When is the next Coldest Night of the Year?

Saturday, February 27, 2027 — the organizer has announced the date (cnoy.org/about, read 2026-10-08). Locations are confirmed one by one after that; this page is rebuilt from the race calendar daily and lists each one once its own page confirms. The 2026 edition ran on Saturday, February 28, 2026 at 222 listed locations.

How far is the Coldest Night of the Year walk?

Every location has signed 2 km and 5 km routes - you choose on the day. The organizer's guide says most walkers cover 4 to 5 km an hour, so the 5 km takes about an hour and the 2 km well under. It is a walk, not a race: no timing, no finish clock.

When does the walk start?

Late afternoon into the evening - that is the point of the name. Each location sets its own timetable, usually a 5 km send-off around 5 pm with the 2 km earlier, and posts it on its cnoy.org page a few weeks out. The location pages here show the timetable once it is posted.

Who does the money go to?

A charity in the community where you walk - each location is hosted by a local food bank, shelter, outreach or drop-in centre, named on its page here. The walk is run nationally by Blue Sea Foundation; the fundraising stays local.

How many Coldest Night of the Year events are there in Canada?

RaceFinder listed 222 for the 2026 edition, across 10 provinces and 1 territory and 176 cities, all on Saturday, February 28, 2026. The organizer's own site has the complete list, including smaller community events that never reach a race calendar. This page is rebuilt from the calendar daily, so it reflects what is listed rather than a number someone typed once.

Where do I register for the Coldest Night of the Year?

On the organizer's own page. Each location's page links straight to its registration — RaceFinder never takes signups or a cut.

Coldest Night of the Year 2027

The 2026 edition ran at 222 listed locations across 10 provinces and 1 territory, all on Saturday, February 28, 2026.

Coldest Night of the Year 2027 is Saturday, February 27, 2027 — the organizer has announced the date. Locations are listed here as each one confirms.

A 2 km or 5 km winter fundraising walk for a local charity. One February Saturday, about 220 Canadian communities walk 2 km or 5 km in the cold on purpose, each one raising money for a charity in its own town - a food bank, a shelter, a drop-in centre. Signed routes, rest stops, a hot meal at the end. Teams of co-workers in toques are the normal entry.

Up next

Santa Shuffle — Saturday, December 5 →

In 14 of the towns on this page, and 17 locations in all.

Blue Sea Foundation — a local charity in each community5km2kmOfficial site ↗

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Saturday, February 28, 2026
Coldest Night of the Year — Yellowknife
Yellowknife, NT · Walk · 5km / 2km

Every other race in Yellowknife.

Coldest Night of the Year — FAQ

When is the next Coldest Night of the Year?: Saturday, February 27, 2027 — the organizer has announced the date (cnoy.org/about, read 2026-10-08). Locations are confirmed one by one after that; this page is rebuilt from the race calendar daily and lists each one once its own page confirms. The 2026 edition ran on Saturday, February 28, 2026 at 222 listed locations.
How far is the Coldest Night of the Year walk?: Every location has signed 2 km and 5 km routes - you choose on the day. The organizer's guide says most walkers cover 4 to 5 km an hour, so the 5 km takes about an hour and the 2 km well under. It is a walk, not a race: no timing, no finish clock.
When does the walk start?: Late afternoon into the evening - that is the point of the name. Each location sets its own timetable, usually a 5 km send-off around 5 pm with the 2 km earlier, and posts it on its cnoy.org page a few weeks out. The location pages here show the timetable once it is posted.
Who does the money go to?: A charity in the community where you walk - each location is hosted by a local food bank, shelter, outreach or drop-in centre, named on its page here. The walk is run nationally by Blue Sea Foundation; the fundraising stays local.
How many Coldest Night of the Year events are there in Canada?: RaceFinder listed 222 for the 2026 edition, across 10 provinces and 1 territory and 176 cities, all on Saturday, February 28, 2026. The organizer's own site has the complete list, including smaller community events that never reach a race calendar. This page is rebuilt from the calendar daily, so it reflects what is listed rather than a number someone typed once.
Where do I register for the Coldest Night of the Year?: On the organizer's own page. Each location's page links straight to its registration — RaceFinder never takes signups or a cut.

Other Canadian series

Santa Shuffle · December 5 Running Room New Year's Run · January 10 Hypothermic Half Marathon · 10 locations Shoppers Drug Mart Run for Women · 18 locations Kicking PancreAS 5K · 3 locations The 5K Foam Fest · 8 locations 5 Peaks Trail Running Series · June 5

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