Frost Regina 2026 Marks Attendance Increase with Extended Festival Format
Frost Regina organizers are celebrating a successful 2026 winter festival that saw a significant uptick in visitors compared to the previous year, thanks to the event's return to a longer, multi-location format. The festival's fifth edition demonstrated renewed momentum in Regina's winter tourism scene.
Attendance Numbers Show Promising Growth
According to official figures released by the City of Regina, the 2026 Frost festival attracted 46,000 visitors over three consecutive weekends from February 6 to February 22. This represents a substantial increase from the 29,000 attendees recorded during the 2025 festival, which operated on a significantly reduced four-day schedule.
The 2026 format marked a return to the festival's original 10-day structure that debuted in 2022, when Frost drew an impressive 68,000 visitors. While this year's numbers haven't yet matched the record-breaking attendance of Frost 2023—which saw 88,970 bundled-up participants—organizers remain optimistic about the festival's trajectory.
Mayor Celebrates Community Spirit
"FROST Regina continues to show the magic of our community when we come together in the heart of winter," Mayor Chad Bachynski stated in the official news release. "Regina is proud to host this incredible event that brings residents and visitors together during the coldest months."
The mayor's comments reflect the festival's growing importance as a cultural and economic driver for the city during what traditionally has been a quieter tourism period.
Expanded Partnerships and Locations
Several key developments contributed to the festival's 2026 success:
- REAL District returned as a major festival hub after stepping back in 2025, hosting activities at both Mosaic Stadium and Confederation Park
- Globe Theatre in downtown Regina welcomed its first Frost partnership with a special showing of Disney's Frozen, perfectly aligned with the winter theme
- The festival maintained its presence in Victoria Park, which served as a central location for installations and activities
Weather Impacts Both Positive and Negative
Unlike 2024, when unseasonably warm temperatures affected ice skating surfaces and forced the cancellation of the fireworks finale, the 2026 festival faced different meteorological challenges. On February 21, extreme cold dipping below -20°C temporarily delayed outdoor activities at REAL District and Victoria Park locations before operations resumed later in the day.
This weather contrast highlights the festival's resilience and adaptability in the face of Saskatchewan's unpredictable winter conditions. The colder temperatures actually benefited some traditional winter activities that had suffered during warmer years.
Looking Toward Future Growth
While still rebuilding toward pre-pandemic attendance levels, the 2026 Frost festival demonstrates clear progress in reestablishing itself as a premier winter destination. The return to a 10-day format, expanded partnerships, and increased visitor numbers all point toward a positive trajectory for Regina's signature winter event.
Organizers will likely analyze this year's success as they plan for future editions, potentially incorporating more indoor-outdoor hybrid events to mitigate weather impacts while maintaining the festival's authentic winter character.
