Chinook Blast Festival Capitalizes on Namesake Weather Phenomenon
"It's definitely been growing and we found a location that really works," said Francesca Gualtieri, arts and culture manager for the City of Calgary, reflecting on the success of the 2026 Chinook Blast festival. The annual winter event, which wrapped up on Family Day Monday, February 15, 2026, literally lived up to its name this year, with organizers crediting the favorable chinook weather for drawing large crowds.
Ideal Conditions Boost Attendance
All three weekends of the festival enjoyed relatively warm winter temperatures, a stark contrast to the previous year's frigid conditions that led to cancellations and indoor relocations. "This year has been quite successful with a new location and mother nature blowing in a chinook for all three weekends," Gualtieri noted. The good fortune held, with the event concluding just ahead of a forecasted winter storm.
Organizers were still tabulating attendance on Monday morning but were hopeful of reaching their goal of 200,000 people for the free festival. The balmy weather, however, presented some challenges, such as temporarily halting skating due to warmth and concerns about ice sculptures melting.
New Venue Proves a Success
This year's festival was held at Eau Claire Plaza adjacent to Princes Island Park, a location that has proven highly effective and is set to become a mainstay for future events. "The site just felt right and was conducive to having the festival," Gualtieri explained. Previous editions were hosted at Olympic Plaza, Stephen Ave. Mall, and The Confluence.
The venue facilitated a diverse range of activities, including:
- Artistic expression and roving performers
- Firepits and workshops
- Cultural exhibits and live music
- Puppetry and a beer garden
- Recreational activities like ice bikes and skating on the plaza lagoon
Interactive art installations were a particular highlight, with attendees able to touch, feel, or light up various pieces. "Being able to be hands-on was really a great incentive," Gualtieri added. The ice bikes, in particular, were immensely popular, with demand outstripping supply on the first weekend.
Festival Origins and Growth
Now in its sixth year, Chinook Blast originated during the COVID-19 pandemic as an initiative to attract people to downtown Calgary during a typically quiet period. It has since evolved into a vibrant hub of winter activity, produced in partnership with Tourism Calgary, Calgary Arts Development, and Calgary Economic Development, with annual city funding of $500,000.
The festival's success has extended beyond local attendance, with event organizers from outside the city now seeking to schedule winter conferences around it. "We're noticing events that are looking to come to Calgary, conferences that are actually asking 'is Chinook Blast on?'" Gualtieri said. "It's important to make sure our downtown is vibrant."
Additional cultural elements were incorporated this year, with the Chinese Cultural Centre hosting a marketplace and multicultural performances. As the festival continues to grow, its combination of favorable weather, an ideal location, and engaging programming solidifies its place as a key winter attraction in Calgary.
