Downtown Spark cancelled after 4 years
Posted April 25, 2025 1:04 pm.
The Edmonton Downtown Business Association (EDBA) says Downtown Spark will be ending after four years.
The EDBA says that the public art festival has been cancelled as Grant funding aimed at COVID economic recovery no longer exists.
Additionally, May, when the festival was happening, was chosen to try and bring more people to the downtown core; however, with the Oilers making it to the playoffs, May has been busier over the past couple of years.
The EDBA also notes there were other reasons for the cancellation of the festival, however, those were not disclosed.
“It’s been an honour and a joy to bring this unique festival to life for Edmontonians and visitors over the past four years,” said Puneeta McBryan, CEO of the Edmonton Downtown Business Association.
“Downtown Spark was born out of a really hard time, but it became something truly magical—a celebration of creativity, boldness, and the spirit of downtown Edmonton. While it’s not easy to say goodbye, we’re incredibly proud of what Spark has presented – from the Root 107 pop-up park in 2021 to the giant inflatable monsters the past few years, and everything in between. And the good news is, we still have so much fun in store for this summer, between the Downtown Farmers Market and the Rice Howard Way Entertainment District.”
Despite the end of Downtown Spark, Edmontonians can still enjoy other festivals throughout the year, including Pride Month, the Great Outdoors Comedy Festival, and the official Edmonton Marathon After Party.
