Go tubing at WinSport
When: Opens for the season on December 21
WinSport’s tube park promises plenty of snowy excitement with its nine tubing lanes to slide down. Bring the whole family or some friends for a memorable weekend activity in the fresh air.
88 Canada Olympic Rd. S.W., 403-247-5452, winsport.ca
Order some pasta at DOPO
You’re not alone if you miss dining at D.O.P., the popular Italian restaurant that closed this past fall. But don’t worry — the team has opened a new restaurant in Marda Loop called DOPO that offers updated takes on some old favourites and exciting new dishes. There’s also a new bar right above it called Bar Rocca.
Read more: New Italian Restaurant DOPO Ensures D.O.P. Won’t Be Forgotten
1907 34 Ave. S.W., dopoyyc.com
Pick up non-alcoholic drinks for Dry January at Santé Dry Bottle Shop
If you’re participating in Dry January this month, you may want to visit Santé Dry Bottle Shop to stock up on non-alcoholic drink options. The shop in Crossroads Market carries an impressive selection of non-alcoholic wine, beer, spirits and more. The market is open from Friday to Sunday, or you can order online.
Crossroads Market, 1235 26 Ave. S.E., drinksante.ca
Stay warm at Vivo’s indoor park
Love going to the park, but don’t love the cold? The Vivo for Healthier Generations recreation facility is home to a 19,500-square-foot indoor park with seating areas, green space, loose parts play items and lots of natural light. Drop-in passes and memberships are available to check out the space.
11950 Country Village Link N.E., 403-532-1013, vivo.ca
Attend Broadway Across Canada’s production of Beetlejuice
When: January 7 to 12
Broadway Across Canada is bringing some ghostly vibes to Calgary. If you love the Beetlejuice movie, you won’t want to miss seeing the musical version at the Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium this month. Catch one of the eight performances taking place from January 7 to 12.
Southern Jubilee Auditorium, 1415 14 Ave. N.W., calgary.broadway.com
See a 10-minute play festival, check out a rock opera and more at High Performance Rodeo
When: January 14 to February 2
Calgary’s arts scene will be bursting with creativity this month as the 39th annual High Performance Rodeo returns. The arts festival’s 2025 lineup is full of exciting productions in many mediums, including a 10-minute play festival, a show that blends jazz piano with tap dance, a rock opera and more. With 30 events to choose from, there’s something for everyone.
Multiple locations, oyr.org/hprodeo
Dine at Hitchki, a new Indian buffet restaurant
The next time you’ve worked up an appetite, head to Hitchki, a new Indian buffet restaurant that opened in northeast Calgary in mid-December. Guests are spoiled for choice with more than 150 items across 11 food stations to enjoy here.
1155 Cornerstone Blvd. N.E., 403-376-7755, hitchki.ca
Taste delicious spirits at the MS Calgary Whisky Festival
When: January 16
If you love whisky, then you won’t want to miss the 2025 MS Calgary Whisky Festival. Supporting MS Canada, the one-night event features whisky tastings, snacks and a silent auction. Tickets are also available for classes held throughout the event where you can learn more about the world of whisky.
Hotel Arts, 119 12 Ave. S.W., mscanada.ca
Go bowling, play arcade games, see a movie and more at a huge new entertainment centre
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Calgary is now home to a new 80,000-square-foot entertainment centre on Southcentre Mall’s third floor (in the former Sears space). PowerPlay features 16 bowling lanes, 10 micro movie theatres, augmented reality game rooms, golf and baseball simulators, and an arcade. There’s also a restaurant and bar area where you can chow down on Korean fried chicken, sliders, pizza, prawn pesto linguini, smash burgers and more.
100 Anderson Rd. S.E., powerplay.ca
See a new dance show set to live New Orleans jazz music
When: January 16 to 26
Decidedly Jazz Danceworks hits an exciting milestone this year as it reaches its 40th anniversary. To celebrate, check out Call and Response, the first show of its anniversary season running this month. Set to live New Orleans jazz music, the dance show promises to be a great kickoff to a special year.
DJD Dance Centre, 111 12 Ave. S.E., 403-245-3533, decidedlyjazz.com
Start planning your next trip to the mountains
If your New Year’s resolution is to spend more time in the mountains in 2025, we’ve got you covered. Avenue‘s second Best of the Mountains ballot covers the best hotels, restaurants, attractions and more in destinations like Canmore, Banff, Jasper and areas of B.C.
Read more: Best of the Mountains 2024
Hear local bands at the new Bob-Sled music festival
When: January 21 to 26
Warm up by dancing to your favourite bands during Bob-Sled, a new Calgary music festival that hits the stage this month. The Palomino, Eighty-Eight Brewing Company and Sled Island have teamed up to make this festival happen, with performances by Hotline TNT, Cola, Fold Paper, Ghostkeeper and more. Attendees can get individual tickets or wristbands to see all the concerts.
The Palomino, 109 7 Ave. S.W., sledisland.com
Go skating on the outdoor rink in Central Commons Park
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University District’s outdoor skating rink in Central Commons Park is back and promises plenty of winter fun. If you don’t have skates, don’t worry — there’s a new skate hut where adults and children can rent helmets, skating aids and skates.
Central Commons Park, myuniversitydistrict.ca
Take a wheel-throwing class with a popular Calgary ceramicist
When: Multiple dates
There’s a new place to try a wheel-throwing class in Calgary. Local ceramicist Kate Husted has launched wheel-throwing classes that start in January and February 2025, with options for one-on-one sessions and group classes at beginner and intermediate levels. This is a great way to start the year off learning a new skill or building on your existing knowledge.
Check out some Lunar New Year celebrations
When: Multiple dates
The Lunar New Year begins on January 29, and several Calgary celebrations and events are happening to mark the occasion around that time. Events include the Calgary Chinese Cultural Centre’s annual festival on January 25 and 26 and February 1 and 2, a dinner gala at the Regency Palace Seafood Restaurant on January 30 and a 10-course dinner supporting the Kiyooka Ohe Arts Centre on February 21.
See a play about a ski ballet athlete set during Calgary’s 1988 Winter Olympics
When: January 28 to February 16
This Lunchbox Theatre play takes audiences back to 1988 when the Winter Olympics happened in Calgary. Go For Gold, Audrey Pham follows ski ballet athlete Audrey Pham, who ends up staying with Birchwoman (“the notorious Wicked Witch of West Kensington”) instead of the Athletes’ Village. The 7 p.m. performance on Friday, January 31 will feature a special pop-up tasting with Eighty-Eight Brewing Company, a local brewery inspired by the ’88 Calgary Olympics.
The Studio, 161, 115 9 Ave. S.E., lunchboxtheatre.com