for the return of Pawn Shop Live, the iconic Whyte Avenue venue that initially shut down in 2015. The new space promises shows ranging from 300 to 1,250 attendees, aiming to “support Edmonton’s music community with a stage that grows with it.” Union Hall’s final show will be a free event on Jan. 2 featuring DJ Borgeous.
Lauren Kyle opens Bar Trove
@bartroveca/Instagram
Edmonton saw more of Lauren Kyle McDavid in 2025 than ever before. The wife of Oilers captain Connor McDavid launched multiple ventures this year, including her interior design business and a new apparel line, Sports Club Atelier. She also opened the doors to her latest project in June: Trove Living and Bar Trove, a furniture and design shop with an intimate, 40-seat bar inspired by Parisian cafes and London lounges, serving upscale bites like caviar chicken nuggets and wagyu skewers. She says the new ventures aim to combine timeless design with warm, modern hospitality.
Coronation Sports Park and Recreation Centre nears completion
City of Edmonton
Edmonton’s long-awaited Coronation Park Sports and Recreation Centre will open its doors on Jan. 27, 2026. The $153.4-million, copper-clad facility includes a fitness centre, training studio, walking and running track, indoor bouldering wall, multi-purpose courts, and a 250-metre Category A indoor cycling track with seating for 940 spectators. It also links to the newly renovated Peter Hemingway Aquatic Centre, creating North America’s first indoor triathlon training facility. Construction began in 2022 and ran ahead of schedule and under budget.
Continental Treat Fine Bistro closes its Whyte Avenue location after 43 years
@continentaltreat/Instagram
After more than 40 years on both Jasper and Whyte Avenue, Continental Treat Fine Bistro relocated to the German Canadian Cultural Association building on Edmonton’s south side this fall. Despite financial challenges and the abrupt closures this year, the family-owned restaurant says it continues its European cuisine legacy, with much of its staff returning to the new space.
Everything about the Edmonton Oilers
Jim Rassol/Imagn Images
The Edmonton Oilers made it back to the Stanley Cup Final in 2025, and Edmontonians were glued to every moment of it. While the team ultimately lost in six games, Zach Hyman‘s injury and Evander Kane’s LTIR status shaped the team’s playoff run, while huge trades and the sky-high ticket prices had people buzzing.
Ciara Yaschuk leaves Global Edmonton
JHVEPhoto/Shutterstock | Ciara Yaschuk/Facebook
Lastly, Edmontonians were gutted when weather specialist Ciara Yaschuk announced her departure from Global Edmonton in early October, after more than seven years with the station. She explained that industry changes had reduced the number of available positions. Yaschuk, who became the morning weather expert in 2023, thanked viewers for their support and described her team as “family,” calling the next chapter scary but full of promise.
So there you have it! It’s certainly been a year full of unexpected twists and turns, but there was plenty to talk about in Edmonton in 2025.