Regina’s Frost Festival kicks off, expanding to three weekends

The Frost Festival launches with new activities and its first-ever run over consecutive weekends. Jacob Carr has the details.

Frost Festival 2026 kicked off Friday, expanding to three consecutive weekends for the first time in the event’s history.

City of Regina officials say the extended schedule is meant to give residents and visitors more opportunities to take in the festival’s attractions throughout February.

“We really wanted to do three weekends because people are busy,” said Jennifer Johnson, Regina’s deputy city manager of communications, Service Regina and tourism. “There are hockey tournaments, families are traveling, and kids have activities. By spreading it out, people almost certainly have a chance to take part in Frost at some point.”

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Another first for the festival is a partnership with Globe Theatre. The launch of Frost coincides with the Globe’s production of Disney’s Frozen, which has been extended twice and is now playing through mid-March.

Globe Theatre director of engagement Heather Ervin said the collaboration felt like a natural fit.

“We can’t hibernate for winter because it takes too long,” Ervin said. “We were looking for ways to celebrate winter, and partnering with Frost made sense. It was the perfect opportunity to bring a little winter magic to Regina.”

During the festival, Globe Theatre will be open to the public for four hours each day. Visitors can warm up indoors, enjoy hot chocolate, get their hair “frostified” by Salon Society, and take photos.

Meanwhile, the REAL District is offering several new attractions this year, including a mechanical snowboard at Mosaic Stadium designed to test balance and coordination. Guests can also try street curling inside the Sportscage Lounge.

Family-friendly activities will be available at field level, while the SaskTel MaxTron will broadcast Canadian Olympic coverage throughout the festival.

“One of the things I’m really looking forward to is seeing the Indigenous games and trying out some of these activities,” said Kyle Russell, vice-president of operations and experience at the REAL District. “For those looking for something more active, there’s biathlon, obstacle courses, and plenty of ways to burn off some energy.”

Food will also be a major draw, with options prepared by REAL District executive chef Chaminda Ambagaspitiye. New menu items include the Frosty Dog — a hot dog topped with ingredients such as shaved coconut — along with churros, macaroni and cheese, pizza and perogies.

Frost Festival runs over three consecutive weekends, wrapping up on Feb. 22.