Chinook Blast 2026 Transforms Calgary Into a Free Winter Wonderland of Light Music and Cold Season Magic

Published on December 13, 2025

Winter in Calgary is set to glow brighter than ever as Chinook Blast returns from January 30 to February 16, 2026, transforming the city into a celebration of light, culture, and cold-weather creativity. Entering its sixth year, the festival opens a bold new chapter with its move to the newly reimagined Eau Claire Plaza, where an immersive winter playground will invite residents and visitors to embrace the season rather than escape it.

The refreshed festival hub promises an atmosphere that feels both expansive and intimate. Eau Claire Plaza will be reimagined as an art-forward gathering space filled with oversized light works, live performances, interactive experiences, and family-friendly activities. Best of all, Chinook Blast continues its tradition of making winter joy accessible, with every core experience offered free to the public.

This year’s edition places a strong emphasis on creative exploration. Curated installations and programming will turn the plaza into a constantly evolving environment where visual art, sound, and movement collide. Expect fresh concepts, unexpected encounters, and moments that encourage people to linger, wander, and reconnect with the city during its coldest weeks.

Light art takes center stage once again, with an expanded collection of installations created by Calgary-based artists alongside a selection of international works. The plaza will glow with large-scale illuminated structures, projection mapping, and interactive pieces that respond to movement and touch. A towering light dome will act as the visual anchor of the site, while competition-winning designs and imported spectacles will add layers of color, motion, and surprise, turning winter nights into luminous experiences.

Music and performance will keep the energy high throughout the festival’s three-week run. Signature Chinook Blast events return with a bigger sense of spectacle, blending performance art with outdoor celebration. From ice-based shows that combine theatrical flair with playful extravagance to open-air electronic music nights designed to get crowds dancing under the stars, the festival leans into contrast—icy temperatures paired with undeniable warmth and rhythm.

Midway through the festival, the focus shifts toward connection and emotion with special programming timed to Valentine’s Day. Intimate live music sets spotlight heartfelt songwriting, collaborative performances, and themes of love, longing, and togetherness, offering a softer counterpoint to the high-energy weekends.

Community partnerships remain a cornerstone of Chinook Blast. The outdoor stage will host a rotating lineup presented by some of Calgary’s most influential arts and culture organizations. Spoken word, experimental music, Indigenous-led performances, and genre-blending acts will fill the plaza with diverse voices and perspectives, reflecting the city’s creative depth while welcoming audiences of all ages.

The festival experience extends beyond the main plaza with the return of Chinook Blast markets, now relocated to a nearby cultural venue. Visitors can browse Indigenous-led showcases, vintage fashion, secondhand finds, and locally made goods, turning a winter stroll into a chance to support small businesses and artists.

Warming up will be easier than ever thanks to the addition of a dedicated beer garden. Festivalgoers can enjoy craft beverages, mulled wine, and seasonal favorites while taking in the lights and performances, creating a cozy social hub at the heart of the winter celebration.

With three full weekends of arts, culture, music, markets, and interactive experiences, Chinook Blast continues to redefine what winter festivals can be. The 2026 edition is only a preview of what lies ahead, with a complete program announcement scheduled for January.

As Calgary’s flagship winter festival, Chinook Blast plays a vital role in energizing the city during the colder months. Its growing influence has helped spark a wider winter events season, inspiring complementary happenings across the city and reinforcing the idea that winter is not something to endure, but something to celebrate.