A massive festival kicks off this weekend. And that is just one of the many great things to do in Calgary for the final weekend of January.
Plus, learn about the history of a staple downtown and enjoy the outdoors (if the weather allows.)
Here are 12 things to do this weekend in Calgary.
Take in the sights and sounds of Chinook Blast
Neil Zeller/Chinook Blast
What: Get ready to experience pure winter magic with the return of Calgary’s winter festival celebration, Chinook Blast. Merging live music, art and light installations, night markets, and outdoor sports to create an inclusive event that showcases the best of our city with events for all ages to enjoy! With this year’s lineup bigger and more diverse than ever, it’s destined to be Snow. Much. Fun.
When: January 27 to February 12, 2023
Time: Varies by event
Where: Across Downtown Calgary
Tickets: FREE (some events may require a fee)
Learn about the history of Chinatown in Calgary
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What: A new exhibit at Heritage Park will examine the long history of Calgary’s Chinatown. “We Were Here” is an exploration of the three iterations of Chinatown in Calgary and the stories of the people who lived there, through creative writing, illustrations, audio and historical photographs. The exhibit features five stories written by members of Calgary’s Chinese community, which are fictionalized accounts of events that occurred in early Chinatown. It’s an exhibit of art and imagination that celebrates Chinese culture in the Prairies.
When: January 14 to April 30
Time: Tuesday to Sunday 10 am to 4 pm
Where: Heritage Park
Tickets: Included in your Gasolina Alley Admission ($14.95)
Rock out at the BIG Winter Classic
@bigwinterclassic/Instagram
What: This massive festival in Calgary brings some great bands to the city (with some incredible names). Spread out across the city there are plenty of chances to check out some great up-and-coming bands.
When: January 25 to 29, 2023
Time: Varies by show
Where: Various locations across the city
Cost: $117.93 for weekend passes
Hit up an outdoor rink for a skate
North Glenmore Park ice trail (Elle McLean/Daily Hive)
What: It’s ODR (outdoor rink) season! Lace up your skates, pack a thermos of hot cocoa, and get ready to glide around the ice on these outdoor rinks in Calgary. 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 City of Calgary, volunteer-run, and community rinks across the city where you can get your skate on over the winter months.
Where: Various locations across the city
Cost: Free
Enjoy some wild performances with High-Performance Rodeo
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For three wild weeks in early 2023, One Yellow Rabbit’s High-Performance Rodeo, Calgary’s International Festival of the Arts, gives you a chance to watch touring performances from across Canada, acclaimed international shows, and new and experimental work from artists right here in YYC.
When: Now until February 5, 2023
Time: Varies by performance
Where: Various venues in Calgary
Cost: Ticket prices vary by performance
Go inside the game with Hockey: Faster Than Ever at Telus Spark
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What: There is a reason that hockey is known as one of the fastest games on Earth, and it is coming in fast for the ultimate power play at Telus Spark Science Centre. It is time to lace up some skates and learn about the technology, anatomy, and physics that go into this Canadian classic. Visitors will get to experience hockey like never before including learning about the origins and culture of the game, learning the rules of the game, jumping on the rink replica in The Science Lab, and seeing real game-used gear from hockey’s biggest stars.
When: From now until March 12
Where: Telus Spark — 220 St. George’s Drive NE
Tickets: General admission $26
Go tubing down the hills at Winsport
Winsport
What: If skiing or snowboarding isn’t your thing, try a different way of flying down the hill this season with the tube park at WinSport’s Canada Olympic Park. Located 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 — weather permitting, of course, because safety first!
When: Saturdays, Sundays, and select Fridays through the winter season
Time: Two-hour time slots are available at 10 am, 12:30 pm, 3:30 pm, 4 pm, and 6:30 pm on select Fridays
Where: WinSport’s Canada Olympic Park — 88 Canada Olympic Road SW, Calgary
Tickets: Available now; tickets cost $20 for morning tubing and $25 for afternoons on weekends, $25 throughout the holiday season, and $16 on select Friday evenings
Try cross-country skiing around the city
East Village Nordic Loop (Courtesy of Calgary Municipal Land Corporation)
What: Whether you’re a novice looking to pick up a new winter sport or are an expert at this Nordic activity, there’s bound to be a perfect trail for you in YYC. Step into your bindings, pick up those poles, and get ready to glide across the snow this season. And be sure to dress in layers, because even if it’s chilly outside, you’re likely to warm up fast once you start skiing!
Where: Various locations across the city
Take a trip back in time with One-Hit Wonders
Stage West
What: It is said that everyone has a chance for 15 minutes of fame, and so it is with One-Hit Wonders. For every great band or artist, there are about 20 more who have had one big break – one great song to their credit. Many have even won a Grammy or a Juno, and then surprisingly disappear from the music scene. Stage West looks at those hits and provides two hours of non-stop music and great memories that will have you toe-tappin’ and singing along!
When: Until February 5
Where: Stage West — 727 42nd Avenue SE
Cost: Starting at $78.75
Test your skills at Potion Putt
Courtesy of Potion Putt/Explore Hidden
What: This boozy experience offers the chance to have some golf fun even in the winter months. This is from the same team that has brought similar pop-up adventures to Calgary, like the Alice Cocktail Experience and the Peter Pan Neverland experience. This “crazy golf course” is inspired by a certain famous wizard who can’t be named for copyright reasons. There will be nine holes to play as you come across bubbling cauldrons filled with tasty potions that may even help you cast a few spells to help you complete some of the mystical tee-off challenges.
When: November 3, 2022, to May 31, 2023
Where: Springbank Links Golf Club – 125 Hackamore Trail, Calgary
Price: $15 per person; buy here
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