Ponoka Events and Activities

Mark your calendar! Spring Fest promises to be a fun-filled day for the whole family. Spring Festival offers a wide variety of activities and entertainment, ensuring a memorable experience for all ages.

Stay tuned for further updates and details on what promises to be an unforgettable celebration!

The Town of Ponoka will celebrate Seniors' Week from June 1 to 7.

Seniors’ Week is celebrated across Alberta each June to honour and recognize the contributions of older adults in our communities. For more information about Seniors’ Week, please visit the Government of Alberta website at Alberta.ca/seniors-week.

Throughout the month of June, the Town of Ponoka celebrates Recreation and Parks Month, a provincewide initiative that promotes outdoor play, local parks and community connection through recreation.

From June 25 to July 1, experience the Ponoka Stampede where you can enjoy jaw-dropping rodeo action, amazing chuckwagon races and star-studded concerts.

Don’t miss the Ponoka Stampede Parade on June 26 as it rolls through downtown Ponoka! Experience horse-drawn carriages, classic cars, lively marching bands, clowns, and so much more.

Learn more about the Ponoka Stampede by clicking here.

A celebration of Indigenous culture, including a powwow showcase, during Ponoka Stampede week. Across from the Stampede Grounds, beside the Ponoka Arena Complex in the ball diamonds area.

The Town of Ponoka has partnered with the Ponoka Stampede and Exhibition Association once again this year to host a Canada Day fireworks display.

The fireworks will be staged at the Ponoka Stampede grounds, which offer a central location where the fireworks can be seen throughout the community. 

Citizens can also view the fireworks from the Ponoka Arena Complex (4410 54 Street) parking lot.

The Community-Wide Garage Sale is an opportunity for residents to sell unwanted items and explore new-to-you treasures throughout the community.

To participate, simply set up your own garage or yard sale at your home. Although the event will take place from Friday, July 17 to Sunday, July 19, you can choose to set up your garage or yard sale on one, two or all three days.

The Ponoka Aquaplex hosts a variety of fun, free activities in recognition of National Drowning Prevention Week from July 19 - 25.

Over 400 Canadians die in preventable water-related incidents every year. National Drowning Prevention Week helps build skills and awareness about these incidents in an effort to prevent these types of tragedies. To learn more, please click here.

Enjoy a family-friendly movie night for all ages. More details to come.

Citizens are encouraged to dress up in their favourite ‘disco era’ outfit while skating under a glittering disco ball to a range of great music on the large ice surface.

All ages could participate. Children under the age of eight require direct supervision from a person 16 years of age or older. 

Ponoka Community Registration Night brings together local sports, community and recreation groups to showcase their programs and offer on-the-spot registration for citizens.

Fall Fest runs in early September in downtown Ponoka and features an evening of live music and delicious food from various local food vendors. The event is held along 51 Avenue (between 50 Street and 51 Street) and in the parking lot.

Get ready for a spooktacular evening of thrills and chills! Stay tuned for event details closer to October.

There are so many wonderful ways for you and your family to enjoy the holiday season in Ponoka.

Stay tuned for a lineup of fun and festive activities coming in 2026. You won’t want to miss the magic!

On Saturday, February 7, the Town of Ponoka hosted Winter Day in the Park from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. at Lions Centennial Park (on Highway 2A, north of Highway 53).

This free event included:

• Live ice-carving demonstration; 
• L’il Chippers Ice Carving Station (participants were given a piece of ice, safety glasses, a small chisel and instruction on how to create their own small ice carving);
• Bonfire;
• Tobogganing (in front of the stage area); and
• Free hot dogs and hot chocolate.

Family Day on Monday, February 16, in the Town of Ponoka was filled with many free activities for whole family, including:

Free Public Swim at the Ponoka Aquaplex

A free public swim sponsored by FortisAlberta was hosted at the Ponoka Aquaplex (5315 46 Avenue) from 1 to 5 p.m. 

Free Public Skating at the Ponoka Arena Complex

Free public skating was hosted at the Ponoka Arena Complex (4410 54 Street) from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the large ice on Family Day. 

Citizens could also lace-up their skates at the Outdoor Rink (ODR) next to the Ponoka Arena Complex. The rink is available in the daytime and in the evening as the outdoor lights operate between 5 to 10 p.m.

Free Family Day Activities at the Calnash Ag Event Centre 

The Calnash Ag Event Centre also hosted free Family Day activities from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Activities included an indoor bouncy castle, an open obstacle course ride in the indoor arena (horses were not provided) and hot chocolate.

Other Family Fun Events

There were several other fun free activities for families on Family Day and throughout the winter months, including:

• Cross-country ski trails at the Ponoka Golf Club: The starting and finishing point is below the main parking lot near the member cart shed. When skiing or walking, citizens are asked to please stay on the trails at all times. For more information, please contact the Ponoka Golf Club at 403-783-4626.
• Tobogganing at the Tom Hamilton Memorial Hill: Located in the southwest corner of Froman Industrial Park on 36 Avenue.
• Explore and take a stroll along the walking trails in Ponoka’s Battle River Valley.

Paint the Ice Night took place on March 23, before the ice was removed for the season. The event ran from 5 to 7 p.m. on the large ice surface at the Ponoka Arena Complex.

This community event invited residents of all ages to unleash their creativity and step onto the rink and decorate the ice with colourful, washable markers.

All art supplies were provided, and helmets were required for everyone on the ice. 

The Town of Ponoka and R2 Fitness hosted the Battle River Run on Saturday, April 11 at 9 a.m. 

The event featured a 10 km, 5 km, and a free 1 km Kids loop in the Battle River Valley. The start and finish line was at the Baden Powell Adventure Centre/Scout Hall (3924 46A Street Close). 

The 5 km loop was run entirely on paved trails, while the 10 km loop included some sections of off-road trails.

Registration included chip-timed results, a post-race snack, and a long-sleeved shirt (for those who registered before April 3). Medals were awarded to the top three overall male and female finishers in both the 10 km and the 5 km.

All proceeds will fund graduation scholarships at the Ponoka Secondary Campus and St. Augustine Catholic School.

To learn more about the event, please click here.