
See Theatre Calgary’s production of A Streetcar Named Desire
When: January 28 to February 23
An iconic Tennessee Williams play will grace the Theatre Calgary stage this month. A Streetcar Named Desire follows Blanche DuBois as she moves to New Orleans. Her attempts to start a new life and hide her secrets are put to the test as she becomes entangled in the lives of her sister Stella and brother-in-law Stanley.
Max Bell Theatre, 220 9 Ave. S.E., theatrecalgary.com
Have a laugh at a 26-hour improv marathon
When: January 31 to February 1
If you love watching improv day or night, this event is for you. Local improv company The Kinkonauts is holding a 26-hour improv marathon, staging 26 improv shows from Friday, January 31 at 8 p.m. until Saturday, February 1 at 10 p.m. The shows include an improvised gothic play, a murder mystery, daytime television-inspired sketches and more. Event tickets are by donation and will help support The Kinkonauts’ Coming Home Festival.
The Blox, 834 11 Ave. S.W., kinkonauts.com
Have some winter fun at Chinook Blast
When: January 31 to February 17
There’s no shortage of things to do during this exciting winter festival. Highlights include a Drag on Ice show, an ice-sculpting event at the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo, the Authentically Indigenous Winter Pop-up Market at The Pioneer, outdoor light installations and more.
Multiple locations, chinookblast.ca
Grab a bite at a new downtown food hall
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The next time you’re downtown around lunchtime, swing by the new Seoul Streets Food Hall for a bite. The new dining space inside the TC Energy tower has multiple vendors including KOR Korean Street Food, Lotus Lane, Le Triangle D’or and more.
TC Energy Tower, Plus 15 level, 450 1 St. S.W.
Drink tons of hot chocolate during YYC Hot Chocolate Fest
When: February 1 to 28
Most of us don’t need an excuse to enjoy a delicious cup of hot chocolate, but February is always a particularly good month to do so in Calgary. That’s because YYC Hot Chocolate Fest, which encourages local restaurants and coffee shops to come up with unique hot chocolate drinks in support of Calgary Meals on Wheels, runs for the entire month. Try as many of the 2025 drinks as you can, then vote for your favourites online.
Multiple locations, yychotchocolate.com
Check out a Black History Month event in Calgary
When: Multiple dates in February
February is Black History Month, and several Calgary organizations are hosting events to celebrate Black culture, showcase local talent and examine both Black histories and futures. Events include the Calgary Black Chambers’ Annual Black History Month Dinner, a poetry reading with Calgary’s former Poet Laureate Wakefield Brewster, a screening of the documentary Deeply Rooted at SAIT and more.
Grab a drink at a new café with a bike and ski repair shop
Whether you’re a cyclist, skier, snowboarder or just someone who loves a good cup of coffee, this new café is for you. Velet Bike Ski Cafe is a cozy new spot with coffee and pastries that also has its own bike and ski repair/maintenance shop. Check it out in Victoria Park the next time you’re in the area.
Read more: Inside Velet, a New Calgary Coffee Shop With its Own Bike and Ski Repair Shop
Back alley entrance, 105, 206 11 Ave. S.E., 437-994-9362, @veletcanada
Play some pickleball on a new outdoor court in East Village
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There’s a new spot to play pickleball year-round in East Village. The Open is a new facility that features an indoor washroom with four stalls and an outdoor pickleball court with tiered seating for viewers. Grab your rackets and give the new court a try on your next visit to the Bow River.
Read more: There’s a Colourful New Pickleball Court And Public Washroom Facility in East Village
The Open, 850 6 St. S.E., calgarymlc.ca
Check out amazing photos during a photography festival
When: Throughout February
Exposure Photography Festival is an annual celebration of great photography and the established and emerging photographers who capture these captivating images. Now in its 21st year, the festival has an impressive line-up in store for audiences throughout the month of February. Along with a wide range of photography exhibitions, attendees can also check out events like a carbon printing workshop, artist talks, portrait sessions and more.
Multiple locations, exposurephotofestival.com
Relax in the sauna at a new Nordic spa in Calgary
Craving some rest and relaxation? Check out Calgary’s new Nordic spa. Clear Nordic Spa is home to an in-ground hot pool, a cold plunge pool, a steam sauna, a dry sauna and an infrared sauna that will help you feel relaxed and invigorated. The semi-private spa offers memberships and guest passes.
5629 Signal Hill Centre S.W., clearnordic.ca
See a psychological thriller about a jewellery designer and a waiter
When: February 1 to March 2
Vertigo Theatre is bringing some mystery to the month of love with its latest production. Don’t miss Deadly Murder, which features a jewellery designer who ends up in a dangerous situation with a waiter she meets at a gala.
The Playhouse, 115 9 Ave. S.E., vertigotheatre.com
Go see a movie about Calgary’s Plus 15 system
When: February 9
Did you know Calgary’s Plus 15 system once starred in a 2000 film? Waydowntown follows four coworkers who make a bet to see who can stay inside the longest with the help of the covered bridges connecting the downtown buildings. To mark the film’s 25th anniversary, check out an upcoming Waydowntown screening at Globe Cinema, where writer and director Gary Burns will also be on hand for a post-movie talk.
Globe Cinema, 617 8 Ave. S.W., dtalks.org
Order a dessert at the newly opened Kati Kati in Chinatown
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If you have a sweet tooth, head to Chinatown to try this new dessert café offering Thai flavours and fusion desserts. Kati Kati whips up treats like bingsu, toasts, croffles, and butter waffles with toppings ranging from pandan coconut custard to salted egg yolk sauce.
103, 233 Centre St. S.W., @katikatidessert
Go shopping at a Valentine’s market at a brewery
When: February 13
Easy Days is holding a Valentine’s pop-up market at Eighty-Eight Brewing Co. this month, which is a great excuse for an outing with your partner or friends. Stop by from 5 to 9 p.m. for a beer and to shop from vendors offering everything from vintage apparel to jewellery.
Eighty-Eight Brewing Co., 1070, 2600 Portland St. S.E., @easydaysyyc
Watch some concerts during Block Heater
When: February 14 and 15
Block Heater, the annual winter music festival put on by Calgary Folk Music Festival, is back with a mix of outdoor and indoor performances. This year’s festival features nearly 20 bands and singers, including Basia Bulat, Hubby Jenkins, Black Mountain, Kaïa Kater, Kathleen Edwards and Kate Stevens.
Multiple locations, calgaryfolkfest.com
Cheer on Calgary’s professional lacrosse team
When: February 14, 16 and 22
Calgary’s professional lacrosse team is back in action for the season and you can catch up to three home games in February. The team adds to the fun with its creative theme nights, which include “Lovers & Lax” on February 14, “Pajama Party” on February 16 and “Roughnecks Rodeo” on February 22.
Scotiabank Saddledome, 555 Saddledome Rise S.E., calgaryroughnecks.com
Watch this year’s Oscar-nominated shorts
When: February 14 to 16 and February 21 to 23
The 2025 Academy Awards are coming up in March, so it’s time to start catching up on this year’s nominated flicks and make your predictions. The Calgary International Film Festival is making it easy to see all of this year’s nominated short films with screening packages featuring the animated, documentary and live action short films. Standalone tickets are available if you just want to see the movies in one of those categories, or you can get a three-screening pass to see all three categories.
Globe Cinema, 617 8 Ave. S.W., ciffcalgary.ca
Learn about illusions at Phenomena
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When: On now until March 26
Telus Sparks’ latest exhibition is all about illusions and human perception. At Phenomena, trick your mind with illusions ranging from mirror anamorphosis to the hollow face illusion, all while learning the science behind why this happens.
Telus Spark, 220 St. George’s Dr. N.E., sparkscience.ca
Get tickets to the Ethnik Festival of Arts and Culture
When: February 21 and 22
A two-day celebration of Afro-Canadian and Caribbean cultures and traditions, this year’s Ethnik Festival of Arts and Culture features a Calgary Food War competition and a new/emerging artists showcase on February 21st, followed by a day of performances and presentations on February 22nd. The main festival lineup includes appearances by Rotimi, Bolanle Ninalowo, Wakefield Brewster, Chantal Chagnon, Yolanda Sargeant and more.
Calgary Food War at Carya Village Commons, 610 8 Ave. S.E; Main festival at The Genesis Centre, 10, 7555 Falconridge Blvd. N.E., ethnikfestivals.com
Transport your tastebuds with some tropical fare
It’s no secret that Calgary winters can be a bit dreary. Thankfully, there’s no shortage of local restaurants that are ready to transport you (or at least your tastebuds) to warmer climates with their delicious dishes.
Read more: Tropical Foods to Warm Your Soul This Winter
Attend a candlelit concert featuring romantic jazz or Taylor Swift songs
When: Multiple dates in February
Fever’s Candlelight concerts are an intimate and unique way to experience live music. The shows feature musicians performing live in beautiful locations filled with candles, creating a moody vibe that adds to the musical experience. Throughout the month of February, there are concerts featuring romantic jazz, classical romance music and music by specific artists like Taylor Swift, Adele and Fleetwood Mac.
See a colony of king penguins waddle around the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo
When: On now until early March (weather permitting)
Arthur, Cleopatra, Napoleon, Augustus — these are just a few of the adorable king penguins you could see waddling through the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo during the annual Penguin Walk. Every winter starting in January, the zoo’s king penguin colony goes on a daily morning walk around the grounds that the public can watch (depending on the weather and animal inclination). The walks start at the Penguin Plunge at 10:30 a.m. and follow a designated route, offering a cool opportunity to see these animals beyond their usual habitat.
Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo, 210 St. Georges Dr. N.E., 403-232-9300, calgaryzoo.com