Embrace the Winter Spirit of Edmonton’s Silver Skate Festival

The Silver Skate Festival is one of the best celebrations of winter anywhere. And it happens in Alberta’s capital of Edmonton, known as Canada’s Festival City. The annual tradition has been going on for decades and is the city’s longest-running winter festival.

It’s a not-to-be-missed annual tradition for 10 days in February.

Yes, ice skating may be the main event but it’s so much more. Bring the whole family and step into a winter wonderland of storytelling, entertainment, impressive fire and snow sculptures and horse drawn sleigh rides. Be sure to head to the maple sugar shack for a sweet treat – a must-do Canadian tradition.

The festivities all happen in Hawrelak Park, located in Edmonton’s famous river valley. Since the festival is based on the Dutch folk tale of Hans Brinker and the Silver Skates, you’ll also be introduced to Dutch winter traditions. One of those traditions is the sport of ice racing, a signature event at the festival. Here’s what else to expect at the festival.

By day: Skate, fat bike, eat, shop

The Silver Skate Festival changes from year to year, but ice skating is always a staple. Lace up your skates and hit the ice on Edmonton’s largest skating pond. Perfect your best figure skating moves or play a friendly game of hockey or broomball – a Canadian-made game. Curling and even speed-skating races happen all throughout the festival.

Off the ice, there’s a winter playground to explore. The Heritage Village offers a glimpse into Canada’s traditional and pioneer history. Cook up some bannock, a traditional type of bread, over an open fire and try snowshoeing and fat biking. There’s even a Winter Market that takes place in a heated tent. Look for unique hand-made crafts, clothing, and baked goods or locally made spirits.

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Snow sculptures

Each year, teams of artists from around the world carve towering eight-foot blocks of snow into large-scale works of art. Built early in the festival, the finished pieces form a snow sculpture garden that stays on display for the rest of the run — and often lingers well past the final day, until spring finally arrives to melt them away. Wander through at your own pace and weigh in on your favourite in the People's Choice Award.

By night: Warm up near the fire sculptures

As night falls, the Silver Skate Festival's fire sculptures take centre stage.

A Silver Skate tradition since 2009, these installations serve as the fiery finale to the storytelling along the Folk Trail. The centrepiece is "the BURN" — a fire sculpture set ablaze after dark to mark renewal and release.

You're invited to take part: write a wish or a fear on a slip of paper at the Lantern Making Tent, and it'll be placed on the sculpture and sent up into the night when it burns. Join the lantern-lit procession as it winds across the festival site, led by drummers, for one of the most captivating spectacles of the season.

You can also take a stroll down the Folk Trail, catch some live music and watch actors perform traditional stories. The nighttime programming at Silver Skate also changes things up a little each year, so check the schedule before heading out.

Word to the wise: Dress warmly. Edmonton winters can be chilly, so layers will help you make the most out of your visit to the Silver Skate Festival.