30 FREE things to do in Calgary in February

Want to have a frugal February? We’ve got your hookup to 30 FREE events happening in Calgary this month, including Lunar New Year, Exposure, and more.

For more things happening around town check out our events section.

See also

• $10 Date Night is back at Studio Bell starting in February
• Here's where to celebrate Chinese New Year 2019 in Calgary
• Cineplex's coast-to-coast movie festival revives throwbacks and classics

Explore the city

Lunar New Year Festival 2019

What: Calgary Chinese Cultural Centre hosts their annual Lunar New Year Festival celebration. There will be a marketplace, performances, and lantern and firecracker displays.

When: Saturday, February 2 and Sunday, February 3, 2019
Time: 11 am to 6 pm
Where: Calgary Chinese Cultural Centre – 197 1st Street SW, Calgary
Admission: Free

Queer Art Night

What: Run through the Calgary School of Informal Education, Queer Art Night with Selina is an inclusive evening once a month for anyone who identifies as queer to make art. It is a drop in event where you can make friends and be creative in a safe environment. Materials will be supplied for different projects each month, though the projects don’t have to be followed. Open to anyone, allies welcome.

When: February 3, 2019
Time: 5 to 7:30 pm
Where: Calgary School of Informal Education – #101 223 12th Avenue SW, Calgary
Admission: Free, donations are welcome

Exposure

What: This is Alberta’s only photography festival and it’s coming to Calgary for the month of February. Check out 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 5 to 28, 2019
When: Various times
Where: Various locations around the city
Tickets: Varies per event, many are free

Dungeons & Dragons at the Ship

What: Learn all about Dungeons & Dragons on the first Monday of the month at The Ship & Anchor. These nights are specifically designed for anyone who has no experience with the world of ‘tabletop role-playing games’ such as D&D, Pathfinder, or any of the others out there. The evening will begin with first-come-first-served selection of a character to play, followed by a quick Q&A, then diving right into the adventure.

When: The first Monday of every month.
Time: 5 to 10 pm
Where: Ship & Anchor Pub – 534 17 Ave SW, Calgary
Sign-up: email [email protected]

Body Weather Workshop Presentation

What: This workshop will gather together ten First Nations creators in a process of dialogue, exchange and physical practice. Body Weather cultivates a conscious relation to states of change, porous and permeating. Body Weather considers the body as a constantly changing environment within a greater environment – always in flux.

When: Friday, February 8, 2019
Time: 7 pm
Where: Banff Centre – Laszlo Funtek Room 224
Tickets: Online, Free

Print(ed) Word: The Salon Series

What: This free event is the first of 12 in a series of talks to take place each month. Every month, a different artist-writer pair and their collaborative artist books included in Print(ed) Word, on permanent display at Calgary’s new Central Library will be highlighted.

When: Tuesday, February 12, 2019
Time: 7 to 8 pm
Where: Central Library – Level 4 – Simons-Harvie Community Reading Room – 800 3 St SE, Calgary
Admission: Free

Community Pipe & Smudge Circle

What: Come sit, smudge, smoke and sing with Sunalta Community Association. A powerful evening of sharing and holding space for each other as well as loved ones. Indigenous stories and healing songs will be shared, and the community pipe will be passed as attendees sit in quiet meditation. Please bring a cushion to sit on. Donations Accepted.

When: Wednesday, February 13, 2019
Time: 2 to 4 pm
Where: Sunalta Community Centre – 1627 10 Ave SW, Calgary
Admission: Free, donations accepted

Parks Canada Presents: A Beary, Berry Good Day

What: Join illustrator, Stéfanie Gignac, and author, Laurie Schwartz, to see Banff National Park’s storybook, “A Beary, Berry Good Day” brought to life in a puppet show. Then, stick around to discover amazing bear facts with Laurie.

When: Monday, February 18, 2019
Time: 9:30 am and 2 pm
Where: Banff Centre – Max Bell 253
Tickets: Online, Free

Family Fun Day at Eau Claire Market

What: Spend Family Day at Eau Claire Market. This free, family event includes a Care Bear Dance Party, children’s crafts, face painting, balloon animals, carnival games and an interactive reptile display and more.

When: Monday, February 18, 2019
Time: 11 am
Where: Eau Claire Market – 200 Barclay Parade SW
Admission: Free

Pitch Night YYC

What: Volition Events’ Pitch Nights provide a comfortable space for entrepreneurs to gain practical experience and feedback on their three-minute pitch, in front of a live audience and industry panel. The audience votes on the top three companies to receive valuable prizes from sponsors and partners.

When: Tuesday, February 26, 2019
Time: 5 to 8 pm
Where: Hunter Hub for Entrepreneurial Thinking – 402 Collegiate Blvd NW, Calgary
Tickets: Online, Free

Monthly Open House at AVRO Museum

What: Learn more about Avro Canada and its contributions to Canada’s aviation and aerospace legacy, plus see the latest progress on our Arrow II project.

When: The Second Sunday of every month
Time: 12 to 3 pm
Where: AVRO Museum – 229 Avro Lane, Calgary
Admission: Free

Community Yoga at Sunalta

What: Community Yoga at Sunalta Community Hall aims to help people be conscious in their moments and capable in their bodies. Bring your own mat and any required props for assistance.

When: Every Monday
Time: Doors 5:30 pm, yoga from 5:45 to 6:45 pm.
Where: Sunalta Community Centre – 1627 10 Ave SW, Calgary
Admission: Free

Roasterie Tour – Phil & Sebastian Coffee Roasters

What: This 20-minute tour gives attendees a look at Phil & Sebastian’s vintage retro-fitted roaster and operations, plus learn about their green coffee sourcing strategies.

When: Every Wednesday
Time: 12:15 to 12:35 pm
Where: Phil & Sebastian Coffee Roasters – 618 Confluence Way Southeast, Calgary
Tickets: Online, Free

Youth Jam at The Blues Can

What: Hosted by the Marcus Trummer Band, Youth Jam invites all youth musicians and bands are invited to come play at The Blues Can the first Monday of every month. Bring an instrument, a few songs and a few friends.

When: The first Monday of every month
Time: 6 to 9 pm
Where: The Blues Can – 1429 9 Ave SE, Calgary
Admission: Free

Social-Lite Social Media Meetup

What: Join Social-lite YYC after work the second Thursday of each month to learn from one another at a meet-up discussing social trends, best practices, case studies, and more in the field of social media. Bring your questions and expertise and gain insights from industry peers.

When: The second Thursday of every month
Time: 6 to 7:30 pm
Where: MarketBar, Sunterra Market, Keynote – 200 12 Avenue Southeast Calgary
Tickets: Online, Free

The Hangover – HUMPDay HOUSE Party

What: A night of House music at Habitat Living Sound with OH FUNK and featuring Prairie Chola Ayatollah and Dj Dramatik. Hosted by J9Productions.

When: Every Wednesday night
Time: 9 pm to 2:15 am
Where: Habitat Living Sound – 1217 1st Street SW, Calgary
Admission: Free

Classical Revolution Calgary with Pianist Joseph Fernando

What: Pianist Joseph Fernando hosts Classical Revolution Calgary’s last-Tuesday-of-the-month. There is also an open mic for aspiring classical performers.

When: Last Tuesday of every month
Time: 7 to 9 pm
Where: Gravity Espresso and Wine Bar – 909 – 10 Street SE, Calgary
Admission: Free, tips welcome

Movies That Matter

What: Movies That Matter is a monthly series of documentary film premieres at the University of Calgary, co-presented by the University of Calgary Film Society and the Department of Communication and Culture. The series strives to be timely and provocative, allowing viewers to delve into some important issues relevant in our society today. Each screening will include a post-screening discussion, featuring the director of the film itself and/or someone from the community at large known for their expertise or insightful views on the film subject.

When: The last Wednesday of every month
Time: 7 pm
Where: Gallery Hall of the Taylor Family Digital Library – University of Calgary
Admission: Free for students with ID and community by donation

Free First Thursday

What: Explore the Glenbow Museum at your leisure for FREE on the first Thursday of every month.

When: The first Thursday of every month
Time: 5 pm to close
Where: Glenbow Museum – 130 9th Avenue SE
Admission: Free

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. The gallery is barrier-free.

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

Free Brewery Tours at Red Bison Brewery

What: The tour starts off with an explanation of Red Bison’s name and why founder Steve started the brewery. Attendees will then see the homebrew system Steve used to brew beer on the balcony of his downtown Calgary condo, and talk about malt and how each of the flavours impact our recipes. After this, it’s a walk through our process for brew day and the fermentation process. Once the tour is complete, guests will be able to buy flights to try out beer and the kitchen is also open.

When: Every Sunday
Time: 1 pm
Where: Red Bison Brewery – 111, 3016 10 Ave NE, Calgary
Tickets: Online, Free