Here's one big Calgary event for each month of 2019

The weather is cold, work is back in full swing, bills are due, and it is considered the saddest time of the entire year.

…So if you need something to help you get yourself out of those January blues, we’ve put together a list of one thing to look forward to in Calgary for each month of 2019.

See also

• 12 stunning photos of the new Brookfield Residential YMCA at Seton (PHOTOS)
• The average cost of rent in Canadian cities for January 2019 (MAP)
• There's a high chance of Calgary seeing snow by this weekend

January: Ice Magic Festival at Lake Louise

The Ice Magic Festival in Banff is like nothing you’ve ever seen before. With massive ice sculptures, a natural ice rink, and a backdrop of the Rocky Mountains. Make sure you pencil this into your January list of must-dos.

When: Wednesday, January 16 to Sunday, January 27, 2019
Time: Times vary, check schedule for details
Where: Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise – 111 Lake Louise Drive, Lake Louise
Tickets: Online, $9.99 (tickets only needed for weekend days, weekdays are free to attend)

February: Locked Library at New Central Library

This is taking escape rooms to the next level! In Locked Library, teams of contestants will attempt to escape the new architecturally-stunning building within the allotted time. Get your team together and sign up today.

When: Friday, February 1, 2019
Time: 7:30 to 9:30 pm
Where: New Central Library — 800 3rd Street SE, Calgary
Admission: $42 per person (or $102 with a $60 tax receipt), registration available online

March: Former US President Barack Obama visits YYC

Since his time in office, Barack Obama has been making speeches, appearing at rallies, and making visits at non-profit organizations. He is swinging through Calgary in March for his series “A Conversation with President Barack Obama” and it is sure to be memorable.

When: Tuesday, March 5, 2019
Time: Noon
Where: Scotiabank Saddledome — 555 Saddledome Rise SE
Tickets: Available online, sales to the general public begin on January 16.
Prices are leveled at $104, $157, $210, and $314

April: Stanley Cup Playoffs begin

After missing the playoffs in 2018, that Stanley Cup fever is looking like it will return in 2019 (knock on wood). The Flames currently have the second-best record in the entire NHL and sit atop the Western Conference standings. Whether it’s cheering the boys on from the Scotiabank Saddledome, enjoying the game from your favourite watering hole, or joining the crowds on the Red Mile, nothing beats playoff hockey.

When: Second week of April
Where: Various locations around Calgary
Tickets: TBD

May: Calgary International Beer Festival

You will want to craft your May around the Calgary International Beer Festival. With over 700 beers from more than 200 breweries, the biggest challenge will be where to start once your inside. Here’s to ‘hopping’ we see you there!

When: Friday – Saturday, May 3 – 4, 2019
Time: Friday 3 to 10 pm, Saturday 2 to 10 pm
Where: BMO Centre at Stampede Park —20 Roundup Way
Tickets: Available online, starting at $19.99

June: TEDxYYC

The TEDxYYC series will be celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2019. With speakers covering a multitude of topics with the overarching focus of being a catalyst for positive change in Calgary, this event is a must. The keynote speakers have been traditionally announced in February with tickets going on sale shortly after that.

When: Last week of June
Time: TBD
Where: Arts Commons – 205 8th Avenue SE, Calgary
Tickets: TBD – ticket release dates will be set after the speakers are announced and will range from approximately $75 to $100.

July: Calgary Stampede

If you’re like us, you’ve had this circled on the calendar since the end of last year’s show. We don’t need to tell you to get hyped.

When: July 5 to 14, 2019
Time: Varies depending on the day, check here for schedule updates
Where: Stampede Ground – 1410 Olympic Way SE
Tickets: Available online, will differ depending on the package

August: Calgary Pride

Over a week of festivities celebrating diversity and promoting equality will be held in Calgary leading up the marquee event: The Pride Parade. Last year, the parade saw upwards of 75,000 spectators and over 190 entries. We feel like 2019’s event can’t get here soon enough!

When: August 23 to September 2, 2019
Time: Check here for updates on scheduled events. Pride Parade will start at 11 am on September 2
Where: Various locations
Tickets: Required for select events

September: Beakerhead

You don’t need to travel to the Nevada desert for the ‘Burning Man of Calgary’ experience. Beakerhead is where the worlds of art and science collide with creative installations all over the city, bringing YYC to life every September. With 2018 bringing exhibits called “Dinner with Drones” and “Zorbathon,” we are on the edge of our seats trying to imagine what 2019 will look like.

When: September 19 to 22, 2019
Where: Various locations around YYC

October: Banff Mountain Film + Book Festival

How fitting is it to have a film festival about remote journeys, ground-breaking expeditions, and cutting-edge adventures in one of nature’s most beautiful places on the planet? The Banff Mountain Film + Book Festival brings together adventurers, authors, and photographers to tell their stories over nine epic days.

When: October 26 to November 3, 2019
Time: Schedule will be revealed here
Where: Select venues in Banff
Tickets: Tickets to events go on sale in early August

November: The Great Sweater Run

Running 10 km is made much more fun when it is done in the snow, wearing a tacky Christmas sweater, and in support of the Calgary Food Bank. If you start planning now you have the leg up on the competition when it comes to sourcing the ugliest of Christmas sweaters.

When: October 26 to November 3, 2019
Time: Schedule will be revealed here
Where: Select venues in Banff, AB
Tickets: Tickets to event go on sale in early August

December: Zoolights

The 2018 holidays just left us, but if there is one reason to start planning ahead, it is for Zoolights at the Calgary Zoo. Let over two million lights make your 2019 glow out with a bang.

When: All month long (closed on Christmas day)
Time: 6 to 9 pm (gates close at 8:30 pm)
Where: The Calgary Zoo — 1300 Zoo Road NE, Calgary
Tickets: Tickets to the event go on sale closer to

And there you have it! A fun-filled year in Calgary is on its way, so be sure to mark those calendars, make the plans, and recruit your favourite friends to join you at any (or all) of these great events!