Image Credit: Flying Canoe Volant, Banff Lake Louise SnowDays
Winter in Alberta brings crisp air, snow-covered landscapes, and a host of festive events to enjoy. From ice sculptures and light displays to dog sledding and snowshoeing, there is something for everyone to experience during the winter months. Whether you’re a local looking for a new way to celebrate the season, or a visitor seeking a unique adventure, Alberta’s winter festivals offer a range of activities and entertainment to suit all interests.
Alberta is always bumpin’ with different festivals throughout the year, and winter is no different! Save this list and start planning your winter festival tour.
When: Jan 13 -29, 2023
Location: Various locations in Jasper
Warm your toes and your heart at Jasper in January! Events include a pond hockey tournament, poutine showdown, street party, fireworks, wine o’clock, brewery tours, and more!
When: Jan 27 – Feb 12, 2023
Location: Various locations in Calgary
Everything from live music to sporting events to light and art installations to cultural experiences to night markets, there is going to be something for everyone
When: Jan 18 -29, 2023
Location: Various locations
Experience Banff and Lake Louise coming alive this winter for Snow Days! There will be art galleries, giant snow sculptures, skijoring, dog sledding, skating, sleigh rides, and so much more to do and see!
When: Jan 25 – 29, 2023
Location: Various locations
Arts, music, and local beer all come together to make the BIG Winter Classic! A four-day winter wonderland weekend full of good times and dancing!
When: Jan 27- 28, 2023
Location: Various locations, Red Deer
Kick the January blues to the curb with the Cold Front Music fest! Venues include Velvet Olive, The Vat & Bo’s.
Festival passes to get into all venues are only $55
When: Feb 18 -20, 2023
Location: Alberta Beach, Lac St. Anne
This high-speed event is a fun-filled weekend event dedicated to all things motorized, and non-motorized. Snowmobiles are the main event, but there is also an ATV rally, broom ball, over-the-line softball, ice breaker, hay rides, food vendors, and more!
When: Jan 21 -22, 2023
Location: Alberta Avenue, 118 AVE, 90 – 94 Street, Edmonton
Deep Freeze Festival celebrates Ukrainian, French Canadian, Franco-African, Indigenous (Métis, Inuit, Cree), Latin American, and Asian cultures through light installations, ice sculptures, cultural stories, street hockey, and annual Deep Freezer races, and more.
When: Feb 1-4, 2023
Location: Edmonton, Location Schedule
Inspired by the legend of The Flying Canoe and French Canadian, First Nations and Métis traditions, this event celebrate Edmonton’s beautiful Mill Creek Ravine and the French Quarter.
When: Feb 10- 20, 2023
Location: William Hawrelak Park, 9930 Groat Road, Edmonton
The Silver Skate Festival is the longest-running winter festival in Edmonton! Skate the massive pond, marvel at the artistic displays, sample culinary delights, and be in awe of the amazing fire sculptures.
When: Feb 18- 20, 2023
Location: Various Venues, Cold Lake
This winter festival is true to the Alberta North! Enjoy pond hockey, s’mores, cold plunges, winter carnival, sleigh rides, ice games, an ice bar, and more!
There are so many amazing things to do in Alberta in the winter! From the winter festivals to skiing, tubing, snowboarding, going on winter hikes, ice climbing, and so much more, there is always a fun winter date around the corner!
Looking for more things to do in Alberta this winter? The Beauty and the Beast Cocktail Experience Is Coming to Calgary This March
