What’s Up This Week?

January 1 to 11

Until January 1; Light Art Projection. Each evening at dusk, the artistic responses of four Indigenous youth, who learned how to use projection mapping to project their artistic responses onto 3D objects such as trees, grass and tipis, will be displayed on the northwest corner of the Barracks building at The Confluence Historic Site & Parkland. Learn more at theconfluence.ca/150.

Until January 1; Strathmore Celebration of Lights. Strathmore Agricultural Society Park is open nightly and admission is free, but donations are welcome. Families will enjoy visits with Santa right before Christmas and a Kids’ New Year’s Eve party. Learn more at strathmorestampede.com.

January 1, 1 to 3:45pm; City of Calgary Free Skate. Skate for free at select City of Calgary ice rinks including George Blundun Arenas, Rose Kohn Arena, and Shouldice Arena. Learn more at calgary.ca.

January 1, 2:30pm; Salute to Vienna New Year’s Concert. Mark the New Year with timeless music, dazzling costumes, and breathtaking dancing. European singers, dancers, and the Strauss Symphony of Canada return for Salute to Vienna New Year’s Concert at Jack Singer Concert Hall. Learn more at calgaryphil.com.

January 2 to 4, 11am; IndigoKids Winter Play Days. Families can head to select Indigo stores to enjoy Winter Play Days, with a storytime and fun activities. Learn more at indigo.ca.

Until January 3; Holiday Wonder. Holiday Wonder is Calgary’s newest holiday tradition — an indoor, immersive Christmas festival that brings the season to life like never before. Step into a sparkling wonderland filled with breathtaking light displays, festive attractions, and magical moments for the whole family at the BMO Centre. Learn more at holidaywonder.ca.

Saturdays, January 3 to March 28, 2 to 5pm; City of Calgary Free Skating Lessons. Learn to skate for free at Prince’s Island Park Lagoon. Each lesson will kick off with a 30-minute guided lesson, followed by skating support. Skates and helmets will be available for free rentals on a first-come, first-served basis. Learn more at calgary.ca.

Until January 4; Quest World Family Entertainment: Eye Spy Adventure! Christmas Eye Spy is a full-size, interactive scavenger hunt for all ages. The whole family will be delighted by 12 enchanting vignettes, inspired by holiday favourites at Quest World Family Entertainment. Learn more at questworld.ca.

Until January 4; Alberta Theatre Projects Presents: The Wizard of Oz. Follow Dorothy and her friends down the Yellow Brick Road in this family-friendly musical filled with courage, friendship, and magic – the perfect holiday outing for Munchkins aged five to 105! Learn more at albertatheatreprojects.com.

Until January 4; Merry & Matter at TELUS Spark. Merry & Matter invites guests to explore the science behind the season: the chemistry of warmth, the physics of light, and the biology of joy. Learn more at sparkscience.ca.

Until January 4; ZOOLIGHTS. The Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo is full of twinkling lights and the classic holiday activities you’ve come to love! This year’s ZOOLIGHTS will feature activities such as ice skating, fire pits, and much more. Learn more at calgaryzoo.com.

January 4, 1 to 4pm; Calgary Wranglers Sunday Funday. Cheer on the Calgary Wranglers at Scotiabank Saddledome. The west concourse will be filled with activities, like games and face painting. Learn more at calgarywranglers.com.

January 4, 2 to 4pm; Michaels MakeBreak: Winter Painting. Join for a fun winter painting, just buy the base canvas and everything else is free. Learn more at canada.michaels.com.

Until January 5; Discovery Wildlife Park Light the Night. A drive-through light experience, with a gift shop and a concession. Plus, the Grinch will be visiting every Wednesday to Saturday from 5:30 to 8pm. Learn more at discoverywildlifepark.com.

January 6 to 11; Broadway Across Canada Presents: Moulin Rouge! The Musical. Enter a world of splendor and romance, of eye-popping excess, of glitz, grandeur, and glory! A world where Bohemians and aristocrats rub elbows and revel in electrifying enchantment. Welcome to Moulin Rouge! The Musical! Learn more at BroadwayAcrossCanada.ca.

January 7, 5 to 7pm; Staples Kids’ Events: LEGO Friends Candy Shop. This hands-on event invites kids to unleash their creativity as they design and build a candy-themed masterpiece using LEGO bricks. Visit the Eventbrite page for locations at eventbrite.com.

Until January 8; Lions Festival of Lights. For many Calgary families, the visit to the Lions’ annual light display marks the beginning of the Christmas season. You’ll find thousands of glowing lights displayed in beautiful Christmas themes at Confederation Park. Learn more at lionsfestivaloflights.ca.

January 9 to 10; Harlem Globetrotters. See these worldwide icons, synonymous with family entertainment and great basketball skills at WinSport Event Centre. The Globetrotters represent 100 years of breaking down barriers, acts of goodwill and a commitment to fans that goes beyond the game. Learn more at harlemglobetrotters.com.

Until January 10; Jubilations Junior Presents: Petey Paan’s Christmas Pirate Adventure. Petey Paan is living free in the land where you never grow old, but the Pirates on their ship aren’t fans of Petey Paan’s games. In fact, they might want to cancel Christmas altogether. Learn more at jubilations.ca/calgary-junior.

Until January 10; Jubilations Dinner Theatre Presents: Pirates of the River Saskatchewan.  Cap’n Jack and his crew are ready to set sail from the port of Jubilations Dinner Theatre. The Cap’n is looking to recruit any and all who wish to join his gang and partake of this adventure. Great music and laughter surely await all who dare to climb aboard… and treasure of course, I meant music laughter and treasure! Learn more at jubilations.ca.

January 10, Home Depot Kids Workshop: Build a Tow Truck. If you are looking for a fun activity to do with the family, Home Depot has a great workshop for kids that will teach them about building. Kids can learn how to build their very own tow truck. Learn more at homedepot.ca.

January 10, 10am to 12pm; Staples Kids’ Events: Cool Maker Experience. Cool Maker Stack’d Heishi Bracelet Studio is a DIY bracelet kit designed to inspire kid’s imagination! Visit the Eventbrite page for locations at eventbrite.com.

January 11, 2 to 4pm; Michaels MakeBreak: Beaded Rainbow Keychain. Visit a local Michale Store for a fun free event for kids. Kids can make a cute and colorful rainbow keychain. Learn more at canada.michaels.com.

Ongoing

Until January 15; Free Admission to National Parks. During the Canada Strong Pass periods (December 12 to January 15), no fees apply for admission for all visitors to all national historic sites, national parks, and national marine conservation areas operated by Parks Canada. Free admission applies to places operated by and for Parks Canada, during regular operating hours. No entry pass or ticket is required.  Learn more at parks.canada.ca.

Until January 15; Free Admission to Participating Alberta Museums. Did you know the Canada Strong Pass provides free admission to many of Alberta’s museums, including Lougheed House in Calgary and the Royal Tyrrell Museum in Drumheller from December 12 to January 15? Check out the full list of participating museums at parks.canada.ca.

Until March 1; WinSport Tube Park. The tube park is one of the largest in Western Canada and is the perfect activity to spend time outdoors with your family. Purchase advance tickets at winsport.ca.

Until March 29; Nightrise at the Banff Gondola. When the sun sets, a whole new adventure begins at the Banff Gondola. Experience Nightrise and rediscover Sulphur Mountain’s summit beneath the moon. Learn more at banffjaspercollection.com.

Mondays to Thursdays, 9am to 12pm; Active Toddlers at the Genesis Centre. Bring your little one for a delightful playtime adventure with our bouncy castle, toys, puzzles, and a lot more for free. Learn more at genesis-centre.ca.

Thursdays, 4 to 4:30pm; Storytime at Mastermind Toys. Mastermind Toys often has special events at their Calgary stores, including storytime. Check with your store to confirm details. Learn more at mastermindtoys.com.

Weekends; Asylum for Art Brunch. Asylum for Art hosts weekend brunch and live music at the WaffleHaus Saloon. Admission is by donation, and you can reserve a spot. Learn more at asylumforart.ca.

Monday and Wednesday from 10 to 11:30 am. The Beach YYC Drop-In Children’s Playtime. On Monday and Wednesday mornings take part in children’s play time at the beach. Learn more at thebeachyyc.ca.

Monday to Thursday, 9am; Parent + Tot Drop-In at Cavalry FC Regional Field House. Cavalry offers a variety of drop-in programs for parents to participate in with their children ages 18 months to three years old. Learn more at regionalfieldhouse.com.

Drop-In Programs at City of Calgary Recreation Centres. Don’t miss out on Active Play where you can bring your kiddo’s energy to an indoor play space. Learn more at calgary.ca.

Storytime at Calgary Public Library. Drop into various Calgary Public Library locations to enjoy stories, songs, and finger plays for the whole family at Family Storytime. Learn more at calgarylibrary.ca.

All winter; Monday Night Twoonie Skate at Olympic Oval. Lace up and hit The Fastest Ice in the World™ every Monday this season for the Monday Night Toonie Skate. From 6pm to 8pm, you can carve up the ice for $2. Learn more at oval.ucalgary.ca.