Edmonton 
This weekend marks the return of Edmonton’s Winter Byzantine Fete!
Arts on the Ave
Embrace the enchanting “Under the Stars” theme at this year’s Deep Freeze: A Byzantine Winter Festival, where rustic charm meets frosty enchantment with barnyard-inspired ice sculptures and delightful farm-themed activities.
This weekend promises a joyous blend of community, art, and winter magic, uniting all in a vibrant celebration when Alberta Avenue and the surrounding neighbourhood transform into an artistic display of lights, sculptures, and larger-than-life installations that will all be free to view and experience.
Presented by Arts on the Ave, the festival, which runs on January 18 and 19, is an excellent way to get out of the house, get a walk, get in some education, and enjoy some of Alberta’s premiere local artists.
Immerse in Alberta Avenue District’s diverse tapestry, reflecting Ukrainian, French Canadian, Franco-African, Indigenous, Latin American, and Asian cultures. Discover artistic, musical, and culinary wonders, and experience Pipon Village’s snowshoeing, open-fire gatherings, and cultural teachings. Revel in the Olde New Year festivities, light installations, ice sculptures, street hockey, and exhilarating Deep Freezer races.
1. Ice Sculptures and Art Installations
Step into a winter playground where tradition, art, and light collide.
The long-standing favourite, the giant slide, is back this year at 91 Street & 118 Avenue, inviting attendees of all ages to bring their slips and slides for fun (weather dependent).
Ice sculptures nearby showcase the work of Barry Collier, Stephen Chung, and Kelly Davies, transforming frozen blocks into detailed, short-lived art. In the alley between 93 and 94 Street on 118 Avenue, glowing Chinese lanterns create a photo-ready walkway celebrating the Year of the Horse on February 17, 2026.
Along the streets, illuminated installations by Jason Carter and Serenity Passage appear alongside The Mitten, a Ukrainian folk tale reimagined through installations by Megan Koshka, and Ukrainian folk art by Elvira Kotuk woven throughout the festival grounds.
2. Lumberjacks, Vikings, Petting Zoo & Wagon Rides
What’s more magical than a horse and wagon ride along the streets where stiltwalkers, clowns, caribous, trolls and Vikings rule?
3. Cool Runnin’s Deep Freezer Races
Credit: Arts on the Ave
Festival guests can have a unique opportunity to race against others on the snowy streets.
The Cool Runnins’ Deep Freezer Races take over the street in front of the Alberta Avenue Community League on Saturday from noon to 8 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 6 p.m.
Teams aged 12 and up line up at the start, climbing aboard deep freezers and racing toward the finish line in a test of speed, balance, and teamwork.
The freezers glide along with ease through skis on the bottoms, and if you don’t feel like a race, you can get a lot of entertainment from just spectating the uniquely Edmonton races.
Helmets are required, the deep freezers are supplied, and the laughs are guaranteed, weather permitting. Bring friends, family, and a competitive spirit to watch or take part in this one-of-a-kind winter race.
4. Fireworks
Arts on the Avenue
What is a festival without fireworks? Be sure to arrive early to avoid disappointment and enjoy the creative colours filling the night sky behind the Alberta Avenue Community League on Saturday at 9 p.m.
5. Pipon Village
Indigenous culture is at the heart of Pipon Village, where Tâtawâw, meaning “there is room, welcome,” invites visitors to gather, learn, and share.
- Located at 91 Street and 118 Avenue, the village—named for the Cree word for winter—centres around a communal hearth offering storytelling, traditional games, Métis fiddle music, hand drumming, and bannock with mint tea prepared over the fire.
- Cultural activities continue inside tipis and trapper’s tents, led by members of the Bent Arrow Traditional Healing Society, with workshops in sash weaving, drumming, snowshoeing, and traditional arts.
- The Métis Kitchen Party takes place Saturday from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at The Hearth (9210–118 Avenue), featuring Zach Willier, Brianna Lizotte, Ethan Graves, Alex Kusturok, and the Kikino Northern Lites Dancers.
- Evenings conclude at the Big Bear Yurt (92 Street & 118 Avenue) with the Local Heroes Film Festival, showcasing short films by Alberta Indigenous filmmakers.
6. Good Eats!
Arts on the Ave
Food takes centre stage at Deep Freeze, blending winter comfort with cultural tradition.
- At the New Moon Pavilion (93 Street & 118 Avenue), the Village Pig roasts fresh from the spit Saturday and Sunday from noon until it’s gone, served at the Campfire Canteen alongside poutine, perogies, and kubi dogs. Visitors can also roast hot dogs and marshmallows over open fires and enjoy candied nuts and maple syrup on snow on the street.
- At the Alberta Avenue Community League, French Canadian dishes headline Saturday, followed by Ukrainian favourites on Sunday. Culinary competitions at The Hearth include the Tourtière Baking Showcase and Perogy Showcase Showdown, while family beer gardens and movie night round out the weekend.
7. Live Shows
The Deep Freeze Festival brims with cultural vibrancy across multiple venues.
Music and performance fill every corner of Alberta Avenue throughout the weekend, with stages spread across cafés, galleries, and outdoor spaces.
- At The Carrot Community Arts Coffeehouse (9351–118 Avenue), live sets run steadily from noon to evening, featuring folk, roots, and cultural performers over both days.
- Just down the street, the Nina Haggerty Centre for the Arts (9225–118 Avenue) hosts a rotating lineup of soloists, ensembles, and cultural exchanges.
- Inside the Community League at The Hearth (9210–118 Avenue), performances shift from daytime music to evening showcases, including Indigenous dance and Métis artists.
- Outdoors, Prairie Homestead and the New Moon Pavilion at 93 Street and 118 Avenue bring together craftspeople, dance troupes, fiddlers, workshops, and family-friendly films.
Together, the venues create a continuous, walkable soundtrack to the festival.
8. Artisan Markets & Exhibitions
Art and hands-on creativity are woven throughout the Deep Freeze Festival, offering warm indoor stops alongside street-level activity.
- The Artisan Market runs Saturday from noon to 9 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 6 p.m. at the Nina Haggerty Centre for the Arts (9225–118 Avenue), featuring handmade work by local artisans.
- Visual art galleries are open at both the Nina Haggerty Centre and The Carrot Community Arts Coffeehouse, showcasing work by emerging and established artists, with pieces available for purchase.
- Interactive workshops include Ethan Graves’ spoons sessions on the street, Filipino parol lantern-making at Lodgepole Communitas, star wand workshops at Jeff Collins Studio, and Ukrainian wool star (zirka) felting at St. Faith’s Anglican Church.
Trip Planning – Deep Freeze: A Byzantine Winter Fete
What: Edmonton’s first festival of the year celebrates the beauty and enchantment of winter. This year’s theme is Under the Stars, featuring ice sculptures, light and lantern installations, workshops, and more!
When:
Saturday, January 17 & Sunday January 18, 2026
Saturday: Noon – 10:00 pm
Sunday: Noon – 6:00 pm
Fireworks at 9:00 p.m. — Schedule
Where:
90–95 St & 118 Ave, Edmonton
How Much: Freee, donations appreciated.
