Celebrate the start of winter at FrostFest – Calgary’s newest reason to love winter
The City of Calgary is excited to help Calgarians welcome winter at FrostFest, a free event taking place in two community parks over two weekends. FrostFest begins this weekend at Valleyview Park (3224 26 St. S.E.) from Friday, Nov. 19 to Sunday, Nov. 21. The following weekend, the festivities shift to Sacramento Park (10404 Sacramento Dr. S.W.) from Friday, Nov. 26 to Sunday, Nov 28. FrostFest activities are scheduled each event day from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.
“We know that Calgarians love to get outside and experience all that Calgary has to offer outdoors, even when the weather turns cold,” says Kyle Ripley, Director, Calgary Parks. “FrostFest is an exciting new event that will give Calgarians one more way to safely connect with nature and neighbours, and have fun exploring two of our fabulous local park spaces.”
The event will feature fun for everyone, from families, to couples and friends looking for something a bit different to do on a night out. Activities include:
- Forest Friends animal light art display
- The DOOR(S) light art display
- Sobercrew/AIM drum group
- Carnival games and crafts
- Ice sculptures and daily ice carving demonstrations
- Fire pits, warming huts and play forts
- On-site DJ playing music
- YYC Food Trucks
- Stilt walkers
- #FrostFestYYC selfie photo station
- Licensed Warming Café for adults (under-18s welcome with a parent or guardian).
FrostFest will follow all current guidelines for outdoor events set out by Alberta Health, the Government of Alberta and The City of Calgary Vaccine Passport Bylaw 65M2021. Anyone feeling unwell should stay home. Everyone should screen themselves for symptoms of COVID-19 using the Alberta Health Daily Checklist prior to coming to the event. Once at the event, visitors are asked to maintain 2-metre distance between households or use face coverings if you can’t physically distance.
As the event is outdoors, proof of vaccination is only required for the licenced Warming Café. The Alberta vaccine record with QR code, recent negative COVID-19 test or a valid medical exemption letter must be presented for citizens 12 years and older to enter into the third-party operated amenity.
The City continues to develop a Winter City Strategy to promote and celebrate all that Calgary offers in the season.
“As a new winter event, I am excited to see FrostFest putting Winter City Strategy initiatives into action to help Calgarians have fun outdoors, support local business, and showcase local artists during the start of this winter season,” says Jennifer Davis, Winter City Business Strategist with Calgary Recreation.
In 2019, Council directed Administration to build a Winter City Strategy to celebrate our unique winter opportunities, extend Calgary’s festival and event season, find ways to improve safety and accessibility and improve the economy during the winter months. Visit calgary.ca/lovewinter to find more winter activities and events.
For more information, visit Calgary.ca/frostfest.
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