The Best & Most Unique Canadian Winter Events

“The Ones You Do Not Hear About & You Should”

Tis the season for the annual onslaught of lists detailing the best Canadian winter events, festivals and concerts. We so look forward to many of the winter events and we have been fortunate to have attended some beauties in the past. Unfortunately, not so much this year, as we are hunkering down so to complete our national project building out the largest booking, planning and interacting travel and adventure website in Canada – www.ehCanadaTravel.com

So, this year, to satisfy our urge for winter fun and craziness we have been reading up on the Canadian Winter Events lists others have produced. Wow. So far we have read about 7 of them and we are a little disappointed to say it mildly. They seem to all plug the same events and festivals. All of the Canadian Winter Events shared seem to always be the most well known events – the big boys, major players and the ones with lots of funding and volunteers.

Why is it always the big boys, the most funded who get all the credit and exposure in big industry like tourism. Because of this favoritism many of you never hear about the many unique and economical Canadian Winter Events. If you want to hear about BC’s Butchart Gardens and Quebec’s Winter Carnival every year after year then there are plenty of lists out there with them on it. So I am sure they will not mind not being included on this list.

Being that we are in the same boat dealing with the big tourism associations in Canada having all the advantages, funding, press and self gratitude we can relate to some of the very cool smaller events being left to fend for themselves. So, in the spirit of Xmas, we have compiled a list of Canadian Winter Events which are amazing but not necessarily well known across Canada or around the world. We hope you enjoy them.

These are also posted on our events calendar and we will be featuring them on our social media channels including Facebook, Twitter, Google +.

We would love to hear your under the radar selections too so we could maybe attend them in the years to come. If you would like the “eh Team” to attend your event to do a documentary Canadian style then please send us a proposal media(at)ehCanadaTravel.com and we will contact you to discuss. Please include a website link, accommodation arrangements and event schedule if available.

BRITISH COLUMBIA

Ladysmith Festival of Lights http://www.ladysmithfol.com/

“From the last Thursday in November until the first Sunday in January, Ladysmith is ignited with the life of thousands of twinkling Christmas lights.”

Barkerville’s Old-Fashioned Victorian Christmas http://www.barkerville.ca/victorianchristmas/

“Sleigh bells ring, are you listening? Hear them jingle during a horse-drawn sleigh ride up the main street of BC’s Gold Rush Town and experience the yuletide magic of western North America’s largest heritage attraction during Old-Fashioned Victorian Christmas.”

ALBERTA

Tongue On The Post Festival – Medicine Hat Winter Folk Festival http://topfest.ca/

“Alberta’s first winter folk music festival! Tongue On The Post Festival (TOP Fest) is a once a year opportunity to enjoy folk music all around Medicine Hat! Keep scrolling to find out more.”

Bragg Creek’s Spirit of Christmas http://www.familyfuncanada.com/calgary/bragg-creek-spirit-of-christmas-ongoing-to-december-15/

“Throughout two weekends in December, Bragg Creek will transform into a sparkly, winter wonderland, complete with all things needed to bring the “Spirit of Christmas” alive in us all.”

Spirit in the Mountain – Canmore Alberta http://www.canmorecavetours.com/activities/spirit/

“Our expert guides will lead you down through the twisting passages of Rats Nest Cave past ancient pictographs, bones and cave formations, into the cave’s largest chamber more than 10 stories underground. As you sit surrounded by the wild beauty of the cave, the aptly named Grand Gallery will be transformed into one of the most unique and spectacular concert settings you will ever see”

SASKATCHEWAN

Billiton Enchanted Forest Holiday Light Tour 2015 – 2016 Saskatoon http://www.enchanted-forest.org/

“One of Canada’s most spectacular drive-thru Christmas Light Shows and Saskatchewan’s top winter visitor attraction. A “Must-See Event” and Saskatchewan Family Christmas Tradition. Over 75 custom animated light displays scattered throughout an urban forest. ”

MANITOBA

Winnipeg’s Winter Wonderland http://www.canadinns.com/about-us/in-the-community/canad-inns-winter-wonderland/

“Winnipeg’s Winter Wonderland is the largest outdoor Christmas light show in the province. Said to have a million lights, 25 themed areas, and displays up to 125′ x 40′, you can enjoy the show from the comfort of your warm car !”

Northern Manitoba Trappers’ Festival The Pas, Manitoba http://trappersfestival.ca/

“It’s Canada’s oldest winter festival and one of the only festivals in the world to honour northern pioneers.”

ONTARIO

Winterlude Ottawa http://www.canadascapital.gc.ca/celebrate/winterlude

“Ice sculpture competitions, Bed Race, ski race, the nation’s largest ice playground, Snowbowl Lounge (made of ice). The biggest attraction is the Rideau Canal (world’s largest skating rink 8 km).”

Niagara Icewine Festival http://www.grapeandwine.com/

“Ontario’s famous Icewine features gala dinners, an outdoor ice bar, ice sculptures and carriage rides, plus wine and cheese seminars. Home to over 90 distinctive wineries.”

Bon Soo Winter Carnival Sault Ste. Marie http://www.bonsoo.on.ca/

“75 indoor and outdoor activities for the entire family. One of the largest winter carnivals in Northern Ontario.”

QUEBEC

Fete des Neiges de Montréal http://www.parcjeandrapeau.com/events/fete-des-neiges-de-montreal/

“Parc Jean-Drapeau on three consecutive weekends at the beginning of the year. Highlights include 15 snow slopes for breathtaking tube-sliding, the zip-line, dog sledding, snow-shoeing, cross-country skiing, boot, street and ice hockey, snow-scootering, skating along the river, snow ball battles!”

Hôtel de Glace Visit the Ice Hotel Quebec City http://hoteldeglace-canada.com/

“Ice sculptures its 44 rooms.”

PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND

Living Nativity – Canoe Cove http://longcreekchurch.ca/event/drive-thru-living-nativity

“A Drive Thru Living Nativity Scene at the property of Chrys and Doreen Jenkins”

Jack Frost Children’s Winterfest Charlottetown http://www.jackfrostfestival.com/

“Explore the outdoor Snow Kingdom, entertainment venues and enjoy indoor performances.”

NOVA SCOTIA

Open Waters New Music Festival https://symphonynovascotia.ca/concerts-and-tickets/concerts/2015-2016/symphony-nova-scotia-at-the-open-waters-festival/

“Featuring composers from Canada and around the world”

NEW BRUNSWICK

Winterfesthiver http://www.winterfesthiver.ca/

“Ice slides attracting visitors from far and wide to try their luck on the seven-meter high structures, snow maze, snow and ice sculptures, dog sled rides, pony rides, horse drawn sleigh rides and polar bear games of bowling, curling and golf!”

Fredericton’s FROSTival http://www.tourismfredericton.ca/en/thingstodo/Frostival.asp

“4 jam-packed weekends of the region’s best outdoor festivals, events and indoor cultural experiences.”

NEWFOUNDLAND/LABRADOR

Cain’s Quest, Labrador http://www.cainsquest.com/english.php

“Might not be the classic winter event but it is worth mentioning. The longest snowmobile race in Canada. Teams of two set off from Labrador City on snowmobiles in a 2,500-km race through remote Labrador.”

YUKON

Yukon Sourdough Rendezvous http://www.yukonrendezvous.com/

“A winter carnival with a true northern flavor, the Yukon Sourdough Rendezvous, celebrates the 1890s, sourdoughs (veteran inhabitants of Canada’s Yukon Territory), the Yukon and the Klondike Gold Rush with exciting events like the Flour Packing Competition, the Axe Toss, the Chainsaw Chuck, a Kidsfest, Airshow, dog sled races, Fiddle Show, the Yukon Electrical Queen Tea and Yukon Sourdough Rendezvous Can-Can dancers and the Snow-shoe Shufflers”

NORTHWEST TERRITORIES

Snowking Yellowknife http://snowking.ca/

“The festival is held in a snow castle, built from snow of Great Slave Lake. The castle is designed and the construction is supervised by Snowking, Anthony Foliot. It includes an auditorium, cafe, courtyard, slide, parapets and turrets. The month-long festival includes concerts, art shows, children’s theatre, and more. Carvers augment the castle with snow and ice sculptures.”

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