Charlottetown 
Charlottetown is a magnificent city to visit in the winter. Whether you’re spending a weekend or a few days, there’s something for everyone. Despite the small size of the island, there’s an abundance of fun to be had in spite of the cold and snow — in fact, that’s exactly what makes the experience better!
Credit: Jack Frost Festival!
Winter Festivals & Events
Fine Winter Dining
The Winterdine Festival in Charlottetown occurs every year towards the the end of January and beginning of February, this fine dining in the city is when the local restaurants open their doors of an evening to celebrate Prince Edward Island’s local chefs and local culinary masterpieces. Spending a week on the Island just got even more authentic if you plan around Winterdine. This year the festival is happening daily over 3 weeks on January 19 – 25, January 26 – February 1, February 2 – 8, 2026.
Spring Festival Fair
Celebrate the Lunar New Year with the CSPEI Spring Festival Fair at Eastlink Centre Charlottetown to celebrate the Year of the Horse. The event includes a family-friendly Daytime Fair and an exciting Evening Show, featuring cultural performances, music, dance, food, and community showcases, creating a vibrant and festive New Year atmosphere for all ages. February 21, 2026.
Jack Frost
Embrace the magic of winter during the Family Day Long Weekend from February 13 – 16, 2026. Jack Frost Winterfest isn’t just an event; it’s where winter comes to play, and cherished family memories are made.
PEI Symphony Orchestra: Reclaimed
Experience an enchanting afternoon with the PEI Symphony Orchestra. Reclaimed speaks to home, and what happens when home leaves us. This moving program includes Derksen’s own works including Round Dance, Parkdale and Controlled Burn. Paired with Nat Bartsch’s introspective Hope and Margaret Bonds’ Montgomery Variations, which responds to the American civil rights movement, the program also features Smetana’s ‘Die Moldau’ from Má Vlast, a passionate tribute to national identity and personal belonging. March 15, 2026
Charlottetown Christmas Festival
Celebrate the season and have lots of family fun at the Charlottetown Christmas Festival. There will be plenty of activities to keep everyone having fun and entertained, including Victorian Christmas Market, the Mistletoe Market, horse-drawn wagon rides, the Charlottetown Tree Lighting, the Charlottetown Christmas Parade, the Indigenous Artisans Christmas Market, festivities at Founders’ Food Hall & Market, a Whoville-Inspired Christmas Village, visits from Santa, live performances, holiday-themed hotel packages, Capital New Year Celebrations, and much more.
Charlottetown Islanders Hockey
The Charlottetown Islanders hit the ice at the Eastlink Center. Get your tickets early!
Details
Eastlink Center, 46 Kensington Road Charlottetown
Confederation Centre of the Arts
- Matt Andersen: The Hammer and The Rose Tour
with Special Guest Mariel Buckley on January 29, 2026 - Classic Albums Live Performs: Pink Floyd – Dark Side of the Moon on February 12, 2026
- GOLDEN GIRLS: The Laughs Continue on March 4, 2026
- The Rock Orchestra by Candlelight on March 5, 2026
- War on the Catwalk on March 9, 2026
- PEI Symphony Orchestra Presents: Reclaimed on March 15, 2026
- Still Standin’ : A Night Of Elton John & Billy Joel on March 21, 2026
PEI Beer Festival
Samples of beer and ciders with live music, local food pairings, cask corners and more are available at the PEI beer Festival. The festival runs March 20 & 21, 2026, at the Delta Prince Edward by Marriott.
Details
PEI Music Week
Music Week on the island runs from February 28 to March 7, 2026. The week includes a showcasing of a variety of local musicians performing at venues in Charlottetown. The week culminates with the PEI Music Awards Gala, so you get to check out too!
PEI Winter Bluegrass Festival
Experience the warmth of Prince Edward Island’s rich Irish & Scottish heritage, from March 19 to 22, 2026. Discover the Appalachian traditions of Bluegrass Music anchored this year by headline act Tim O’Brien, renowned for bridging these musical worlds. Vendors and Local artisans will have their artistry on display at the Bluegrass Market with lots of music workshops and late night jams under the stars overlooking the Charlottetown Harbour.
Trailside Music Hall Performances
Trailside Music Hall in Charlottetown hosts diverse live acts, from tribute bands to folk artists.
Upcoming events this season include:
- Songs for Shelter — An Evening of Music & Meaning – January 7
- GROOVE COMPANY – QEH Fundraiser – January 9
- Neil young Tribute w/ Peter Forbes & Friends – January 15
- Whose line is it anyway? – PEI Edition – January 16
- Brooke & Brad Play Country Classics from 90’s – 2000’s – January 17
- Jack Pine Folk Club – January 22
- Lady Soul – January 23
- Glory Days: The Music of Bruce Springsteen – January 29 – 31
- The Trio From Mars Album Launch w/ Wrong Planet Band – February 6
- Ella Fitzgerald Tribute with Dee Hernandez – February 13
- Amanda Jackson w/ Route 225 – Valentines Show – February 14
- After Hours Band – February 20 – 21
- Brother’s MacPhee Present: Nirvana Unplugged in New York – February 27
- Boots And Bets – A Night of Country Fun and Casino Action in support of the PEI Symphony Orchestra – February 28
- More Soul – March 7
- The Tragically Hip Tribute w/ The Fabulously Rich – March 13 – 14
- Dancing Queen Tribute to ABBA – March 20 – 21
Food & Fun
- Lone Oak Brewpub offers craft beer, quality pub food, live music, and scenic water views on the North River Causeway. Enjoy weekend concerts, cozy ambiance with fire pits, a fireplace, and a 30-foot bar. Perfect for Sunday brunch, casual meals, nights out, or game nights on a winter evening.
- The Local Pub and Oyster Bar in Uptown Charlottetown offers winter dining with live music on weekends. Enjoy local favorites, gluten-free options, and $1 oysters daily with a beverage. Perfect for casual meals, featuring vegetarian and vegan selections.
- Enjoy traditional pub fare, fresh seafood, and draught beer in a lively, authentic atmosphere showcasing Atlantic Canada’s top entertainers since 1983 at The Olde Dublin, PEI’s original Irish pub.
- Hunter’s Ale House serves delicious steak, seafood, and hearty pub fare. Enjoy engaging Thursday night trivia and Name That Tune on Saturdays alongside a welcoming atmosphere and delicious dining options.
- A hidden gem for foodies, Founder’s Food Hall & Market brings together mouth-watering Island flavours, entertainment and local artisan products under one roof.
Other Activities During Winter
Outdoor Skating Rinks
Credit: City of Charlottetown
Victoria Park
Being Charlottetown’s largest park, Victoria Park is home to lots of winter family fun. Grab your skates and helmet and head to the outdoor skating rink, which is open daily. The walking trails are open even when snow is falling and Some of the trails are groomed for cross-country skiing.
Brighton Road, Charlottetown
Tobogganing at Stone Park Intermediate School
Grab your sled and head to Stone Park Intermediate School. Zip down the hill, make some snow angels, and even build a snowman around the snowy hill.
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50 Pope Avenue, Charlottetown
Winter Fun at Belvedere Golf Club
When the snow starts falling, the Belvedere Golf Club becomes a spectacular winter wonderland. The trails around the club are groomed for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.
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1 Greensview Dr, Charlottetown
Winter River Trail
The Winter River Hiking Trail, just 5 km from Charlottetown, offers a scenic 7 km walk through spruce thickets, rolling terrain, and marsh boardwalks. Enjoy wildlife sightings, including rabbits, songbirds, herons, and foxes. Ideal for easy winter snowshoeing with river lookouts and serene natural views.
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PEI Regiment Museum
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3 Haviland Street, Charlottetown
Pure Spa & Modo Yoga
Spend an afternoon treating yourself and leave feeling calm and renewed. Pure Spa offers luxurious spa treatments to suit your needs. Try hot yoga at Modo Yoga to stretch your muscles and calm your mind.
Details
4 Prince Street, Charlottetown
Bell Aliant Centre
Water fun at the Bell Aliant Centre does not stop when snow starts falling. Featuring three pools, a hot tub, a huge water slide, and diving boards, you cannot go wrong splashing around at Bell Aliant Centre. They also have a rink that is just for hockey games.
Details
560 University Avenue, Charlottetown
Skiing at Brookvale Provincial Park
Great Northern Adventures
Go dashing through the snow in a horse-drawn sled this winter. The farm is only five minutes from Charlottetown. You can also meet some farm animals in the petting pit, and kids love the pony rides. If you get cold, warm up next to the fire pit and toast some marshmallows.
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924 Fort Augustus Road, Mount Herbert
Leonhard’s Cafe & Restaurant
Warm up with a cup of coffee and snack, or with a full meal at the Leonhard’s Cafe & Restaurant. Leonhard’s serves Down East Coffee, which is roasted in New Brunswick, and a menu that highlights are inspired by local in-season produce.
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142 Great George Street, Charlottetown
The Alley
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200 Richmond Drive, Charlottetown
Owls Hollow
Owl’s Hollows is known for offering award-winning toys and games for children. Did you know that the lower level is an indoor playland? This indoor playland is filled with lots of toys and games for all ages.
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95 Capital Drive, Charlottetown
Charlottetown Art Walk
Explore downtown and the waterfront to find the 20 beautiful art pieces listed in the Charlottetown Art Walk. This self-guided Art Walk features fantastic pieces by Canadian artists. The works highlight the city’s history and nature. You can start the tour at any point in the city.
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Charlottetown Farmers Markets
Even in the winter, the Charlottetown Farmers Market is still open on Saturday mornings from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Farmers are still growing and harvesting fresh produce and crafters and artisans are creating one-of-a-kind items. It is worth waking up early to go to the market for freshly brewed coffee and delicious pastries.
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100 Belvedere Avenue, Charlottetown
PEI Escape Rooms
Gather the clues, solve the puzzles to find the key and escape the room in just 60 minutes. PEI Escape Rooms offers games for 2 to 10 people. They have themed rooms to pick from.
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81 Prince Street, Charlottetown
Hopyard
The Hopyard is the place to be if you love food and craft beers. The menu changes every 2 weeks with international and local flavours. They also have a collection of over 500 vinyl albums, which is the only music that is played in the cafe.
Details
151 Kent Street, Charlottetown
Explore History!
Charlottetown is the birthplace of Confederation. Therefore, it is packed with the history of Canada. In 1864, the Charlottetown Conference changed the course of Canada as a nation when the three Canadian Maritime provinces of New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward were encouraged to form a Union by Britain and become a British colony. However, the Province of Canada (including Quebec and Ontario) would have their interests represented by delegates. The outcome of the conference would lay the foundation for the unification of Canada as one nation under British rule. To that end, there are plenty of museums, historical buildings and monuments for you to explore. Even if you visit in winter, spending a few days in Charlottetown is a must for any history buff visiting Atlantic Canada.
