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It’s not often a weekend in Edmonton goes by without some kind of festival or event on the calendar. It’s known as Canada’s Festival City, after all. More than 50 festivals take place in Alberta’s capital city every year, and the fun doesn’t slow down even when the snow falls.
Here's a guide to some of the can’t-miss winter festivals in Edmonton.
Check the festival websites to find out this year’s dates.
For a tranquil escape
Step into a winter oasis. Give yourself a reprieve from the hustle and bustle of the holiday season to visit the University of Alberta Botanic Gardens in Devon and experience Luminaria. The Kurimoto Japanese Garden (which you need to experience in the summer, too) becomes a tranquil scene filled with candlelit pathways, dazzling ice sculptures and music. Get cozy by the toasty bonfire, warm drink in hand, and relax. Experience this setting from late November to early January.
For a million twinkling lights
Christmas Glow is the place for an extended epic light display during from late November to early January. The family-friendly festival is alight with towering light gardens and all kinds of fun glowing activities for all ages. Check out the artisan market to tick some gift-giving off your list. And don’t miss out on the live entertainment.
For those who can’t get enough Christmas
Need a dose of Christmas cheer? The Festival of Trees, for three days in early December, will get you in the holiday spirit. This is one of the city’s favourite holiday traditions and each year there is a new theme. The festival helps support the University Hospital Foundation, so you can celebrate the holidays and help out a great cause at the same time.
For snowy post-Christmas fun
Deep Freeze: A Byzantine Winter Fête is a local favourite that’s all about celebrating Francophone, Indigenous and Ukrainian culture – and the beauty of winter. Always a surprise, the highlights can range from arts, culture, food and fun. Don’t miss the deep-freeze races, where racers really do use deep freezers to compete. Stroll along Alberta Avenue, just north of downtown, which boasts more than 200 businesses. Shop, dance or stop for a beverage and a bite amid dazzling light installations. Even better? Deep Freeze is free of charge. It runs for 10 days in mid-January.
For a dose of music and comedy
Live music and laughs fill Edmonton venues for three days to cure any January blues. Winterruption YEG hosts musicians and comedians from Edmonton and beyond. The line-up always includes top-notch Canadian and international acts. Included in all the fun are some free outdoor shows to take in throughout the festival, which happens for five days in late January.
For out-of-this-world ice sculptures
If you’ve ever wanted to try your hand at ice carving, this is your chance. Or sit back and watch the pros create masterpieces out of blocks of ice. The Boardwalk Ice on Whyte festival attracts some of the world’s best ice carvers and hosts one of three international ice-carving competitions in Canada. For less-competitive fun, check out Chippers Ice Carving (it’s also kid-friendly) and the ice bar serving up locally crafted beer and spirits. It all happens from late January to early February.
For immersive storytelling
Winter nights are long, but this is when the Flying Canoë Volant and Canoe Races comes alive. Bundle up for a nighttime exploration through the legend of the Flying Canoe, along with French Canadian, Indigenous and Métis traditions. Start your adventure in Edmonton’s French Quarter before winding through glowing trails in Mill Creek Ravine. Mark your calendar for the five days in early February when you can catch the Flying Canoë Volant Races.
For a mid-winter culture and sport extravaganza
There’s a reason the Silver Skate Festival has been a staple on Edmonton’s festival calendar for more than three decades. For two weeks in mid-February, festival-goers can expect a celebration of arts, culture (including the must-visit Heritage Village), sport (on-ice and off) and delicious food. It’s all set in the city’s picturesque river valley, so bundle up and enjoy.
For a celebration of cross-country skiing
Cross-country skiing is one of the oldest winter sports around, and the Canadian Birkebeiner Ski Festival (or “birkie”, as it’s also known) is the premier event of its kind in Western Canada – one of only three Birkebeiner loppets in the world, actually. The other two are in Norway and the United States. What’s a loppet, you ask? Think of it as a celebration where skiers gather with lots of food and prizes. Enjoy the event as a spectator or register and take on the track yourself, for two weeks in mid- to late-February.