21 things to do in Calgary this weekend: January 21 and 22

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A slight warm up in temperature should have you smiling and ready to have a great weekend!

Check out one of these events happening in and around Calgary and get the party started.

Cheer on the Calgary Flames

What: Wear your new jersey that you got for Christmas and help the Flames make it to the playoffs by cheering them on at the dome this January!
Where: Scotiabank Saddledome – 555 Saddledome Rise SW
When: Saturday, January 21 at 8pm vs. Edmonton

6 Guitars

What: See the critically acclaimed professional actor and musician, Chase Padgett perform his award winning solo show, ‘6 Guitars.’ He initially performed this show in 2010 and it quickly became the most successful show in the history of the North American Fringe Festival circuit. During this 85-minute show Padgett will become 6 different guitar players, ranging from a 19-year-old rock prodigy to an 87 year old blues man, all with their own unique voices, views and musical styles. You will leave feeling so in love with music!
Where: Lunchbox Theatre – 160 115 9 Avenue SE
When: Now until January 28
Cost: Adult – $25, Student + Senior – $20

Cheer on the Calgary Hitmen

What: Give the Calgary Hitmen some love this season and come cheer them on in their 8 home games this month!
Where: Scotiabank Saddledome – 555 Saddledome Rise SW
When: Sunday, January 22 at 4pm vs. Prince Albert

High Performance Rodeo

What: One Yellow Rabbit’s High Performance Rodeo, Calgary’s International Festival of the Arts, is the largest festival of its kind in Western Canada, featuring theatre, music, dance and more.
Where: Various locations around town
When: Now until February 2

Banff + Lake Louise: Snowdays

What: Winter is more than just cold and snowy, as it is a season that brings majestic frosty views, fun activities a beautiful memories at all ages. Banff National Park invites us all to celebrate the magic of winter in its month long festival of Snowdays, featuring a variety of events, shows and activities that combine history, culture and winter traditions that the whole family will enjoy. Check the website for daily events and activities!
Where: Throughout Banff National Park
When: Now until February 5
Cost: Varies per event

Ice Magic Festival

What: Lake Louise’s Ice Magic Festival is a truly magical and unreal experience that Canadian’s look forward to year round. This event boasts over 20 years of history and it gathers talented ice artists from around the world to compete and create artistic masterpieces out of ice, within 34 hours. During this time you can watch the process in action and see the detailed sculptures unfold, while you get the unique opportunity to talk to the carvers, asking them questions and vote for your favorite masterpiece. If you miss the action you can still view the sculptures the following weekend and even get the chance to try your hand at some ice carving yourself!
Where: The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise- 111 Lake Louise Drive, Lake Louise, AB
When: Now until January 29
Cost: Adults $10 (18 – 54 years), Children $5 (3 – 17 years), Seniors $5 (55 + years), Family $25 (2 adults + up to 4 children aged 3-17 years) Tickets can be purchased here!

Frosty’s Birthday

What: “Happy Birthday!!” They were Frosty’s first words, so naturally it would be rude not to celebrate! Join the Calgary Farmers Market for some indoor winter fun, as they raise awareness for Project Warmth and collect donations of winter gear for shelters and families in need throughout the city. Bring a donation of gently used winter clothing and receive a voucher to decorate a doughnut at Jelly Modern, between 10am-1pm. There will also be a live Frosty magic show, photobooth and more!
Where: The Calgary Farmers Market – 510 77th Avenue SE
When: Saturday, January 21
Cost: FREE – Donation of gently used winter clothing

Banff’s Big Taste

What: As part of the month long winter celebration, Snowdays, you will have the opportunity to eat and drink your way through Banff’s exquisite food scene for 5 days during the festival. On each day there will be different foodie events happening, such as the famous Grand Tasting Hall, Pins + Pints Bowl off, Rustic Italy, Chocolate – A Taste of the Past and Banff’s Best Chef Competition all at various restaurants around Banff during that 5 day period.
Where: Throughout the town of Banff
When: January 18 to 22
Cost: Varies

Decidedly Jazz’s Winter Production: Juliet + Romeo

What: Decidedly Jazz is known for their extraordinarily creative performances that allow their audiences to experience dance and music in a different, fluid and collaborative way. Join them for their second show in the new spectacular DJD Dance Centre, that will take on a unique perspective of the passionate and tragic tale of Shakesphere’s ‘Romeo and Juliet.”
Where: DJD Dance Centre – 111 12th Avenue SE
When: January 18 to 28
Cost: $41 – $69

Chinese New Year Carnival

What: The Calgary Chinese Cultural Centre is having their biggest event of the year, celebrating the Chinese Lunar New Year – the Year of Rooster. The annual celebration will take place on Saturday and Sunday over the next 4 weekends, attracting 20 to 30 thousand people with traditional Chinese food, lion dance, firecrackers, fun games, and professional dance performances.
Where: The Calgary Chinese Cultural Centre – 197 1st Street SW
When: January 21 and 22 to February 11 and 12
Cost: Free admission

Fat Bike Frozen Waterfall Tour

What: Calling all adventure enthusiasts! This unique experience will allow you to ride through the snowy trails of Kananaskis on a Rocky Mountain Blizzard fat Bike to a beautiful frozen waterfall. Here you will have the opportunity to bask in the beauty of the falls while consuming hot chocolate and cookies. Yum!
Some biking experience is required, but there is no need to be an expert. Bikes + helmets are included, but you must bring your own goggles or sunglasses.
Where: Kananaskis Village Center – 1 Mt. Sparrowhawk Crescent
When: Saturday, January 21
Cost: $85

Avalanche Awareness Night

What: Are you interested in doing some backcountry adventuring this winter? Learn safety precautions and emergency processes from Snow Safety experts and watch featured films that will highlight the associated risks of out-of-bounds travel. There will also be door prizes and an exciting tradeshow – come make a night of it!
Where: Margaret Greenham Theatre, Banff Centre – 107 Tunnel Mountain Drive, Banff
When: Sunday, January 22
Cost: FREE

Go skating outdoors

What: Now that winter seems to have finally settled in for the long haul, it’s time for the winter activities to commence. Grab a few friends, some hot chocolate and bundle up in your warmest, yet stylish winter attire and go skating on one of Calgary’s many outdoor rinks that are well maintained by either the city or volunteers within the community. Don’t own a pair of skates? Rent a pair at your nearest outdoor center or at specific rinks around the city – see website more for details!
Where: Various rinks throughout Calgary
Cost: FREE

Check out WinSport’s Acura Tube Park

What: Calgary’s only tube park is the largest of its kind in Western Canada and it opens for the season on Saturday, December 17. The park is located on the main hill, which allows tubers to take advantage of the washrooms, eateries, retail store and other amenities located in the Frank King Day Lodge. It features 10 lanes, each of which are 200 metres in length.
Where: WinSport’s Canada Olympic Park – 88 Canada Olympic Road SW

Dog Sledding in Canmore

One of the most ancient, and still very practical, means of transportation in frigid climates, dog sledding is an activity Canada is famous for. Luckily for us, a short drive away in Canmore there are three different companies that offer dog sledding tours in the scenic Rocky Mountains.

Howling Dog Tours, Mad Dogs & Englishmen Expeditions, and Snowy Owl Sled Dog Tours all offer incredible, personalized experiences. Try out a tour this winter and take part in a long standing Canadian tradition.

They can be reached by phone at:

Howling Dog Tours – (403) 678-9588
Mad Dogs and Englishmen Expeditions – (403) 609-3670
Snowy Owl Sled Dog Tours – (403) 678-4369

Hit the Slopes

Begin your New Year by crossing off that pesky “get in shape” goal that seems to weasel it’s way onto your list of resolution’s every year, by hitting the slopes and spending some time in the good ol’ outdoors. There is no better feeling then coming home with rosy cheeks and lungs filled with fresh mountain air as you spend quality time with friends and family. Take a road trip and spend the day skiing or snowboarding at one of Alberta’s best hills, Sunshine Village, Lake Louise, Nakiska or Mount Norquay, or make a weekend out of it by renting a cabin in the heart of the mountains. Be sure to check the websites to see what exciting events are happening on each hill throughout the month.

Seities Studio: The Photographic Blue

What: Take a stroll through the Window Galleries of the Arts Commons and see this beautiful exhibit that includes works by Jaime Erin Johnson, Emma Powell, and Juilee Pryor. The gallery brings together the aesthetics of the traditional photographic process of Cyanotype photography, also called blue print, and the different views of the female identity, body and spirit.
Where: Window Galleries (across from Max Bell Theatre in Arts Commons)
When: Now until February 27
Cost: FREE

Snowshoeing or Cross-country Skiing

If you’re new to the world of snowshoeing or cross-country skiing or don’t feel comfortable venturing out on your own, book yourself on a tour or find a group of friends and reserve a private outing. A certified guide will lead you through the mountainous winter wonderland and provide you with hot chocolate and cookies, along with snowshoes and skis if you don’t have your own.

Where: Kananaskis Village Center – 1 Mt. Sparrowhawk Cresent
Cost:
- Group: $69.00/person; $39.00/6-14 years old; Free for 5 and under.
- Private: $89.99/adult; $64.99/youth 6-14 years; Free for 5 and under. Minimum booking of 2 adults or $180/tour. 20% off for private tours of 4-6 people.

Go sledding!

There are a number of hills around Calgary that are perfect for sledding! Grab your crazy carpet, (or the more intense, GT racer) some friends, and head to a hill for some fun!

Where: Check out a hill close to you or go to a local City Maintained hill
Things to remember: Tobogganing is an activity that you do at your own risk, and helmets are always recommended!

Go Curling outside

St Patricks Island has set up a curling lane for public use so everyone can try their hand at the game. You can play in teams, as pairs, or even make up your own rules (just don’t tell anyone)

Where: St Patricks Island – 430 8th Avenue SE
When: Daily 9am to 7pm until the end of March

Go for brunch!

You can never go wrong with Sunday brunch, or rather brunch on any day of the week! It makes for a great date or if you looking for a place to catch up with old friends that won’t break the bank after the holidays. Bonding over benny is a real thing! Here are a few spots that are either new to Calgary’s brunch scene or are not your classic brunch spots that you have been to millions of times before.
Ten Foot Henry
Alforno Bakery and Café
Phil and Sebastians on 8^th Ave SW
OEB Breakfat Co. on 5^th Ave SW
Bridgette Bar
Vendome
Monki
Anju
Charbar
Native Tongues Taqueria