Festival
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Let your imagination take flight as Edmonton celebrates winter and winter culture with music, art, dance and snowy adventures!
Feeling winter fest fomo? Bookmark these Alberta winter fests
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Snow is melting and geese are returning, and if you didn’t get out to some of Alberta’s winter festivals you might be feeling a little fomo about the season in our rear view. We’re here to fix that!
Here are some winter festivals to put on your calendar and keep on your radar for winter 2024. From Calgary to Edmonton, Jasper to Lac La Biche and beyond, these events grabbed our attention this season, for their big, bombastic winter energy.
Winter Festival of Speed / Lac La Biche, February 2024
Racing cars on frozen ice, sled drags, Canada’s largest (only??) frozen lake air strip, axe throwing, trapping demos, this big northern fest is unique and packs a gear-driven punch.
Watch: get a taste of the WFOS 2023 event
Grande North Winter Fest / Grande Prairie, January 2024
With DJ skating parties, concerts, ice carving and outdoor fun in the snow, this fest celebrates northern winter culture in Alberta. Year three is bound to be big!
Grande North features a top-notch ice carving competition.
Jasper in January / Jasper, January 2024
Over 30 years of J in J, this festival is rooted in the community. Two weeks of discounts on skiing and hotels, with foodie events, races, sleigh rides and street hockey, all culminating in the ever-popular street party.
This fest has made January the place to be in AB in January.
Jasper the Bear greets skiers at Marmot Basin during Jasper in January.
Snow Days / Banff, January 2024
Not to be outdone, Banff’s Snow Days brought skijoing back in a big way in winter 2022-23, one of many events that filled the streets of this beloved mountain town.
Chinook Blast / Calgary, January 2024
Don’t look now, but Calgary’s own weeks-long winter fest is giving the Rockies a run for their money. Music, arts and outdoors combine for two weeks of winter fun around the city.
Read up on the fat biking events in this story by Tyler Dixon.
Photo:
Duncan Milne
Fat bike trails near Shaganappi in Calgary were part of the fat bike demo rides at Chinook Blast in 2023.
YEG IceFest / Edmonton, February 2024
Edmonton is known for its festival scene, particularly its popular slate of unique winter celebrations that includes Luminaria, Deep Freeze, Flying Canoë Volant and Silver Skate Festival. All are worthy adds to your season plans (okay we cheated a bit here but how could we pick just one?).
Ice climbers race up the YEG ACC Icewall in Edmonton during YEG IceFest.
However, YEG IceFest is a new and noteworthy addition to the seasonal calendar. The event is built around activities at the Edmonton Ski Club, and the Alpine Club icewall, a man–made icewall that stands about 10 metres high.
Climbing, skiing, fat biking, music and food, and introductory courses to get you comfortable in each; you can read more in our story on the fest here.
It can feel like forever during a -35C cold snap in February, but winter can fly by if you’re not ready for it. Add these winter festivals to your list for 2024 and be ready when the snow falls.
More Winter Festivals
Get ready for winter 2023-24, read up on some of the big Alberta winter festivals and start planning.
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