By Joel Dryden
By now, we’ve all hopefully acclimatized to what can be some nasty, inhospitable Albertan weather. Just in time, too, because February in Edmonton is a month chock-full of outdoor festivals and winter fun. From the Ice Castles to the Silver Skate Festival, here are just a few attractions sure to brighten your month. [Image credit: http://istock.com/zsv3207]
Sausages and craft beer are on the menu at the newly-opened Otto Food and Drink, located in Norwood. Pair your local brew with sausages ranging from beef bratwurst to American andouille, all for very reasonable prices.
Open for mere days at the time of publication, the downtown eatery Baijiu, located in the Mercer Warehouse, aims to pair “boozy dranks” with Asian-inspired plates. With a compelling design and cocktails for every persuasion, Baijiu looks to be yet another standout tenant in the historic warehouse.
If you find yourself in Edmonton’s Old Strathcona neighbourhood, pop into La Boule, an independent bakery creating big buzz amongst local residents. It’s easy to see why – stunning pastries, tarts, éclairs and cakes paired with coffee and espresso make La Boule a must-visit.
Thousands of LED lights embedded in the Ice Castles, located at Hawrelak Park, light up the stunning two-acre winter display when visitors arrive in the evening. The Castles are part of the Silver Skate Festival, Edmonton’s oldest winter festival.
To take particular note of in the festival’s 26th year is the 2017 Capital Classic Hockey Tournament, which includes a heated beer garden – a truly Canadian innovation.
The winter fun continues at Flying Canoë Volant, a celebration of French Canadian, First Nations and Métis magic. Running on Feb. 3 and 4, the event features bannock making, storytelling, drumming and more.
Needless to say, Edmontonians don’t let nasty weather keep them indoors. For more information on all of the outdoor fun to be found in the “Winter City,” check out this guide by Athena Raypold.
Even if you use February 14th to celebrate Single’s Awareness Day, there’s no denying most of February revolves around Valentine’s Day.
Make this Valentine's Day one to remember for that special someone – there's plenty going on in Edmonton to make it an occasion to remember. Gene Kosowan offers 10 ideas to help you plan the perfect date.
Don’t forget to plan ahead to get your Valentine a special gift – use our guide to discover Edmonton shops offering both traditional and creative gifts.
That’s just a taste of what’s coming up in Edmonton this February. Though we’ve gone through a stretch of cold weather, there’s plenty of winter fun worth venturing out for. Happy Valentine’s Day!
