The first moments of 2026 in Edmonton were marked by a joyful and timely new arrival. The city's inaugural newborn of the year made his entrance into the world just three minutes after midnight.
A Timely Arrival for Edmonton's Newest Resident
A baby boy was born at precisely 12:03 a.m. on January 1, 2026, at the Grey Nuns Community Hospital. The proud parents are Stephanie Fernandez and Elrick Obligar, as confirmed by Alberta Health Services in a news release issued on Thursday. At the time of the announcement, the young family had not yet chosen a name for their son.
The newborn weighed a healthy six pounds and four ounces. His prompt arrival set the tone for a year of new beginnings in the Alberta capital, representing one of the province's first new citizens of 2026.
A Shared Moment Across Alberta
In a remarkable coincidence, the city of Calgary welcomed its own first baby of the year at the exact same minute. Theodore Stewart was born at 12:03 a.m. at the South Health Campus hospital to parents Sara and Sebastian Stewart. Baby Theodore tipped the scales at a robust eight pounds and six ounces.
Alberta Health Services extended warm congratulations to all families celebrating new additions on the first day of the year. "We offer our congratulations to all those families who welcome new additions on the first day of 2026 and welcome these brand-new Albertans to the world," the health authority stated in its release.
Celebrating New Life and Community
The births at Grey Nuns in Edmonton and South Health Campus in Calgary highlight the around-the-clock dedication of healthcare workers during the holiday period. These first babies of the year are traditionally celebrated as symbolic harbingers of hope and renewal for their communities.
While the Edmonton boy's name remains a private family matter for now, his status as the city's first 2026 newborn is a public celebration of life and a shared moment of joy for Edmontonians. The simultaneous births in Alberta's two major cities create a unique and heartwarming link to start the new year.
