15 things to do in Calgary today: Saturday, February 29

This day of the month only comes around once every four years, so be sure to make the most of it by celebrating at any of these events!

See also:

• Calgary’s new destination for New York-style pizza opens tomorrow (PHOTOS)
• Calgary’s new all-day breakfast spot has 13 kinds of specialty toasts (PHOTOS)
• New spot for cheesy katsu just opened in Calgary (PHOTOS)

Crossroads Market

What: Enjoy farm-fresh produce and tasty treats plus lots of unique finds from the large variety of vendors.

When: Fridays to Sundays
Time: 9 am to 5 pm
Where: Crossroads Market – 1235 26 Avenue SE, Calgary
Admission: Free

Calgary Home + Garden Show

What: The Calgary Home + Garden Show features a huge variety of vendors in its exhibition area, speakers and celebrity guests, contests, and more.

When: Now until March 1, 2020
Time: Saturday, 10 am to 9 pm; Sunday, 10 am to 6 pm
Where: BMO Centre, Stampede Park – 20 Roundup Way SE, Calgary
Tickets: Online

Esker Foundation

What: Esker Foundation connects the public to contemporary art through relevant, accessible, and educational exhibitions, programs, and publications. The gallery reflects on current developments in local, regional, and international culture; creates opportunities for public dialogue; and supports the production of groundbreaking new work, ideas, and research. Admission is free.

When: Open Tuesdays to Sundays. Closed Mondays
Time: Various times
Where: Esker Foundation – 4th Floor – 1011 9th Avenue SE, Calgary
Admission: Free

Winter ice skating at Olympic Plaza

What: Built in 1988 for the Olympic Winter Games, Olympic Plaza has the only refrigerated outdoor ice surface in the city. You can rent skates down at the plaza if you don’t have a pair of your own. Helmets are strongly encouraged.

When: Open daily until mid-March
Time: 10 am to 9 pm
Where: Olympic Plaza — 228 8th Avenue SE, Calgary
Admission: Free, skates are also available to rent

Body Worlds: Animal Inside Out

What: Body Worlds: Animal Inside Out features over 100 preserved animal specimens ranging from the common pigeon to an expertly dissected camel. Visitors will be able to check out what’s under the skin of some spectacular animals and determine what makes us the same — and different.

When: Now until March 1, 2020
Time: Various times
Where: TELUS Spark — 220 Saint George’s Drive Northeast, Calgary
Tickets: Online

Canmore Winter Carnival

What: Canmore Winter Carnival features a variety of snowy, family-friendly indoor and outdoor events from February 28 to March 1, including ice-carving competitions, log-sawing competitions, a pooch parade, Snowy Owl Kid n Mutt Races, and more.

When: Now until March 1, 2020
Time: Various times
Where: Throughout the town of Canmore
Price: Varies per activity

YYC Hot Chocolate Festival 2020

What: The festival runs until February 29, during which participating cafes, restaurants, and chocolatiers will compete to be voted YYC’s Best Hot Chocolate by Calgarians.

When: February 29, 2020
Where: Participating locations across Calgary

Keep ’em Rolling Roller Nights

What: Keep ’em Rolling hosts roller skate nights at Hounsfield/Briar Hill Community Hall, featuring skate music provided by DJ Plasma. All skates must have toe stops or jam plugs to prevent damage to the floor.

When: February 29, 2020
Time: 7:30 to 10:30 pm
Where: Hounsfield/Briar Hill Community Hall — 1928 14 Avenue NW, Calgary
Admission: $10, $20 for a family (max of four), additional family members $5. Skate rentals $2, email [email protected] for sizing and availability.

Calgary Roughnecks vs San Diego Seals

What: It’s Hitmen against Seals for the last NLL game of February, which will be celebrated with a Superhero Party — make sure to wear your costumes.

When: February 29, 2020
Time: 7:30 pm
Where: Scotiabank Saddledome – 555 Saddledome Rise SE, Calgary
Tickets: Online

Farmers and Makers’ Market at cSPACE

What: Check out 60 local farms, food-makers, bakers, brewers, distillers, and artisan vendors, food trucks, live music, kids arts and cultural activities, and more every Saturday at the Farmers and Makers’ Market at cSPACE.

When: Every Saturday, year-round
Time: 10 am to 1 pm (now until May 2020)
Where: cSPACE King Edward — 1721 29th Avenue SW, Calgary
Admission: Free

Calgary Farmers’ Market

What: Explore over 80 vendors supplying customers with fresh local produce, meat, poultry, international food, organic goods, jewellery, art, and more. Whether it’s the arrival of fresh produce or fun events, there’s always something happening at the market.

When: Open year-round from Thursday to Sunday
Time: 9 am to 5 pm
Address: 510 – 77 Avenue SE, Calgary
Admission: Free

Alpenglow Festival 2020

What: The festival invites photographers, star-gazers, and sunset chasers alike up to the top of Sulphur Mountain for a view of Alberta’s most beautiful skies. The events run from 4 to 8 pm on the observation deck, where attendees will be able to enjoy special cocktails, s’mores, and live entertainment during the natural light show.

When: Fridays and Saturdays from now until April 4, 2020
Time: 4 to 8 pm
Where: 100 Mountain Avenue, Banff
Tickets: Available online for as low as $56, $64 at the gate.

Penguin Walk at the Calgary Zoo

What: 2020 marks the eighth year of the Calgary Zoo Penguin Walk. The king penguin colony heads out on zoo grounds for a daily enrichment walk in the winter months and visitors get to experience the fun. This program allows visitors to get an up close look at the group of King Penguins as they explore, exercise, and waddle their way through the zoo. This is a free-choice activity for the penguins, and is subject to weather conditions.

When: Now until March 31, 2020 (weather permitting)
Time: 11 am daily
Where: The Calgary Zoo – 1300 Zoo Rd NE, Calgary
More info: Online

Kananaskis Outfitters Stargazing Snowshoe tour

What: Taking groups of adventurers out into the cold via moonlight (and headlamps), the tour will show snowshoers a side of Kananaskis Country that they may have never seen before. Hiking through Kananaskis forest and under a star-filled sky, attendees will ultimately end up in an open meadow to enjoy the cosmos. Bringing a tripod and a camera is encouraged for anyone hoping to get that priceless photo, and anyone will be able to take a look through the supplied telescope to get a closer look at the twinkling lights.

When: Select days throughout the year
Time: From 7 to 9 pm
Where: Kananaskis Village Center — 1 Mt. Sparrowhawk Crescent
Tickets: $75 for adults, $55 for youth aged 13 to 17. Available online

Mystery Town Tours

What: Mystery Town Tours operates just like the escape rooms that we all know and love (though sometimes really, really hate), but the twist is that you’re not actually trying to escape anything. You’ll actually be following clues throughout the town, receiving information via phone, and replying with your answers to the mysteries presented throughout the day. And it could be a full day, at that, as tours can range from 90 minutes to a full afternoon of adventuring around the town.

When: Available for registration now
Time: One to five hours
Where: Calgary, Canmore, Banff, Cochrane, Edmonton, and Fort McMurray in Alberta, and Vancouver and Victoria in BC
Tickets: Ranges from $49 to $99 per group, with groups ranging from two to four people