High Performance Rodeo
When: January 14 to February 2, 2025
One Yellow Rabbit’s High Performance Rodeo is a multidisciplinary arts festival with an array of live productions featuring dance, music, theatre, puppetry and more. Don’t miss your chance to check out one of the many experimental and contemporary works happening at venues around the city. Check out the full lineup online.
Multiple venues, hprodeo.ca
MS Calgary Whisky Festival
When: January 16, 2025
Whisky fans, unite! Held in support of the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada, the MS Calgary Whisky Festival features hundreds of different whisky samples by whisky makers from around the world. VIP ticket holders can also purchase tickets for guided tastings with industry experts and get a special look into the world of whisky. There will also be a silent auction, vendor tastings and snacks throughout the evening and more.
Hotel Arts, 119 12 Ave. S.W., mscanada.ca
Bob-Sled Music Festival
When: January 21 to 26, 2025
Presented by Sled Island, Eighty-Eight Brewing Co. and Palomino Smokehouse, this new music festival gives a burst of Sled Island energy to get you through the winter. Head to Palomino Smokehouse and check out headliners like Ducks LTD., Hotline TNT and more over six days. Full festival wristbands are available for $88 or you can get individual show tickets for $22.
Palomino Smokehouse, 109 7 Ave. S.W., sledisland.com
Chinook Blast
When: January 31 to February 17, 2025
One of the city’s biggest and brightest winter festivals, Chinook Blast returns for its fifth year of lighting up Calgary’s downtown core. The massive celebration features live music, light installations, art presentations, cultural performances, sporting events and more, all taking place throughout the downtown area. During this year’s festival, head to Stephen Avenue to take in the popular (and Instagrammable) light and art installations, or head to the Winter Sport Hub at The Confluence to check out winter sports demonstrations and even try some out for yourself. The full list of events is available online.
Exposure Photography Festival
When: February 2025
This popular festival showcases the work of local and international photographers. This year’s festival is hosted by Contemporary Calgary, where the annual Emerging Photographer’s Showcase and International Open Call exhibitions will be held, along with plenty of other exhibitions at partner venues throughout the month.
La Poutine Week
When: February 1 to 7, 2025
Love poutine? Of course you do. There’s no better food combination than crispy fries, melty cheese curds and warm gravy. Started in Montreal more than a decade ago, this celebration of poutine has now spread across Canada, including here in Calgary. During La Poutine Week, local restaurants will offer an array of creative poutines, and the 2025 theme is Around the World. A full list of participating restaurants will be released closer to the event date.
YYC Hot Chocolate Festival
When: February 1 to 28, 2025
Held in partnership with Calgary Meals on Wheels, YYC Hot Chocolate Fest is an annual event where local restaurants, cafés and chocolatiers compete to create the best hot chocolate in the city, as decided by Calgarians. Partial proceeds from the hot chocolate sales go towards supporting Meals on Wheels, and 2024 was the biggest year yet with over $100,000 going to the not-for-profit organization.
Multiple locations, yychotchocolate.com
Block Heater
When: February 14 and 15, 2025
Presented by Calgary Folk Fest, Block Heater is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year. This year’s event brings musical performances by artists like Black Mountain, Begonia and TEKE::TEKE at venues throughout the city. See the full 2025 lineup of musicians online.
Multiple locations, calgaryfolkfest.com
Ethnik Festival of Arts & Culture
When: February 21 and 22, 2025
One of the local events marking Black History Month, Ethnik Festival of Arts & Culture celebrates the voices and cultural traditions of Alberta’s African and Caribbean communities. For the Calgary Food War portion of the festival on February 21, local chefs will compete in a friendly culinary competition, and this year’s theme is The Battle of the Couples. The main festival will take place on February 22, with art, dance, music and other cultural presentations.
Multiple locations, ethnikfestivals.com