20 distanced things to do in Calgary this week: February 22 to 28
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.
The last week of February is finally upon us, and it looks like we may have made it through the worst of the winter – although, it’s Calgary, so it’s very likely that we’ll still be seeing snow in May.
YYC’s warm weather streak is expected to continue (at least for a little while longer), so be sure to make the most of it by checking out a few of the many cool things to do outdoors in the city this week.
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If being indoors is more your cup of tea, there are still tons of fun things to do virtually and at a safe distance from others too.
Northern Reflections in Inglewood
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 observed 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
Cost: Free
Penguin Walk at the Calgary Zoo
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What: Get an up-close look at the group of king penguins as they explore, exercise, and waddle their way through the zoo.
When: Now through mid-March, weather dependent
Time: 10 am
Where: The Calgary Zoo (210 St. George’s Drive NE)
Cost: Included with admission ($19.95 for adults and $9.95 for children)
Chinook Blast: Calgary’s Midwinter Round Up
What: Local artists are illuminating winter weekend nights downtown in the Chinook Blast Hub with art and light installations. Capture photos of the outdoor installations, warm up fireside, and take a safe and recharging walking tour.
Bridgeland Arctic Adventure
What: Participants can choose their own adventure through the neighbourhood of Bridgeland – from the full, self-guided course to a scavenger hunt. Arctic Adventure activity stops include human curling, Peony Plaza Rodeo, Stairway to Heaven, Northern Safari, Gnome Village, and much more.
When: February 12 to March 31
Time: Self-guided, with an Ice Bar hosted by Bridegland Distillery open from 2 to 6 pm on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays
Where: Throughout the Bridgeland community, view map for details
Cost: Free, unless you purchase a beverage at the Ice Bar
WinSport Tube Park
What: The fastest of its kind in western Canada, the snow tubing hill at WinSport has eight lanes for flying down. Get a boost of adrenaline with this outdoor activity that’s fun for all ages.
When: Saturdays and Sundays, weather dependent
Time: 10 am to 5:30 pm
Where: WinSport (88 Canada Olympic Road SW)
Cost: $20 – $25 per person
Exposure Photography Festival 2021
What: There are tons of ways to check out the 190+ artists who are featured in Alberta’s photography festival this year, whether you want to do so outdoors, from behind your car window, in person, or in the comfort of your own home.
When: February 1 to 28
Time: Varies by event, check schedule
Where: Calgary, Banff, Cochrane, Edmonton, Medicine Hat, Lethbridge, and online
Cost: Varies by program
Fort Chinook
What: The Victoria Park BIA has teamed up with local company Big Art to bring Fort Chinook to life. The glowing fortress is made up of over 100 cubes that are illuminated with a variety of colours in a nightly light show.
When: February 13 to 28
Time: 5 to 10 pm
Where: Hotel Arts ground level parking lot (119 12th Avenue SW)
Cost: Free
Skate at one of Calgary’s many rinks
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What: There are plenty of outdoor rink options to check out in YYC this winter. Skate on synthetic ice at Deerfoot City, try the new ice trail at North Glenmore Park, take up a unique winter sport with ice bikes at Bowness Park, or glide around at any of the City of Calgary-operated rinks across town.
When: Hours vary by location
Where: A variety of locations – find a list of City of Calgary operated rinks online.
Cost: Free, excluding any rental fees
YYC Hot Chocolate Fest
What: Warm up with some cocoa from a local cafe or restaurant. The 10th annual YYC Hot Chocolate Fest brings creative and unusual flavours to a classic beverage while supporting Calgary Meals on Wheels.
When: February 1 to 28
Where: Various locations
Cost: Varies by location
Spark Science from Home
What: TELUS Spark Science Centre hosts a wide variety of fun and educational options online, from virtual programs and Dome Movies at Home, to Cereal Science and a collection of experiments and activities.
When: Programming varies, learn more through their website
Where: From the comfort of your own home
Cost: Varies by program
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.
When: The Nordic Loop is open daily (Hygge Hut and firepits are open and lit on Fridays from 3 to 7 pm, and Saturdays and Sundays from 1 to 7 pm)
Time: 7 am to 10 pm
Where: In the field beside Fort Calgary (750 9th Avenue SE)
Cost: Free
Visit Devonian Gardens
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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: Fourth floor of the CORE Shopping Centre (400 – 317 7th Avenue SW)
Visit the National Music Centre’s Amplify platform
What: Amplify serves as an extension of the NMC’s onsite programs, through an online hub for the sounds and stories of music in Canada. Take a guided tour of the museum virtually, delve into articles on their vast collection of historic musical instruments, equipment, and memorabilia, and learn more about the power of music for healing and wellness.
When: Launching on February 24
Where: Online, from the comfort of your own home
Cost: Free
Chinatown Ice Sculpture Showcase
What: In celebration of the Year of the Ox, the Chinatown BIA has placed five life-sized Ox ice sculptures throughout the community. Each of the sculptures are distinctly coloured to harmonize with Calgary and Chinatown’s culture.
Where: Five locations along 2nd Avenue and 3rd Avenue SE, and Centre Street and 4th Avenue SE
Glenbow from Home
What: Tour Glenbow’s extensive collection and galleries of rotating exhibits virtually and get cultured without even leaving the house.
When: Anytime
Where: Online, available through Glenbow’s website
Cost: Free
Kensington Love
What: Kensington Love is a series of outdoor activations in the community. 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 run from noon to 5 pm on Saturday and Sunday, and the art tour is self-guided using the Kensington Art Walk Map
Where: Firepits are on the Kensington Plaza (1133 Kensington Road NW), and the art walk runs primarily along Kensington Road and 10th Street NW
Cost: Free
Country Music Alberta Awards show
What: Celebrate our many amazing local artists with Country Music Alberta’s 10th Annual awards show. The evening will be hosted by singers George Canyon and Mariya Stokes, featuring performances by some of Canada’s top emerging and established country talent. Awards will be presented in 21 categories.
When: February 28
Time: 7 pm
Where: Online via CMAB’s YouTube channel
Cost: Free
Check out High Park
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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
Calgary Zoo Pub Quiz Night: Animal Love
What: Test your knowledge of creature courtship and join the Calgary Zoo for an adults-only evening of dinner, drinks, live quiz rounds, and prizes.
When: February 26
Time: Zoo entry from 3 to 6 pm, with three quiz rounds happening between 6 and 9 pm
Where: The Calgary Zoo (210 St. George’s Drive NE)
Cost: $60 +GST
Bundle up and go sledding
What: Calgary is home to tons of great sledding hills, so why not act like a kid again and fly down the snow on a toboggan? Check out The Rise on St. Patrick’s Island park, or visit one of many exciting City of Calgary maintained hills.
When: Hours vary by park
Where: A variety of locations – City of Calgary hills can be found online
Cost: Free
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