Dec. 1, 2021

Pack your mittens, it’s time for Northwestival

Annual outdoor winter festival in University District set for Sunday, Dec. 5
The 2019 edition of the Northwestival event at University District helped Calgarians ease into winter.
The 2019 edition of the Northwestival event at University District helped Calgarians ease into winter. Leigh-Anne Hazard Photography, for University District

Mark your calendars, pack your mittens and bring the whole family. Returning after a one-year hiatus, the annual outdoor winter festival in University District takes place this weekend with a fun-filled, family-friendly lineup of activities.

University District, the vibrant neighborhood being developed on the west side of the UCalgary campus, will host Northwestival on Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021. An enchanted afternoon of winter fun will take place from 1 to 6 p.m.

Event details

Those who attended the event in the past, before the pandemic, will find some familiar events and some new this year:

  • Live music and entertainment
  • Winter workshops
  • Kangaroo cuddles
  • Inflatable axe throwing
  • Cabane à sucre making
  • Toasty firepits and s’mores
  • Hot drink and toppings station
  • Frosty Memories photo booth
  • Peak to Prairie market

Admission to Northwestival is by donation to support local charity I Can for Kids. Our friends at Save-On-Foods will generously match donations.

The events themselves are a combination of free and token-based activities. Tokens can be purchased at the token booth for $1 each.

The location is Northwest Commons Park in University District. Learn more about the event and get directions.

About the University District development

To the west of UCalgary and overlooking the Bow River and Rocky Mountains, University District is a comprehensive 200-acre community with a bold vision for urban life in Calgary. Through a collaborative, people-first design process, the master planning and engagement program forged strong respect between local stakeholders and University of Calgary Properties Group.

The neighbourhood applies leading ideas in city design and incorporates the wants and needs of surrounding legacy communities — weaving current aesthetic, technology and lifestyle options into the social fabric of the city.

For more information about University District, visit the Discovery Centre at 4410 University Ave. N.W. (just north of the Alberta Children’s Hospital) or visit the University District website.