Families in Gananoque can travel about 15 minutes east to Rockport, Ontario, for the 46th annual Rockport Winter Carnival, scheduled for February 11–15, 2026. The five-day event offers a variety of affordable outdoor activities and games designed to bring the community together during the colder months.
Events will take place at the Rockport Recreation Hall and at the Rockport Barn (commonly called “the Barn”). Visitors typically buy a carnival button to participate — recent buttons have been sold for $5, with a historical range of roughly $3–$5 — which acts as an all-access pass for most activities and prize draws.
This year’s lineup is expected to include regional favourites such as snolf (snow golf, played with a tennis ball), horseshoes, and pond skating. Past schedules and local coverage also list demonstrations of European curling (Eisstock) and a range of children’s games; for example, Hometown TV12’s coverage of the 45th carnival (Feb. 5–9, 2025) included a European curling demonstration, and local reporting and the Rockport Recreation Hall’s records document similar events in prior years.
The carnival is organized and run by local volunteers and serves as the primary fundraiser for the Rockport Recreation Hall, a nonprofit community centre. Local reporting and the hall’s materials note that funds raised in recent years have gone toward essential building repairs and upgrades.
Long-time volunteers have told local outlets that the event is a key winter tradition for getting people outdoors and socializing. The week includes evening social tournaments (euchre, bingo, darts, shuffleboard) and family activities; fireworks (weather permitting) have been part of past carnivals.
If you plan to attend, confirm the latest schedule and event details with the Rockport Recreation Hall or the carnival organizers, since some program details are listed as TBA on the official site.
