32 things to do in Calgary this week: January 29 to February 4

33 things to do in Calgary this week: January 29 to February 4

Downtown Calgary (andybintheyyc/Instagram)

It may be the beginning of the shortest month of the year, but don’t expect it to be uneventful.

Warm up this week with a feast of poutine and a delicious hot chocolate, as two yummy festivals kick off February. There is also a ton of fun to be had outdoors as a fresh new layer of snow is scheduled to cover the city, but don’t miss out on the many concerts and performances lined up this week, either.

January ends on a high note and February starts off strong with these 33 things you simply can’t miss out on this week!

Monday, January 29

Whales Tohora

What: Travelling all the way from the National Museum of New Zealand, Te Papa Tongarewa, this exciting exhibition has been travelling North America for the last 10 years and Calgary marks it’s final destination. Excite your senses with this unique cultural experience that will take you through everything you need to know about the king of the ocean; the whale. From enormous life-size whale skeletons to learning the evolution of these creatures and understanding how they communicate. There is so much to know about these beautiful beings.
When: January 20 to June 20
Where: Telus Spark – 220 St. George’s Drive NE
Tickets: Online, $26

Uncommon Blends

What: Are you a coffee or a tea person? Regardless of your personal preference, these warm and cozy beverages play an important role in both our social and individual lives. This art exhibit will examine these various routines, rituals, and relationships centred around coffee and tea, while showcasing beautiful ceramics made by five Alberta-based artists.
When: January 20 to March 17
Time:
- Monday to Saturday: 10 am to 5 pm
- Thursday: 10 am to 6 pm
Where: cSPACE King Edward – 1721 29th Avenue SW

Tuesday, January 30

Watch the Calgary Flames Play the Vegas Golden Knights for the first time

What: They are Sin City’s first major pro team and the newest on the NHL roster. It will be a heated game as we find out how good these gamblers are on the ice.
When: January 30
Time: 7 pm
Where: Scotiabank Saddledome – 555 Saddledome Rise SE, Calgary
Tickets: Ticketmaster, $50 to $246

Taco Tuesday

Foxys Forest Manufacture/ Shutterstock

What: Let’s be honest, any date that involves tacos is a good date! It might be slightly cliché, but you won’t have to worry about making dinner AND you get to dive into some freshly made guac, with a margarita on the side – that’s a winning combo.
When: Every Tuesday
Where:
- Native Tongues Taqueria – 235 12th Avenue SW, Calgary
- Salt & Pepper – 1413 9th Avenue SE, Calgary
- National – all four locations
- Los Chilitos Taco & Tequila House – 1309 17th Avenue SW, Calgary
- Julio’s Barrio – 1110 Memorial Drive NW, Calgary
- Anejo – 2, 2116 4th Street SE, Calgary
Late night #HalfyHour
- What: 1/2 price tacos and tequila…. need we say more?
- When: Daily until January 31, 2018
- Time: 9 pm to close
- Where: Blanco Catina – 723 17th Avenue SW

Wednesday, January 31

Illuminate

What: Experience works of art that explore light in various forms created by various artists.
When: January 25 to February 7
Time: 10 am to 5:30 pm
Where: Wallace Galleries – 500, 5th Avenue SW
Admission: FREE

Ceili’s Trivia 2.0

What: Get ready to celebrate hump day properly! Grab four to five friends and register for Ceili’s 2nd ever trivia night. Kicking off on January 31 you’ll compete every Wednesday for the next 6 weeks for nightly prizes and one grand cash prize at the very end. You’ll also receive 10% off your bill every trivia night!
When: Wednesday, January 31
Time: 7 to 9 pm
Where: Ceili’s 8 Avenue – 803 8 Avenue SW
Admission: Online, $100

Thursday, February 1

La Poutine Week

What: Perfectly timed for all the carb cravings caused by winter in Canada, the great French-Canadian classic is cause for celebration when La Poutine Week kicks off in Calgary. You’ll have the opportunity to try out and vote for your favourite poutine creations, and the winner will be announced at the end of the week. Bon appetite!
When: February 1 to 7
Where: Participating restaurants in Calgary

YYC Hot Chocolate Fest

@yychotchocolatefest/Instagram

What: For the entire month of February, various cafes, restaurants and chocolatiers are featuring their very own creative twist on a traditional hot chocolate. Spend an afternoon touring the city, trying out the various concoctions, and voting for your favourite one. Prepare for a serious sugar coma afterwards. Proceeds from each drink will go towards Calgary Meals on Wheels.
When: February 1 to 28, 2018
Where: Various locations around the city

Milky Chance: Blossom Tour

When: Thursday, February 1
Time: 7 pm
Where: MacEwan Hall — 2500 University Drive NW
Tickets: Online, $38.50

Marc Cohn featuring special guests The Blind Boys of Alabama

When: Thursday, February 1
Time: 7:30 pm
Where: 205 8th Avenue SW
Tickets: Online, $50 to $80

Watch the Calgary Flames Play Tampa Bay Lightning

What: Cheer on the Flames in a sea of red all the way to the Red Mile!
Where: Scotiabank Saddledome – 555 Saddledome Rise SE, Calgary
When: Thursday, February 1
Time: 7 pm
Tickets: Ticketmaster, $25 to $165

Exposure

The Fence in Atlanta, US (Exposure Photography Festival)

What: This is Alberta’s only photography festival and it’s coming to Calgary for the month of February. Check out over 40 photography exhibitions at galleries around the city, get your portfolio reviewed by professionals, and participate in exciting workshops as you let your inner photographer become instantly inspired!
When: February 1 to 28
Where: Various locations around the city
Tickets: Varies per event, many are free

Friday, February 2

Give Your Man a Hand 2018 – Gloves on Gala for Men’s Health

What: Come enjoy an exciting evening with a live band, silent auction and delicious eats as you help to raise funds for the Women for Men’s health initiative at Calgary’s Prostate Cancer Centre.
When: Friday, February 2
Time: 7 pm
Where: Hotel Arts – 119 12th Avenue SW, Calgary
Ticket: Online, $275

Stone Sour + Halestorm

When: Friday, February 2
Time: 7 pm
Where: Grey Eagle Event Centre – 3777 Grey Eagle Drive SW
Tickets: Ticketmaster, $59.50

WowFest Magic Spectacular

What: Voted two of Canada’s Best Magicians, Murray Hatfield & Teresa are starring in the sixth annual WowFest Magic Arts Festival. Come expecting a night full of magical happenings, comedy, illusions, and other jaw-dropping performances! A portion of all ticket sales will go towards Brown Bagging for Calgary Kids.
When: February 2 to 4
Where: Sait Main Campus – 1301 16th Avenue NW
Tickets: Online, $15

Saturday, February 3

Watch the Calgary Flames Play the Chicago Blackhawks

Image: Calgary Flames / Twitter

What: Cheer on the Flames in a sea of red all the way to the Red Mile!
Where: Scotiabank Saddledome – 555 Saddledome Rise SE, Calgary
When: Saturday, February 3
Time: 8 pm
Tickets: Ticketmaster, $25 to $165

Frida Kahlo: Her Photos

What: Get inspired as you stroll through beautiful photographs, done by the famous and fascinating artists, Frida Kahlo. There are more than 240 pieces that were kept in her home, ‘The Blue House” for over 50 years under her estate. Visitors will have the opportunity to better understand the woman behind the artist; her origins, her roots, her friendships and romantic relationships, her fragile health, her political tendencies, and her special relationship with photography. This is the first time this exhibition has ever been presented in Canada!
When: February 3 to May 21, 2018
Where: The Glenbow Museum – 130 9th Avenue SE, Calgary
Admission: Regular admission

Platinum Blonde

When: Saturday, February 3
Time: 8 pm
Where: Grey Eagle Event Centre – 3777 Grey Eagle Drive SW
Tickets: Ticketmaster, $35 to $39

Sleeping With Sirens – Gossip World Tour 2018

When: Saturday, February 3
Time: 6:30 pm
Where: MacEwan Hall – 2500 University Drive NW
Tickers: Online, $33.49

Eugene Onegin

What: Join the Calgary Opera and be blown away by one by this epic Tchaikovsky Russian masterpiece! You’ll have your heart ripped in many directions as you follow the story of Oregon and Tatyana.
When: Saturday, February, 3
Time: 7:30 pm
Where: Jubilee Auditorium – 1415 14th Avenue NW
Tickets: Online, $31 to $164

Sunday, February 4

Celebrate Super Bowl Sunday at Home and Away

Superbowl/Shutterstock

What: See the Patriots and Philly showdown at the 2018 Superbowl. Will the Patriots take the cup for the second year in a row? If Brady has anything to do with it, they will! Watch the game at Home and Away and enjoy happy hour prices all day long, delicious eats, and free games. There is a party to be had regardless of the outcome!
When: Sunday, February 4
Time: 1 to 11 pm
Where: Home and Away – 1331 17th Avenue SW

Boozy Brunch at Buttermilk Fine Waffles

What: Breakfast has just been taken to a whole other level! Enjoy a delicious waffle paired with Spiked Eggnog, a Mimosa (or two) and/or an Irish coffee.
When: On now
Where: Buttermilk Fine Waffles – 330 17th Avenue SW

Twelfth Night

What: Join Theatre Calgary for this romantic, hilarious misadventure of two twins as they are forced to find their way in a foreign land after a tragic shipwreck.
When: January 30 to February 24
Time: 2 pm or 7:30 pm
Where: Theatre Calgary – 220 90th Avenue SE
Tickets: Online, $35 to $124

Brunch at Calcutta Cricket Club

What: As if we needed yet another reason to visit this beautiful space! The turquoise castle that adorns 17th Avenue is now serving brunch, and of course they have killed it yet again with their take on traditional Indian infused dishes. From chips and curry to Chai Pancakes and Parsi Akuri, your taste buds be doing a happy dance as you try each uniquely flavoured dish – paired with a pineapple mimosa, of course!
When: Weekends
Time: 11 am to 3 pm
Where: Calcutta Cricket Club – 340 17th Avenue SW

Sunday Supper at Royale

What: End the weekend off with a delicious and classic French meal rooted in tradition, with a contemporary twist!
When: Sunday, February 4
Time: 6 to 9 pm
Where: Royale Brasserie – 730 17th Avenue SW

Any Day of the Week

Grab some ice cream

Ice cream/Shutterstock

What: Just because it’s winter doesn’t mean you’re not allowed to dabble in some frozen deliciousness. There are various great local ice creameries situated throughout Calgary’s most popular neighbourhoods, which makes it the perfect excuse to do a bit of exploring. Pssst… we hear monogram has recently launched hot chocolate ice cream – no, we’re not kidding!
Where:
- Monogram – View all locations
- Lukes Drugmart – 112 4th Street NE, Calgary
- Village Ice Cream – View all locations
- Made by Marcus – 1017 17th Avenue SW, Calgary
- UTCA Chimney Cakes – 207 13th Avenue SW, Calgary

Winter ice skating at Olympic Plaza

What: Skate amidst the beauty of downtown Calgary at everyone’s favourite outdoor rink.
When: Now to mid-March
Time: weather dependent, from 10 am to 9 pm
Where: Olympic Plaza – 228 8th Avenue SE
Admission: Free

Go ice fishing

Looking for a new winter activity to try your hand at? Test the waters with ice fishing. In the city try spots like Chestemere Lake, Bearspaw reservoir, Bruce Lake Ghost Lake and MORE! If you’re looking for more of an epic adventure try out one of the many lakes up in the rockies, or book a guided tour to show you the ropes!

Go Tobogganing

Sledding (FS Stock/Shutterstock)

What: This fun outdoor winter activity is one that the whole family can enjoy – no one said it was reserved for children! Bundle up and grab your sled to head to one of the many city-maintained hills for a fun, snowy, adrenaline-filled afternoon. Don’t forget your helmet!
See a list of city-maintained hills here.

Experience a Dog Sledding Expedition

What: Cuddle up under a blanket and enjoy the scenery as you glide through the trail or head up your own team of home-bred Canadian huskies – you choose!
Where: Snowy Owl Sled Dog Tours – 109, 829 Street Canmore or Mad Dogs & Englishmen Expeditions in Canmore

Go Tubing at Canada Olympic Park

What: Calgary’s only tube park is the largest of its kind in Western Canada and now boasts 12 lanes, a four person tube option, and a dedicated magic carpet. A village including a food trailer, a deck with heaters, a fire pit, and washrooms have also been added for the 2017-18 season.
When: During the winter season
Where: WinSport’s Canada Olympic Park, The Acura Tube Park – 88 Canada Olympic Road SW
Admission: Tickets cost $28 for an adult to slide for two hours, and senior, youth, and family discounts are available.

Go skating on Lake Louise

What: Lake Louise was rated by CNN and HuffPost as the world’s most beautiful skating rink in 2014, and trust us – it definitely lives up to the reputation. Glide hand-in-hand with your special someone as you enjoy the tranquil views and fresh mountain air. The lake is even lit during the evening so you can skate under the stars and then warm up by a cozy campfire. Skate rentals are available.
Where: 111 Lake Louise Drive, Lake Louise
Admission: Email or call the Concierge Team for prices and ice conditions before heading up.

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