As recommended by health officials, if you choose to participate in events outside of your home, please adhere to COVID-19 health and safety measures, including proper physical distancing, mask-wearing, and frequent handwashing. If you are sick, please stay home.
February is the month of celebrating love, but that doesn’t mean you have to break the bank. There are lots of budget-friendly things to check out this winter, both indoors and outside.
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Chinook Blast
What: Calgary’s newest mid-winter art roundup, celebrating the season and showing the world that we’re not afraid of a little cold! Installations created by local artists light up winter weekend nights.
When: Friday through Sunday from February 12 to 28
Time: 3 to 9 pm
Where: The Chinook Blast Hub runs west from Fort Calgary to Municipal Plaza, and then continues along Stephen Avenue before turning north up 3rd Street SW
Skate The Boulevard at Deerfoot City
What: Try skating on synthetic ice on The Boulevard’s outdoor rink. Be sure to book your time slot online prior to arriving!
When: 2 to 6 pm on Wednesdays, 11 am to 6 pm on Thursdays, 11 am to 7 pm on Fridays and Saturdays, and 11 am to 5 pm on Sundays
Where: The Boulevard at Deerfoot City (901 64th Avenue NE)
High Performance Rodeo
What: In honour of the 35th anniversary of Calgary’s International Festival of the Arts, join High Performance Rodeo for a free virtual festival featuring videos of 35 artists answering the question “Who are you now?”
When: Now until February 14
Time: Times vary, check lineup for details
Where: Online via the HPR website
Cross-country ski at East Village’s Nordic Loop
What: Dust off your skis and try a few laps on East Village’s groomed 1 km track, running beside Fort Calgary and the Bow River. When you get cold, check out their Hygge Hut and firepits to warm up (weekends only).
When: Open daily, weather permitting
Time: 7 am to 10 pm
Where: In the field beside Fort Calgary (750 9th Ave SE)
Northern Reflections in Inglewood
inglewoodyyc/Instagram
What: Murals have been painted in local businesses’ windows and matched with music to create a one-of-a-kind art experience when viewed with free augmented reality app Augle. The art exhibits are seen from the outside, and together they make up a self-guided art tour in Inglewood.
When: Now until February 28
Time: Self-guided
Where: In Inglewood business windows, running along 9th Avenue between 10th Street and 13th Street SE
Skate the ice trail at North Glenmore Park
What: New in Calgary this year, the ice trail allows visitors to skate over 730 metres of connected track through North Glenmore park. There’s also an attached skating rink in the centre.
When: Daily
Time: 11 am to 10 pm
Where: North Glenmore Park (parking lots accessed at 7305 Crowchild Trail SW)
Chinese Lunar New Year Festival
What: Bring in the Year of the Ox virtually with the Calgary Chinese Cultural Centre! Celebrate the Lunar New Year through programming and contests run on the CCCC’s website.
When: February 5 to 14
Time: Programming varies, check website for details
Where: Online
The Kensington Valentine’s Market
What: Support local businesses and celebrate the month of love at the Valentine’s Day edition of the Kensington Market. Pick up a gift for your special someone, a friend, or yourself!
When: February 13
Time: 11 am to 4 pm
Where: The Tim Horton’s parking lot at Kensington Rd NW
Arts Commons Presents National Geographic Live
What: Arts Commons is taking their their tenth annual National Geographic Live series online this year! In this livestream, you’ll hear molecular biologist turned-photographer Prasenjeet Yadav and photographer Anand Varma talk about the intersection of science and photography.
When: February 8
Time: 7 pm
Where: Online
Tickets: Free, with advanced registration required
Visit Devonian Gardens
What: Feel like you’re in a tropical paradise within downtown Calgary at Devonian Gardens! Stroll the boardwalk, take in the plants and ponds, and grab a quick bite at the food court.
When: Daily
Time: 11 am to 5 pm Monday through Saturday, and noon to 5 pm on Sundays
Where: 4th floor of the CORE Shopping Centre (400 – 317 7th Avenue SW)
Go tobogganing on The Rise at St. Patrick’s Island Park
What: At nine metres high, this sledding hill is perfect for those of all ages. Enjoy a high speed ride down, run back up, and repeat!
When: Daily
Time: Park hours (5 am to 11 pm)
Where: 1300 Zoo Road NE
Kensington Love
What: Kensington Love is a series of outdoor activations during the month of February, in partnership with Chinook Blast. Go on a self-guided art walk and explore over 30 installations and murals, warm up by the firepits (weekends only), and snap some photos with fun art pieces!
When: February 1 to 28
Time: Firepits from noon to 5 pm on Saturday and Sunday, art tour is self-guided using the Kensington Art Walk Map.
Where: Firepits are on the Kensington Plaza (1133 Kensington Road NW), art walk runs primarily along Kensington Road and 10th Street NW.
Crossroads Market
What: This isn’t your traditional farmers’ market! Along with fresh produce and local eats, shoppers will find comics, jewellery, vintage items, a hair salon and more at Crossroads Market.
When: Weekly from Friday to Sunday
Time: 9 am to 5 pm
Where: 1235 26th Avenue SE
Check out High Park
What: High Park offers downtown views, adorable string lights, colourful picnic tables, and fun signs to take photos with – on top of a parking garage in the Beltline! Have a winter picnic six floors above street level and grab some cool photos while you’re at it.
When: Open daily
Time: 7 am to 11 pm
Where: The top level of the Centre City Parkade at 340 10th Avenue SW
Crescent Moon Festival in Crescent Heights Village
What: Join Crescent Heights Village for a celebration of art, light, and diversity! The BIA will light up 10 art benches throughout the community for self-guided tours all weekend, as part of Chinook Blast.
When: February 12 to 14
Time: All weekend long, although best viewed in the dark!
Where: Throughout the Crescent Heights neighbourhood
Block Heater
What: One of Calgary’s favourite music festivals is bringing their programming online this year. Join Block Heater for five days of shows viewed from the comfort of your couch (or bed), featuring Albertan, Canadian, and international roots, blues, and indie artists.
When: February 16 to 20
Time: Schedule varies, view the lineup for details
Where: Online
Tickets: Free/by donation
Valentine’s & Family Day Market at the Inn on Officers’ Garden
What: Find local businesses and unique items at the Inn on Officers’ Garden’s new Valentine’s & Family Day Market and celebrate love in all of its forms.
When: February 6
Time: 10 am to 3 pm
Where: The Inn on Officers’ Garden (150 Dieppe Drive SW)
Calgary Farmers’ Market
What: Pick up farm-fresh produce, warm and delicious baked goods, and locally-produced artisan goods at the Calgary Farmers’ Market. Pet products, coffee and tea, and flowers are also available to purchase!
When: Thursday to Sunday weekly
Time: 9 am to 5 pm
Where: 510 77th Avenue SE
Snap photos at PARK PARK
What: PARK PARK took an urban parking lot in Inglewood and turned it into a modern play space. Visitors will find life-size symbols of a tree, a phone, a picnic table, a bike, a book, and more. Each of these colourful symbols also contains a useful feature integrated that relates to what they depict – check out these curiosities and be amazed!
When: Open daily
Where: CPA Lot 43 at 880 11th Street SE
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