Chinook Blast returns January 31 - Feb 17, 2025. Stay tuned for more information.

Warm up your winter with Chinook Blast in Calgary. This winter festival is a celebration of the best of winter in Calgary with fun and unique ways to warm up your schedule. Local artists will illuminate winter nights with photo-worthy installations along Stephen Ave with iconic events and activities, including High Performance Rodeo, Nitrocross, Snow Rodeo, Calgary Folk Music Festival’s Block Heater, and Ethnik Festival. 

What is Chinook Blast?

Chinook Blast is a winter festival in Calgary and the perfect chance to celebrate the season. Free and fun festivities for the whole family will be available with art installations, activities, buskers, pop-up performances, a community stage, and an artist pavilion. This year you can participate in a variety of world-class festivals, free outdoor programming, artistic light displays, and cultural experiences. From Sport Calgary skating events and DIY Crafting Workshops to Musical Matinees, and Hackathons, there truly is something for everyone.

When is Chinook Blast?

Chinook Blast takes place from Jan 31 - Feb 17, 2025, with festivities happening around the city before and after to warm you up to the festival and keep the party going after. Bundle up and enjoy the outdoor and indoor fun this winter in Calgary with free activities that will take place throughout the festival.

What activities are part of Chinook Blast?

With iconic sporting events, live music, art installations, and night markets, Chinook Blast has something for everyone to enjoy. A collection of free activities, community pop-ups, and all new interactive installations will also light up Calgary neighbourhoods to create unique Chinook Blast experiences. Tickets are not required to visit the free festivities and installations.

Sports take centre stage in 2024

This year, Chinook Blast becomes a huge arena to showcase an impressive lineup of major sporting events including:

• Nitrocross (February 2-3)
• Sport Festival at Olympic Plaza Presented by Sport Calgary (February 3)
• Deadcold Run (February 4)
• Snow Rodeo: FIS Snowboard Halfpipe World Cups (February 9-10)
• Snow Rodeo FIS Freeski Halfpipe World Cup (February 15-17)
• ISU World Speed Skating Championships (February 15-18)
• 2024 Scotties Tournament of Hearts (February 16-25)
• 2024 Special Olympics Canada Winter Games (February 27-March 2)

Other events and activities

• High Performance Rodeo (January 15 - February 4)
• Rock the Nation at National Music Centre (January 27 - April 28)
• YYCHacks (February 2-4)
• Exposure Photography Festival (February 2-19)
• Ethnik Festival of Arts & Culture (February 9-10)
• Calgary Folk Music Festival’s Block Heater (February 15-17)
• Storytime at the Opera (February 17)

Tickets and festival passes to these events will be available from individual event organizers. Check out the complete Chinook Blast event schedule for a detailed list of all events.

Where is Chinook Blast?

Chinook Blast includes a series of outdoor displays throughout the downtown core of Calgary. You can find all the action throughout Stephen Avenue, Olympic Plaza, East Village and Eau Claire. The entire festival is a walkable experience everyone can enjoy. Keep a lookout for other displays throughout downtown Calgary during the festival.

Getting to Chinook Blast is easy with Calgary Transit routes throughout the city making stops in the downtown core. Taking the C-Train is a great way to access the Chinook Blast activations with stops at 3rd Street SW, 1st Street SW, Centre Street, or City Hall. Street parking and Calgary Parking Authority parking lots are easy to access throughout the downtown core. Park near Olympic Plaza for the best experience.

Festival partners will host events at various locations throughout the city.

Follow Chinook Blast on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter for all the latest updates.