From May to December, residents and visitors can experience and participate in more than 1,000 events and activities designed to build lasting connections, support local businesses and make downtown more vibrant.
“Downtown’s strength is its people. It is the heart of our city — a place where people come together to live, work, shop, connect and build community,” said Mayor Andrew Knack. “Investing in programs like Turn Up Downtown supports the kind of accessible public spaces, street activity and community experiences that make downtown not only a centre of business and culture, but also a place where people want to spend time, build connections and belong.”
Events and activities
The programming offers a lineup of events beginning with the Rice Howard Way Entertainment District, which will host a Block Party Series featuring a Pride Month kickoff, Meet the Neighbours events and themed socials such as a Summer Street Crawl and a Country Social.
The City is also prioritizing park activities and events in several downtown parks, including Alex Decoteau, Michael Phair, Beaver Hills and the newly opened O-Day’min park. Residents can enjoy a variety of fitness programming, artist-led activities and family-oriented Green Shack programs.
Continued support for the Downtown Farmers’ Market helps ensure the popular weekend staple remains a draw for residents and visitors alike.
To enhance transit vibrancy, the City is partnering with the Edmonton Arts Council to expand LRT activations to twice weekly, bringing live performances and Ridership Appreciation Pop-Ups directly to downtown LRT stations.
Partnering for success
The collaborative programming is the result of strong partnerships with the Edmonton Arts Council, the Edmonton Downtown Business Association and many other local organizations.
“The Edmonton Arts Council's downtown park and LRT programming offers more than fun; it helps bring us together in community for shared experiences, it supports artists and local businesses and increases community safety by drawing and keeping people downtown,” said Renée Williams, Edmonton Arts Council CEO.
The Downtown Community League and its members were also important contributors, sharing perspectives on behalf of residents who live downtown.
"Downtown communities know that a thriving and livable core is built on the personal connections made in our parks and at our local markets and public spaces," said Cheryl Probert, President of the Downtown Edmonton Community League. "This investment in programming along with the Turn Up Downtown campaign not only supports our local economy but creates the conditions for safe and welcoming neighbourhoods that residents will be proud to be part of."
Cohesive, colourful campaign
Edmontonians are invited to “Turn Up Downtown” through a colourful new campaign designed to promote the programming and encourage visitors to explore and support all that the core has to offer. Residents will see "Turn Up Downtown" branding across the city, online and on limited-edition merchandise, supported through the Downtown Action Plan.
The Downtown Action Plan is a five-year plan to strengthen downtown as the heart of the city and a key driver of economic prosperity. It identifies opportunities for the City to support investment and growth downtown, prioritizing it as a vibrant and diverse space that helps build a better Edmonton.
The Downtown Action Plan Fund supports the goals of the Plan, investing up to $3 million in community-led projects in the core. The Fund helps realize the potential of the heart of the city through collaboration with dedicated community partners.
For more information on downtown programming and a full schedule of events and locations, visit edmonton.ca/TurnUpDowntown.
