Calgary 
Photo Credit: Canadian Tourism Commission
Get outdoors, and enjoy winter in all its glory this season. A list of winter activities, events and attractions to do in Calgary this winter season.
Banff & Canmore are just over an hour away – Check out the
Winter activities in Banff National Park
Sleigh Riding in Banff
Dog Sledding around Calgary
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Christmas in Calgary
Current Weekend Activities in Calgary
Contents:
- Free Outdoor Winter Activities in Calgary
- Winter Activities & Indoor Winter Attractions in Calgary
- Guided Winter Tours
- Winter Festivals & Events in Calgary
I. Free Outdoor Winter Activities in Calgary
1. Cross Country Skiing, Skating & Tobogganing
Whether you decide to go cross country skiing, skate with friends or delight the child in you by sledding downhill, there are plenty of opportunities to stay active and enjoy great outdoors in Calgary.
Olympic Plaza, 228 8 Ave SE, Calgary
November 19, 2020 To March 14, 2021
Free
Enjoy ice skating at Olympic Plaza. Bring your own equipment or rent skates and helmets from the Skate Hut. Skating is free of charge Who is it ... »
2. Free Art Tour
An indoor artwork tour through Calgary’s +15 level is a great way to explore unique public art work in downtown Calgary.
Skywalk – 07:00 AM – 09:00 PM
+15 system- Skywalk
Free;
3. Ice Fishing
When the temperature goes below freezing, Ice fishing is a fun activity you can do alone, or with friends and family.
Here is a list of places you can try ice fishing around Calgary.
4. Snowshoeing & Hiking
What better way is there to enjoy the winter landscape, than hiking the many trails that run through the city of Calgary.
Snowshoeing is a great way to discover winter wildlife. Snowshoe along the uncleared paths, or your favourite park and explore the snow blanketed Calgary.
If you are new to snowshoeing:Here is a link to First-Timer’s Guide to Snowshoeing and to a YouTube video.Rent snowshoes and make sure you actually like the activity, before you invest in a good quality equipment.
Join Calgary Ski Club to stay active and explore winter landscape of Alberta with new friends. You can also contact stores that sell winter equipments like MEC for lessons and suggestions.
5. Fish Creek Provincial Park
Fish Creek Provincial Park is free winter destination within Calgary, where you can go cross country skiing, snowshoeing and hiking.
For an educational, entertaining and fun family activity to try in winter : Track the footprints in the snow covered grounds and trails & try to guess which animal it belongs to.Try to spot & name Alberta winter birds (a great activity with kids) as you hikethe trails.
Cross-country Skiing at the west end (trails are not groomed), Snowshoeing(best conditions at west end). Tobogganing is not encouraged.
6. Spruce Meadows
The world’s premier show jumping and equestrian facility situated south of Calgary, is another fun winter destination.
You can also hit the ice at the Spruce Meadows pond and have a fun time ice skating.
Where?
Spruce Meadows, 18011 Spruce Meadows Way SW Calgary
Free
7. Prince’s Island Park & Bowness Park
As winter sets in, the lagoon in Prince’s Island Park transforms into one of the best outdoor skating rink in Calgary. You can also go for cross country skiing (groomed trails) or just walk the trails enjoying the crisp winter air and glorious sunshine.Bowness Park is another must visit free outdoor skating rink in Calgary. You can rent skates from Bowness Park Skate Shop.
Other Winter Activities & Indoor Winter Attractions in Calgary
1. Canada Olympic Park
Photo Credit: WinSPORT
A truly world class winter destination right in the middle of the city: Canada Olympic Park is the place to be for all kinds of winter activities including skiing, snowboarding, bobsleigh and the TUBE PARK!
COP also offers great lessons (snow school) for newbies.
Winter season.
Tubing: Thursdays to Sundays and daily during Christmas Break
88 Canada Olympic Rd. S.W. Calgary
Varies according to activity.
Tube PARK
Holiday Ticket (December 20-January 5, February 13-17, & March 19-29): $25.99
Friday Nights: $17.99
Saturdays & Sundays: $19.99
2. Horsing Around
If there is snow on the ground, go for a sleigh ride at Horsin Around.
Join for a Horse-drawn Sleigh Ride go dashing thru the snow on a two horse open sleigh then warm up inside a cup of hot chocolate, let the kid’s play on the bouncies or ride a pony in heated arena. Activities include Pony Rides, Petting Farm, Ice Skating, Inflatable Bouncy Castles, Mazes, Slides and Spaceship.
General Admission for Horse drawn Sleigh Rides, Ice Skating, Indoor Petting Farm, Indoor Bouncy Castles and Indoor Pony Rides will start after first significant snowfall.
For a complete list of attractions, see Things to do in Calgary.
3. Museums & Zoo
Telus Spark is a wonderful way to spend a whole day indoors when it is snowing heavily outside. Learn science through fun and play.
Visit TheMilitary Museumsand learn about the contribution of Canadian military.
Glenbow Museum houses extensive collection that tells the story of Southern Alberta, and the Canadian West. Explore the galleries that houses ethnic artifacts, art, and military history.
Spend the day exploring Hanger Flight Museumwhich houses over 24 aircrafts and 58 aeronautical engines. Visit the museum during ASMAC Movie Nights and watch films that covers WW1 up to the latest and greatest in aerospace technology which is available today.
Calgary Zoo– See and learn about the animals that like winter. There are many indoor exhibits and a conservatory in the zoo to make the trip worthwhile. During winter, visit the zoo to see king penguins take their keepers for walkabouts around the zoo grounds (January – Early March).
Bow Habitat Station – A very good place to learn about Alberta’s natural environment and about various fish species. Take the hatchery tour with the young kids.
Gasoline Alley Museum – Explore the vintage car museum which houses extensive antique car and memorabilia collection.
National Music Centre – Visit NMC and explore five floors of exhibitions that tell the story of music in Canada, celebrate music icons at the Canadian Halls of Fame, rock out with interactive instrument installations and sing along in our vocal booths!
5. Brewery Tours
Go for a brewery tour at one of the famous Calgary Breweries.
Follow the brewing process from the unloading of ingredients, through the brewing and fermentation stages, all the way to the packaging. See Big Rock Brewery Calgary & Wild Rose Brewery and Taproom for details.
Experience good natured and welcoming breweries, eateries and distilleries with people who enjoy a satisfying brew as much as you with Calgary Brewery Tours.
Guided Winter Tours
Kananaskis Outfitters, 1 Mt Sparrowhawk Crescent, Kananaskis
November 24, 2019 To March 31, 2020
$39 & up
Discover this 6000 year old mode of transportation. Embrace the Winter by walking across the thick snow pack instead of through it. While we journey, we will teach ... »
Calgary to Johnston Canyon, Bow Valley Parkway, Banff
November 30, 2019 To April 4, 2020
$95 to $100
In the winters of Banff National Park, sub-zero temperatures turn mighty waterfalls into glittering pillars of ice. Suspended in time, these frozen falls look almost otherworldly. It’... »
Kananaskis Outfitters, 1 Mt Sparrowhawk Crescent, Kananaskis
December 6, 2019 To February 29, 2020
$55 to $79
The Banff National Park is famous for its spectacular scenery, but after dark, the landscape takes on a whole new look and feel. On this tour, strap ... »
Kananaskis Village Ctr, 1 Mt Sparrowhawk Crescent, Kananaskis
December 13, 2019 To March 7, 2020
$55 to $79
Enjoy a beautiful snowshoe tour beneath a blanket of stars and lit by the moon. Snowshoe up to an open meadow to enjoy the full moon. »
Kananaskis Outfitters, 1 Mt Sparrowhawk Crescent, Kananaskis
December 14, 2019 To March 28, 2020
$89.99
Head out on a Rocky Mountain Blizzard fat bike with 4.5″ wide tires, to visit a frozen waterfall! Experience a new way to play in the Winter. This ... »
From Various Locations, Calgary & Banff
January 18, 2020 To March 7, 2020
$125 to $130
An artificial lake on the North Saskatchewan River lining the David Thompson Highway between Saskatchewan River Crossing and Nordegg. It was created in 1972 with the construction of ... »
Winter Festivals & Events in Calgary
Gasoline Alley Museum, 1900 Heritage Dr. S.W. Calgary
December 27, 2019 To January 5, 2020
403-268-8500
General Admission
Enjoy the fun of winter, minus the boots, parka, mittens and toque at Heritage Park’s Winter CARnival. Come inside to Gasoline Alley museum for some winter ... »
Southwood Community Hall, 11 Sackville Drive Southwest, Calgary
January 4, 2020
Free
Southwood’s Winter Festival returns! Join us for: – skating and shinny – sleigh rides – Butterfield Acres petting zoo – face painting – games – crafts and more. HOW MUCH Tickets : Free ... »
Arts Commons, 8 Avenue Southeast, Calgary
January 8, 2020 To January 26, 2020
Free & Ticketed events.
The High Performance Rodeo, Calgary’s International Festival of the Arts, is an annual festival that animates the city in January with an array of live performances ... »
The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, 111 Lake Louise Drive, Lake Louise
January 15, 2020 To January 26, 2020
Free & Ticketed Days
Set in the spectacular surroundings of Lake Louise, the Ice Magic Festival is a world class event with over 20 years of history. Watch as talented ice artists ... »
Various Venues, Banff & Lake Louise
January 15, 2020 To January 26, 2020
FREE
An event that brings together the best craft distilleries from Alberta and British Columbia, and showcases the vibrant local food scene »
Bella Concert Hall & Rozsa Theatre, Calgary
January 15, 2020 To January 26, 2020
$20 to $29
This is an opportunity to see some of the best and most exciting films from the 2018 Banff Mountain Film Festival which takes place in Banff every November. ... »
Glenbow Museum, 9 Avenue Southeast, Calgary
January 16, 2020
403-250-7090
$120 to $200
The 9th annual MS Whisky Festival. Roam the room while sampling from over 300 whiskies from more than 40 different vendors! There are nibbles to snack on and a ... »
Various Venues, Calgary
January 30, 2020 To February 1, 2020
Free and ticketed
Presented by EMMEDIA, this unique three-day festival celebrates the critical innovation and creativity present in the media arts community. An art form that by its very nature ... »
Various Venues, Calgary
January 31, 2020 To February 29, 2020
Free & Ticketed Events
2020 marks the sixteenth edition of the annual Exposure Photography Festival and promises an exciting program, with festival headquarters located at Contemporary Calgary. Look for our outdoor exhibition, ... »
Bowness Community Association, 7904 43 Avenue Northwest, Calgary
February 8, 2020
403-288-8300 ext 121
$7-$20
Bowness WinterFest will be a carnival-style event with games, prizes, zorb bowling, bouncy castle, photobooth, concession, and more. »
Various Venues, Okotoks
February 12, 2020 To February 22, 2020
Varies
Brrr, it’s cold outside!! Let’s warm up with some Hot Chocolate!! Looking for a fun Valentines date? Something to do with the family on Family ... »
Various Venues, Calgary
February 13, 2020 To February 17, 2020
Mostly Free
Cyclepalooza... Winter edition. 4 Days of Winter Bike Fun. »
Downtown, Calgary, AB
February 14, 2020 To February 16, 2020
Free
This free, all-ages event welcomes everyone to warm up winter’s darkest days and experience one-of-a-kind interactive light displays, art, entertainment, food trucks and activations. »
Banff Centre, 107 Tunnel Mountain Drive, Banff
February 16, 2020
Free & Ticketed Events
The Family Winter Arts Festival is where the young and young-at-heart can journey into a world of art and imagination with live shows and free and low-cost ... »
Knox United Church, 506 4 Street Southwest, Calgary
February 18, 2020 To February 22, 2020
$10 to $20
The Just Acts Play Festival is an annual event held in February of each year. UST chooses a theme for the year and then invites local playwrights ... »
Various Venues, Calgary
February 20, 2020 To February 22, 2020
$25 & up
Over thirty artists — from the homegrown to the far-flung — perform in concerts and collaborative sessions at five uniquely Calgary venues. Cure your winter cabin fever and wander ... »
Stampede Park BMO Centre, 1410 Olympic Way Southeast, Calgary
February 21, 2020 To February 22, 2020
$80 & up
The World of Wine Awaits! Winefest invites you to indulge among hundreds of wines in all styles and flavours! One ticket includes an all-inclusive sampling of wines, ... »
Vagabond Calgary, 1129 Olympic Way Southeast, Calgary
February 23, 2020
$45.00
Attention all Witches and Wizards, You are formally invited to the most magical beer festival of the year! Let us transport you into a mysterious and magical ... »
Various Venues, Calgary
February 24, 2020 To February 29, 2020
Varies
Calgary Midwinter Bluesfest with a full week of Blues workshops, concerts & dance parties! Warm the winter months with some smokin' hot Blues, featuring some of the finest ... »
Various Restaurants, Calgary
February 28, 2020 To March 15, 2020
Varies
For 17 days, enjoy offerings from more than 60 of Calgary’s favourite restaurants, featuring multi-course prix fixe value-priced menus, along with optional Wines of British Columbia pairings. Plus ... »
Central Library, 800 3 Street Southeast, Calgary
February 28, 2020 To February 29, 2020
Free
Ethnik Festival of Arts and Culture is an event that promise to showcase diverse cultural displays in an all-inclusive environment. This festival is open to all ethnicities ... »
Town of Canmore, 902 7th Avenue, Canmore
February 28, 2020 To March 1, 2020
Free & Ticketed Events
Join for a weekend of indoor and outdoor events and experiences: ice carving competitions, kids’ ice carving , beaver tails eating competitions, the always entertaining pooch parade, log ... »
The Pioneer on 8th,117 8th Avenue Southwest, Calgary
February 29, 2020
$85
Join Craft Cellars and The Matteo Shafer Legacy for the whisky, wine, and spirits event of the year! Enjoy an all encompassing evening of drinks, food, music ... »
Theatre 1308, 1308 Edmonton Trail Northeast, Calgary
March 3, 2020 To March 8, 2020
Free - $35
Celebrate the grand opening of Theatre 1308 with eight days of music, improv, film, philosophy, poetry and stand-up comedy! »
Other Festivals:
1. GLOW Downtown Winter Light Festival
Each night public spaces throughout the downtown core will be lit with one-of- a-kind installations, projections, theatrical experiences and interactive light art commissioned from artists, representing local, national and international talent. 2020 Dates TBA, Usually held during Family day Weekend.Details
2. Winterfest
A fun family winter festival held during family day- Details
3. Just Acts Play Festival
Just Acts Play Festival is an annual event aimed at exploring different areas of daily life and examining how people cope with disruption and conflict. Each year a topic is chosen and writers are invited to submit plays to be included in the festival.-Details
4. Alchemy Festival of Student Work
Festival of student work in the form of Alchemy: a fully interdisciplinary, three-week, tri-division celebration of student work in music, drama, dance and interdisciplinary performance.Details
Live Theatre Events During Winter in Calgary
Online
January 4, 2021 To January 17, 2021
Free admission
Watch world-famous operas from the comfort of your home! Monday, Jan. 4 Cilea’s Adriana Lecouvreur (From January 12, 2019) Tuesday, Jan. 5 Rossini’s La Donna del Lago (From March 14, 2015) ... »
online
January 22, 2021 To January 31, 2021
$20 to $30
A professional training session for Estelle Cosmetics that threatens to go off the rails... Marilyn was once a celebrity, the original "Estelle Girl" of the Estelle Cosmetics ... »
Various Venues, Calgary, AB
March 9, 2021 To March 14, 2021
Varies
Breathing life into the inanimate and giving expression to the inert, the Festival of Animated Objects brings world-class artists to engage and entertain audiences of all ages ... »
Christmas & New Year in Calgary
Wait how come I’ve never been to the ice skate ring even after living here for almost a decade? Unacceptable! Thanks for the list guys!
It usually gets so cold in winter, that I just prefer going to the escape room. It allows us to do something fun while staying inside the premises away from the cold weather.