Weekend 1 of Chinook Blast is here, let’s go Calgary!
The wait is over! Chinook Blast officially kicks off Friday, January 30, and we’re coming in hot with our brightest, boldest weekend yet. Think glowing installations, live music, jaw-dropping performances, ice climbing, Drag on Ice, vintage shopping, and plenty of surprises along the way. Calgary’s winter has just been upgraded!
📍 Where: Eau Claire Plaza
🎟️ Cost: FREE admission
Check out our know-before-you-go page for more info on accessibility parking and what to bring.
Here’s a sneak peek of what’s lighting up our first weekend:
Friday, January 30
Chinese Cultural Centre
4 – 9:30 PM | Start your weekend in style at the Seconds Collective Market, your go-to spot for thrifted and vintage finds.
RISE UP Calgary Community Stage
5:30 – 6:30 PM | Chinook Blast kicks off on the main stage with Cedric Lightning and Kris Demeanor presented by High Performance Rodeo.
7:00 – 8:10 PM | L’omelette, presented by Calgary Folk Music Festival’s Block Heater takes the stage.
8:45 – 10:00 PM | Tribe Artist Society’s, Presented by Calgary Folk Music Festival’s Block Heater closes out the night with unforgettable vibes!
Saturday, January 31
Chinese Cultural Centre
1 – 9:30 PM | More vintage finds as Seconds Collective Market kicks off the day.
The Lagoon
3 – 5 PM | Drag on Ice returns for its 4th iteration. Get ready for a Frozen Disco Xtravaganza! Our headliner, Joey Jay from RuPaul’s Drag Race will hold a meet-and-greet after the event.
RISE UP Calgary Community Stage
5:30 – 7:30 PM | Dos Leches, a DJ duo brings back the summer with unforgettable grooves.
8 – 10 PM | DJ MollyFi (8–9 PM) and DJ Cyber Vvitch (9–10 PM) continue the party with vibrant beats and eclectic vibes!
Sunday, February 1
Chinese Cultural Centre
No performances at Eau Claire Plaza, but it’s your last chance to hit the Seconds Collective Market at the Chinese Cultural Centre, don’t miss it!
Installations
We’ve scoured near and far to bring you stunning installations that transform winter into a glowing playground. Expect projection mapping, LED displays, interactive arches, illuminated swings, and awe-worthy structures throughout the site. Pro tip: bring your camera. Check out all the installations.
Luminisona+
Performances and Activities
Drytooling
Want to try something new? Join Ice Climbing Canada athletes, Alpine Club of Canada volunteers, and ClimbYYC instructors to test your skills with dry-tooling and ice climbing on an epic setup.
We’re also excited to welcome back festival favourites Three Left Feet, Puppet Stuff Canada, and Le Cirque de la Nuit who will be captivating audiences of all ages across Eau Claire Plaza!
Dive into the full weekend schedule to see everything happening, including free skate rentals, ice bikes, a heated dome, and more winter magic.
Winter starts here. We’ll see you at Chinook Blast!