Music
From partying in igloos to competing in ice carving tournaments, stay warm this winter with these top events and festivals going down across the country.
Canada has a long and varied summer festival season, but what happens in the winter? No matter where you’re located, you probably live within driving distance of a few dozen festivals and events that would make for a warmer season. Now that the colder months and Red Bull Winter Edition have landed, let us guide you through these mandatory events below.
1. Igloofest (Ended)
Montréal, Quebec
January 16 - February 8, 2020
Quite possibly the world's coldest music festival, Igloofest is back this year for its 14th edition in Montréal, Quebec. Across four weekends and eleven days of programming, this year's full lineup features sets from renowned globetrotting Nina Kraviz, DJ Eprom, Boycott, Cri and Odile Myrtil who are sure to pack the dance floor with heat.
2. Snow Days (Ended)
Banff, Alberta
January 15 - 26, 2020
Picturesque Banff embraces the colder months with SnowDays, a ten day festival packed with winter activities, from ice carving competitions to sleigh rides. The celebration kicks off on Banff Avenue with a big block party, which enlists ice climbing and bonfires on the agenda. The event is one of the first of its kind to take over the area, dating back to the 1900s. If you can't beat 'em, join 'em!
3. Big Winter Classic (Ended)
Calgary, Alberta
January 23 - 26, 2020
BIG Winter Classic is much more than an event. A celebration of Calgary's thriving music scene, the four day music festival stitches together pockets of the local creative community to offer shared cultural experiences in the realms of art and music. BIG Winter Classic's 2020 edition features over 75 acts on the bill, including Ezra Furman, Bodega, Girlfriend Material, and more.
4. Wavelength Winter Music Festival (Ended)
Toronto, Ontario
February 13 - 16, 2020
There's no better place to discover your new favourite band than Wavelength, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2020 with 20 bands over 4 days! In February, the annual Toronto music series takes over the city with three nights of the best in independent music from the North American underground. Attendees can also except a plethora of visual art installations and immersive projections. Stay tuned for the full lineup of shows taking place at Sneaky Dee's, Longboat Hall, and The Garrison.
5. Winterlude (Ended)
Ottawa, Ontario
January 31 - February 17, 2020
Winterlude, a festival celebrating the intersection of colder months and its creative potential, invites attendees to check out ice sculptures and snow playgrounds surrounding the city's famed Rideau Canal – which also plays home to the world's largest ice rink. The first three weekends of February in Ottawa are sure to be eventful!
6. Carnaval de Québec (Ended)
Québec City, Quebec
February 7-16, 2020
Québec City's esteemed Carnaval de Québec is back for its 66th year. This festival has something for everyone, you can participate in two Saturday night parades over Grande Allée, or if you're feeling adventurous, drop into the iconic annual canoe race, which will see close to 60 teams square off over the frozen waters of the St. Lawrence River, competing in one of four categories: Elite Men's, Elite Women's, Competitive and Sports. There for the music? Then head to the middle of rue Jacques-Parizeau to dance to the electrifying rhythms of female DJs hailing from all over the world! Check out this link for the festival's full program.
7. Festival de Voyageur (Ended)
Winnipeg, Manitoba
February 14 - 23, 2020
Winnipeg's biggest event of the season, Festival de Voyageur, is not one to miss. The massive nine day event gathers the entire city in the Saint Boniface neighbourhood, offering a diverse range of activities. The wide variety of activities brings you to a choose-your-own-adventure crossroads: embrace your inner lumberjack with the beard growing contest and wood carving challenge or explore your winter loving side with the annual International Snow Sculpting Symposium.
8. Montréal en Lumière (Ended)
Montréal, Quebec
February 20 - March 1, 2020
A celebration of gastronomy and the arts, Montréal en Lumièreis coming back this season for its 21st edition. Enjoy immersive light installations in key downtown locations and on select building façades, or try out free activities like curling and zip-lining. Highlights from previous years include an ice slide measuring 110 metres long that ran through the city's Quartier des Spectacles district, club nights and unique musical performances scattered across the city at all hours of the night.
9. Long Winter (Ended)
Toronto, Ontario
Monthly from November 2019 - March 2020
An institution in Toronto's DIY art scene, Long Winter makes a return this year, and we can be certain that the programming won't be short of electrifying. A series that runs exclusively during winter, the events offer elements of music, spoken word and visual art in a multi-room layout. Check out the next show on December 13 at the Harbourfront Centre, with performances from ANAMAI, Casey MQ, Memory Pearl, Small Time Giants and more.
