Discover Winterfest
Discover interactive Canadian-style winter activities for all ages!Family Day weekend is a great time to plan a long weekend – of fun and adventure at Sylvan Lake’s Winterfest.
Get out and play, catch your first fish, try out an electric fat-tire bike or cozy up on a sleigh ride. There’s something for everyone at Sylvan Lake’s Winterfest, Feb. 18 to 21.
Sylvan Lake transforms into a magical, winter wonderland for Winterfest – showcasing winter in a lake town. The festival features a wide variety of activities from the annual Big Jig ice fishing derby to the high anticipated Polar Bear Dip.
Other festival highlights include snowshoeing, sleigh rides, the Kinabik Discovery Village to the Fire on Ice Show and more.
Welcome to winter in Sylvan Lake.
Be the judge of the best poutine in town! Try some of the best poutines on offer at Sylvan Lake’s local restaurants. Participating restaurants are geared up to pull out their most creative versions of Canada’s iconic treat for a chance at winning the Best Poutine in Town title.
Grab your skates and slide into one of three ice rinks off Lakeshore Drive. There’s free parking on the ice and benches to sit on while you tie up your skates or take a break.
After a skate on the ice, try out Sylvan Lake’s giant ice slide, constructed every year in mid-February. It’s one of the most unique experiences in Alberta and fun for the whole family. Get your camera ready!
There’s excitement a plenty at the BIG JIG Fishing tournament, with a prize pool of $10,000 including a $3,000 top prize for the longest fish.
The three-day tournament is organized online through Angler’s Atlas. Register to compete and read and follow all event rules carefully.
Join the Alberta Conservation Association (ACA) Kids Can Catch event and learn the basics of ice fishing, February 18 to 19. Volunteers will teach new anglers the proper ways to bait a hook, where to drop a line, and what to do once a fish has been caught. The event runs from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. throughout the weekend.
So, bring your sense of adventure and prepare to get hooked on ice fishing. Out on the lake, you will find pre-drilled holes, a cozy ice fishing tent, fishing mentors, snacks, and more.
Check out the magic of spinning fire as acrobatic dancers flip, twirl, spin, and show off their latest tricks.
Catch one of five, 10-minute shows at the Kinabik Village on Saturday from 4:30-6:30pm.
There’s nothing more Canadian than diving into a frozen lake. Take the plunge and support local charities at the Winter Fest Polar Dip, Saturday Feb 18 at 11 a.m.
All jumpers are required to raise a minimum of $100 to support on of Sylvan’s many charities. Register to compete.
Event Schedule
ALL WEEKEND LONG
Pass-the-Poutine Contest
At participating restaurants while supply lasts. Menu below!
Lake Skating Rinks
FREE | Access at Lakeshore Dr and 49 St
Winter Village Lights
FREE | 5pm-10pm | Lakeshore Dr and 50 St
FRIDAY, FEB. 18
Winterfest Glow N' Throw Axe Throwing
Colossal Sam LIVE
7-11pm | Chief's Pub & Eatery | 4707 Lakeshore Drive
The BIG JIG Ice Fishing Derby
Learn to Fish
FREE | 11am-4pm | Lakeshore Dr and 50 St on the west side of the Sylvan Lake pier
Kinabik Discovery Village
FREE | 11am-4pm | Access at Lakeshore Drive and 49 Street
Sleigh Rides
FREE | 11am-4pm | Pick up and drop off at the library parking lots at 50 Avenue and 49 Street
Fire on Ice Show
FREE | 4:30pm-6:30pm (every 25 minutes)
Access at Lakeshore Drive and 49 Street
Fireworks
FREE | 7pm | Watch from anywhere along Lakeshore Dr
The BIG JIG Ice Fishing Derby
FREE | 11am-4pm | Lakeshore Dr and 50 St on the west side of the Sylvan Lake pier
2022 Oval Ice Racing Series
10am-4pm | Rocky Motorcycle Club | Access at Lakeshore Drive and 49 Street, follow driving trail east past the Lake Rinks to event grounds. $5/person, $15/car cash only.
MONDAY, FEB. 21
The BIG JIG Ice Fishing Derby