Chinook Blast 2025
Calgary’s signature winter festival returns for its fifth year!
Chinook Blast 2025 promises to dazzle with a lineup highlighting Calgary’s creativity and community spirit, featuring a dynamic mix of live music, outdoor sports, captivating art installations and unique cultural experiences.
With Olympic Plaza under construction, the festival has two main hubs this year: Stephen Avenue will be filled with art installations and live performances, while The Confluence will serve as the sports hub with ice skating, cross-country skiing and other winter activities!
“As we mark the festival’s fifth year, we’re excited to share an incredible lineup that highlights the power of community collaboration. We invite Calgarians and visitors to embrace the magic of winter and create lifelong memories together,” says Patti Pon, President and CEO of Calgary Arts Development and Chair of Chinook Blast.
Chinook Blast is also anchored by iconic Calgary festivals like High Performance Rodeo and Block Heater, and with partner events across the city, there’s plenty to explore during its run until February 17, 2025.
Learn more about some of the arts and culture highlights below, and check out the full festival lineup at chinookblast.ca:
High Performance Rodeo
Until February 2, 2025
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
Chinook Poetry Reading
January 31, 2025, 7:30 – 9:30pm
The Confluence Historic Site & Parkland (750 9 Ave. SE)
Free to attend
Celebrate local literature and wintertime in southern Alberta at this special poetry reading featuring the winners of The Confluence’s second annual Chinook Poetry Competition. Up to eight poets will read their winning submissions about winter and the land, then mix and mingle at a community reception.
chinookblast.ca/chinook-poetry-reading
Weekend Art Markets
January 31 – February 2, February 7 – 9 & February 14 – 16, 2025
The Pioneer (117 8 Ave. SW)
Free to explore
This year, Chinook Blast welcomes two new market partners: Art Spot Inc. with their Under $200 Art Show and Authentically Indigenous. Alongside the Asian Heritage Foundation, these markets will offer festival-goers an extraordinary blend of shopping, culture and community spirit.
chinookblast.ca/markets
Art Installations
January 31 – February 17, 2025
Stephen Avenue (8 Ave. SW)
Free to explore
Chinook Blast has a brand-new lineup of mesmerizing public art installations for this year’s festival! With many installations being immersive or interactable, you’ll have fun experiencing artistic creations!
chinookblast.ca/installations
Halo Halo Showcase
February 7 – 16, 2025
The Confluence Historic Site & Parkland (750 9 Ave. SW)
Prices vary
Halo Halo, “mixed” in Tagalog, is a multimedia showcase that delves into the intricate ways migration shapes the identities of first-generation Filipinos in Canada. Through creative storytelling, animation, and both digital and traditional visual arts like printmaking, the exhibition works to capture the journey of adaptation and belonging.
chinookblast.ca/halo-halo
Celebrating Indigenous Arts in Kensington
February 8, 2025, 12 – 2pm
Outdoor plaza (1139 Kensington Rd. NW)
Free to attend
Kensington is proud to host a vibrant showcase of Indigenous arts and culture as part of Chinook Blast. Stop by for an exciting lineup of Indigenous artists and performers who will highlight traditional and contemporary expressions through art, music and storytelling.
chinookblast.ca/celebrating-indigenous-arts-in-kensington/
Block Heater
February 14 – 15, 2025
Various venues
Prices vary
Look for love in all the right places — the Calgary Folk Music Festival’s 10th annual Block Heater returns Valentine’s Day weekend. Sway with your sweetie under the starlight as they welcome artists from near and far. There’s a show for everyone!
calgaryfolkfest.com
Find the full festival schedule at chinookblast.ca.