Every winter a castle appears on the frozen bay at Yellowknife, built from snow and ice by a crew led by the man known as the Snowking, Anthony Foliot. The first castle went up in 1996, and the idea has grown into a month-long festival that fills the building with performances. The castle has an auditorium, a cafe, a courtyard, a slide, parapets and turrets, and over the festival month it hosts a film night, weekend children's plays, live music on most Friday and Saturday nights, puppet shows and even hockey games. The festival belongs to the end of the winter season, with the castle opening in late winter and running into March, and the tourism board describes dance, theatre, music, magic, art and ice slides. For visitors it is a rare combination of architecture, community theatre and spectacle, and it sits within walking distance of Old Town and the lake. It is also a fine daytime activity for a trip built around the aurora, because the shows run at weekends and the castle is photogenic in low winter light. Schedules, admission and which events charge vary from year to year, so use the festival schedule before you plan.
What it is
A building made entirely of snow and ice, put up by volunteers and a core crew in the weeks after the lake freezes hard enough to carry the weight. Each year's castle is a little different, but the elements are familiar: a main hall for performances, a courtyard, towers, slides and sculpted details. Inside, the shows are the heart of it, from live bands to puppet shows, with children's performances at weekends.
When to go
The festival is a late-winter event, running for about a month around March, which makes it a natural companion to a late-February or March aurora trip when the days are longer and the cold has eased a little. It is not a fixed building, so the dates and the castle's condition depend on the weather. A run of warm days can force closures or early endings, and in a hard winter the season can be longer. Check the schedule when you book flights and keep a flexible plan for the day.
Tips
Dress as you would for any outdoor winter outing, because the castle is cold and surfaces can be slippery, and bring cash or a card for the cafe and any ticketed shows. Choose an evening show if you want atmosphere and a daytime visit if you want to walk round the exterior in good light. Families do well here, because slides and children's theatre give younger visitors something to do. Pair it with Old Town, a stop for hot food and, later in the evening, an aurora outing.
If you have time for only one daytime activity in town beyond the dog sledding and museum standards, this is the one that makes the trip feel specifically Yellowknife, because a castle of snow and ice on a frozen bay is not something you will find in most cities. It also gives you a social evening, which is useful on a trip where most of the nights are spent standing quietly in the dark waiting for the sky.
What to expect
The experience
A castle of snow and ice on the frozen bay, hosting concerts, children's theatre, films and slides through a month-long festival.
Best time
March, in the late-winter festival month, with weekend evenings best for live music.
How long
One to three hours, depending on the show.
Tips
Check the festival schedule, dress for cold and slippery surfaces, and keep the day flexible in case warm weather closes the castle.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Late-winter visitors who want something distinctly local that is not an aurora tour.
- Families
- Excellent, with slides, puppet shows and children's plays at weekends.
- Couples
- A fun evening of live music in an ice castle.
- Pair with
- Old Town, a lakeside walk and an aurora night.
- Time needed
- One to three hours.
Good questions
What is the Snowking Winter Festival?+
It is a month-long festival held in a castle of snow and ice built each winter on the frozen bay at Yellowknife.
When does it run?+
It is a late-winter event, running for about a month around March. Exact dates change each year, so check the schedule.
What is inside the castle?+
It has an auditorium, a cafe, a courtyard, a slide, parapets and turrets, and hosts music, films, plays and puppet shows.
Is it good for children?+
Yes, weekend children's plays, puppet shows and the slide make it popular with families.
Can warm weather close it?+
Yes. The castle is built of snow and ice, so a thaw can force closures or an early finish. Check before you go.
