Your Guide to Chinook Blast
Warm up your winter with Chinook Blast in Calgary. This winter festival features a dynamic mix of live music, outdoor sports, captivating art installations, and unique cultural experiences.
What is Chinook Blast?
Chinook Blast is an annual winter festival in Calgary, now in its fifth year. The heart of the festival is historic Stephen Avenue. From 1st Street SE to 3rd Street SW you can expect magical lights, mesmerizing art installations, live performances, and family-friendly activities. Other Chinook Blast events include markets at The Pioneer , a winter sports hub at The Confluence (formerly Fort Calgary), and a self-guided art walk in East Village. The best part - virtually all the programming is free!
When is Chinook Blast?
Chinook Blast takes place from January 31 - February 17, 2025, with festivities happening around the city. Most event programming is during the weekends. Check the Chinook Blast event calendar to plan your visit.
Where is Chinook Blast?
The core Chinook Blast events and activations are at two downtown locations - Stephen Avenue and The Confluence.
Stephen Avenue (1st Street SE to 3rd Street SW)
February 7, 8, 14, & 15 - GLOWful Wanderings – Roaming Performance
February 7, & 16 - Roaming live circus animations
February 1 - Under $200 Art Show
February 7 - Authentically Indigenous Winter Market
February 14 - Asian Night Market
Ongoing art installations , performances, and activities
The Confluence (formerly Fort Calgary)
February 8 & 9 - Horse-drawn wagon rides
February 8 - Drag on Ice 3
February 9 - Calgary Surge Outdoor Basketball Court Activation
Ongoing skating and cross-country skiing
Taking the CTrain is a great way to access the Chinook Blast activities on Stephen Avenue with stops at 3rd Street SW, 1st Street SW, and Centre Street. The Confluence is a 15-minute walk from the City Hall CTrain station. It can also easily be accessed by car. There is a large paid parking lot right out front.
What Other Events Are Happening During Chinook Blast?
Chinook Blast is a festival of festivals, with many related events happening throughout the city, including three Festival Partners:
High Performance Rodeo
What: Experience three exhilarating weeks featuring over 190 talented artists and a spectacular lineup with 28 productions and 10 free events at High Performance Rodeo .
Where: The Big Secret Theatre inside Arts Commons
When: January 14 - February 2
Block Heater
What: Calgary’s dynamic winter music festival is back, with an eclectic mix of independent artists from the local scene, Canada, and the globe. The 2025 Block Heater headliners are Kathleen Edwards, Basia Bulat, Black Mountain, and TEKE::TEKE.
Where: Various downtown locations
When: February 14-15
Ethnik Festival
What: Celebrate the rich traditions of Calgary's Afro-Canadian and Caribbean communities. Ethnik Festival will showcase an impressive array of talent from Calgary, across Canada, and around the world, spotlighting creativity and connection.
When & Where: February 21 at Carya Village Commons ; February 22 at The Genesis Centre
Other Events During Chinook Blast
January 25-26, February 1-2 – Chinese Lunar New Year Festival 2025
February 8 - NMC Presents: Black History Month
February 12 - Le Patin Libre: Murmuration
February 21-22 - Snow Rodeo FIS Snowboard Slopestyle & Halfpipe World Cups
February 13 – Calgary Marriott Downtown Concert Series
February 15 – Fishtival
February 15-16 – SkijorDue
Until February 17 - Cabane à Curling
Until February 17 - Taste the City
Until February 17 - Celebrating Indigenous Arts in Kensington
For the full schedule of events check out the Chinook Blast event calendar .
