The Pulse
Jan. 14, 2026

Winterruption is trying new events and bringing in some familiar faces for its sixth annual festival of music, comedy, drag, and more.

"Marketers talk all about 'the story' — what's the story?" festival producer Brent Oliver told Taproot. "Anybody can put on a show, but if there's a bit of a story to it, like a pizza party, a roots-rock brunch, or local promoters having a showcase night, I much prefer that."

Oliver credits his growing marketing savvy and buzz built through event partnerships for record-breaking ticket sales for the 2026 edition, which runs from Jan. 21 to 25 at multiple venues in and near downtown. As of Jan. 10, 70% of festival-pass wristbands had been sold, and 10 individual shows were 50% to 80% sold out.

He has curated some events that go beyond the traditional concert format this year, such as a pizza party in collaboration with Double Lunch Productions and Brotherhood of Plates, where the first 60 guests get a slice of High Dough pizza on Jan. 23. There's also the Wienterruption Warm-Up Lounge at the Downtown Edmonton Community League on Jan. 23 and 24, with hot dogs, beer tastings, pop-up shopping, a photo booth, and a live broadcast from CJSR. The festival has partnered with OEG and the City of Edmonton's winter events program on a free tailgate party at the ICE District Plaza on Jan. 24 ahead of an Oilers home game, headlined by Derina Harvey Band and St. Arnaud.

Creativity for events is key, Oliver said, as many in the entertainment industry are struggling right now. The promoter Live Nation Entertainment Inc. is only thriving because it earns money through subsidiary Ticketmaster's oft-contested fees and concession sales from the venues Live Nation owns. Even when artists like Taylor Swift choose not to work with Live Nation as a tour promoter, many venues have exclusive ticketing contracts with Ticketmaster.

"(Promoters and venues) can't make money in live music unless they have other revenue sources," Oliver said. "The only way that Winterruption can make ends meet is by having this 30% or 40% of our budget cushion from grants."

While Edmonton isn't unique in those challenges, Oliver said, the city struggles to attract touring performers compared to some markets due to its geography and, to a lesser extent, its climate. It's much more cost-effective for bands to tour on the west coast of the United States and Canada, for example, because cities with bigger populations are closer together there. But Oliver works with the Winterruption festivals in Saskatoon and Winnipeg, as well Sled Island in Calgary, to coordinate bookings for tours rather than one-offs. Bands are more enticed to play the frozen Prairies in the winter if they are guaranteed a fee in more than one city, he said.

Still, the cold alone can be an obstacle. "Every year, I get between five and 10 artists, agents, or managers saying, 'I'm not sending my act to Canada in January,'" Oliver said.

• Edmonton Mayor Andrew Knack expressed significant frustration over neighbourhood snow removal, suggesting the city should tow vehicles that ignore a parking ban implemented for residential roads starting Jan. 12. Knack said it's "incredibly infuriating" that parked cars hinder effective clearing, causing delays. While city crews meet directed service levels, Knack said current resources are insufficient. The mayor called for an honest conversation throughout 2026 with Edmontonians about the cost and funding methods for improved snow removal.
• The City of Edmonton is currently accepting submissions for its 2026 Chinatown Vibrancy Fund, allocating $480,000 to revitalize the historic Edmonton neighbourhood. The funding, part of an extension announced in January 2025 that covered both 2025 and 2026, aims to attract visitors and address social disorder and crime. Since its inception in 2024, the fund has supported 28 projects, including Lunar New Year celebrations. Project proposals should focus on economic development, celebration, and safety. Applications close on Feb. 28.
• The City of Edmonton will explore new policies to address derelict commercial properties after a fire damaged an abandoned building next to The Aviary on 111 Avenue. Coun. Ashley Salvador, who spearheaded the 2024 residential derelict tax subclass, advocated for expanding similar measures to non-residential sites citywide. A City report in March is expected to detail options, with implementation for a non-residential subclass expected to take several years.
• Edmonton has experienced a dramatic surge in transit violence, with the Edmonton Police Service reporting that 22% of offenders commit nearly half of the crimes. Transit-related violent crime more than doubled between 2015 and 2024, with physical assaults increasing 260%, CBC reported. While rates peaked in 2023, they have since begun to ease. Mayor Andrew Knack prioritizes warming spaces for the homeless, and Mike Ellis, the minister of public safety for Alberta, supports federal bail reform and provincial funding for 50 additional police officers in Edmonton.
• The City of Edmonton mailed out 2026 property tax assessment notices on Jan. 12. Residential values saw significant increases in areas like Glengarry (15.7%) and Wellington (14.9%). In the non-residential sector, hotels and motels rose 10.3% in value, while downtown offices decreased 3.1%. Property owners can discuss their assessment by calling 311, with unresolved cases potentially going to the assessment review board after March 23. The provincial education levy will be finalized in April.

Here are some events happening today in the Edmonton area.

• One Day Caregiver Conference starting at 8am at Holiday Inn - Gateway Blvd
• Tours for Tots | Everyday Mark-making starting at 10am at Art Gallery of Alberta
• Wahkomatowin 55+ Wellness Program starting at 10am at Edmonton Public Library (Sprucewood)
• Life Skills: Rent Ready Basic Course — Know More, Stress Less starting at 10am at Edmonton Public Library (Abbottsfield - Penny McKee)
• Sweet & Savoury Nalysnyky Cooking Class starting at 5pm at DON'YA Ukraine's Kitchen (Fort Road)
• Edmonton Tech Wednesdays starting at 5:30pm at GRETA Bar YEG
• Films at the Library: The Life of Chuck starting at 6:30pm at Edmonton Public Library (Stanley A. Milner)
• Medicine Hat Tigers vs. Edmonton Oil Kings starting at 7pm at Rogers Place
• Quiet Book Club starting at 7pm at Strathcona County Library
• Olive Reading Series: Annual Students Reading starting at 7pm at Rooster Cafe & Kitchen
• Strong Over Skinny starting at 7pm online
• Landlady starting at 7:30pm at Maclab Centre for the Performing Arts

And here are some upcoming events to keep in mind:

• Jan. 23: Love Pro Wrestling 44: Great Scott! at The Rec Room (South Common)
• Jan. 25: Zine Workshop at Ritchie Community Hall
• Jan. 28: Spring Signals: Birds, Bats, and the Start of a New Aerial Season in Alberta at Horowitz Theatre

Visit the Taproot Edmonton Calendar for many more events in the Edmonton region.

Test your crossword prowess and deploy a little of your Edmonton knowledge. Complete the puzzle.

A few of these answers may turn up from time to time in the Business Roundup. Subscribe for free to stay up to date!