F.A.Q.

Is there free parking?

Yes, but it is limited during the festival. We strongly recommend taking transit to Laurier Park.

Can I take transit to the festival?

Yes. There are ETS stops near the festival grounds, and a Free Park n’ Ride service loop from the South Campus transit centre.

Are the festival grounds accessible / wheelchair-friendly?

The trails around the festival grounds are made of packed snow, and the condition of the trails can vary greatly based on the weather. There are paved paths from the NE accessible parking lot, along the north side of the park, to most festival features.
More Accessibility info here.

Will it be crowded?

Weekends during the festival is when you’ll find the most crowds, however Sir Wilfrid Laurier Park is a spacious festival site and there is plenty of room to walk freely.

What time do activities start?

Public skating begins daily at 11am. Festival programming begins at noon on weekends, and 4pm during the week. Visit our event listing.

What’s happening during the weekdays?

Check out the daily schedule.

What time is the fire sculpture burn?

The Fire Sculpture Burns take place each festival weekend (Fri, Sat & Sun) at 7:45pm.

When can I see snow sculptures?

The Snow Sculptures Garden will be up from February 8th until the spring melt.

Snow Sculptures will be completed on Sunday Feb 8 by noon, and online voting for People’s Choice will take place that week.

What is there for kids to do at the festival?

We have curated winter experiences for kids of all ages. Be sure to check out our Family Fun Zone and Snow Zone.

Are there skate rentals at Laurier?

Unfortunately there are no skate rentals at Sir Wilfrid Laurier Park, please plan to bring your own skates!

Are there speed skating events?

Unfortunately for 2026, there are no official speed skating races but you are encouraged to participate in the free public skate.

Is there food on site?

Yes. There is a variety of food trucks onsite.

Is public skating open?

Please monitor the City of Edmonton’s Facility Notifications page for updates on ice conditions.

Are dogs allowed?

Yes. As per the City of Edmonton bylaw, dogs are permitted in Sir Wilfrid Laurier Park as long as they are on trail and on leash. Please note dogs are not allowed in indoor spaces, e.g. a festival tent. Also, keep in mind the weekends are very busy. Please factor that into your consideration when deciding to bring your dog to the park.

Photography Notice

Silver Skate Festival takes place at a public park and visitors may be photographed as part of festival promotions.

As Edmonton’s biggest and free winter festival, we rely on marketing—including use of photography and videography of festival activations and attendees. Visuals may be posted on Silver Skate Festival’s website, social media channels, or use in other promotional materials.

Thank you for coming to Create Winter Experiences with us!

What to Bring

Here are a few things to bring that will help you enjoy our winter experiences and celebrate prairie winter life in comfort.

Plan for sun

The reflection of the sun can be very strong off the ice and snow. Sunglasses, sunscreen and lipbalm with SPF can help you mitigate those effects and keep you safe from UV exposure.

Stay hydrated!

Bring a reusable drinking bottle.

A bit of cash

Most of our merchants have gone cashless, but you don’t want to miss out on anything! We also gladly accept donations to help us grow and keep our festival free for all Edmontonians!

Power up

Don’t miss out capturing your winter experiences! Fully charge your electronic devices before you arrive as the cold can cause them to deplete at a faster rate.

Dress for Success!

In the winter time, Edmonton weather runs the gamut from cold to cold to downright bone-chilling cold—and can change by the moment. Before you take on the elements and engage in outdoor activities, check the forecast and dress for success!

Here's some advice to help you and your family cope with the cold and stay warm and comfy—from the top of your head to the tip of your toes—so you can make your best winter experience.

A Toque is a Hat

Up to 60% of your body's heat can escape through your head during cold weather. Even if you're not a fan of hat head, you'll need to cover up your noggin with a hat (or even a headband or helmet) if you want to stay warm at the festival.

There are all kinds of different hats out there, usually made of fleece or wool. If you find hats itchy, choose one with a fleece liner, which will feel soft on your skin. If it's really cold out, try to cover as much of your skin as you can. Consider a balaclava, which will cover almost all of your head and neck, or wear a hat with a neck gaiter, which will cover your neck and some of your face.
Layer Up: When you're outside for the day, the weather will inevitably change. So will your activity level, as you participate in different activities. Dressing in layers makes it easy to edit what you're wearing to fit the situation—removing a layer while you're skating or adding one after sunset.

Start with a wicking layer. Worn next to your body, it's usually a kind of long underwear in a synthetic fabric (but silk works too) that will wick the moisture away from your skin. Next, add an insulating layer, like a sweater, vest or pullover. This layer will help keep heat in and cold out. Fleece and wool are great materials for keeping you warm. Your top layer is called a protection layer, usually a shell and pants, which will block the wind and snow. It should also be a breathable material so your perspiration can evaporate—keeping you dry and comfy for your winter fun!
Give frostbite the finger

When it's really cold, your hands can be vulnerable to frostbite. Look for gloves and mittens made of waterproof, but breathable, materials. Although mittens will keep you warmer, they won't work as well as gloves for some activities. Bring both, just in case.
Happy Feet

If you're going to be on the move for a day of winter fun, make sure your feet will stay warm. If you have proper winter boots, you should be fine with just one pair of good-quality socks made of a wicking material. But if it's really, really cold, you’d be wise to add a second pair of socks, and maybe even toe warmers to stick in your boots (these also feel really nice).