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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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.
For more details, see the list of Cross country skiing areas, Outdoor skating rinks, and Tobogganing and sledding.
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.
Try to spot & name Alberta winter birds (a great activity with kids) as you hike the 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
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 The Military Museums and 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 Museum which 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
Winter Festivals & Events in Calgary
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
The Dirty Duck, 9 Avenue Southeast, Calgary
July 29, 2021 To December 30, 2021
4317775653
Free
A weekly and free comedy show featuring Calgary's up and comers as well as some of their best comedians. Every Thursday night at 8 pm est at The ... »
Martha Cohen Theatre, 8 Avenue Southeast, Calgary
October 13, 2021 To October 31, 2021
$25 to $71 +applicable charges
Sam and Jimmy have been friends for more than twenty-five years, and were supposed to be facing “gay middle age” together. When Sam dies, it’s up ... »
Opera House, 202 Martin Avenue, Rosebud
October 15, 2021 To October 31, 2021
1-800-267-7553
$85
The true story of a corporate executive named Keith Alessi whose life is changed when he chooses to follow his passion for playing the banjo. And what’... »
Max Bell Theatre, 240 9 Ave SE, Calgary
October 19, 2021 To November 7, 2021
403-294-7447
$38.00 - $106 + charges
The world premiere of Rick Miller’s electrifying BOOM YZ brings to life the people and music that have shaped our last quarter-century. In this all-new show, ... »
Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium, 1415 14 Ave. NW, Calgary
October 21, 2021 To October 30, 2021
$57.85 - $173.85+charges
Originally slated for the 2019/20 season, Alberta Ballet’s highly anticipated world premiere of Christopher Anderson’s Swan Lake will inspire the dance lover in you. This fantastical ... »
West Village Theatre, 2007 10 Avenue Southwest, Calgary
October 21, 2021 To October 30, 2021
$16.93
A thrilling immersive theatre experience. On the night of August 29, 2021 at 2:37am a young man disappeared at West Village Theatre. He hasn’t been seen since. There ... »
![Quest Theatre presents "Hello Friend"](https://www.todocanada.ca/wp-content/uploads/Ethan-Stick-HockeyA-250x165.jpg "Quest Theatre presents "Hello Friend"")
Art Park at cSPACE King Edward, #125, 1721 - 29th Avenue SW, Calgary
October 22, 2021 To October 29, 2021
FREE
Quest Theatre welcomes audiences to come and discover the magic of theatre in their safe outdoor public performances of Hello Friend, a 15-minute play that uses theatrical ... »
Pumphouse Theatre, 2140 Pumphouse Ave SW, Calgary
October 22, 2021 To October 30, 2021
$22.00 - $25.00
Sarah is a nice Jewish girl with a problem: her parents want her married to a nice Jewish boy. They have never met her boyfriend, a WASP ... »
Jubilations Dinner Theatre - Calgary, 1002 37th Street Southwest, Calgary
October 23, 2021 To January 8, 2022
$38.95 to $75.95 + charges
I got my first real six string, I bought it at the five and dime… or maybe it was actually Woolco? Either way… it was in the ... »
Stage West Theatre Restaurants, 727 42 Avenue Southeast, Calgary
October 27, 2021 To November 14, 2021
$85 to $129.50
Ned Newley doesn't even want to be governor. He's terrified of public speaking; his poll numbers are impressively bad. To his ever-supportive Chief of Staff, Ned seems ... »
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.