50 things to do in Calgary this January

Planing ahead? Here is our list of the top events happening in Calgary this January.

For a complete list of events, check out our Calgary Buzz events calendar.

See Christmas lights

Zoolights at Calgary Zoo

• What: Incredible lights illuminate the Calgary Zoo in almost every colour imaginable. Along with beautiful scenery, you can skate on their skating rink, visit Santa, do kids activities and watch the Calgary Zoo’s new interactive light display.
• Where: Calgary Zoo – 1300 Zoo Road NE, Calgary
• When: Now until Saturday, January 2 from 6 to 9 p.m.
• Cost: $14 for general admission, $11 for children, and $5 for parking.

Lion’s Festival of Lights

• What: Drive by or walk by this Festival of Lights designed by Dean McKenzie, which is now considered 99% green with 115,000 LED light bulbs.
• Where: 14 Street NW, Calgary
• When: Now until Friday, January 8 at 5 p.m.
• Cost: Free

Christmas Lights at Spruce Meadows

• What: Every evening, a quarter of a million lights blanketing Spruce Meadows will glow. If you like skating there is a rink to skate on and if you get hungry they also serve hot chocolate, coffee, and snacks.
• Where: 18011 Spruce Meadows Way SW
• When: Now until Sunday, January 3 between 5 and 10 p.m.
• Cost: Free

Food and drink festivals

New Year’s Day Brunch Buffet at the Fairmont Palliser

• What: The Fairmont Palliser is hosting a brunch buffet, which includes a glass of champagne to celebrate the new year.
• Where: Fairmont Palliser – 133 9 Avenue SW
• When: Friday, January 1 between 11 a.m. until 3 p.m.
• Cost: $75

Beer 101 by Wild Rose

• What: Let’s face it, some of us are still a little confused about beer. This educational event will give you a tasting of Wild Rose’s Core 6 Brands, and at the end you will receive a 16 ounce Wild Rose Pint Glass.
• Where: Wild Rose Taproom – 4580 Quesnay Wood Dr SW
• When: Wednesday, January 6 from 7 to 8 p.m.
• Cost: $29

Visit restaurants and cafés that opened in 2015

• What: From coffee shops to leisurely brunch spots, charming eateries to upscale diners, Calgary’s food scene has evolved tremendously this year, so why not check them out.
• Where: Various venues
• Cost: Varies

Cook with Your Kids

• What: Learn basic cooking skills while spending time together making healthy meals. One parent can register with up to two children. This month’s class is on how to make Beef Stew.
• Where: Calgary Farmers’ Market – 510 77th Avenue SE
• When: Sat, Jan 16 from 10 to 11:30 a.m.
• Cost: $40 for one parent an child and $10 for an additional child

Cheese 101: Beyond the Basics

• What: Taking you beyond Cheddar and Mozzarella, this event will walk you through artisan counterparts and lesser-known cheese cousins.
• Where: Janice Beaton Fine Cheese – 1017 16 Avenue SW
• When: Wednesday, January 27 from 6:15 to 8:45 p.m.
• Cost: $59

The Brakemen Foundation 2nd Annual Celebrity Chef Showdown

• What: Head chefs from the Brakemen Foundation will face each other during a live cooking competition, in support of Brown Bagging for Calgary’s kids.
• Where: 319 5 Avenue SW
• When: Thursday, 28 January 2016 from 5:30 to 10 p.m.
• Cost: $112

Soup for Syrians

• What: This three-day soup-a-thon is set to provide over 5,000 servings of soup for the Syrian families arriving in Calgary. Help welcome our new friends by making them a warm meal.
• Where: Bow Valley College – 332 6 Avenue SE
• When: January 24, 31, and February 7
• Cost: $25

Festivals and other events

Winter CARnival

• What: Gather your friends and family for the Winter CARnival at Gasoline Alley Museum. There will be activities, games and challenges designed for the family.
• Where: Heritage Park, Gasoline Alley – 1900 Heritage Drive SW
• When: Now until Monday, January 4 from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Cost: $10.50, $8.25 Senior (65+), $6.50 Youth (7 to 14), $5.25 for children (3 to 6) and free for ages two and under

High Performance Rodeo

• What: The High Performance Rodeo is Calgary’s International Festival of the Arts, hosting theatre, music, etc. It is the largest festival of its kind in Western Canada.
• Where: Various locations
• When: January 7 to 31
• Cost: Varies

10-Minute Play Festival

• What: The annual performance rodeo favourite is back, where theatre companies are given 24 hours to create a 10-minute play using a prop and a line of text given to them the night before the show.
• Where: The Boyce Theatre – 1410 Olympic Way SE
• When: January 9 at 7 p.m.
• Cost: $35

Deep Freeze: a Byzantine Winter Festival

• What: Bringing together Ukrainian, Franco-Albertan, Franco-African, First Nations and South American communities together to celebrate Russian/ Ukrainian “Olde New Year.”
• Where: 90 Avenue NW & 91 Street, Edmonton
• When: January 9 and 10
• Cost: Free

No Pants CTrain Ride Calgary 2016

• What: Who needs pants? If you think they’re overrated then join forces with like-minded Calgarians for a ride you won’t soon forget.
• When: Sunday, January 10 at 2 p.m.
• Where: The Palomino Smokehouse and Social Club – 109 7th Ave SW

Adults Only Night: Party with Parasites

• What: You have an opportunity to learn all about the parasites that live in and around us. The University of Calgary will to host the Parasite Interaction Program.
• Where: TELUS Spark – 220 St Georges Drive NE
• When: Thursday, January 14 from 6 to 10 p.m.
• Cost: $20

Cardboard Sled Derby

• What: Build a sled out of cardboard using only tape, string, garbage bags, glue, and cardboard, then race it down the mountain to win great prizes.
• Where: Mt. Norquay – in the Tube Park
• When: Friday, January 22 at 6 p.m.
• Cost: $10

Body Worlds Vital

• What: Celebrating the human body in its healthy, vibrant, and optimal self. Body Worlds is one of the first showcases to provide human specimens on display.
• Where: TELUS Science Centre – 220 St. George’s Drive NE
• When: January 16 to May 31
• Cost: $24.95 for adults (18 to 64), $22.95 for seniors (65 and over), $20.95 for youth (13 to 17), $17.95 for children (3 to 12)

Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour: Calgary for 2016

• What: The Banff Mountain Book and Film Festival will be showcasing the Best of the Banff Mountain Film Festival in Calgary.
• Where: Roza Theatre, University of Calgary – 2500 University Drive NW
  John Dutton Theatre – 616 Macleod Trail SE
• When: January 18 to 31
• Cost: $20

The Bash

• What: Calgary’s newest wedding event is here, and it’s not your typical wedding event. They are showcasing some of the most innovative and trend-setting wedding creatives you can find in Calgary.
• Where: 1215 10 Avenue SE
• When: Saturday, January 23 at 6 p.m.
• Cost: $20

Silver Springs 10th Annual LEGO Competition

• What: View LEGO at its best made from people in the Silver Springs community ages two to 102. For those who love LEGO, why not join in the LEGO Completion. Space is limited so get your entry in early.
• Where: 5720 Silver Ridge Drive NW
• When: Saturday, January 30

Art and theatre

Dirty Dancing

• What: Follow Baby and Johnny on their romantic journey presented by Broadway Across Canada.
• Where: Southern Jubilee Auditorium – 1415 14 Avenue NW
• When: December 29 to January 3; Tuesday to Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., Sunday at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

evalyn parry’s SPIN

• What: Go on an innovative and live musical journey about women, cycling, and liberation.
• Where: Alberta Theatre Projects, Martha Cohen Theatre – 220 9 Avenue SE
• When: January 7 to 10; Thursday and Friday at 7:30 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m.
• Cost: Free with admission to evalyn parry’s SPIN

Ghost River Theatre’s Tomorrow’s Child

• What: One-of-a-kind Tomorrow’s Child is an adaptation from the sci-fi giant Ray Bradbury, and is presented to a blindfolded audience using the latest in sound technology.
• Where: Vertigo Theatre – 115 9 Avenue SE
• When: January 12 to 17
• Cost: $30

Shaping Sound

• What: An exciting combination of different dance styles mashed together and presented by the exciting and dramatic dance company of contemporary dancers.
• Where: Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium – 1415 14 Avenue NW
• When: January 15 and 16 at 7:30 p.m.
• Cost: Starting at $29

Deep Aerobics

• What: Death Electronic Emo Protest Aerobics is a workout that hopes to destroy technique, because who needs that anyway. Costumes are encouraged there will be costume stylist at hand to make on-site costume adjustments if necessary.
• Where: Royal Canadian Legion No. 1 – 116 7 Avenue SE
• When: Saturday, January 16 at 9 p.m.
• Cost: $25; Must be 18 and over

The Little Prince – The Musical

• What: Based on the book by Antoine de Saint and adapted by Nicholas Lloyd Webber and James D. Reid, The Little Prince – the Musical begins with a pilot who crashes his plane in the Sahara Desert and will capture your imagination.
• Where: Max Bell Theatre – 220 9 Avenue SE Calgary
• When: January 19 to February 28
• Cost: Varies

Out Innerspace Dance Theatre

• What: Focused on contemporary dance works this dance troupe showcases a brand new piece developed during a performance residency at the Banff Centre.
• Where: Margaret Greenham Theatre, Banff Centre – 107 Tunnel Mountain Drive, Banff
• When: January 23 at 7:30 p.m.
• Cost: $20

Winter markets

Calgary Farmers’ Market

• What: Full of fresh food and free entertainment as well as many different vendors to visit, this little market is the perfect spot during the winter.
• Where: 510 77 Avenue SE, Calgary
• When: Thursday to Sunday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., opens January 7

Crossroads Market

• What: Posses farm-fresh produce and tasty treats plus lost of unique finds from the large variety of vendors.
• Where: Cross Roads Market – 1235 26 Avenue SE, Calgary
• When: Friday to Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., opens January 2

Symons Valley Ranch

• What: Visit the many different vendors and explore what the Symons Valley ranch has to offer. There is also a special Friday customer discount of every Friday this winter from January 8 to March 18 be sure to ask the vendors about their deals.
• Where: Symons Valley Ranch – 14555 Symons Valley Road
• When: Tuesday to Sunday, various times; Closed December 24 to January 7

Concerts and parties

The Fab Four

• What: A tribute band, the Fab Four, will cover top hits such as “Hey Jude,” “Help,” and more.
• Where: Grey Eagle Casino – 3777 Grey Eagle Drive
• When: Friday, January 8 at 8 p.m.
• Cost: Starting at $39

The Revival

• What: The Revival plays at the Gateway.
• Where: The Gateway, SAIT
• When: Friday, January 15 at 8 p.m.
• Cost: $12.50

Vance Joy concert

• What: Vance Joy comes to the Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium in Calgary January 17, as part of the Fire and the Flood Tour, with stops in British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, Quebec, and New Brunswick.
• When: Sunday, January 17 at 8 p.m.
• Where: Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium – 1415 14 Avenue NW, Calgary
• Cost: $79 to $338

Blue Rodeo

• What: Canadian band, Blue Rodeo have announced the dates of their upcoming cross-Canada tour, which stops in Calgary for two-days in January.
• Where: Southern Jubilee Auditorium – 1415 14 Avenue NW, Calgary
• When: Monday, January 18 and Tuesday, January 19
• Cost: Tickets via Live Nation

Johny Lang

• What: Johny Lang plays at the Deerfoot Inn and Casino.
• Where: 1000, 11500 35 Street SE
• When: Wednesday, January 23 at 9 p.m.
• Cost: Starting at $80

SoundWave Edmonton 2016

• What: One of the world’s largest indoor beach parties returns with SoundWave at West Edmonton Mall.
• When: Saturday, January 30
• Where: West Edmonton Mall – 8882 170 Street North West, Edmonton
• Price: $62.95 (Advanced password: JACKED)

Go for a winter run

CRR Nose Creek XC (4K, 8K)

• Where: Nose Creek end near 96 Avenue NE
• When: Saturday, January 9
• Time: 11:45 a.m.
• Cost: $8 for Calgary Roadrunner members; $12 for all other runners. Register here

MEC Calgary Race One (5K, 10K)

• Where: Eau Claire Market
• When: Saturday, January 16
• Time: From 10 a.m. to noon
• Cost: $15. Register here

CRR Twelve Mile Coulee XC (4K, 8K)

• Where: Twelve Mile Coulee Park, NE End start
• When: Saturday, January 23
• Time: 11:45 a.m.
• Cost: $8 for Calgary Roadrunner members; $12 for all other runners. Register here

Sports

Watch hockey’s World Junior Championship

• What: Sit, have a pint, and watch a game at various bars and pubs around Calgary.
• Where: Various venues. Check spots to watch the Championship here.
• When: Until January 6

Icebreaker Polar Bear Dip Calgary 2016

• What: Drop on by in your best dipping costume, as there is a prize for best costume, and jump into an icy pond to support SA (Servants Anonymous) Foundation in their fight to stop human trafficking.
• Where: Elbow Valley Community Centre – 100 Misty Morning Drive
• When: Friday, January 1 at noon
• Cost: Free

Calgary Flames games

Tuesday, January 5 – Lightning at 7 p.m.
Thursday, January 7 – Coyotes at 7 p.m.
Monday, January 11 – Sharks at 7 p.m.
Wednesday, January 13 – Panthers at 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, January 27 – Predators at 7:30 p.m.

• Where: Scotiabank Saddledome
• Cost: Varies

Calgary Hitmen games

Sunday, January 3 – Brandon 4 p.m.
Friday, January 8 – Vancouver 7 p.m.
Saturday, January 13 – Edmonton at 6 p.m.
Friday, January 22 – Moose Jaw at 7 p.m.
Saturday, January 23 – Swift Current at 7 p.m.
Friday, January 29 – Prince Albert at 7 p.m.
Sunday, January 31 – Brandon 4 p.m.

• Where: Scotiabank Saddledome
• Cost: Varies

Rose Bowls 32d Annual Rose Bowl Synchronized Skating

• What: Watch an intense competition in synchronized skating at the Max Bell Centre.
• Where: Max Bell Centre, Arena 1  – 1001 Barlow Trail SE
• When: January 9 and 10
• Cost: Starting at $5

The 2016 Motorcycle Show

• What: A new event is occurring every day from stunting to drag racing and is perfect for those who are into motorcycles. See all of the latest products, services, and gear while touring around.
• Where: BMO Centre, Stampede Park – 20 Roundup Way SE
• When: Friday, January 8 to 10; Friday from noon to 9 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Cost: $14 for adults, $10 for kids (6 to 14) and $11 for seniors (over 65)

Fis Ski Cross World Cup

• What: 130 of the world’s best skiers will be competing for the $40,000 prize over the weekend.
• Where: Nakiska Ski Resort
• When: Friday, January 22 to 23 from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Crowchild Classic

What: Watch rivals, The U of C Dinos and the MRU Cougars battle it out and the school that wins the most games in the series is awarded ‘The Medal.’

Men’s Hockey: Thursday, January 21 at 8 p.m., TBD
Men’s Hockey: Friday, January 22 at 7 p.m., Father David Bauer Arena
Men’s Volleyball: Friday, January 29 at 6 p.m., Kenyon Court
Men’s Volleyball: Saturday, January 30 at 5:30 p.m., Jack Simpson Gymnasium

Women’s Hockey: Thursday, January 21 at 5 p.m., TBA
Women’s Hockey: Friday, January 22 at 7 p.m., Flames Community Arenas
Women’s Volleyball: Friday, January 29 at 8 p.m., Kenyon Court
Women’s Volleyball: Saturday, January 30 at 4 p.m., Jack Simpson Gymnasium

90 Cent Ski Days at Mt. Norquay

• What: Mt. Norquay is celebrating its 90 year anniversary and to get you in on the fun they are offering tickets for 90 cents.
• Where: Mt. Norquay
• When: December 9, January 13, February 10, March 9 and April 6
• Cost: 90 cents

Where to go outdoor skating for free

Open mid to late December

• Big Marlborough Park
• Bowness Park Lagoon
• Carburn Park
• Olympic Plaza
• Prairie Winds Park
• Prince’s Island Lagoon