Now that Calgary winter is feeling a little bit more like we know it, it’s time to get out of hibernation.
From free outdoor curling to Shakespeare’s most popular play on the main stage at Decidedly Jazz.
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High Performance Rodeo
- What: One Yellow Rabbit’s High Performance Rodeo, Calgary’s International Festival of the Arts, is the largest festival of its kind in Western Canada, featuring theatre, music, dance and more.
- Where: Various locations around town
- When: January 5 to February 2
Banff + Lake Louise: Snowdays
- What: Winter is more than just cold and snowy, as it is a season that brings majestic frosty views, fun activities a beautiful memories at all ages. Banff National Park invites us all to celebrate the magic of winter in its month long festival of Snowdays, featuring a variety of events, shows and activities that combine history, culture and winter traditions that the whole family will enjoy. Check the website for daily events and activities!
- Where: Throughout Banff National Park
- When: January 13 to February 5
- Cost: Varies per event
Banff’s Big Taste
- What: As part of the month long winter celebration, Snowdays, you will have the opportunity to eat and drink your way through Banff’s exquisite food scene for 5 days during the festival. On each day there will be different foodie events happening, such as the famous Grand Tasting Hall, Pins + Pints Bowl off, Rustic Italy, Chocolate – A Taste of the Past and Banff’s Best Chef Competition all at various restaurants around Banff during that 5 day period.
- Where: Throughout the town of Banff
- When: January 18 to 22
- Cost: Varies
Decidedly Jazz’s Winter Production: Juliet + Romeo
- What: Decidedly Jazz is known for their extraordinarily creative performances that allow their audiences to experience dance and music in a different, fluid and collaborative way. Join them for their second show in the new spectacular DJD Dance Centre, that will take on a unique perspective of the passionate and tragic tale of Shakesphere’s ‘Romeo and Juliet.”
- Where: DJD Dance Centre – 111 12th Avenue SE
- When: January 18 to 28
- Cost: $41 – $69
Mountain Film Wednesday
- What: Enjoy a free film hosted at the Banff Avenue Brewing company, every Wednesday during the month long festival of Snowdays. See what is playing each week here!
- Where: Banff Avenue Brewing Company – 110 Banff Avenue
- When: January 18 and 25
- Cost: FREE
Ice Magic Festival
- What: Lake Louise’s Ice Magic Festival is a truly magical and unreal experience that Canadian’s look forward to year round. This event boasts over 20 years of history and it gathers talented ice artists from around the world to compete and create artistic masterpieces out of ice, within 34 hours. During this time you can watch the process in action and see the detailed sculptures unfold, while you get the unique opportunity to talk to the carvers, asking them questions and vote for your favorite masterpiece. If you miss the action you can still view the sculptures the following weekend and even get the chance to try your hand at some ice carving yourself!
- Where: The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise- 111 Lake Louise Drive, Lake Louise, AB
- When: January 19-29
- Cost: Adults $10 (18 – 54 years), Children $5 (3 – 17 years), Seniors $5 (55 + years), Family $25 (2 adults + up to 4 children aged 3-17 years) Tickets can be purchased here!
6 Guitars
- What: See the critically acclaimed professional actor and musician, Chase Padgett perform his award winning solo show, ‘6 Guitars.’ He initially performed this show in 2010 and it quickly became the most successful show in the history of the North American Fringe Festival circuit. During this 85-minute show Padgett will become 6 different guitar players, ranging from a 19-year-old rock prodigy to an 87 year old blues man, all with their own unique voices, views and musical styles. You will leave feeling so in love with music!
- Where: Lunchbox Theatre – 160 115 9 Avenue SE
- When: January 9 to 28
- Cost: Adult – $25, Student + Senior – $20
Go skating outdoors
- What: Now that winter seems to have finally settled in for the long haul, it’s time for the winter activities to commence. Grab a few friends, some hot chocolate and bundle up in your warmest, yet stylish winter attire and go skating on one of Calgary’s many outdoor rinks that are well maintained by either the city or volunteers within the community. Don’t own a pair of skates? Rent a pair at your nearest outdoor center or at specific rinks around the city – see website more for details!
- Where: Various rinks throughout Calgary
- Cost: FREE
Winter Workshops with MakerYYC
Take the opportunity to learn something new this January while bonding with old friends and making new ones. Choose from a variety of different workshops happening around the city this month that will either tantalize your taste buds or give you something fun to take home that can represent the beginning of a fabulous year.
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Macaron 101 Baking Class
- Where: Ollia Macarons & Tea – 810C 16th Avenue SW
- When: January 17, 24 and 31
- Cost: $100/ person
-
Watercolour Pillowcases
- Where: 80th And Ivy Modern Kitchen – 1127 17th Avenue SW
- When: Wednesday, January 18
- Cost: $40
-
French Wine and Macarons Tasting Events
- Where: Ollia Macarons & Tea – 810C 16th Avenue SW
- When: January 20, 27
- Cost: $40/person 18+
Check out WinSport’s Acura Tube Park
- What: Calgary’s only tube park is the largest of its kind in Western Canada and it opens for the season on Saturday, December 17. The park is located on the main hill, which allows tubers to take advantage of the washrooms, eateries, retail store and other amenities located in the Frank King Day Lodge. It features 10 lanes, each of which are 200 metres in length.
- Where: WinSport’s Canada Olympic Park – 88 Canada Olympic Road SW
Cheer on the Calgary Flames
- What: Wear your new jersey that you got for Christmas and help the Flames make it to the playoffs by cheering them on at the dome this January!
- Where: Scotiabank Saddledome – 555 Saddledome Rise SW
- When:
- Tuesday, January 17 at 7pm vs. Florida
- Thursday, January 19 at 7pm vs. Nashville
- Saturday, January 21 at 8pm vs. Edmonton
Cheer on the Calgary Hitmen
- What: Give the Calgary Hitmen some love this season and come cheer them on in their 8 home games this month!
- Where: Scotiabank Saddledome – 555 Saddledome Rise SW
- When:
- Wednesday, January 18 at 7pm vs. Red Deer
- Friday, January 20 at 7pm vs. Victoria
- Sunday, January 22 at 4pm vs. Prince Albert
Dog Sledding in Canmore
One of the most ancient, and still very practical, means of transportation in frigid climates, dog sledding is an activity Canada is famous for. Luckily for us, a short drive away in Canmore there are three different companies that offer dog sledding tours in the scenic Rocky Mountains.
Howling Dog Tours, Mad Dogs & Englishmen Expeditions, and Snowy Owl Sled Dog Tours all offer incredible, personalized experiences. Try out a tour this winter and take part in a long standing Canadian tradition.
They can be reached by phone at:
- Howling Dog Tours – (403) 678-9588
- Mad Dogs and Englishmen Expeditions – (403) 609-3670
- Snowy Owl Sled Dog Tours – (403) 678-4369
Hit the Slopes
- Begin your New Year by crossing off that pesky “get in shape” goal that seems to weasel it’s way onto your list of resolution’s every year, by hitting the slopes and spending some time in the good ol’ outdoors. There is no better feeling then coming home with rosy cheeks and lungs filled with fresh mountain air as you spend quality time with friends and family. Take a road trip and spend the day skiing or snowboarding at one of Alberta’s best hills, Sunshine Village, Lake Louise, Nakiska or Mount Norquay, or make a weekend out of it by renting a cabin in the heart of the mountains. Be sure to check the websites to see what exciting events are happening on each hill throughout the month.
Seities Studio: The Photographic Blue
- What: Take a stroll through the Window Galleries of the Arts Commons and see this beautiful exhibit that includes works by Jaime Erin Johnson, Emma Powell, and Juilee Pryor. The gallery brings together the aesthetics of the traditional photographic process of Cyanotype photography, also called blue print, and the different views of the female identity, body and spirit.
- Where: Window Galleries (across from Max Bell Theatre in Arts Commons)
- When: December 5 to February 27
- Cost: FREE
Frosty’s Birthday
- What: “Happy Birthday!!” They were Frosty’s first words, so naturally it would be rude not to celebrate! Join the Calgary Farmers Market for some indoor winter fun, as they raise awareness for Project Warmth and collect donations of winter gear for shelters and families in need throughout the city. Bring a donation of gently used winter clothing and receive a voucher to decorate a doughnut at Jelly Modern, between 10am-1pm. There will also be a live Frosty magic show, photobooth and more!
- Where: The Calgary Farmers Market – 510 77th Avenue SE
- When: Saturday, January 21
- Cost: FREE – Donation of gently used winter clothing
Fat Bike Frozen Waterfall Tour
- What: Calling all adventure enthusiasts! This unique experience will allow you to ride through the snowy trails of Kananaskis on a Rocky Mountain Blizzard fat Bike to a beautiful frozen waterfall. Here you will have the opportunity to bask in the beauty of the falls while consuming hot chocolate and cookies. Yum!
- Some biking experience is required, but there is no need to be an expert. Bikes + helmets are included, but you must bring your own goggles or sunglasses.
- Where: Kananaskis Village Center – 1 Mt. Sparrowhawk Crescent
- When: Saturday, January 21
- Cost: $85
Avalanche Awareness Night
- What: Are you interested in doing some backcountry adventuring this winter? Learn safety precautions and emergency processes from Snow Safety experts and watch featured films that will highlight the associated risks of out-of-bounds travel. There will also be door prizes and an exciting tradeshow – come make a night of it!
- Where: Margaret Greenham Theatre, Banff Centre – 107 Tunnel Mountain Drive, Banff
- When: Sunday, January 22
- Cost: FREE
Go Curling outside
St Patricks Island has set up a curling lane for public use so everyone can try their hand at the game. You can play in teams, as pairs, or even make up your own rules (just don’t tell anyone)
Where: St Patricks Island – 430 8th Avenue SE
When: Daily 9am to 7pm until the end of March
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