23 FREE things to do in Calgary in January

Blow your budget over the holidays? We’re here to help with our list of 23 FREE events happening in Calgary this January. Check out Ice Magic Festival, Olympic Plaza ice skating, and more.

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

See also

• Michelle Obama is coming to Alberta in March 2019
• New Central Library to turn into giant escape room this February
• 8 outdoor ice sheets to skate on around Calgary this 2018 winter season

Explore the city

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: Wednesday, January 2, 2019
Time: 12:15 to 12:35 pm
Where: Phil & Sebastian Coffee Roasters – 618 Confluence Way Southeast, Calgary
Tickets: Online, Free

Race Issues: A Comic Series Art Exhibit

What: Over the past year, artist Eman Elkadri has been working on a comic series about the experiences of racialized youth living in Canada. See 40 unique comics about microaggressions, hear from Eman about her inspiration, as well as hear from some of the youth she worked with, plus learn more about what attendees can do. Canadian Cultural Mosaic Foundation will also be launching the Race Issues publication (thanks to a partnership with ActionDignity Youth PLACE Program).

When: Thursday, January 3, 2019
Time: 6:30 to 8:30 pm
Where: The New Gallery – 208 Centre St. SE, Calgary
Tickets: Online, Free

Beers & Cameras

What: Join The Camera Store for the first Beers and Cameras meet-up of 2019. The event starts at Merchants at 6 pm, followed by a short photo walk to Marda Loop Brewing at 8 pm. Everyone is welcome.

When: Thursday, January 3, 2019
Time: 6 to 9 pm
Where: Merchant’s Restaurant – 2118 33 Avenue Southwest, Calgary; Marda Loop Brewing – 3523 18 St SW, Calgary
Tickets: Online, Free

Visual Arts Open Lecture: Fatimah Tuggar

What: The Visual Arts Lecture Series presents talks by leading Canadian and international artists, curators and academics. Fatimah Tuggar, guest faculty for the Digital Promises program, is the featured speaker.

When: Tuesday, January 8, 2019
Time: 4 pm
Where: Banff Centre – Jeanne and Peter Lougheed Bldg, 204 – 107 Tunnel Mountain Dr, Banff
Register: Online, Free

Drawn to Nature at the Banff Public Library

What: Participants of all ages and levels of experience are invited to sketch and draw at Banff Centre’s free ongoing beginner-level drawing workshops. Join esteemed Teaching Artist in Residence Janice Tanton to explore different materials and techniques for mark making in this facilitated class. All classes encourage artistic exploration and conversation about the ways in which we interact with the cultural and geological landscapes of Banff National Park. The drawings and sketches produced from these sessions are invited to display in a Community Exhibition at the end of the year.

When: Wednesday, January 9, 2019
Time: 5:30 pm
Where: Banff Public Library – 101 Bear St, Banff
Register: 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

Deep Freeze: a Byzantine Winter Festival

What: The 12th annual Deep Freeze: A Byzantine Winter Festival features artistic panache and authentic cultural and heritage winter games and fun. This year, Saturday will be Ukrainian Cultural Day and Sunday will be Francophone Cultural Day, with Indigenous performances all weekend long. After the fireworks on Saturday evening, several Festival Stages will feature special world music performances until 10 pm.

When: Saturday, January 12 to Sunday, January 13, 2019
Time: 12 to 10 pm (Saturday), 12 to 6 pm (Sunday)
Where: Alberta Avenue – 118 Avenue NW & 91 Street, Edmonton, Alberta
Admission: Free, donations accepted

Library Screening Series – Destiny at New Central Library

What: Calgary Cinematheque presents Library Screening Series, a screening of the film along with a short lecture and guided discussion of its cultural and artistic significance. Destiny by Egyptian director Youssef Chahine tells a story of political intrigue and sectarian tensions revolving around 12th century Arab Andalusian philosopher Averröes.

When: Sunday, January 13, 2019
Time: 2 to 5 pm
Where: New Central Library — 800 3rd Street SE, Calgary
Tickets: Online, Free

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

Healthy Entertaining Series – Mexican Theme

What: Community Natural Foods’ Healthy Entertaining Series begins with a Mexican theme. Join Chef Shane Rutledge as he demonstrates how to cook a fabulously healthy Mexican themed dinner complete with samples and recipes including both vegan and gluten-free options.

When: Wednesday, January 23, 2019
Time: 7 to 8:30 pm
Where: Community Natural Foods – 1304 10 Avenue Southwest, Calgary
Tickets: Online, Free

Banff Musicians in Residence Open Concert Featuring Brendan Canning

What: Join Brendan Canning and participants from theBanff Musicians In Residence program for an evening of musical exploration.

When: Friday, January 25, 2019
Time: 7:30 pm
Where: The Club at The Banff Centre – St Julien Way, Banff
Tickets: Online, 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

Silver Springs 13th 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.

When: Saturday, January 26, 2019
Time: Public viewing from 12 to 2 pm
Where: 5720 Silver Ridge Drive NW
Price: $5 entry fee to build (register online), free entry for public viewing

Holiday Lights

Christmas Lights at Spruce Meadows

What: This two-kilometre drive through in Spruce Meadows is lit up so festively that it’s undeniably special for anybody to see. Also free, this Christmas lights event will leave you feeling as though Christmas day is just one sleep away.

When: Now to Sunday, January 6, 2018
Time: 5 to 10 pm
Where: 18011 Spruce Meadows Way SW, Calgary
Admission: Free

Lion’s Festival of Lights 2018

What: The Lions Festival of Lights is back for their 32nd year to brighten up Calgary’s 14th Street NW with over 450,000 shining lights. The display is put together by volunteers who spend thousands of hours creating the shining assortment of Christmas figures and decked-out trees. This year’s festival is now 99% green as it is created using LED bulbs connected by nearly three kilometres of power cords.

When: Now to Tuesday, January 8, 2019
Time: 6 pm to midnight daily
Where: Confederation Park – 14th Street NW, north of 24th Avenue, Calgary
Admission: Free