Winter is wonderful in Calgary parks

So many reasons to look forward to winter this year

When temperatures dip below zero, Calgary parks come alive with winter-only experiences made possible by ice, snow and earlier sunsets. Resist the urge to hibernate by trying these winter activities available in city parks during the colder months of the year.

Twinkly, cheery light displays

Skies darken earlier in the winter creating the opportunity for free, fantastic light displays to take centre stage in many of Calgary’s parks. Here are a few showstoppers for you to check out.

Eau Claire Plaza - Snap your holiday magic here! A giant 40-foot Christmas tree steals the show, joined by a forest of festive trees, a glowing polar bear, wreaths, and more. Eau Claire Plaza is also hosting The City’s New Year’s Eve celebration on Dec. 31, ending the night with spectacular fireworks. Visit calgary.ca/nye for details.

Prairie Winds Park - The outdoor skating rink is glowing brighter than ever—festive lights have tripled, and we’ve added even more fire pits and seating for the ultimate winter hangout.

Confederation Park Golf Course – For 39 years, Lions Festival of Lights has lit up the night along 14 St NW north of 24 Avenue. This family-friendly free light display will be available every evening, ending after January 8, 2026.

Bowness Park - The magical atmosphere created by so many trees wrapped in lights that you can see it from kilometers away is a sight not to be missed. This winter wonderland will brighten your evening walk or skate along the ice trail or lagoon.

North Glenmore Park - Explore this park bursting with bright lights and fantastic winter fun including an illuminated tunnel over the ice trail, beautiful strings of light along the skating area that includes two Crokicurl rinks, curling and shinny hockey rink.

So many places to skate

There are so many options for getting your skate on in Calgary. We have eight outdoor, natural skating rinks, over 60 volunteer-run Adopt-a-Rinks and indoor skating. Keep in mind that the building of outdoor natural ice rinks can only start once temperatures are consistently between -7 and -12. As a result, our outdoor rinks are typically available around mid-to-late December. Visit Calgary.ca/rinks to check the status of rinks near you throughout the season.

Downtown skating destinations 
Looking for a place to skate downtown after enjoying the festive lights at Eau Claire Plaza? Prince’s Island Park lagoon skating rink is less than a five-minute walk from the plaza. Just cross the brightly lit Jaipur bridge to the lagoon. Skate rentals will be available for the first time this year and more firepits and seating has also been added. Downtown skating enthusiasts can also visit the popular rink at Thomson Family Park.   

Experience the beauty of enchanting ice trails
Calgary’s answer to the Rideau Canal is our ice trails. Visit North Glenmore and Bowness parks this winter to enjoy a skate along an illuminated natural ice pathway. At Bowness Park you skate past trees wrapped with hundreds of lights. North Glenmore Park’s trails are lit by draped strings of lights and a light tunnel you can skate through. 

Unique winter experiences
Across Calgary, winter transforms our parks, streets and neighbourhoods into spaces for connection, celebration and creativity. It’s a season that offers unique experiences that are unavailable during any other season. Here are a few unique activities that you can look forward to trying this winter. 
 
 

Try a bicycle built for…skating?! 
Does the thought of gliding across ice on two thin blades make you queasy? Try an ice bike instead. Ice bikes can be rented at Bowness Park and offer a safe, stable alternative for all ages and skill levels. If you are not a strong skater, you can still join in and have fun on the ice. The front wheel of an ice bike has been replaced by skates and the back wheel moves on the ice and is surrounded by skates. It has a wide base, so you don’t even have to balance, just pedal and steer as if you’re riding a normal bike.

These boots are made for…playing Crokicurl 
Try out this fun winter activity suitable for all ages — no prior experience required! All you need to do is travel to Bowness Park , North Glenmore Park, and, new this year, Barb Scott Park and bring your mitts, boots and a friend or two and you are set. Crokicurl is a large-scale version of the Crokinole board game combined with curling. The only equipment needed is the curling stones which are provided at the park during the rink’s opening hours. Bowness Park has four full-sized Crokicurl rinks — three with a firepit in the middle — and a junior Crokicurl rink. North Glenmore’s two full-sized Crokicurl rinks are located near the scenic ice trails. Barb Scott Park has one Corkicurl rink in the main greenspace.   

Plan a cozy downtown adventure
This season, downtown Calgary is your ultimate winter wonderland! From free events like Chinook Blast to cozy café dates, twinkling lights, and delicious treats, there’s something for everyone. Bundle up, bring your friends, and make this winter unforgettable.

As Calgarians, we don’t just survive winter, we celebrate it! This is your invitation to step into the heart of the city and enjoy a winter packed with festivals, activities and cozy vibes you can’t find anywhere else. From November – March, check out new monthly itineraries that provide a mix of fresh, fun and unique ideas to plan your perfect downtown winter outing with friends, family, or just yourself. Plan your downtown adventure today at www.exploredowntownyyc.com.  

Frosty fun at Chinook Blast
Chinook Blast is back for its sixth year, January 30 to February 16, 2026. Chinook Blast is Calgary’s signature winter celebration that brings together partners from the arts, nonprofit, tourism and sports communities to create an event that showcases the best of our winter city. New for 2026, Eau Claire Plaza will serve as the central hub for Chinook Blast, offering a fresh, purpose-built space for winter celebration in downtown Calgary.

There is so much to experience in our City parks this winter including cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, booking winter fire pits and more. Looking for more ideas on how to fall in love with winter? Visit Calgary.ca/LoveWinter