Chinook Blast
Calgary’s signature winter celebration blows in to liven up winter
Chinook Blast returns for a third year of celebrating the best of Calgary’s winter in the heart of the city — enjoy live music, light and art installations, theatrical performances, outdoor sport, cultural experiences, night markets and much more!
Anchored by iconic Calgary festivals like High Performance Rodeo and Block Heater, partner events like Rock the Nation at the National Music Centre, and three weeks of jam-packed programming at the Chinook Blast Hub — you can check out the festivities beginning on January 27, 2023.
“Chinook Blast is about fostering new winter experiences and supporting our local artists and businesses so that Calgary can be seen as a vibrant city to visit during the winter season,” says Patti Pon, President and CEO of Calgary Arts Development and Chair of Chinook Blast, who spoke at the recent media launch.
Here’s a closer look at our top picks for this year’s festival:
High Performance Rodeo
January 16 – February 5, 2023
Various venues
Prices vary
One Yellow Rabbit’s High Performance Rodeo offers the chance to watch touring performances from across Canada, acclaimed international shows, and new and experimental work from artists here in Calgary. The programming is always bold, cutting-edge, funny, frank and full of heart.
hprodeo.ca
BIG Winter Classic
January 25 – 29, 2023
Various venues
Prices vary
BIG Winter Classic was born from an idea to celebrate Calgary year-round, not just in the fleeting summer months. Arts, music and YOU collide at BIG Winter Classic for a four-day winter wonderland weekend.
bigwinterclassic.com
The TD Artists’ Pavilion
January 27 – February 12, 2023
Calgary Central Library (800 3rd St. SE)
Free to attend
Hit up the TD Artist Pavilion for the MakeFashion x Indi City Powwow Runway, arts activities for families, and pop-up performances by local artists presented by Four Winds YYC and 10 at 10 in celebration of Indigenous culture and Black History Month!
chinookblast.ca
Block Heater
February 9 – 12, 2023
Various venues
Prices vary
The eighth iteration of the Calgary Folk Music Festival’s annual winter ritual Block Heater powered by ATB features 32 artists and 13 separate events. Block Heater recharges your soul with shows for every taste and vibe, filled with independent artists from our backyard and the globe.
calgaryfolkfest.com
Ethnik Festival
February 24 & 25, 2023, 12 noon
Telus Convention Centre (136 8th Ave. SE)
$25
One of Calgary’s newest arts and cultural festivals keeps the Chinook Blast spirit alive, as Afro-Canadian and Caribbean communities share their diverse, vibrant cultural traditions. While slightly outside of this year’s festival dates, they will be collaborating on programming in the Chinook Blast hub leading into their main festival.
calgaryfolkfest.com
Chinook Blast runs January 27 to February 12, 2023, and the full schedule can be found at chinookblast.ca.
