Chinook Blast is Calgary’s annual winter festival that brings together events and activities from the art, music, and sport communities. It’s an inclusive event that highlights the best of the city. Enjoy some of the best free things to do throughout Chinook Blast - February 2-19, 2024.
Free Events & Activities at Chinook Blast
Budget-Friendly
Free Events & Activities at Chinook Blast
Free Events
Chinook Blast Opener
Defrost your winter blues as the Calgary Folk Music Festival’s Block Heater and One Yellow Rabbit take the stage with a scorching collaboration for the official kick-off to Chinook Blast at Olympic Plaza.
Where: Olympic Plaza
When: February 2, 2024, 6:00pm – 10:00pm
aGoGo Fire & Flow
Head down to Stephen Avenue to feel the heat as aGoGo artists bring their FIRE dancing to Chinook Blast in downtown Calgary. See the mesmerizing FIRE performances beautifully displayed with grace and ease in remarkable patterns and flow.
Where: Stephen Avenue
When: February 2, 2024, 7:00pm – 8:00pm
The Chinook Slide
Experience an exhilarating afternoon of curling, featuring a star-studded, athlete celebrity match from 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. and an interactive learn-to-curl event for the public from 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. with instruction from the pros at Curling Alberta, Calgary Wheelchair Curling Association, and the Special Olympics Canada Winter Games.
Where: Olympic Plaza
When: February 4, 2024, 12:00pm - 4:00pm
2024 Fis Freeski Halfpipe Snow Rodeo World Cup
The Snow Rodeo FIS Freeski Halfpipe World Cup returns to WinSport’s Olympic Park this winter! Join in on the excitement at this free family-friendly event and watch some of the best freestyle skiers hit the hill and compete in the stunt ditch.
Where: WinSport
When: February 15-17, 2024
Bowness Family Day Free Skate
Strap on your skates for a day of free skating at Bowness Community Association arena at no cost while warming up with hot chocolate and snacks. Bring your own skates and helmet.
Where: Bowness Community Association Arena
When: February 19, 2024, 9:00am – 3:00pm
Cabane à Curling and daily Curling on St. Patrick’s Island
Hurry hard to the curling rink on St. Patrick’s Island, East Village’s 31-acre backyard, for your chance to make some winter memories that rock! For a little Canadian competitive twist, be sure to check out one of four pop-up events that will be happening at the synthetic rink fully decked out for winter fun with a bonfire, maple taffy, and a scoreboard.
Where: St. Patrick’s Island
When: January 26, 2024 – February 24, 2024
Delight in whimsical and daring street performances throughout the festival (photo credit: Neil Zeller)
Watch some of the best freestyle skiers compete at WinSport this February (photo credit: Mike Hopkin Photography)
Free Activities
SweetLights by ActivateYYC
Watch ActivateYYC turn SPACE into PLACE! SweetLights by ActivateYYC and the Federation of Calgary Communities, are bright, interactive, and revolving lanterns welcomed to the downtown core to light up the landscape. Experience the bright colours, shapes that tell stories, human scale interaction, and all-around joyful design of this fun activity that is sure to brighten your winter.
Where: Olympic Plaza
When: February 2-19, 2024
Exposure Fence: People & Place
The Exposure Photography Festival presents Exposure Fence: People & Place at Calgary’s Olympic Plaza. Explore the work and perspectives of a dynamic group of exhibiting artists and discover both celebratory and critical visual insights regarding the intertwined relationships between People & Place within the traditional territories of Southern Alberta.
Where: Olympic Plaza
When: February 2-19, 2024
Free Skate Rentals at Olympic Plaza
Don’t have your own skating equipment? Not to worry! Chinook Blast will be providing free skate equipment rentals on select dates at The Skate Hut while supplies last.
Where: Olympic Plaza
When: February 2, 9, 10, 16, 17, 18, 19, 2024, 4:00pm – 9:00pm
Hygge Hut Presented by East Village
Cozy is back in the East Village with the return of the outdoor Hygge Hut! Located just off RiverWalk Plaza, Hygge Hut is a big warm East Village hug. The outdoor Scandinavian-style hut features a fire pit, benches, and shop filled with cozy local goods.
Where: East Village
When: February 2-19, 2024 – Fridays 2:00pm - 6:00pm, Saturday & Sunday 11:00am – 5:00pm
The Alcove Drop-In Art Space
Check out The Alcove’s free drop-in art space in the heart of downtown Calgary! The space is available for anyone to come in and get creative through music, visual arts, multimedia, and more! Drop by to make some art as well as to warm up and bundle up while checking out other Chinook Blast activities and installations nearby!
Where: The Alcove Centre for the Arts (located across the street from 3rd Street Station)
When: February 2-19, 2024, Wednesday-Friday 6:00pm – 9:00pm, Saturday & Sunday 1:00pm – 6:00pm (Closed Monday & Tuesday)
View the full calendar of events at chinookblast.ca.
Check out Hygge Hut in East Village for some riverside coziness (photo credit: Roth and Ramberg)
More stories from Calgary
Calgary’s Winter Festival
https://www.visitcalgary.com/things-to-do/stories-from-calgary/your-guide-to-chinook-blast
Family Fun
https://www.visitcalgary.com/things-to-do/stories-from-calgary/family-friendly-chinook-blast