6 Alberta January Festival Your Kids are Going to Love

Here are six festivals this month, that your kids are going to love – bonus points? They’re free (and some are right here in our own city!)

Deep Freeze Festival

The winter adventure, Deep Freeze Festival, celebrates the Russian/Ukrainian “Olde New Year” and embraces our northern climate by melding artistic panache with authentic cultural and heritage winter games and fun. Line up your rock, push off the hack and lose your voice encouraging friends and family to sweep in a pick-up game of Old Tyme curling. Families can also enjoy other traditional winter activities including snow wagon rides, winter mini golf, street hockey and the famous deep freezer race. Watch ice sculptors craft their masterpieces, slide down a giant ice slide, cheer on contestants of competition de boucheron (log cutting competition) or just enjoy good Canadian winter eats. Plan on spending a full day if not two at this activity-packed winter celebration.

Boardwalk Ice on Whyte

An ice carving festival with food, beverages, ice carving lessons and special activities at Dr. Wilbert McIntyre Park where the entire family can take part in ice carving viewing, workshops and a child-friendly zone  for kids.

Lake Louise Ice Magic Festival

A perfectly magical winter experience awaits you in Lake Louise where ice serves as a fascinating medium of artistry and architectural design. Watch incredible ice carvings take shape under the precise hands of skilled artists from around the world. Marvel at the lustre of these frozen forms, as well as the iconic ice castle sparkling in front of the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, throughout SnowDays.

Banff Snow Days

The magical allure of Banff and Lake Louise is yours to discover. Alongside its world-class skiing and astounding wilderness, the essence of mountain culture comes to life during SnowDays, a vibrant winter festival in the heart of the Canadian Rockies. Warm up to winter with international ice carving competitions, snow sculpture exhibitions, exclusive culinary offerings, cozy après-ski culture, the thrill of skijoring, and the invigorating SnowDays Play Zone. This calendar of events will be the highlight of the season. Here, you’ll fall in love with the snowiest days of the year.

Jasper in January

Community, laughter, street parties, powdery ski slopes, live music, comfort food and cozy fireplaces. There’s never a better time than winter to visit a true mountain town, and Jasper in January invites everyone to celebrate, ski, and feast like a true Jasper local. From the kick off party, to the street party, skiing, ice climbing, world snow day and s’mores and sleigh rides, there is so much to enjoy!

Which winter festivals are you looking most forward to?