The Town of Cochrane, Ontario, is getting ready to host its 92nd annual Cochrane Winter Carnival this weekend. The main events start on Saturday, February 7, 2026, offering local families a chance to enjoy outdoor activities and support community groups. This long-running festival is a major part of the town’s winter season and aims to bring people together during the coldest months of the year.
The Town of Cochrane and Cochrane Winter Carnival organizers have planned a variety of events, including a torchlight parade and games for kids. Much of the action will take place at Lake Commando and the Tim Horton Events Centre. Visitors can also expect to see the festival’s mascot, Chimo the polar bear, throughout the weekend.
Organizers and local outlets say the festival helps local businesses and hotels during a typically slow time of year. Many activities are free or low-cost to ensure broad community participation. One of the most popular events is the Polar Bear Dip, where participants plunge into the icy water of Lake Commando.
The municipal council, the carnival committee and local volunteers are promoting a revival effort called the “Chimo Comeback,” and Mayor Peter Politis is a visible supporter of the broader initiative. Although a 2024 CBC report about an integrity commissioner’s findings involving Mayor Politis drew attention to town politics, organizers say the focus this weekend remains on tradition and community spirit. Cochrane first hosted a winter celebration in 1934, and the town’s claim to be one of Ontario’s oldest winter carnivals is widely noted (it is historically contested with other events).
Local organizers say the festival runs Feb. 6–15, 2026; travel and tourism roundups such as To Do Canada describe the Cochrane Winter Carnival as roughly a 10-day, one-and-a-half-week celebration. Events through the festival include everything from a demolition derby to the Miss Chimo pageant and many family-friendly activities.
