Sweet! Calgary’s annual hot chocolate festival returns for 2026

A stock photo of a person holding a mug of hot chocolate. (Unsplash/Nature Zen)

Dozens of different specialty hot chocolates will be sold throughout Calgary next month as part of YYC Hot Chocolate Fest.

The annual charitable competition sees cafés, coffee shops and restaurants sell innovative hot chocolates, some boozy and some not, in February.

There are even dairy-free, gluten-free and vegan hot chocolates available.

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A portion of the sales from the specialty drinks is donated to Calgary Meals on Wheels.

This year, there are more than 160 vendors.

Last year, YYC Hot Chocolate Fest saw more than 102,000 hot chocolates sold and more than $145,000 raised for the charity.

After the event wraps up, awards will be handed out.

Last year’s winners were:

• Apprentice Café, which won the 2025 Best Hot Chocolate award;
• Hexagon Café, which won the 2025 Cup that Runneth Over award for most hot chocolates sold;
• Cravings Bistro, which won the Best Spirited Hot Chocolate award for alcoholic beverages; and,
• And 8Cakes Bake Shoppe, which won the Most Creative Hot Chocolate award.

The complete list of vendors participating this year will be released on Wednesday.

The event runs from Feb. 1 to 28.