February in Calgary can feel long. The holidays are over, winter is still very much wintering, and everyone needs something small to look forward to.
That’s where YYC Hot Chocolate Fest comes in.
If you’ve been thinking about checking it out with your kids but don’t want it to turn into an exhausting, expensive city-wide crawl, this guide is for you. I haven’t done a full family crawl myself (yet 😅), but I’ve looked into it properly, and here’s exactly how I would plan it to keep it simple, fun, and realistic.
YYC Hot Chocolate Fest runs every February across Calgary and features over 160 local cafés and restaurants creating limited-time hot chocolate flavours.
It’s not just classic hot chocolate; think creative toppings, themed drinks, unique flavours, and lots of fun presentation.
Each participating café creates its own feature drink, and you can browse the full list and interactive map on the official festival website.
Yes, if you approach it the right way.
This isn’t something I’d treat like a multi-stop “tour the whole city” situation with kids. Instead, think of it as:
-
One cozy café stop after skating
-
A treat after the library
-
A warm break during a winter walk
-
A simple Saturday outing
You don’t need five stops. One good one is enough.
Instead of choosing based on the most extravagant flavour, pick a neighbourhood you’re already visiting.
For example:
-
Downtown after the Central Library
-
Northwest after a park or skating rink
-
South Calgary after an indoor play or community centre stop
Low effort makes it enjoyable.
Most drinks typically range from around $6 to $12, depending on size and toppings.
To keep it manageable:
-
Share one drink between younger kids
-
Skip add-ons
-
Decide ahead of time how many stops you’re doing (I’d suggest one)
It’s meant to feel like a treat, not a financial event 😅
The official website lets you:
-
Browse all participating vendors
-
Filter by location
-
See drink descriptions
-
Sometimes view dietary labels (always confirm with the café directly)
Looking ahead prevents last-minute overwhelm.
This is the key to making it feel like an outing.
Some easy combinations:
If your kids like structure (or a little friendly competition), let them rate the drink.
You could rate:
-
Taste
-
Toppings
-
Presentation
-
Would we get it again?
It turns it into a memory instead of just a beverage.
Hot Chocolate Fest can be busy, especially on weekends.
A few practical tips:
-
Go earlier in the day if possible
-
Expect small lines at popular spots
-
Keep it flexible
-
Have a backup option nearby
And most importantly — keep it simple.
You don’t need to see everything.
What I love about the idea of YYC Hot Chocolate Fest is that it:
-
Supports local Calgary businesses
-
Feels festive without being overwhelming
-
Works for families
-
Turns an ordinary winter day into something memorable
In a season where we’re often just trying to survive the cold, sometimes one warm drink is enough to change the mood.
You might also enjoy:
-
Calgary Winter With Kids: Easy Ideas That Don’t Require a Big Budget
-
20 Free and Fun Things to Do in and Around Calgary With Kids
Winter doesn’t have to be complicated. Sometimes it’s just about choosing one simple plan and sticking to it.
If you love simple, low-stress family outings like this, I share a weekend family adventure checklist to make planning easier. You can grab it here and keep it on your phone for those “what should we do today?” moments.
If you’re already heading out for Hot Chocolate Fest, you could easily turn it into a full winter outing instead of just a quick café stop.
Some easy add-ons families often enjoy:
If you’re already downtown, this is an easy add-on. The views are beautiful on a clear winter day, and it’s a quick, contained experience that works well with kids.
A great indoor option if the weather is extra cold. There are interactive exhibits and lots to explore without feeling overwhelmed.
If you’re visiting during one of their winter programs or special events, it can turn into a full half-day outing.
If you’re visiting from out of town or want to make a weekend of it, there are guided winter tours that take care of the driving.
If you’re planning to try YYC Hot Chocolate Fest with your kids this year, keep it light and low-pressure but memorable.
And if you do go, let me know which spot you chose. I’m collecting ideas for when we finally pick ours 😌 Thanks for stopping by my little corner of the internet 🤍
Note: This post may contain affiliate links. If you book through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
No comments