This Edmonton winter festival is a nod to the Olde New Year

This winter festival will have you slipping and sliding to be first in line!

Deep Freeze: A Byzantine Winter Festival is back for another year of winter fun in Edmonton. Celebrating not only culture and tradition but also the festive times to be had, this festival will make your day. For only two days, you can see one of many performances, race against others on the ice, and marvel at the gorgeous art featured.

What to expect

On Jan. 17 and 18, step into the heart of Edmonton’s Alberta Avenue District for a magical celebration of winter, art, and culture. Deep Freeze honours the Olde New Year, blending timeless traditions with contemporary creativity. This makes it a unique event that captures not only the beauty of winter but also the spirit of community.

Being showcased is Ukrainian, French Canadian, Franco-African, Indigenous (Métis, Inuit, and First Nations), Latin American, and Asian traditions.

To engage, you can visit Pipon Village to snowshoe, roast bannock over an open fire, and enjoy rich cultural storytelling passed down through generations. Or, you can savour seasonal delights with a variety of traditional and fusion cuisines from some of Edmonton’s best.

Excitement comes in the form of Deep Freezer Races. Thrill-seekers will love this crowd-pleasing winter favourite, where you can race on the ice!

There are also live performances from local artists, as well as sculptures and installations highlighting the beauty of the season.

It doesn’t matter if you’re sipping hot cocoa, roasting hot dogs over open flames, or exploring artistic creations that capture the essence of winter. No matter what, you’re celebrating the Old New Year with the community.

Kick off the Olde New Year right with this unforgettable festival.

When: Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026, and Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026
Where: 118th Avenue between 90th and 95th Street
Cost: Free

Recent posts:
Citadel Theatre’s ‘A Christmas Carol’ is Edmonton’s tried and true tradition
10 fun things to do this weekend in Edmonton (Nov. 21-23)