Whistler Signature Events: Annual Festivals for Friends and Family
Whistler ranks among the best mountain destinations for skiing, biking and hiking. However, this Canadian hot spot also hosts some of the best ways to celebrate through food, sports and culture. Sound interesting? Check out these Whistler signature events and popular festivals.
Whistler Signature Events and Festivals for Year-round Fun
Viessmann Luge World Cup and BMW Sprint World Cup
Whistler Sliding Centre serves as a world-class bobsleigh, skeleton and luge facility. In December, the venue hosts Viessmann Luge World Cup – an event that welcomes women, men, doubles and sprints to compete for the World Cup.
Those who can’t attend this World Cup event will find more sporting events at Whistler Olympic Park and Whistler Sliding Centre. View the full Whistler sports calendar.
World Ski and Snowboard Festival
Every April, the best skiers and snowboarders, and their fans, come to Whistler for World Ski and Snowboard Festival. This multi-day festival showcases sports, culture and music, with events for all ages. Examples include outdoor concerts, art walks, boarder-style world championships, film screening and kids activities.
GO Fest
Whistler Great Outdoors Festival (GO Fest) celebrates Whistler’s most popular feature – the beautiful outdoor landscape. Go Fest offers fours days of recreation, activities and wellness dispersed throughout Whistler’s landscape. In addition, festivals showcase artists, musicians, athletes and healthy living practices.
During GO Fest, watch street entertainment, practice yoga, learn SUP, ride bikes, throw an axe, take sailing lessons and watch films. The festival also has a farmers market and food truck days, so visitors get the ultimate local experience.
Whistler Children’s Festival
For more than 30 years, Whistler Children’s Festival has welcomed families to use their imagination. It’s so popular it ranks among the top Whistler signature events and is the longest running event in Whistler.
Whistler Children’s Festival begins with a free, massive pajama party where parents and children wear their silliest pajamas and dance all night. Other events include a circus, crafts, musical playground, entertainment, inflatables, balloon animals, face painting and story time.
Wanderlust Whistler
Interested in yoga? Attend Wanderlust Whistler, a multi-day festival that features yoga instructors, meditation teachers, musicians, speakers and chefs who promote well-being.
Wanderlust Whistler encourages visitors to interact with instructors, join fitness classes and workshops, and dance. The festival also offers classes for all skill levels – from first-timers to experts.
Crankworx Whistler
Mountain bike enthusiasts can’t miss Crankworx Whistler. This festival ranks among the top Whistler signature events because it brings together the best mountain bikers.
For over 15 years, Crankworx Whistler has grown to include elite-level competitions, amateur races, contest for young riders, and advancements in the mountain biking community. Top events showcase speakers, joyrides, pump track challenges, bike competition opens, best tricks, cliff speed and style, and more.
Whistler Village Beer Festival
Whistler Village Beer Festival welcomes thirsty visitors to experience a week of local brews, master crafters and cuisine. More than 60 breweries and 120-plus beers and ciders are put on display for visitors to sample.
Other events at Whistler Village Beer Festival include car shows, yoga classes, food tastings, golf, bingo, take-overs, trivia nights, beer crawls and live music. Visitors should note: No one under the age of 19 or pets are allowed on premises during this beer festival.
Cornucopia Whistler
For more of the best food in Whistler, head to Cornucopia. Ranked among the top Whistler signature events for culinary delights, this festival unites chefs, up-and-comers, and foodies.
Cornucopia Whistler offers signature tastings, drink seminars, brunches, chef luncheons, parties and special topics. Signature tastings are perhaps the most popular. During these gatherings, sample the best of Whistler, wine tastings and international flavors.
Whistler Film Festival
Join thousands of film lovers for Whistler Film Festival held in December. For five days, guests enjoy screenings of 90-plus movies from Canada and other countries around the world. Films range from shorts to Canadian culture, drama, comedy and social relevance.
In addition to viewing films, visitors enjoy live music, interactive sessions, and talent programs showcasing screenwriters and production.
Ready to plan? Book a Whistler vacation home, and check out these Whistler sightseeing tours.