In the middle of winter, everyone craves warmer days. In Calgary, that relief arrives as Chinook, a brief break of warmer air amid the frigid weather.
These sun-drenched days are the inspiration for Chinook Blast. The festival dates back to 2021, when the city was still under COVID-19 restrictions. Despite those limits — and temperatures dipping to -20 — Chinook Blast drew more than 300,000 people downtown.
“We were looking to find a way to give Calgarians an opportunity to gather and to celebrate what it means to be a winter city,” said Patti Pon, chair of Chinook Blast’s executive committee and president and CEO of Calgary Arts Development. At the time, the festival focused on outdoor installations and activities. Since then, it has grown into a multi-week winter celebration.
This year, Chinook Blast marks its sixth edition at the renovated Eau Claire Plaza. From January 30 to February 16, the place transforms into a winter playground featuring art installations, performances, live music, sports, and family-friendly activities.
Many local festivals, including High Performance Rodeo, Block Heater and Ethnik Festivals, take place around the same time and partner with Chinook Blast. The goal is to amplify what’s already happening downtown. “We wanted to be a platform that could spotlight other partners and celebrate the programming and activities that they’re doing, and give Calgarians lots of variety,” said Pon.
Programming is intentionally designed to be all-ages, accessible, and family-friendly. This year, Chinook Blast leans on guest curators to bring distinct creative visions: Paul Magnuson of Big Art, Victoria Bucholtz (aka Karla Marx), and Kayla Bigras (aka Smokey Waters/Bitch Sassidy) from Cabaret Company.
At its heart, Chinook Blast remains a local festival, but its reach continues to grow, drawing international artists and organizations. Among this year’s winter installations are Electric Dandelions, a series of 28-foot-tall firework-inspired sculptures from California, and The Cloud Swing, an illuminated swing by New Orleans-based Curious Form. Calgary will also host the Good Game Winter Edition at the BMO Centre for the first time, bringing even more activity and energy to the season.
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The only thing that doesn’t change is the challenging weather. Over the years, both artists and organizers have learned to adapt. As Chinook Blast continues to expand in scale and variety, its future looks secure. “Our intention is to continue the festival annually, as long as Calgarians and visitors feel it’s something they want to take part in,” said Pon.
CHINOOK BLAST TIPS
Skate at the Lagoon
Glide across Chinook Blast’s outdoor rink at the Lagoon and catch Drag on Ice performances under the lights. Tip: Bring your own skates to save time in the rental line.
East End Cold Spell
Don’t just stick to the plaza. Head to The Confluence Historic Site & Parkland for three weekends of winter culture to keep the winter party vibes going past January. Block Heater’s edition offers retro après-ski vibes, S-No Chill’s ’90s rave energy, and SkijorDue’s vintage western flair at a vintage night marker in East Village on February 4.
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Sip and Warm Up
A new beer garden by Eighty-Eight Brewing Co. will serve craft beer, mulled wine, Baileys, and other seasonal warmers. To stay comfortable, balance outdoor exploring with indoor stops at spots like The Dome.
Shop the Market
Markets return with a new home at the Calgary Chinese Cultural Centre, featuring Authentically Indigenous and Seconds Collective, Calgary’s popular vintage and secondhand pop-up.
Stay Curious
Even without a set plan, you’ll still catch the festival in action. Stilt walkers, LED costumes, puppets, and dancers appear throughout the grounds, alongside workshops and all-ages activities. Stop by if you’re passing through, and take in some of the winter weirdo sights.
Chinook Blast goes down from January 30 to February 16. Check the full lineup at chinookblast.ca.
