The ice is being carved, the music is queued and winter fun is just about ready to begin. The fifth annual Grande North Winter Festival returns to downtown Grande Prairie January 9 to 11, 2026, inviting the community to step outside and experience winter together.

Throughout the weekend, downtown spaces will fill with shared moments and classic winter energy. From skating the oval and racing down ice slides to warming up in the Acoustic Cabin and Ice Bar with live music and local flavours, the festival celebrates the simple joy of being out together in our northern city.

“Grande North Winter Festival is an invitation to enjoy winter the way we do in Grande Prairie,” said Jackie Clayton, Mayor of Grande Prairie. “It brings people together to enjoy the season and take pride in being a true winter city.”

With a mix of free and ticketed experiences, there is something to discover whether visitors stop by for an hour or make a full weekend of it.

What to expect this weekend

Festival highlights include a mix of free and ticketed experiences for all ages, such as:

• The Acoustic Cabin and Ice Bar at Bonnetts Energy Centre, featuring live music, winter-inspired food and cooking demos with local chefs.
• Aquatera Ice Slides at the Montrose Cultural Centre, delivering fast-paced winter fun.
• TC Energy Ice Carving, where visitors can watch ice blocks become detailed works of art.
• Chippers Ice Carving Lessons, offering a hands-on chance to try carving with guidance from local experts, sponsored by Frontier Mitsubishi.
• The Canadian Tire Skating Oval, a smooth outdoor loop perfect for skaters of all skill levels.
• Ortho 101 Crokicurl, a playful and easy-to-learn winter game combining curling and crokinole.

Tickets for the Acoustic Cabin and Ice Bar at Bonnetts Energy Centre are available now at bonnettsenergycentre.com. Full schedules and details are available at cityofgp.com/WinterFest.

Bundle up, bring a friend and join in as Grande Prairie turns winter into something worth celebrating.