Calgary Events: Jan. 15-21

Author

Krista Sylvester
January 15, 2025

Dear readers, we are still getting used to writing 2025 and had to double check some event dates but we hope you like this week’s selection because there is a great variety of options.

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

🏮 Chinese New Year Festival 2025: The Calgary Chinese Cultural Centre’s Chinese New Year Festival 2025 is a sensational two-weekend celebration of our city’s rich cultural tapestry. Enjoy multicultural performances, a vibrant vendor market, dragon and lion dances, art exhibitions, and more. The best part is, it’s free admission. Jan 25-26 and Feb 1-2.

❄️ Chinook Blast 2025: This year’s festival promises to dazzle with a lineup of events that highlight the best of Calgary’s creativity and community spirit. Featuring a dynamic mix of live music, outdoor sports, captivating art installations, and unique cultural experiences. Jan 31-Feb 17 at various downtown locations.

🎭️ A Streetcar Named Desire: The classic tale of Blanche DuBois, a former Southern belle, whose unexpected arrival in New Orleans sets in motion a dangerous power struggle between herself and her sister’s husband, Stanley. Tension builds as secrets about Stanley and Blanche are revealed and desires crescendo in this smouldering Pulitzer Prize-winning play. Jan 28-Feb 23 at Theatre Calgary.

🐍 Celebrate the Year of the Snake with The CORE! Purchase an $800 CORE gift card at the CORE information desk and receive an $88 bonus promotional CORE gift card! Offer available while supplies last. Limit of 2 per person. Rules and restrictions apply. Visit the website for details.

Happening this week and weekend

Until Feb 2 | Various locations | Various times

There is a wide variety of theatre performances at this annual arts event with something literally for everyone from comedy and burlesque to drama and eccentric oddities.

Until Feb 2 | Telus Science Centre | Various times

Experience the science behind illusions and explore the mechanisms that govern human perception. Through hands-on experiences and captivating exhibits, discover how your brain can be tricked and learn about the scientific principles behind these deceptions.

Jan 18-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?

The 2025 MS Calgary Whisky Festival  | Thursday | 7pm | Hotel Arts

The 12th annual Calgary Whisky Festival features an evening of fun, including whisky tastings, silent auctions, vendor booths, and snacks.

Sum 41- Tour of the Setting Sum concert | Thursday | 7pm | Saddledome

Billed as the final Canadian tour, Sum 41 is coming to Calgary with openers Pup and Gob.

Decidedly Jazz Danceworks: Call and Response | Thursday-Jan 26 | Various times | DJD Dance Centre

Celebrate 40 years of DJD with live music by the Falling Bullets Jazz Band from New Orleans, led by Marla Dixon in a New Orleans jazz-inspired performance with traditional rhythms.

Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival World Tour | Thursday-Saturday | Various times | University of Calgary

The Banff Centre is bringing 15-20 mountain and adventure films to Calgary in its annual festival.

Banff SnowDays Festival | Friday-Feb 2 | Various times | Banff

Every January, Banff and Lake Louise come alive in celebration as the streets of downtown Banff transform into a winter wonderland, showcasing larger-than-life snow sculptures, while Lake Louise dazzles with its stunning ice sculptures.

Calgary Hitmen vs. Medicine Hat Tigers | Friday | 7pm | Saddledome

The Hitmen host the Medicine Hat Tigers in a family-friendly night game at the Dome so grab the kids and get ready to enjoy some food, drinks, and great hockey.

Bond and Beyond | Friday and Saturday | 7:30pm | Jack Singer 

Embark on a thrilling escapade for your ears only with Calgary Philharmonic through more than six decades of iconic music from the James Bond films, including Shirley Bassey classic “Diamonds are Forever” and “Skyfall” by Adele.

Sports Card & TCG Card Collector Show | Saturday | 10am-4pm | New Horizon Mall

Overtime Sports Cards & Grading Unit H21 is hosting a sports card and TCG Card Collector Show with free admission for everyone.

Paint Nite: Crisp Winter Lake | Saturday | 2pm | Canadian Brewhouse Mahogany

Enjoy a cold brew while creating a beautiful masterpiece with your art instructor who guides you step-by-step through the painting process, sharing her tips and tricks for creating stunning artwork.

Alberta Ballet Winter Gala | Saturday | 6:30pm | Jubilee

This annual tradition is a celebratory showcase highlighting the incredible talent of Alberta Ballet Company and Alberta Ballet School in a stunning fusion of classical grace and contemporary artistry with more than 130 performers for one night only.

Calgary Roughnecks vs. Georgia Swarm | Saturday | 7pm | Saddledome

Not only is it going to be an exciting night of lacrosse, it also happens to be Marvel Super Hero night so grab the family and head down to the Dome for some entertainment.

Sin and Gin Pop Rockin' Popcorn | Sunday | 7:30pm | Erratics Indie Art Club

Sin and Gin is a monthly cabaret show that is filled with music, burlesque, comedy, cabaret, drag and so much more. This month, swing, sing, and sling it in 'Pop Rockin' Popcorn!' style.

Ongoing

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun | Until Feb 2 | Stage West

The girls are all here; the Andrews Sisters in the ’40s, the Spice Girls, The Supremes, The Pointer Sisters and more, Stage West’s latest puts the spotlight on the women who changed music.

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 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 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)

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