Winter Arts Festival is a celebration of light, art, and storytelling. Winter Arts Festival takes art beyond gallery walls and into the heart of urban environments, infusing city spaces with the magic of sculptures, projection mapping, augmented reality (AR), and live performances.

Except for select 19+ events, the festival is free to attend.

We have a range of free Winter Arts experiences that are located in public spaces. From discovering our augmented reality art to watching our live entertainment.

VMF continually seeks to bring new creative experiences to our communities. Since we couldn’t paint murals in the rain, we turned to digital technology art to engage during the winter. Winter Arts was created as an opportunity for art lovers to explore the city, discover new art and support our communities (artists, local businesses, and you!).

Augmented Reality, commonly shortened to “AR”, is an enhanced version of reality that lets people superimpose digital content (images, sounds, text) over a real-world environment.

Augmented Reality (AR) adds digital elements to a live view often by using the camera on a smartphone. Virtual Reality (VR) implies a complete immersion experience that shuts out the physical world.

All locations are linked to Google Maps in this website and our free VMF App.

You need to visit each AR instalation in-person. Once you are at an installation, locate the QR code found on one of the panels. Scan the QR code with your phone, this will activate the AR by opening the AR filter in your Instagram app.

(1) You will need a newer-model smartphone with a camera (due to the huge range of phone models, we’re unable to identify exactly which phones will be compatible).

(2) You will also need the latest version of the Instagram app installed on your smartphone with an active account and camera/photo-access setting enabled.

(3) A QR Code reader is needed to activate the AR filter. This is built-in to most iPhones. Some Androids will require a (free) app installed to read the QR code.

See a list of troubleshooting items below

(1) To access the AR you will need the Instagram app installed on your phone and for it to be logged into an account. It's important to make sure you have the most recent version of Instagram installed. You can check this by going to the App Store (for iPhones) or Google Play (for Androids) and updating the app if there's a newer version available.

(2) You need to scan the QR code (from one of the panels) to access the AR. Most iPhones will let you scan QR codes using your phone's camera. Simply open your camera and point it at the QR code, then tap the pop-up. With other phones, you can install a free QR code reader app from the App Store or Google Play.

(3) If you've scanned the QR code and it's opened the filter in Instagram and you're still unable to see the filter, try pointing your phone at a flat surface, like the ground, and tap the screen to activate or bring up the augmented reality.

(4) If all else fails, quit Instagram (fully close the app) and start again.

We post artist calls on the Festival Applications page. Usually, the artist calls take place in late Fall. Follow us on social for future artist call announcements.

Washrooms: Bathrooms are all genders. Accessible washroom onsite via elevator access.

Service animals: Service animals are welcome on site.

Harm Reduction: VMF aims to create a safe space for people of all ages, genders, backgrounds, abilities, income levels and sexual orientations.

Please be mindful of the energy you bring to this space

Drink responsibly, ask for consent, respect personal space and promote positivity

Harassment, rude or aggressive behaviour will not be tolerated

If you witness/experience any form of harassment or offensive behaviour while on-site, please do not hesitate to let VMF staff know. If there are ways that we can make your experience at the VMF After Dark more safe and comfortable we appreciate your thoughts and feedback.