Calgary’s largest winter festival is back for its sixth year, and it promises to be brighter than ever.
Running from January 30 to February 16, Chinook Blast brings Calgarians together to celebrate the winter season with art, music, sports, lighting installations and more. This year, major Chinook Blast events and installations are centred around the newly renovated Eau Claire Plaza.
Events are split up into three weekends. Alongside the art and light displays that illuminate Eau Claire Plaza all festival long, Chinook Blast features a number of events and partner festivals, including High Performance Rodeo, which kickstarts the winter festivities with theatre and dance performances, and Block Heater, which brings plenty of live music to Calgary.
Be sure to check out other activities like the new beer garden brought to us by Eighty-Eight Brewing Co., ice skating at The Lagoon at Eau Claire Plaza, food trucks and more.
But that’s not all there is to see and do during Chinook Blast. Here’s a look at just some of the things worth checking out this year.
Lightscape
When: January 30 and 31; February 6, 7, 13 and 14
Where: Eau Claire Plaza
At this interactive installation, the public is invited to be a part of the art. Participants can create their own art on this illuminated wall by placing coloured pegs into specified slots (like a giant Lite-Brite).
Electric Grove
When: January 30 to February 16
Where: Eau Claire Plaza
For an other-worldly experience, wander through this lighting installation featuring an array of LED tree-like structures by studio Biolumina. The trees are hand-sculpted with intricate bark patterns, with leaves that light up and glow in a rainbow of colours.
Electric Dandelions
When: January 30 to February 16
Where: Eau Claire Plaza
Stop by this installation from L.A.-based design studio Liquid PXL during different times of the day. During the day, these steel sculptures are reminiscent of dandelions, but when the sun sets, the LED lights transform them into sculptures that resemble mid-explosion fireworks.
Tic-Tac-Tote(s)
When: January 30 to February 16
Where: Eau Claire Plaza
Created by B!g Art, this lighting installation is an interactive display, with LED cubes forming a three-by-three grid with different games to play like tic-tac-toe or Simon Says.
Out From Under the Shadows3
When: January 30 to April 21
Where: 400 3 Ave. S.W.
This unique lighting installation created by Studio 34 blends light and shadow to create a beautiful work of public art. It consists of one central shape lit from inside, with the resulting shadows transforming the space, so be sure to check it out from all angles. And if you can’t visit it during Chinook Blast, that’s okay — it will be on display until April 21.
Ice Climbing Canada Dry Tooling Showcase and Demonstration
When: January 30 and 31
Where: Eau Claire Plaza
If you’ve ever been curious about ice climbing, this is the perfect time to experience it. Strap on some gear, grab some ice picks, and give dry tooling and ice climbing a shot while learning useful tips from instructors and volunteers from Ice Climbing Canada, Alpine Club of Canada and ClimbYYC.
Glow Up!
When: January 30 to 31 and February 6 to 7
Where: Eau Claire Plaza
Three Left Feet presents Glow Up!, which features performers wearing LED-lit costumes who stand tall above the audience on stilts. These stilt-walkers will be wandering Eau Claire Plaza performing dazzling prop magic, so bring your camera and watch for them for a great photo-op.
Puppet Stuff Canada
When: January 31 and February 6
Where: Eau Claire Plaza
Meet the creatures of Puppet Stuff Canada at these unique shows. On January 31, Visitors from Beyond sees extraterrestrial puppets during their first visit to earth with a robot companion guiding them. On February 6, some of Puppet Stuff’s iconic characters will be roaming the streets to greet everyone they come across.
Winter Frost: Indigenous Market
When: February 6 to 8
Where: Chinese Cultural Centre
Organized by Authentically Indigenous, this market featuring Indigenous artists and makers is a great place to shop for gifts for yourself and others. There will also be cultural performances and demonstrations. Stop by this market for a celebration of Indigenous heritage and artistry.
ImaginAsian Showcase
When: February 13
Where: Eau Claire Plaza, RISE UP Calgary Community Outdoor Stage
This event showcases the cultural vibrancy of Calgary’s Asian-Canadian communities. Check out Asian jazz, pop and traditional music, watch a dragon dance or martial arts demonstration and more.
