Chinook Blast Unveils First Look at 2026 Festival With a New Home at Eau Claire Plaza

Winter in Calgary is about to feel a lot warmer with Chinook Blast blowing in from January 30th to February 16th, 2026. For its sixth edition, the festival will debut at the newly renovated Eau Claire Plaza (101 Barclay Parade SW) with an “art-full” winter wonderland featuring larger than life light installations, live music, performances, sports and an unforgettable experience for all-ages. 

“Calgarians know how to make the most of winter, and Chinook Blast is proof of it. This festival brings our downtown to life with the energy from our creatives, businesses, and community builders, and it reminds us why Calgary is one of the best places to live, work, and play. From live music and illuminated art to recreation and family fun, Chinook Blast continues to show the world that our city is vibrant, welcoming, and rich in opportunities.”

New Year, New Winter Adventures - All Free 
The new location at Eau Claire Plaza is just the tip of the iceberg. This year, guest curators, Paul Magnuson, Victoria Bucholtz (aka Karla Marx), and Kayla Bigras (aka Smokey Waters/B.Sassidy) bring their creativity and experience to the festival hub, filling it with new installations, dynamic entertainment, and the kind of winter magic you can only find at Chinook Blast.

Art That Shines Bright 
The Plaza will shine with 14 of the best and brightest installations created by Calgary artists alongside select international works. Local highlights include a 13 metre geodesic light-up dome that anchors the site with an unmistakable glow and two Winter City Design Competition winners, Out from Under the Shadows3 and Luminisona +. International showstoppers include Electric Dandelions, a series of 28-foot-tall firework sculptures from California and The Cloud Swing, an illuminated swing that lights up with colour as you move. See the full lineup of projection mapping, LED displays, and other glowing art at ChinookBlast.ca.

Live Entertainment That Turns Up the Heat 
It’s going to be a party at Chinook Blast as the festival turns up the heat with these first big reveals. 

● January 31 with Drag on Ice 4, a Chinook Blast favourite, returns bigger and better for a full-on Frozen Disco Extravaganza at the Prince’s Island Lagoon. Joey Jay from RuPaul’s Drag Race 
and Calgary’s own comedian and drag queen Karla Marx will light up the ice with big wigs, bold looks, and a show that proves drag on skates is the only way to start a festival. 
● The energy keeps building on February 7 as PK Sound & Friends present -MOVE- an open-air electronic music showcase sure to heat up the season with deep beats & standout local and regional talent. In collaboration with VERSIONS, ILTYYC, and B!G ART, this vibrant night blends music, art & spectacle where friends and family can gather and dance! 
● On February 14, Blue Jay Sessions will bring a Valentine’s Day edition packed with Calgary’s favourite singer-songwriters such as Tea Fannie and Alex Hughes, performing collaborative high-energy sets of love songs and heartbreak anthems.

“What began as a way to brighten the coldest months has become a winter tradition that celebrates the artists, performers, and community builders who make Calgary what it is. This year, we're welcoming a handful of international creators to join our amazing local talent for a festival that is sure to excite, inspire and delight.” - Patti Pon, Chair of Chinook Blast Executive Committee and President and CEO of Calgary Arts Development

Festival Partners Bringing Crowd Favourites to the Hub 
Chinook Blast’s Pillar Festival Partners are bringing their talent to the RISE UP Calgary Outdoor Community Stage. 

High Performance Rodeo kicks off the celebrations on January 30 with Kris Demeanor and Cedric Lighting. A multidisciplinary artist and Calgary’s inaugural Poet Laureate (2012–2014), Kris brings his signature blend of sharp wit, storytelling, and music to the audience. 

Calgary Folk Music Festival’s Block Heater keeps the momentum going on January 30 with two back-to-back performances, starting with L’omelette and their colourful, genre-blending art-rock sound, followed by Tribe Artist Society, an Indigenous-led Hip Hop and arts collective dedicated to mentorship, empowerment, and creative expression. 

Ethnik Festivals brings the vibes on February 16 with Skinny Blaizfaya, an Afropop artist, and Ray Val, a singer and songwriter, creating an energetic Family Day performance.

New Market Location 
The markets are back with a new home and a fresh mix of local artists and businesses. The Calgary Chinese Cultural Centre (197 1 St SW), just steps away from Eau Claire Plaza, will welcome the return of Authentically Indigenous, along with Seconds Collective, Calgary’s coolest vintage and secondhand pop-up market.

A New Spot to Sip and Warm Up 
Chinook Blast is expanding the festival experience with a new beer garden from Eighty-Eight Brewing Co., who will serve their signature craft beers along with mulled wine, Baileys, and other seasonal favourites to help you warm up and enjoy the winter fun. 

With three weekends packed with FREE entertainment, arts, culture, markets and more, this is just a glimmer of what is to come, stay tuned! The full line-up for the sixth edition of Chinook Blast will be released in January 2026. 

As Calgary’s signature winter festival, Chinook Blast continues to anchor and energize the city’s cold-season calendar. The festival is proud to see the momentum it has helped build, inspiring other major winter happenings, including The GOOD Games Winter Edition at the BMO Centre from February 13 to 15 and East End Cold Spell, adding even more vibrancy to the season for Calgarians and visitors alike. 
 

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