Calgary Events: Feb. 19-25

Dear readers, somehow it’s past the midway point of February and finally the weather is about to warm up so we hope you enjoy the slate of events this week, including the Hot Chocolate Fest, the Calgary Boat and Outdoors Show, and a bunch of other fun things to check out!

Editor’s note: We do our best to provide the most updated information but we encourage you to check ahead of time in case there have been changes to the event details.

A look at the next few weeks

🏅 2025 Canadian Men’s Open: The 2025 Canadian Men’s Open is set to bring world-class squash back to the city with top-tier talent. Feb 24 to 28 at Bow Valley Athletic Club.

🎨 Festival of Animated Objects: The Festival of Animated Objects marries the timeless practice of mask and puppet arts with contemporary spaces, themes and ideas. March 11-30 at various locations.

🎤 TINA–The Tina Turner Musical: Broadway Across Canada’s next production brings the legend that is Tina back to life on stage in this celebration of triumph over adversity. March 18-23 at the Jubilee. 

💥 Calgary Comics and Entertainment Expo: If you're into comics, sci-fi, horror, anime, gaming, or cosplay, you’ll enjoy this four-day expo with guests including Marisa Tomei, Alicia Silverstone, and more. April 24-27 at Stampede Park.

Happening this week and weekend

🎭️ Stage West’s Too Many Cooks

Now until April 13 | Stage West | Various times | Various prices

After the crash, Irving Bubbalowe and his daughter Honey risked everything to open a new restaurant. But when their star singing chef, the renowned François LaPlouffe, fails to show up for the grand opening, the event is suddenly in jeopardy.

🎥 CIFF presents Oscar-nominated Short Films

Friday-Sunday | Globe Cinema | Various times | Various prices

The 2025 Academy Awards Oscar-nominated films have been announced and several Calgary International Film Festival selections from the 2024 festival have earned 41 nominations in total. In celebration, CIFF will be screening three Oscar-nominated shorts packages over two weekends.

🧺 The Barn Artisan Market

Sunday | The Shawnessy Barn | 11am-4pm | Free admission

The Barn Artisan Market focuses on local vendors with handcrafted, created, and made in Alberta products once a month. Free admission and free parking!

Our Lady Peace: 30th Anniversary Tour | Wednesday | 6pm | Saddledome | Starting at $53

Celebrating their 30th anniversary of touring, Our Lady Peace is playing the band’s biggest hits so get ready for a blast into the past.

Mother Mother Live with special guests | Friday | 6pm | Saddledome | Starting at $65

Mother Mother and special guests Cavetown and the Winnetka Bowling League will dazzle audiences with a raucous showing of Canadian music.

Ethnik Festival of Arts & Culture | Friday-Saturday | Various times | Various locations | $25-$200

The Ethnik Festival Association is proud to present a two-day event rich with Black History where attendees can experience a Valentine-themed culinary showdown called the Calgary Food War followed by the main celebration and an exquisite Black and Gold after party.   

Calgary Boat and Outdoors Show | Friday - Sunday | Various | BMO Centre | $12-$45

Enjoy an extensive collection of boating, fishing, hunting, and outdoor products and information with vendors such as the Calgary Women Fly Fishers Club, Dark Side of The Grill, World of Spas, and so much more.

Just For Laughs Presents: Ashley Gavin | Saturday | 7pm | MacEwan Hall | $45 and up

This talented stand-up comedian Ashley Gavin of social media fame is in Calgary for a one-night show to share her authentic energy and rare ability to engage with her audience in a seriously funny way.

Freedom to Read Week | Sunday | Various prices | Various locations | Free

This annual event provides Canadians with opportunities to expand their knowledge through the beauty of the written word while broadening participants' understanding of intellectual freedom with the Calgary Public Library sharing a short film about a young reader's own journey. 

Paws For a Cause: Yoga Event | Sunday | 12-3pm | Calgary Humane Society | $20

The Calgary Humane Society invites all animal lovers to attend a day of reflection and yoga with some adorable animals.

20th Anniversary Tour: Mini Pop Kids Live | Sunday | 2pm | Grey Eagle Event Centre | $40 and up

The Mini Pop Kids Live are celebrating their 20th anniversary with local groups such as the Fox Dance Company and the Youth Singers of Calgary.

Calgary Flames vs. San Jose Sharks | Sunday | 6pm | Scotiabank Saddledome | Various prices

Catch some weekend NHL action as the Flames host the San Jose Sharks in a Sunday game that puts the Western rivals against each other.

Calgary Improv School: Student Showcase | Sunday | 7-8pm | 834 11 Ave. SW | $12

The Kinkonauts and the Calgary Improve School are proud to present their student showcase where you can get a glimpse of the next generation of improv stars.

Ongoing

YYC Hot Chocolate Festival | Until Feb 28 | Various locations | Various prices

In 2024, there were more than 125 vendors and 200 participating locations with more than 70,000 hot chocolates enjoyed and this year will be even better! Get out there and enjoy the tasty hot chocolates our city has to offer.

Horizon of Khufu at Chinook Centre | Until March 2 | Chinook Centre

A unique expedition to discover the wonder of Egypt. Explore the Giza Plateau and the Great Pyramid of Giza as if you were really there.

The Penguin Walk | Until March 9 | Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo

Up to 14 penguins can participate in the daily march, including ‘Diana’, ‘Grace’, ‘Solomon’, ‘Cleopatra’, ‘Louis’, ‘Phillipe’, ‘Henri’, ‘Napoleon’, ‘George’, ‘Boudicca’, ‘Rupert’, ‘Arthur’, ‘Alfred’, and the juvenile king penguin ‘Augustus’.

The Big Bang Parody: A Musical | Until March 22 | Jubilations Dinner Theatre | Various times

Join Sheldon and the gang as they navigate the ups and downs of life, love, and the pursuit of cosmic understanding. With catchy songs, hilarious antics, and plenty of heart, this musical parody promises a laugh-out-loud experience that’s out of this world. Did we mention the three-course dinner?

Le Petit Chef | Until May 31 | Bistro Novelle at the Dorian Hotel | $129+

This 3D culinary spectacle is an immersive dinner show as the world's smallest chefs from Spain, Italy, Japan, and France compete for the golden chef’s hat. Enjoy this immersive four-course dinner with a twist.

The Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame exhibition | Until August | National Music Centre

Treasured Alberta singer-songwriter k.d. lang is featured in the updated exhibition along with Gilles Godard that showcases a collection of memorabilia that reflects the remarkable careers and contributions of these two Canadian icons.

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That’s it!

Thanks for checking in this week. Hope you found something good to add to your calendar. Thanks for letting us be your tour guide! See you next week? Same time, same place.

✌️ TWIC (from the Calgary Citizen team)

❤️ Review of the week