Canada celebrates both ends of its weather — in February Québec City throws the Carnaval de Québec, with a snowman king, ice palaces and red arrow sashes, and in July Calgary puts on its cowboy hat for the ten days of the Stampede.
Photo: Matias Garabedian, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The two festivals in this atlas show two sides of Canada. The Carnaval de Québec, held in Québec City since 1955 and intermittently since 1894, turns the depths of winter into a party in French. The Calgary Stampede in Alberta, which traces its roots to an agricultural fair of 1886, celebrates the rodeo and ranching heritage of the West. Both set their dates each year and publish them well in advance.
For ten days in February, Québec City celebrates winter with Bonhomme, a seven-foot snowman in a red tuque and arrow sash who holds the keys to the city, ice palaces, night parades with long red trumpets — and a snow bath in swimsuits.
February 5 – 14, 2027Officially announced
Every July, Calgary dresses in western wear for “The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth” — ten days of rodeo and chuckwagon racing, a parade, midway rides and pancake breakfasts, with more than a million visitors.
July 9 – 18, 2027Officially announced