Activities . Family Fun . What's Up in Calgary?

What’s Up This Week?

On January 30, 2024 by Calgary's Child

February 2 to 4

February 2, 8 am; Balzac Billy Groundhog Day & Breakfast. The Balzac Business Community Association hosts their Annual Groundhog Day Breakfast to rouse Balzac Billy from hibernation and find out if spring is just around the corner or if there will be six more weeks of winter at Blue Grass Nursery & Garden Centre in Balzac. Learn more at bluegrassnursery.com.

February 2, 7:30pm; Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra Presents: Montgomery + Mesa. Cellist Thomas Mesa is spotlighted in both Divided and Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s elegant Rococo variations. Iman Habibi’s Jeder Baum Spricht, which translates to ‘Every Tree Speaks,’ responds to the current climate crisis, while Antonín Dvořák’s Eighth Symphony celebrates the pastoral ideal at Jack Singer Concert Hall. Learn more at calgaryphil.com.

February 2 to 3; Nitrocross. This event returns to Calgary’s GMC Stadium at Stampede Park for two days of heart-pumping action. The snow and ice-covered track will set the stage for intense door-to-door battles, where top-tier drivers will go head-to-head on a newly redesigned course. Learn more at nitrocrossracing.com/calgary.

February 2 to 4, 8am to 5pm; Winter Series at Spruce Meadows. The first show jumping event of the Winter Series, the February Classic takes to the indoor comfort of the Spruce Meadows Equi-Plex. Learn more at sprucemeadows.com.

February 2 to 4; 4 Winds Indigenous Showcase & Market. Check out more than 75 Indigenous vendors with a range of handmade products like beadwork, woodworking, artwork, home decor, apparel, hand-sewn items and more — plus music performances, a powwow showcase and an Indigenous fashion show featuring talent from the Treaty 7 area at the Municipal Complex Atrium. Learn more at chinookblast.ca.

February 2 to 4, 6 to 9pm; Lake Louise Ice Magic Festival. Step into a world of winter wonder on the iconic grounds of the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise for the much-anticipated return of Ice Magic in 2024. As the sun dips below the horizon, Lake Louise transforms into a glittering canvas of ice sculptures aglow with enchanting lights. Learn more at banfflakelouise.com.

February 2 to 4; Calgary Motorcycle and Powersport Show. Canada’s premier powersports events, The Motorcycle and Powersport Shows are back and set to deliver plenty of excitement, fun, information, and new discoveries for riders of all styles, ages, and experience levels at the BMO Centre. Learn more at motocanada.com.

Until February 3; Rock the House: Free Youth Curling. All new Canadians, ages ten to 18, are invited to Acadia Recreation Complex, but spots are limited. Learn more and register at acadia.getcommunal.com.

February 3, 8 am to 8pm; Mecha Mayhem 2024. Mecha Mayhem is Canada’s first VEX Robotics Signature Event, with over 120 middle and high school teams at the BMO Centre. It features three days of competition, with teams fighting for the title of Mecha Mayhem Champion. Learn more at westernmech.ca.

February 3, 10 am to 4pm; Children’s Book Donation Day. Help get a book into the hands of every child in Calgary! Little Red Reading House will be collecting new or gently used children’s books at 1212 34 Avenue SE Bay 120.

February 3, 11am; Cineplex Family Favourites: The LEGO Movie. Visit participating Cineplex theatres near you and watch a favorite family film each week for only $2.99. Learn more at cineplex.com.

February 3, 11am; Fort Calgary Tour. Discover the complex and rich histories rooted in the lands at Fort Calgary. You’ll uncover the layered past of the confluence on this indoor tour. Tickets include general museum admission so you can explore the Interpretive Centre at your own pace before or after the tour. This program is presented as part of Fort Calgary’s Chinook Blast 2024 programming. Learn more at fortcalgary.com.

February 3, 1pm; Calgary Icebreaker Polar Dip. The annual Calgary Icebreaker Polar Dip is a super fun family-friendly event at Mahogany Home Owner’s Beach Club. Usually, you can watch over 80 dipsters in crazy costumes jump into the icy water to raise critical funds and awareness for the SA Foundation’s work against human trafficking. Learn more at calgaryicebreaker.com.

February 3, 1 to 8pm; Chinook Blast Sport Festival. As part of the opening weekend of Chinook Blast, families will love the Sport Festival in Olympic Plaza. Join them to watch, learn about, and try a variety of winter sports. In the evening, your family can join the skating party and there will be free skate and helmet rentals. Learn more at sportcalgary.ca.

February 3, 2pm; Little Paper Puppet Workshop. Join Yiting Hui in crafting your unique paper puppet — a delightful project merging art and play at Y Not Today (4339 Macleod Trail S). Sketch a face, add a hat, design fashion patterns, combine various elements, and have fun. Learn more at ynottoday.ca.

February 3, 6:30 to 8:30pm; Films at the Fort: Crazy Rich Asians (PG-13). Chinese-American New Yorker Rachel Chu travels to Singapore with her boyfriend Nick Young to attend his best friend’s wedding and discovers that he comes from one of Asia’s most wealthy, prominent families. A commoner among the social elite, Rachel becomes a target for single women vying for Nick’s attention, as well as for his judgmental mother Eleanor, who wants nothing more than to break them up. Learn more at fortcalgary.com.

February 3, 7:30pm; Queen: News of the World. Get ready to stomp your feet and clap your hands in the Jack Singer Concert Hall – because Arts Commons has got a show that will rock you. Learn more at artscommons.ca.

February 3 to 4; Calgary Opera Presents: The Elixir of Love. When a travelling “doctor” comes to town, the naïve Nemorino buys a love potion with hopes of winning the affection of the sophisticated Adina. Through comedic misunderstandings and heartfelt moments, Nemorino discovers he already has the key to her heart. Learn more at shop.calgaryopera.com/events.

Until February 4; Stage West Presents Step By Step: Evolution of the Greatest Boy Bands. the creation of a boy band is pretty easy. You take a heartthrob, a cutie, a bad boy, and a guy that may be a little too old to be in a boy band, throw them into some matching outfits, add synchronized dance moves, and, all of a sudden, you’ll make the music world swoon. Watch as Stage West recreates music history from The Beatles, to The Bee Gees, to the New Kids on the Block, and finally on to *NSYNC and the Backstreet Boys. Learn more at stagewestcalgary.com.

Until February 4; Banff SnowDays Festival. Every January, Banff and Lake Louise comes alive with the annual SnowDays celebration. Lake Louise turns into a glittering display of ice sculptures during Ice Magic. The streets of downtown Banff transform into larger-than-life winter galleries with giant snow sculptures to be found throughout. The thrill of skijoring can be felt by excited onlookers lining the streets of Banff Avenue and the sounds of laughter and joy can be heard echoing from the SnowDays Play Zone. Learn more at banfflakelouise.com.

Until February 4; High Performance Rodeo. One Yellow Rabbit’s High Performance Rodeo, Calgary’s International Festival of the Arts, is where the action is. It’s a chance to watch touring performances from across Canada, acclaimed international shows, and new and experimental work from artists in Calgary. Learn more at hprodeo.ca.

February 4, 2 to 3:30pm; Calgary Chinese Orchestra Chinese New Year Concert 2024. Get ready to celebrate the Year of the Dragon in style with a grand in-person concert. Please join Calgary Chinese Orchestra to welcome Chinese New Year 2024 with the rich and melodic sound of Chinese music at Nickle Theatre. Learn more at eventbrite.ca.

February 4, 2 to 4pm; Michaels Make Break: Valentine’s Day Cards. make a DIY card for valentine’s day! All supplies are included. Learn more at canada.michaels.com.

Ongoing

Until February 7; La Poutine Week. A week-long food festival taking place from February 1 until February 7 celebrating the great French-Canadian classic – poutine. Brought to you by the geniuses behind Le Burger Week, this year, the festival has expanded across the Great White North and features over many participating restaurants in major cities of Canada. Learn more at lapoutineweek.com.

Until February 11; Theatre Calgary Presents: Meteor Shower by Steve Martin. On a warm summer evening in 1993, Norm and his wife, Corky, are setting the table for a dinner party to accompany a once-in-a-lifetime meteor shower. But from the moment the evening begins, things become increasingly surreal and chaotic, challenging the couples’ relationships and perceptions of reality at Arts Commons Max Bell Theatre. Learn more at theatrecalgary.com.

Until February 11; Chinese New Year Festival 2024. A sensational celebration of our city’s rich cultural tapestry. Immerse yourself in two weekends of multicultural performances, a vibrant vendor market, dragon and lion dances, art exhibitions, and more — with free admission for the entire community. Bring your family, friends, and loved ones to partake in this accessible and enjoyable event that will include traditional lion and dragon dance performances, a food and craft market and more. Learn more at culturalcentre.ca.

Until February 11; Painted Fish Theatre Presents: Fiddler on the Roof. In pre-revolutionary Russia, a Jewish peasant with traditional values contends with marrying off three of his daughters with modern romantic ideals while growing anti-Semitic sentiment threatens his village. Learn more at paintedfish.ca.

Until February 12; Chinook Blast. Chinook Blast will warm up the city with a celebration of community, culture, and civic pride. The best of Calgary’s art, music, theatre, sport, and recreation will be on display. Learn more at chinookblast.ca.

Until February 16; Artists Pavilion at Central Library. Take in some arts and culture during your lunch break on Thursdays and Fridays. The Artists Pavilion at the Central Library hosts pop-up performances by local artists, presented by Four Winds YYC and 10 at 10 Music and Culture, as well as mini jams curated by One Big Jam, all in celebration of the Lunar New Year, Indigenous culture, and Black History Month. Learn more at chinookblast.ca.

Until February 17; Lippan Art Show. Join Y Not Today for an exciting showcase of Lippan art. Immerse yourself in the mesmerizing world of this traditional art form from Gujarat, India. Explore the intricate and geometric patterns created using white clay and mirror work. Let your creativity flow as you learn about the history and techniques behind this unique art style. Learn more at ynottoday.ca.

Until February 17; Pumphouse Theatre Presents: The Peacock Season. Having made the mistake of marrying for love, Clarke and Cora Mariner are reminded upon renewed acquaintance with their former sweethearts, of all the riches their foolishness has denied them, and the simultaneous thought occurs to them that perhaps it’s not too late to try again. But, as divorce is unthinkable in their circle, murder appears to be the only answer, whereupon they try to do away with each other; their diabolical plans goes awry to the extent of nine unintended victims. Learn more at pumphousetheatre.ca.

Until February 19; Outdoor Stage at Olympic Plaza. Olympic Plaza and Stephen Avenue will be filled with music, performances, and visual art throughout Chinook Blast. The diverse lineup of talented artists includes an Exposure Photography Festival exhibition; a radically inclusive and fully improvised concert with One Big JAM; a GlobalFest showcase featuring Japanese drumming and a Caribbean steel drum band; itsy bitsy puppet shows; a fiery performance from aGoGo Fire and Flow; a Black History Month reggae celebration and more. Learn more at chinookblast.ca.

Until February 23; Toddler Time at Fort Calgary. It can be tricky to find family friendly things to do during the wintertime — Fort Calgary is hosting Toddler Time. Each Friday this February, join for exciting story times, age-appropriate crafts, coloring and more for youngsters up to age five! Tickets include the event and admission to the Interpretive Centre so you can make the most of your day out. Learn more at fortcalgary.com/events/toddler-time.

Until February 25; Curling On St. Patrick’s Island. Hurry hard to the curling rink on St. Patrick’s Island, East Village’s 31-acre backyard. The pop-up synthetic curling rink is located by Confluence Plaza, near the island washrooms and Calgary Zoo parking lot. This is your chance to make some winter memories that rock. Learn more at chinookblast.ca.

Until February 25; Vertigo Theatre Presents: Heist. A fast-paced, heart-racing play about a diamond heist gone wrong. Can this band of criminals pull off the perfect robbery? Full of diamonds, guns, lasers, betrayal and a cast of characters you’ll be quoting long after you leave the theatre. Learn more at vertigotheatre.com.

Until February 25; Loose Moose Theatre Presents Thumbelina. The Loose Moose Theatre for Kids is a truly magical experience for children four to ten years old, as well as fun and entertaining for parents. Learn more at loosemoose.com.

Until February 28; YYC Hot Chocolate Fest. This sweet festival sees cafes, restaurants, and chocolatiers compete for the coveted titles of YYC’s Best Hot Chocolate, Best Spirited Hot Chocolate, and Cup The Runneth Over Award. Calgarians can sip a variety of hot cocoas and determine the blend that roasts them all. Learn more at yychotchocolate.com.

Until February 29; Black History Month Exhibition at The Military Museums. As part of the observance of Black History Month, The Military Museums will be hosting an exhibition in the Atrium from February 2 to the 29. The exhibition aims to showcase the valuable role and sacrifices made by Black Canadian Soldiers from The First World War to the present day.  Learn more at themilitarymuseums.ca.

Until March; Hygge Hut on River Walk. the East Village is bringing cozy back to East Village Hygge Hut on RiverWalk. The Hygge Hut is a big warm East Village hug in the middle of a long, cold Calgary winter. The contemporary, Scandinavian-style space is inspired by the Danish idea of Hygge, which means a special kind of well-being — it’s a cozy, easy togetherness enhanced by the glow of a firepit, soft lighting, a warm drink and good company. The snuggle vibe, in short. Learn more at evexperience.com.

Until March 3; Blood, Sweat and Tears: Canadian Military Medicine. This exhibit explores Canadian military medicine from the 19th century through to Afghanistan. Learn more at themilitarymuseums.ca.

Until March 3; Exposure Photography Festival. Exposure is an annual festival that celebrates photography, hosting thoughtfully curated exhibitions that showcase internationally renowned practitioners alongside emerging and established talent from Alberta at various Calgary venues. Learn more at exposurephotofestival.com.

Until March 10; Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo – Penguin Walk. Once again this winter, you can see the king penguins outside of their habitat as they take a royal promenade through zoo grounds. The Penguin Walk offers the king penguins an opportunity for wintery enrichment as well as additional daily exercise. Don’t miss out on a waddling good time! Learn more at calgaryzoo.com.

Until March 17; Winsport Servus Tube Park. The perfect activity for a day with family and friends. WinSport’s Tube Park is one of the fastest of its kind in Western Canada. Learn more at winsport.ca.

Until March 23; Jubilations Dinner Theatre Presents: The Beach Boys of Summer. Jubilations Dinner Theatre presents The Beach Boys of Summer. Get ready to be transported back to summer with a show that celebrates the iconic Beach Boys and their timeless sound. Learn more at jubilations.ca.

Until March 23; Jubilations Junior Dinner Theatre Presents: Beach Barbie’s Birthday Bash. For Barbie, hosting the best birthday parties has always been a piece of cake, but when the day comes for her sister’s beach birthday party at their favorite spot, she finds out the whole beach has been… sold? How are they going to have a beach birthday party? And what’s going to become of the beach? It’s up to Barbie to ensure everything’s perfect. Learn more at jubilations.ca.

Until March 24; Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo – Safari Sunday Brunch. Join for a unique Calgary brunch experience in the heart of Destination Africa. You can enjoy both gourmet and comfort breakfast foods, including a free-flowing chocolate fountain with fresh fruit, eggs benedict with Canadian bacon, a Belgian waffle bar, cooked to order omelettes, and much more. Learn more at calgaryzoo.com.

Until March 31; Nightrise. At Nightrise, Sulphur Mountain’s summit is transformed after dark through four digital art installations. Vibrant lighting, multimedia effects, video projections, and music bring the mountaintop to life in a new and unexpected way. Learn more at banffjaspercollection.com.

Until March 31; Mirror Mirror by Moment Factory at Chinook Centre. Mirror Mirror seamlessly blends creative expression and interactive innovation to create an ever-evolving playground of immersive art. Spanning nine dynamic art installations, each explores themes sparked by the wonder of the human mind, designed to entertain visitors of all ages. Learn more at momentfactory.com.

Until April 28; Rock the Nation at Studio Bell. A rousing theatrical production celebrating and honoring Canada’s remarkable musical legacy. Experience it all live on stage, and journey through the decades. Learn more at studiobell.ca.

Until May 5; Da Vinci The Exhibition at TELUS Spark. Da Vinci The Exhibition is a hands-on exploration of Leonardo da Vinci’s life, research, and art, developed by Aurea Exhibitions and produced by Imagine Exhibitions, Inc. Guests can go beyond the canvas, exploring over 65 life-size inventions, more than 20 fine art studies, and captivating displays. Learn more at sparkscience.ca.