French Canadian Winter Carnival Ideas for French Culture Week
- Little Chewz
- 2 hours ago
- 3 min read
Each March, many schools across Western Canada celebrate French Culture Week, often alongside winter carnivals inspired by French Canadian traditions. Winter carnivals like Festival du Voyageur remind us that French Canadian culture is deeply rooted in community, resilience, music, food, and winter life. These celebrations weren’t just entertainment, they were a way to survive, connect, and celebrate together during long prairie winters.
If you’re looking for ways to move beyond posters and worksheets, here are five meaningful, whole-school ideas that bring French Canadian winter traditions to life.
1. Host a French Canadian Winter Carnival at School
French Canadian winter carnivals are all about gathering and coming together. Below are some ideas that mirror how winter carnivals functioned historically where everyone had a role.
Ideas for a school-wide celebration:
Turn the gym or library into a “winter village”
Create rotating stations: dance, crafts, food, and games
Invite older students to help run stations for younger grades
Helpful videos:
2. Make a French Canadian Sash (Ceinture Fléchée)
The ceinture fléchée is one of the most recognizable symbols of French Canadian winter dress. It was worn for warmth, strength, and identity. The activities below naturally integrate art, math, and history.
Classroom-friendly adaptations:
Braid yarn or paper strips in red, blue, and white
Explore patterns and symmetry
Discuss why people needed warm clothing in winter
Helpful video:
3. Dance & Move with French Canadian Jigging
I have been jigging my whole life. I have taught thousands of students over the years, some in a whole school clinic with 800 students over a span of 2 days! It is great for movement breaks or just to get your heart rate up. French Canadian jigging is energetic, rhythmic, and joyful, perfect for winter days when students need movement.
Try this:
Play traditional fiddle music
Teach simple heel-toe steps
Let students create their own sequences
Helpful video:
Jigging is perfect to try with the students because no costumes are required, it works great in classrooms or gyms and it builds coordination and confidence.
4. Explore French Canadian Winter Foods
Food is at the heart of French Canadian winter celebrations. Here are some fun ideas to try this year!
Tire d’érable (maple syrup on snow) using crushed ice indoors
Crêpes with yogurt, fruit, or maple syrup
Tourtière conversations (family recipes, regional differences, traditions)
Discussion prompts:
Why were warm, filling foods important in winter?
How do foods bring people together during celebrations?
Helpful videos:
5. Build Ice Castles & Winter Structures
Ice castles and snow structures are a staple of Western Canadian winter festivals. Here are some fun ways to bring this tradition to the school that encourages collaboration, problem solving, creativity and early engineering skills
Outdoor ice blocks made from milk cartons
Indoor sugar cube or block castles
Add lanterns or battery lights for a magical glow
Looking for a Story to Go with These Activities?
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