Warm up to Winter with the YYC Hot Chocolate Fest

There’s no doubt about it: February is chocolate month. Diets be damned, it’s our duty as parents to celebrate Valentine’s Day and the YYC Hot Chocolate Fest, right? This flavourful festival runs the entire month, during which several of the city’s best chocolatiers, coffee shops and restaurants donate the profits from their signature hot chocolates to Meals on Wheels.

Forget your basic milk and powdered cocoa concoction, these sweet sippers range from fair trade dark chocolate whipped with cardamom and fresh orange zest at Vie Café to dairy-free options, such as coconut milk at Euphoria Café. Or whip up a gourmet batch yourself with a take-home kit offered by Fiasco Gelato, comprised of salted caramel dust and a side order of cinnamon heart marshmallows.

Not only does this fun family outing give you a delicious excuse to get out of making snacks at home on a wintery afternoon, you’ll also get a chance to vote on which drink will be named Calgary’s Best Hot Chocolate. Cibo and Cornerstone Music Café took top honours last year, and each rating gives customers a chance to win prizes all month long.

Go ahead and give winter the cold shoulder and snuggle up with a steaming cup of cocoa at one of these delicious destinations. Trust us—it’s worth the calories.

There’s so much to see and do in our city this month. Check out the rest of our 7 Fun Winter Activities in Calgary.