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As downtown Edmonton’s Ice District suggests through their name, this local venue is ready for winter.
UIAA Ice Climbing World Championship and YEG Ice Fest
The plaza and surrounding venues have become a year-round attraction in Edmonton, with Fan Park and the Plaza continuously scheduling festivals, art exhibitions, parties, concerts, and sporting events.
This winter, the Ice District offers all of the above through a few competitions, a big display of winter art, and by offering access to winter fun.
Various paid public parking lots are open around the Ice District. The LRT also stops directly behind Rogers Place, while multiple bus routes run along 104th Ave. NW in front of Rogers Place.
Chiseled Ice Carving Competition
Embrace the beauty and art which comes from our coldest time of the year with a walk through the Chiseled Ice Carving Competition. This unique event takes place in the Ice District January 18-20, 2024.
The competition brings in ice carvers from all around the world to showcase the incredible skill and talent. Visit on the first day of the competition to see it all take place as the artists carve away at 300lb cubes of ice and snow with chisels and chainsaws.
UIAA Ice Climbing World Championships and YEG Ice Fest
Ice climbing is the winter version of rock climbing. But instead of cliff and rock faces, ice climbers embark on a vertical ascent up towers of ice and frozen waterfalls that sit on top of these cliffs.
The Alpine Club of Canada Edmonton’s Ice Wall, which was located at Edmonton Ski Club, has been relocated to Fan Park, and you can book an ice climbing class.
So, for the UIAA Ice Climbing World Championships at the Ice District Plaza this February, there will be a massive and man-made ice wall for competitors to climb. This is the first time these World Championships have been held outside of Europe, so this is a unique spectating opportunity not only for Edmonton, but for Canada too.
Chart Topping Concerts
In addition to the Oilers’ and Oil Kings’ games at the Rogers Place, there will be concerts by famous artists at the indoor arena:
- City and Colour with Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats — Saturday February 10, 2024
- Blake Shelton – Back To The Honky Tonk Tour with Dustin Lynch and Emily Ann Roberts — Friday March 8, 2024
- Journey – 50th Anniversary Freedom Tour 2024 featuring very special guest TOTO. — Saturday March 9, 2024
Harlem Globetrotters will also take to the court with moments of extreme basketball innovation on Sunday March 10th.
Downtown Skating at Ice District Plaza
The Ice District Plaza boasts a large outdoor skating rink located between Rogers Arena and the JW Marriott Hotel. The rink is fully lit for nighttime skating as well, with string lights overhead and the surrounding lights of downtown in general. The rink is surrounded by cement benches for lacing up, while a few surrounding buildings offer a place to warm up.
Hockey at Fan Park
The Plaza skating rink is for recreational ice skating only; but those who wish to bring the pucks and sticks can head around the corner to Fan Park, on the same side of 104th Avenue as Rogers Arena. These rinks are built for and intended for pickup games of shinny/hockey. These rinks are open on Tuesdays and Thursdays from January 2 to February 8.
Explore the Nearby Cafes & Downtown Dining
Downtown Edmonton is the heart of the local dining scene, so there will be many options nearby for any type of meal, snack, or drink. These are some of the close options by the Ice District for pubs, cafes, upscale restaurants, and family dining.
- 104th Street, on the west side of the Ice District, is home to numerous dining options as well as Edmonton’s outdoor Neon Light Museum. The area is especially lively during Oilers home games.
- A few restaurants surround the Ice District Plaza, including the Canadian Icehouse, The Banquet, Kindred Food & Drink, El Jardin, and Braven.
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- Head south of the Ice District in downtown Edmonton to find several options for a cup of coffee or a warm drink from local cafes like Remedy, The Hallway Café, or District 102.
