As winter settles into Alberta, don’t get too down. It’s February, after all, and some great festivals, special events and activities are happening to get you out and explore the season in our province.
Winter Celebrations in Calgary
Heat up your winter when the Calgary Folk Music Festival’s Block Heater event returns from Feb. 15 to Feb. 17. This “winter musical interlude” aims to ramp Calgarians up for the upcoming year and get the folk-fest vibes flowing. The weekend festival—now in its ninth year—features family-friendly indoor and outdoor venues with performances from 27 international artists. So, get bundled up and groove at one of the festival’s 12 events.
Also in Calgary, the Chinook Blast winter festival takes place Feb. 2 to Feb. 19. It includes dozens of festivities that are indeed something for everyone. Whether you’re interested in music, sports, art installations, theatre, food or a winter market—Chinook Blast has it all. Check out all the signature events planned over the three-week Chinook Blast extravaganza.
Enjoy l’hiver in Edmonton
If you’re looking for some French-Canadian culture this winter, Edmonton’s Flying Canoe Volant Festival takes place from Jan. 31 to Feb. 3 and hopes to get Edmontonians out enjoying l’hiver (winter). The bilingual event celebrates Alberta’s French Canadian, First Nations and Metis traditions with an interactive event in Edmonton’s French Quarter. Inspired by the La Chasse-galerie legend, the Flying Canoe Volant Festival includes local art installations, musical performances on a winter patio, axe throwing, and the signature canoe ice races.
Dragons on the ice
One of the province’s newer winter events is the Sylvan Lake Ice Dragon Boat Festival. Back for only the second year, the racing festival sees Dragon Boats equipped with skate-like blades that allow them to glide over the frozen lake using spiked ice picks instead of oars. The festival takes place from Feb. 16 to Feb. 18, but the main races kick off on the Sunday—so if you only want to drop by for one day, that’s the day to do it.
Hit the ski hill
A classic Alberta winter activity (and one we are fortunate to have easy access to) is heading out to ski or snowboard on some of the world-famous mountains here in the province. Take in the breathtaking views and soar down the hills—and with your AMA membership, you can save while doing it. Members can purchase discounted lift and multi-day ticket packages at Banff Sunshine Village, Lake Louise Ski Resort, Jasper’s Ski Marmot Basin, and Resorts of the Canadian Rockies.
Comin’ Home with City and Colour
You don’t want to be runnin’, and you don’t have to be “Underground” to see Canadian musician Dallas Green, also known as City and Colour, who is touring across Canada through February. This includes stops in Alberta on Feb. 10 and Feb. 12. Green, previously part of the post-hardcore band Alexisonfire, switched to folk alternative rock when he began performing as City and Colour in 2005. City and Colour will perform alongside Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats at Edmonton’s Rogers Place on Feb. 10 and at the Calgary Scotiabank Saddledome on Feb. 12.
Cuba is coming to Alberta Award-winning songwriter Alex Cuba is set to take the stage alongside the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra this February! The Cuban-Canadian singer-songwriter will merge his signature melodies along with a stunning full orchestra performance. Cuba, who moved to Canada in 1999, has been honoured with numerous accolades including multiple Juno Awards and a 2022 Grammy win for Best Latin Pop Album. So don’t miss this opportunity to experience a live performance from this musical icon—plus, AMA members save 15% on tickets at Calgary Philharmonic concerts.