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The first month of 2022 is almost over, and there are plenty of things to do in Calgary this week to enjoy the remaining days of January.
Check out an art exhibit, have a “wild” brunch at the Calgary Zoo, watch some dinner theatre, head to Banff for the SnowDays festival, and much more.
Here are 12 of the best things to do in and around Calgary this week.
Get topsy-turvy at The Alice: An Immersive Cocktail Experience
Courtesy of The Alice: An Immersive Cocktail Experience
What: If you’ve ever dreamed of drinking tea with Alice in Wonderland characters, munching on an “Eat Me” cake, and playing croquet with flamingos, here’s your chance. Create your own liquid concoctions under the watchful eye of the Mad Hatter at The Alice: Immersive Cocktail Experience. Dive through the looking glass and solve riddles and challenges just like Alice to unlock all the ingredients needed to create your enchanted teapot cocktails.
When: January 27 to March 26
Where: SunnyCider House (#1 – 3300 14th Avenue NE, Calgary)
Price: $47 per person; available here
Visit the new Winter/Spring exhibits at Esker Foundation
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What: Be among the first to see the new Winter/Spring 2022 exhibitions opening at Esker. Three photography and painting solo exhibits opened at the gallery on January 22, with new displays launching soon in Esker’s Bridge Space and street-level Project Space as well.
When: Esker is open Wednesday through Sunday
Time: 11 am to 6 pm
Where: Esker Foundation (1011 9th Avenue SE, Calgary)
Cost: Free admission
Have a “wild” brunch at the Calgary Zoo
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What: Enjoy weekend brunch at the Calgary Zoo. Held in the heart of Destination Africa, the zoo’s Safari Brunch features both gourmet and comfort breakfast foods, including a free-flowing chocolate fountain with fresh fruit, eggs Benedict with Canadian bacon, a Belgian waffle bar, and much, much more.
When: Every Sunday until November 13, 2022
Time: First seating 9 to 10:30 am, second seating 11 am to 12:30 pm, and third seating on select dates from 1 to 2:30 pm
Where: Calgary Zoo (210 St. George’s Drive NE, Calgary)
Cost: $44.95 for adults, $27.95 for children
Celebrate winter with Banff and Lake Louise’s SnowDays
Ice sculpture at Lake Louise during SnowDays (Elle McLean/Daily Hive)
What: SnowDays, Banff and Lake Louise’s annual winter celebration returns this January, bringing the national park to life with a wide array of activities, sights, and events. Check out giant snow sculptures throughout the streets of downtown Banff and then head to Lake Louise to lace up your skates and take a whirl around the lake for an iconic Canadian experience.
Once you’ve worked up a thirst, visit a number of select bars and restaurants in Banff, where you’ll find special cocktail menus from January 19 to 30. For some family-friendly festivities, hit up the SnowDays Play Zone on weekday evenings and weekends, where you’ll find exhilarating activities and hands-on fun for all ages.
When: January 19 to 30, 2022
Time: Varies by event
Where: Various locations in Banff and Lake Louise
Cost: Varies by activity, with plenty of free programming
Get cozy at the East Village Hygge Hut
@eastvillageyyc/Instagram
What: East Village is bringing snuggly vibes to Calgary with the return of its popular Hygge Hut this winter. The Scandinavian-style seasonal pop-up is open in a new location this year, and it’s bigger and better than ever. Visitors will find the Hygge Hut in C-Square, at 4th Street and 7th Avenue SE, with fire pits to warm up by, food trucks, live music, ice sculptures, and games, along with a jam-packed schedule of more community programming.
When: Open January 7 through March 2022 (weather dependent)
Time: Fires lit on Fridays from 2 to 6 pm and Saturdays, Sundays, and stat holidays from noon to 6 pm. A complete list of community programming can be found here.
Where: C-Square in East Village (4th Street and 7th Avenue SE, Calgary)
Cost: FREE community programming
Learn about the daring world of heroes in emergencies at the TELUS Spark Science Centre
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What: TELUS Spark’s newest exhibit, RESCUE, allows guests to experience the thrill of emergency scenarios in the safety of the science centre and get inside the world of the heroes who respond to these situations. Test your rescue instincts in 17 different interactive scenarios, including taking control of a full-size helicopter simulator, navigating a jet ski around obstacles, and finding your way through a smoke-filled room.
When: Exhibit runs from January 12 to May 15
Time: Science centre hours (currently 9 am to 4 pm on Wednesdays and Thursdays and 9 am to 5 pm Friday through Sunday)
Where: TELUS Spark Science Centre (220 St. George’s Drive NE, Calgary)
Cost: RESCUE is included with general admission ($26 for adults and $19 for children aged three to 17)
Catch some speed at WinSport’s Tube Park
Tubing at WinSport (winsport.ca)
What: If skiing and snowboarding aren’t your things, try a different way of flying down the hill this season with the tube park at WinSport’s Canada Olympic Park. The Servus Tube Park boasts eight lanes, a dedicated magic carpet, and the option for sliders to link together and go down at the same time.
When: Saturdays, Sundays, and select Fridays through the winter season (weather dependent)
Time: 4 to 8:30 pm on select Fridays, 10 am to 5:30 pm on Saturdays and Sundays
Where: WinSport’s Canada Olympic Park (88 Canada Olympic Road SW, Calgary)
Cost: $20 for morning sessions and $25 for afternoon sessions on weekends, $15 for Friday evenings
Meet someone new at 17th Ave’s massive “Get Off The Apps And Onto The Ave” singles event
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What: If you’re tired of swiping right, swiping left, going on first dates that never lead to a second, getting ghosted, and spending countless hours online trying to find that special someone, then Calgary’s biggest singles event is for you. The Get off the Apps And Onto the Ave campaign starts on January 7 and runs until February 28, with a huge calendar of events designed to help singles meet other singles, all hosted in various venues along the 17th Ave Retail & Entertainment District.
When: January 7 to February 28
Time: Varies by event
Where: Various businesses along 17th Avenue SW, Calgary
Cost: Varies by event
Glide around one of Calgary’s many outdoor skating rinks
Skating at Olympic Plaza (Shutterstock/Jeff Whyte)
What: Take part in a classic Canadian activity this season and get some fresh air and exercise while you’re at it. There are a number of outdoor rinks around Calgary where you can get your skate on over the winter months.
When: Open daily through the winter (weather dependent)
Time: Hours vary by rink
Where: There are many City of Calgary, volunteer-run, and community rinks around YYC
Cost: Free; equipment rental available at some locations for a fee
Take in the Banff Gondola’s immersive Nightrise exhibit
Pursuit (banffjaspercollection.com)
What: Pursuit’s latest experience, Nightrise, combines multimedia, storytelling, and nature at the Banff Gondola for a multi-sensory journey like no other. The event will bring light and sound together to share a new and inspiring perspective in the heart of the Rockies. At Sulphur Mountain’s peak, guests can explore the many levels of the summit building and enjoy Rockies-inspired eats and drinks. Outside on the viewing decks, discover wonders that only emerge as the night begins to rise.
When: On now until March 12
Time: Gondola upload time slots between 5:10 and 8:10 pm
Where: Banff Gondola (100 Mountain Avenue, Banff)
Cost: Starting at $56 for adults and $28 for children (age six to 15)
Enjoy Stage West’s The Soul of Motown
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What: Groove to Stage West’s tribute to Motown — members of the Soul Music Hall of Fame, the Songwriters Hall of Fame, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Nibble on a delicious meal while you take in the sounds of one of the most iconic bands from the 1960s and 70s.
When: On until February 6
Time: Varies by date; see schedule for showtimes
Where: Stage West Theatre Restaurant Calgary (727 42nd Avenue SE, Calgary)
Cost: Tickets available from $78.75
Check out the Otipemisiwak exhibit at Fort Calgary
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What: Fort Calgary launched Otipemisiwak, an exhibition of contemporary visual art, to celebrate Métis Week in November that will remain on display until June 2022. The exhibit showcases recent works by Daphne Boyer, a visual artist and plant scientist, using a photo-based technique that mirrors spectacular traditional Métis beading.
When: From now through June
Time: Fort Calgary hours (currently 10 am to 5 pm on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays)
Where: Fort Calgary (750 9th Avenue SE, Calgary)
Cost: $10 for general admission
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