Winter is the ‘hottest’ time of year in the Yukon – for festivals that is! Try northern traditions like can-can dancing and chainsaw chucking at the Yukon Rendezvous or watch the legendary Yukon Quest International Sled Dog Race or perhaps the Available Light Film Festival. Prepare to join the fun for days of unforgettable entertainment as you discover the authentic, unpretentious Yukon. Meet Yukoners, learn about local traditions and share a story or two at one of Yukon’s lively winter events and festivals.

Situated in Canada’s Northwest corner, up near the Arctic Circle, the Yukon is an untamed wilderness that turns into a picturesque, snow filled winter wonderland each year, under the glow of the greatest light show on Earth, the Aurora Borealis. One of North America’s most undiscovered destinations, close to 80 percent remains pristine wilderness making it a natural place for wellness and digital detoxing.

Part of the fun of visiting in winter is experiencing some distinctly northern activities. Travel through a frosty winter landscape in the back of a dogsled, or for more speed, try a snowmobile. Make the catch of the day on an ice fishing trip or strap on some snowshoes and wander through the boreal forest. And at the end of the day, retire to a cozy wilderness lodge or cabin and keep your eyes on the skies. Or stay in downtown Whitehorse with easy access to restaurants, museums, galleries, and entertainment, and head out each evening to a custom built aurora viewing facility.

Solar Cycle 25, a periodic 11-year change in the sun’s activity, set to reach its peak between this winter and the winter of 2025/2026, meaning there will be a substantial increase in aurora activity in destinations like the Yukon that are situated under the auroral oval, offering incredible northern lights viewing opportunities for travellers with the Northern Lights on their bucket list!

2025: Winter Festivals in the Yukon

New for 2025: Dawson City Fat Bikes Blues

Saturday 18th January - Sunday, 19th January
Dawson City’s first fat biking event

Cycling enthusiasts can enjoy two days of fat biking fun from Dawson City and pedal along the Yukon River, passing historic sites and on snowy single tracks through the mountains, at Dawson City’s first ever fat biking event. Led by fat bike ultra-athletic Jessie Gladish, the trails will be blue/intermediate rate. Packages include a discount on flights with Air North, Yukon’s Airline from Whitehorse to Dawson City and back, free ground transportation of your fat bike from Whitehorse to Dawson City and back, free 5-course supper at Yukon Spa on the evening of January 18, plus spa access and a float or 30-minute massage, free pre-event breakfast on the morning of Saturday, January 18, free fat bike demos from Cadence Cycle and Icycle Sports, free ‘Yukon, It’s a Little Bit Metal’ branded promotional items, and free snacks and beverages at aid stations during the fat bike events. To book, click here.

Yukon Quest International Dog Sled Race
2 February, 2025
Experience the thrill of the world’s greatest sled dog race

The legendary Yukon Quest challenges mushers and their dog teams to traverse the frozen wilderness of the Yukon. Spectators from around the world travel to the Yukon to witness the event live, while thousands follow the race progress online. The Quest trail follows historical gold rush and mail delivery routes, but varied weather and trail conditions provide a fresh challenge for mushers and their dogs every year. The new route for 2025, will begin with a ceremonial start in Whitehorse, and will travel east to Teslin and onto the South Canol Road to Ross River and Faro before returning to Teslin. The trail respects the spirit of the original Yukon Quest, honouring the Yukon’s dogsledding tradition and the legacy of Teslin’s dog racing during the Yukon Rendezvous Festival.  www.yukonquest.com

Yukon Rendezvous Festival
7-23 February, 2025
Celebrating Yukon’s tenacious, frontier spirit

In February, Whitehorse buzzes with energy that brings Yukon’s heritage alive and heralds the coming of spring. Enjoy family-friendly and sporting events by day like the pancake breakfast, axe throwing, dogsledding, flour packing and chainsaw chucking. At night, the raucous fun gets in full swing with Sourdough Sam competitions, crowning of the festival Queen and roving performances by the world-famous Snowshoe Shufflers and Rendezvous Can Can dancers. Enjoy the amazing creations by some of the Yukon’s and world’s best snow carvers in Shipyards Park.  www.yukonrendezvous.com/

Yukon Beer Festival

9 February, 2025

The Yukon Beer Festival is back, promising yet another unforgettable night.

Kick off Rendezvous with a bang and celebrate the flavour, community, and the artistry behind every Yukon craft beer. Taste an array of flavour and discover unique blends, join an exclusive Connoiseery House to learn about the most intricate nuances of these fine craft brews, and enjoy two hours of beer tasting bliss. https://www.travelyukon.com/en/see-and-do/events/yukon-beer-festival

23rd annual Available Light Film Festival

7-16 February, 2025

Canada’s largest feature film festival North of 60

Presented by the Yukon Film Society, The Available Light Film Festival (ALFF) has been a fixture in the territory’s cultural scene for over a decade. Every year, the festival screens 100+ of the best of contemporary Canadian and international film to eager audiences in Whitehorse. ALFF provides the opportunity to see award-winning films, participate in workshops and the ALFF Media Industry Forum, and be transported to other worlds in the dead of winter. Get cozy with the locals in a darkened theatre to share an intimate cinematic adventure. www.yukonfilmsociety.com/alff/

Dawson City International Short Film Festival

28-31 March, 2024

One of the most northern competitive film festivals in the world

The Dawson City International Short Film Festival (DCISFF) has been showing short films of all genres every Easter weekend since 2000 and is among the most northern competitive film festivals in the world. The festival also includes special events such as master classes with exciting guests, meet and greets, workshops, filmmaking challenges, and awards. https://www.travelyukon.com/en/see-and-do/events/dawson-city-international-short-film-festival

Take me on a Husky Adventure to the Yukon this winter with Windows on the Wild

Windows on the Wild is offering an eight night Huksy Adventure in the Yukon package from £2960 per person. Price includes international flights from the UK, transfer from and to Whitehorse, first and last night accommodation in Whitehorse, accommodation in cabins or lodge at Sky High Wilderness Ranch and two nights camping in a wall tent at Dry Creek or Coal Lake. All meals on tour including non-alcoholic beverages except dinner day 4 and breakfast day 2. Use of personal sled and 3 to 6 huskies. Musher Diploma and winter boots. Full itinerary here.

About Yukon:

Situated in the upper Northwest corner of Canada, next to Alaska, the Yukon is Canada’s most accessible northern destination. Home to Canada’s highest mountain (Mount Logan) and the planet’s largest non-polar icefields located in Kluane National Park - a UNESCO World Heritage site. One of North America’s most undiscovered destinations; close to 80 percent remains pristine wilderness with 5,000-metre peaks, forested valleys, unspoiled waters and untamed wildlife. Roughly the size of Spain at just over 186,000 square miles, the Yukon is home to more than 220,000 caribou, 70,000 moose, 22,000 mountain sheep, 7,000 grizzly bears, 10,000 black bears and 250 species of birds, with a human population of only 46,000.

For further information on the Yukon, visit www.travelyukon.com