Calgary Events: Jan. 29-Feb. 4

Dear readers, and just like that, it's already February! We hope you enjoy the selection of events over the next week. We are adding the cost of our events to our listings although in some rare cases, they aren’t always readily available but we will do our best!

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

🎸 Block Heater: The Calgary Folk Music Festival’s Block Heater transports 18 genre-spanning artists from four countries, including our own Albertan backyard, to Calgary to ignite discovery, joy, and dancing. Feb 14-15 at various locations.

🎥 CIFF presents Oscar-nominated Short Films: 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. Feb 14-16 and Feb 21-23 at Globe Cinema.

🪄 Abra-Kananaskis: On Family Day long weekend, enjoy a magical experience in the Rocky Mountains. There will be magic shows, a potions class, magic-themed day camp for children, mini train rides, cookie decorating, a family-friendly tea party, and more. Feb 14-17 at the the Pomeroy Kananaskis Mountain Lodge.

🎭️ 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. 

Happening this week and weekend

☕️ YYC Hot Chocolate Festival

Feb 1-28 at various times | BMO Centre | Various prices

In 2024, there were more than 125 vendors and 200 participating locations with more than 70,000 hot chocolates enjoyed. More importantly, more than $100,000 was raised for Meals on Wheels and this year the goal is $150K so get out there and enjoy all of the tasty hot chocolates our city has to offer. Map out your route at the website.

🧑‍🍳 Le Petit Chef

Until May 31 at various times | Bistro Novelle at the Dorian Hotel | $129 + 18% gratuity + 5% GST

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.

❄️ Chinook Blast 2025

Friday to Feb 17 at various times | Various locations | Various prices

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.

Calgary Hitmen vs. the Edmonton Oil Kings | Wednesday at 7pm | Scotiabank Saddledome | Various prices

The Hitmen host their northern rivals at this family-friendly hockey game that features some of the next generation of hockey.

Calgary Flames vs. Anaheim Ducks | Thursday at 7pm | Scotiabank Saddledome | Various prices

Catch some hometown hockey as the Flames host the Anaheim Ducks at the Dome. While you’re there, don’t forget to get yourself some snacks!

A Streetcar Named Desire | Thursday-Feb 23 at various times | Theatre Calgary | $44 and up

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.

La Poutine Week 2025 | Friday-Feb 7 at various times | Various locations | Various prices

Calgarians have one week to enjoy Canada’s favourite French-Canadian classic that combines cheese, fries, gravy—and whatever else the participants are offering up. Poutine-lovers are encouraged to try the tasty creations and then vote for their favourites.

The Big Ball Gala fundraiser | Friday at 7pm until late | Hotel Arts | $300

This fancy fundraiser is in support of the Calgary Food Bank so grab your best cocktail dresses and suits and get ready to rip up the dance floor for a great cause. as you enjoy food, drinks, live music, and more.

PRASATKO | Friday at 6pm and Saturday at 11am | The Prairie Emporium

Canada's only Czech pop-up turns one year old this weekend. Enjoy a menu of its most popular dishes plus a few new wintery creations. When it comes to dishes, the pop-up is most famous for its pickled camembert, Alberta beef goulash, and roasted European sausages with horseradish cream.

Calgary Motorcycle and Powersport Show | Friday to Sunday at various times | BMO Centre | $8-$22

On road and off-road riders, future riders, and lovers of the motorcycle and quad lifestyle will be able to check out some of the most anticipated models for 2025 including the latest electric vehicles.

Seconds Collective Vintage Pop-Up Market | Friday-Sunday at various times | 205 8th Ave SW | Free to attend, items for purchase

This fun secondhand vintage thrift market pop-up is happening this weekend on Stephen Avenue and there’s some pretty cool stuff to check out with more than 25 vendors to peruse.

Calgary Opera’s Don Pasquale | Saturday at 7:30pm | Jubilee | $45+

Beat the winter blues with a trip to 1950s Italy. This timeless battle of wits is staged in the style of old Hollywood cinematic classics like La Dolce Vita and Roman Holiday. A lively comedy featuring an all-Canadian cast of superstars and Calgary favourites. There will also be shows on Feb 5 and 7.

Deadly Murder | Saturday-March 2 at various times | Vertigo Theatre | $30+

Vertigo’s latest is full of bluffs and double bluffs, crosses and double-crosses and this intensely intricate psychological thriller will be one step ahead of you until the very end.

Chinese New Year Festival 2025 | Saturday, Sunday from 11am-6pm | Calgary Chinese Cultural Centre | Free

It’s the second weekend of the Calgary Chinese Cultural Centre’s Chinese New Year Festival 2025. Enjoy multicultural performances, a vibrant vendor market, dragon and lion dances, art exhibitions, and more.

The Wedding Fair | Sunday | BMO Centre | 10am-5pm | $32 and up

The Wedding Fair is Alberta's premiere wedding event with a carefully curated selection of the best wedding professionals to fit all styles and budgets. Whether you are newly engaged or looking for finishing touches, everything you need is under one roof to plan your dream wedding and honeymoon.

Ongoing

High Performance Rodeo | 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.

PHENOMENA: The Exhibition | Until Feb 2 | TELUS Spark 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.

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.

Banff SnowDays Festival | Until 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.

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?

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)

❤️ Review of the week