The Blast is Back! We hope you’re ready, Calgary! ❄️
Winter in Calgary is about to glow up big time and we hope you’re ready! Chinook Blast is back for our sixth year, from January 30 to February 16, 2026 and we’re gearing up for a totally reimagined experience of art installations, lights, winter sports, live music, cultural markets, and all-around winter magic to a brand-new home at the newly renovated Eau Claire Plaza (101 Barclay Parade SW).
Meet the 2026 Guest Curators
To shake things up and sprinkle some serious creative sparkle on this year’s festival, we’ve teamed up with three of Calgary’s most inventive, bold, and delightfully colourful visionaries:
Paul Magnuson – Installation artist, Founder of Big Art and visionary extraordinaire.
Victoria Bucholtz (aka Karla Marx) – DJ, comedian, burlesque artist, and one of Calgary’s fiercest drag queens.
Kayla Bigras (aka Smokey Waters/B.Sassidy) – multidisciplinary performer, writer, creative leader, and Founder of the iconic Cabaret Company.
Together, we’ll be giving you a winter realm of countless photo-worthy moments, big-energy performances, and cultural experiences. Expect an immersive playground with unique adventures for three whole weeks.
By the end of the festival, you’ll have a new definition of the word “chinook”! 🌬️
Art That Will Light Up the Night
You don’t want to forget your camera! Our new lineup of installations, brought to you by standout local artists and international showstoppers, will transform Eau Claire Plaza into a sparkling, touch-everything, explore-everywhere, glow-scape. 📸
Here’s just a taste of what to expect:
A large 13-metre geodesic dome that will radiate colourful light and will serve as a festival centrepiece. What’s inside? You’ll have to come down to find out!
Electric Dandelions – from sunny California, these will be the biggest dandelions you’ll ever see! Seriously, they’re 28-feet-tall!
The Cloud Swing – for the kids and the “kid” that lives in all of us. Hop on a swing and watch it glow as you move. How high can you go?
From projection mapping to glowing arches and LED sculptures, the word “wonderland” just won’t cut it! Get a sneak peek of all of our installations.
Live Entertainment That Will Bring the Heat
We’ve got a jam-packed lineup so good it’ll warm your mittens right off! From glittery chaos on ice to heart-thumping beats and swoon-worthy sets, there’s something for every kind of winter adventurer. ✨
Major highlights:
Drag on Ice 4 (January 31)
Back and bigger, bolder, and sparklier than ever at Prince’s Island Lagoon! This Chinook Blast classic stars Joey Jay of RuPaul’s Drag Race and Calgary icon Karla Marx. Expect glitter, glam, and gravity-defying performances on skates.
PK Sound Outdoor Electronic Showcase (February 7)
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 features large-format light installations, fire dancers, warm fire pits, and immersive surprises that will get your friends and family dancing.
Blue Jay Sessions: Valentine’s Edition
(February 14)
Grab your hot cocoa and your feelings. Featuring Calgary singer-songwriters Tea Fannie, Alex Hughes, and more. These artists will craft heartfelt collaborations and love songs that hit you right in the cozy winter feels.
Spotlight on Partner Programming
We couldn’t do it without our Pillar Festival Partners! These folks will bring some of Calgary’s most magical, cultural and creative talent to our outdoor stage that will keep you on your feet and dancing to (or finding 😉) the rhythm.
Presented by High Performance Rodeo
Kicking things off with a (poetic) bang, multidisciplinary artist and Calgary’s very first Poet Laureate Kris Demeanor takes the stage to open the festival (January 30) with all the charm and creative spark we know and love.
Presented by Calgary Folk Music Festival’s Block Heater
Later that same night, the heat gets cranked way up with indie art-rock favourites L’omelette, followed by a powerhouse set from Tribe Artist Society, an Indigenous-led hip hop and arts collective bringing energy, heart, and straight-up magic.
Presented by Ethnik Festivals
Wrapping things up on Family Day is a full-on joy explosion featuring Afropop dynamo Skinny Blaizfaya and singer-songwriter Ray Val. Expect high vibes, big rhythms, and a set that’ll warm the rest of your winter.
A New Home for Markets
This year’s markets will take place at the Calgary Chinese Cultural Centre (197 1 St SW), just a snowball’s throw from our main hub! We’re so excited to showcase two incredible community-powered gems:
Authentically Indigenous
A social enterprise committed to celebrating and advancing Indigenous creativity, arts, and culture. Get ready for beautifully crafted pieces and powerful stories woven into every item!
Seconds Collective
Champions of sustainable style! This crew is building an accessible second-hand market where you can buy, sell, and trade quality pre-loved textiles.
Warm Drinks, Cool Vibes
Chinook Blast is leveling up the cozy this year with an all-new beer garden brought to us by our friends at Eighty-Eight Brewing Co. They’re rolling in with their fan-favourite craft beers plus winter warmers like mulled wine, Baileys, and other toasty treats. Think of it as your official “sip, warm up, and keep the fun going” zone. Cheers to winter! 🍻
More to Come
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.