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    Top 12 Calgary Winter Festivals You Don’t Want to Miss

    November 27, 2025
    By Cody Battershill
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    Best winter festivals in Calgary and nearby areas

    What are the best Calgary winter festivals coming for the 2025-2026 season? With a rapidly growing cultural scene over the past decade, our city offers many fun activities and events the whole family can enjoy during the coldest, yet most magical, season of the year.

    From the art displays of the High Performance Rodeo to the skijoring exhibition along Banff Avenue to the ice sculptures of Lake Louise, Calgary and its surrounding area have a ton of entertaining winter activities and events not to be missed! Check out our list of the best Calgary winter festivals below – we hope you have a blast!

    #1 – Calgary Zoo Lights

     

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    A post shared by The Calgary Zoo (@thecalgaryzoo)

    Zoolights is a well-known local winter light festival at the Calgary Zoo, where you’ll see it covered in millions of colourful lights and creative displays. The event runs in the evening so visitors can enjoy walking through glowing tunnels, themed zones, and light sculptures. It includes family-friendly activities such as skating, photo displays, visits with Santa, and other seasonal experiences, along with food and drink options to enjoy along the way. Support the zoo’s conservation work by attending the Zoolights this year!

    #2 – Stampede Christmas

     

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    A post shared by Calgary Stampede (@calgarystampede)

    • December 13th & 20th, 4 pm – 8 pm
    • December 14th & 20th, 11 am – 3 pm
    • Stampede Christmas

    Experience Christmas, Stampede-style, at Stampede Christmas, a brand-new family-friendly holiday celebration! Across two festive weekends, December 13–14 and 20–21, the BMO Centre Great Lawn and Outdoor Plaza transform into a winter wonderland filled with twinkling lights, seasonal scents, and Western charm. Guests can stroll through dazzling light displays, sip on hot cocoa, and enjoy live entertainment that captures both the magic of Christmas and the spirit of the Calgary Stampede. Family-friendly activities, cozy gathering spaces, and festive food and drink make it a perfect holiday outing for all ages.

    #3 – High Performance Rodeo

    The High Performance Rodeo is a long-time winter festival in Calgary that features epic displays of all things art: music, theatre, dance, comedy, and galleries, mostly at venues in the downtown area. The sheer number of indoor events on the HPR’s website is incredible, offering something for people from all walks of life to enjoy during the coldest season of the year. HPR 2025 will mark the 39th annual edition of the Winter Festival in Calgary, a testament to its popularity with locals over the past several years.

    #4 – Calgary Mac & Cheese Festival

    For two weeks in January, enjoy partaking in the second annual Calgary Mac & Cheese Festival, a celebration of Canadians’ love for this winter comfort food. Participating restaurants compete to make the best mac & cheese dish. And the best part is that you’re the judge!

    #5 – Banff SnowDays Festival

    • January 16th – February 8th, 2026
    • SnowDays

    The SnowDays Festival is an exciting winter activity for families looking to enjoy the beautiful outdoors. Ice and snow sculptures are the focus of the event, with several sculptures adorning the streets of Banff. SnowDays features a Play Zone for children of all ages and sled skiing along Banff’s main avenue, making this the best winter festival in the mountains outside of Calgary, enjoyable for youth who love the magic of animals during Christmas and holidays. Live bands, snowshoeing hikes, dog sledding, ice skating, and sleigh riding are all part of the SnowDays Festival, so pack and dress accordingly for the activity you want to enjoy!

    #6 – Jasper in January

     

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    A post shared by Jasper, Canada (@tourismjasper)

    If you’re looking for an adventure in January, Jasper has got you covered! This two-week festival features a full spectrum of activities and events, including skiing, sleigh rides, hockey tournaments, street parties, music and entertainment, and lots more. What better way to support the recovering town of Jasper than by participating in this beloved winter festival! May we recommend taking Highway 93 to Jasper; the views are absolutely breathtaking.

    #7 – Bob-Sled

    Bob-Sled is back for another year, hosted at the Palomino Smokehouse. The winter musical festival, presented by Sled-Island, Eighty-Eight Brewing, and The Palomino, showcases several unique bands and performers, including PACKS, FAZE, Sour Widows, Hedonist, Motherhood, Dirty Fences, Victrix, Milkmaid, Ribbon Skirt and more! Get access to all shows for just $88, or see individual shows at $26 each.

    #8 – Lake Louise Ice Magic Festival

    Step into a winter fairy tale at Ice Magic, part of the SnowDays festival in Banff and Lake Louise. Set on the shores of iconic Lake Louise, this event transforms the landscape into a stunning gallery of glittering ice sculptures, with the Canadian Rockies as a backdrop. World-class carvers turn massive blocks of ice into intricate works of art, creating a truly magical atmosphere day and night. Guests can wander among the sculptures, admire this year’s theme of nature’s “wild athletes,” and soak in the crisp mountain air and sparkling snow. Ice Magic offers an unforgettable winter experience for visitors and the community alike.

    #9 – Chinook Blast

     

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    A post shared by Chinook Blast (@chinookblast)

    Chinook Blast returns to downtown Calgary for its fifth annual edition. One of the city’s more prominent winter festivals, it celebrates through live music, art presentations, sporting events, light installations, cultural performances, and several other fun and engaging activities perfect for all ages. Located along Stephen Avenue (a.k.a. 8th Avenue SW), Calgary’s only downtown pedestrian-designated street, pop in and out from some of the best food and drink venues in between to make for a whole night out during its nearly three-week duration.

    #10 – YYC Hot Chocolate Fest

    If you have a sweet tooth and love “hibernating” during the winter with a hot drink in hand, YYC Hot Chocolate Fest is the festival for you. This beloved event celebrates the delightful hot chocolate that soothes the soul during winter, featuring an array of unique and delicious recipes from local cafes, restaurants, and chocolatiers. During YYC Hot Chocolate Fest, participants can sample a variety of hot chocolates and vote for their favourites. The event isn’t just about indulging in sweet treats; it also includes live music, art installations, and other interactive events, making it a fun and festive experience for all ages. One of the most heartwarming aspects of YYC Hot Chocolate Fest is its commitment to giving back to the community. A portion of the festival’s proceeds supports Calgary Meals on Wheels, a local organization that provides nutritious meals to those in need.

    #11 – Block Heater – Music Festival

    Block Heater is a winter music festival by the reputed local organization, the Calgary Folk Music Festival, that, much like its summer counterpart, features an eclectic mix of regional, national, and international musicians. Held at various venues throughout the city such as Olympic Plaza and several indoor venues, Block Heater showcases a range of genres from indie rock to folk and blues. Attendees enjoy live performances in intimate settings, discover new artists, and have the opportunity to participate in workshops and panel discussions, if they wish. These interactive events provide a unique opportunity to engage with the local music scene and get to know the artists on a deeper level.

    #12 – Ethnik Festival

     

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    A post shared by Ethnik Festivals (@ethnikfestivals)

    Held in Calgary this winter for over three days, the Ethnik Festival celebrates black history and excellence. Day 1 features a Gaming Competition, where gamers compete and winners are later announced at the main festival. In the evening, the event continues with the themed Calgary Food War – Battle of the Seniors, showcasing the elderly’s signature recipes, storytelling, performances, and a New & Emerging Artists’ Showcase with 20 local artists. Day 2 is the Main Celebration at the Genesis Centre, with cultural performances, workshops and talks on Black history and identity, plus a vendor market featuring Black-owned businesses. Day 3 (1 March) concludes with the Black Gold Ball & Recognition Night at Ampersand downtown, including a seven-course dinner, drinks, access to all EFAC events, and networking with international artists, community leaders, and officials.

    Enjoy Your Winter Festivals!

    We wish you all the best this winter with your family and friends. This is just a friendly reminder to prepare with appropriate clothing, extra blankets, food, water, and emergency car kits in case you decide to venture out and enjoy the best winter festivals in Calgary.

    Stay warm, and have a great time! To stay comfy this winter season, also be sure to check out:

    Category: Arts and Culture, Blog, Calgary Activities and Events
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