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Activate Arts Alberta is bringing large-scale ice carving back to downtown Edmonton with the return of Chiseled (erstwhile Ice on Whyte Festival).
Credit: Ice on Whyte
The event highlights live carving, allowing visitors to follow each artwork from raw material to finished form.
Chiseled runs January 15 to 17, 2026, in the ICE District Plaza. Over three days, ten professional ice carvers from across Canada will work in teams to create monumental sculptures.
Each piece is built from 15 large blocks of crystal-clear ice, resulting in works of a scale seen in only a few places nationwide.
Carving takes place daily from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., weather permitting, and the public can watch artists use chainsaws, chisels, and specialized tools throughout the process.
The 2026 lineup includes Andrew Wagner, Andrew Zoller, Cliff Vacheresse, Kamron Garbe, Ken Harper, Larry MacFarlane, Nathan McKeough, Scott Harrison, Steve Buzak, and Yann Blanchard.
Artists are paired into five teams: Wagner with Zoller; MacFarlane with McKeough; Blanchard with Vacheresse; Buzak with Harper; and Garbe with Harrison.
Once carving is complete, the sculptures remain on display in ICE District Plaza until January 27. Visitors are encouraged to return throughout the exhibition to see how the works change over time. The event also includes a People’s Choice Award, giving the public an opportunity to vote for a favourite sculpture and directly support the participating artists.
While downtown, do not miss the Ice Castles at Fan Park, featuring elaborate ice sculptures, ice caverns, and a frozen maze.
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Trip Planning: Chiseled
Credit: Chiseled
Chiseled is one of only a small number of Canadian events dedicated to ice sculptures of this size and technical calibre, reinforcing Edmonton’s reputation as a winter city.
When: January 15-17, 2026
Carving will take place daily from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., weather permitting.
The sculptures remain on display until Jan. 27, depending on weather conditions.
Where: Ice District Plaza, 10360 102 St NW, Edmonton
How Much: Free
