Start the New Year off with a bang with great things to see and do in Calgary. From the Harlem Globetrotters and Dierks Bentley to the FIS Moguls World Cup and High Performance Rodeo, here’s how to warm up your January plans in Calgary.
January in Calgary
Things to Do
January in Calgary
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High Performance Rodeo
Kick off the new year with High Performance Rodeo, Calgary’s International Festival of the Arts, presented by One Yellow Rabbit Performance Theatre. Get your culture fix with more than 100 artists, 28 productions, 15 venues, and 13 free events, for three weeks of inspired live theatre. High Performance Rodeo comes to Calgary January 8-26, 2020.
Mamma Mia!
Sing along to the hit music of ABBA and the story of a young woman’s search for her birth father in Mamma Mia! at Stage West Theatre Restaurants.
Where: Stage West Theatre Restaurants
When: November 15, 2019 – February 9, 2020
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Winter CARnival
Snowball toss, floor curling, table hockey, historic snow day selfies, and an indoor snow fort make Winter CARnival a great way to spend some quality time with the whole family at Gasoline Alley Museum.
Where: Gasoline Alley Museum
When: January 2-5
Cheer on the Flames
Join the C of Red and cheer on the Calgary Flames with 4 home games in January at the Scotiabank Saddledome. There’s nothing like NHL action in Calgary.
Where: Scotiabank Saddledome
When: January 2, 9, 11, 28
The Jim Cuddy Band: Countrywide Soul Tour
The Jack Singer Concert Hall hosts The Jim Cuddy Band: Countrywide Soul Tour with a setlist of reimagined solo and Blue Rodeo gems from Canadian legend Jim Cuddy.
Where: Jack Singer Concert Hall
When: January 5
Spark After Dark (18+)
Join TELUS Spark Science Centre for Spark After Dark and experience the BODY WORLDS: ANIMAL INSIDE OUT Edition. Spark After Dark is an adults-only experience with drinks, tunes, speakers, and exclusive programming the second Thursday of each month.
Where: TELUS Spark Science Centre
When: January 9
Calgary Hitmen Pucks for Paws
Cheer on the Calgary Hitmen Pucks for Paws event as they play a charitable hockey game in support of the Four Feet Companion Foundation against the Lethbridge Hurricanes.
Where: Scotiabank Saddledome
When: January 10
The Motorcycle Show
The Motorcycle Show brings together the hottest makes and models of motorcycles with the latest products, services, accessories, workshops and a riding academy for kids age 6 to 12.
Where: BMO Centre
When: January 10-12
Paw Patrol Live – The Great Pirate Adventure
All paws on deck for Paw Patrol Live – The Great Pirate Adventure, an action-packed, music filled production at the Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium.
Where: Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium
When: January 10-12
10 Minute Play Festival
Celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the 10 Minute Play Festival, where 6 local indie theatre companies have 24 hours to create a 10 minute play inspired by a line of text and one prop, as part of the 34th Annual High Performance Rodeo.
Where: The GRAND, Flanagan Theatre
When: January 11
Tomatoes Tried to Kill Me But Banjos Saved My Life
The inspirational true story of actor Keith Alessi leaving the corporate world for his true passion, playing the banjo, comes to life with Tomatoes Tried to Kill Me But Banjos Saved My Life, as part of the 34th Annual High Performance Rodeo.
Where: Lunchbox Theatre
When: January 11-25
The Strumbellas: Rattlesnake Canadian Tour (POSTPONED)
The Strumbellas: Rattlesnake Canadian Tour makes a stop in Calgary with a live show of anthemic pop-folk and special guests Neon Dreams.
Where: Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium
When: January 14
The Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival World Tour
If you missed The Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival, adventure lovers everywhere can catch some of the best features from the festival in Calgary, with features at Mount Royal University (January 15-19) and the University of Calgary (January 23-26).
Where: Mount Royal University and University of Calgary
When: January 15-19 & 23-26
Speak Up! at Studio Bell, home of the National Music Centre.
Speak Up!
Featuring Indigenous artists who make a social impact, Speak Up! is a featured exhibition at Studio Bell, home of the National Music Centre. New artifacts and video will be added throughout the year to this powerful new exhibit.
Where: Studio Bell
When: Opens January 14
Juliet & Romeo
The classic Shakespeare classic is reimagined with Juliet & Romeo by Decidedly Jazz Danceworks as part of the 34th Annual High Performance Rodeo for a limited run in Calgary.
Where: DJD Dance Centre
When: January 16-26
Calgary Whisky Festival
Sample over 100 whiskies from more than 30 vendors at the 9th annual MS Calgary Whisky Festival and learn about whisky from the people who make it. All proceeds benefit the MS Society of Canada.
Where: Glenbow Museum
When: January 16
The wave pool at Southland Leisure Centre.
Get Active at the Southland Leisure Centre
A wave pool, wading pool, water slides, dive tank, climbing wall, fitness studio, weight room, and hot tub are ready for your family to get active this January at the Southland Leisure Centre.
Where: Southland Leisure Centre
When: Open daily
Diavolo
Dance and architecture collide with Diavolo presented by Alberta Ballet. Diavolo has been seen by over 95 million people as finalists on NBC’s America’s Got Talent.
Where: Alberta Ballet
When: January 16-18
Murder Mystery Dinner: Double Diamond Death
Take your best guess at “who done it” with Murder Mystery Dinner: Double Diamond Death at Fort Calgary and enjoy a carefully curated dinner buffet while you solve the crime.
Where: Fort Calgary
When: January 17
Ryan McMahon
Canadian singer-songwriter Ryan McMahon performs a live set of folk, roots, and rock at the intimate Gallery House Concerts Society in Calgary.
Where: Gallery House Concerts Society
When: January 17
The Boy From Oz
The Front Row Centre Players present the Canadian premiere of The Boy From Oz, the most successful Australian musical of all time and the first production to make it to Broadway.
Where: Front Row Centre Players
When: January 17 – February 1
Pitched Perfect Golden Girls
It may not be too late for the ladies of Maple Oaks Seniors home to compete in the Collegiate Singing Group Competition in Pitched Perfect Golden Girls at Jubilations Dinner Theatre.
Where: Jubilations Dinner Theatre
When: January 18 – March 21
The Wedding Fair
More than 250 exhibitors make The Wedding Fair a must attend event for planning the big day, including bridal fashions, menswear, florists, invitations, registries, and party planning.
Where: BMO Centre
When: January 19
Scotiabank Backbeat presents: Carolina Slim and Natalia
Discover “The New Mexican Music” with Carolina Slim and Natalia at The King Eddy, bringing together two singer songwriters exploring the sounds of their hometowns in Mexico.
Where: The King Eddy
When: January 19
Go tubing at the WinSport Tube Park (Photo credit: Travel Alberta/Steve Tuchiwsky).
Go Tubing
Go for a wild ride in the snow at the WinSport Tube Park, one of the largest tube parks of its kind in Western Canada. The WinSport Tube Park will be open daily from December 26, 2019 – January 5, 2020 and Friday evenings to Sunday beginning January 10, 2020.
Where: WinSport Tube Park
When: Friday – Sunday
Chinatown Ice Sculpture Showcase
Discover the Chinatown Ice Sculpture Showcase in Chinatown Calgary with 12 unique carvings in James Short Park to celebrate the Year of the Rat in 2020.
Where: Calgary Chinatown
When: January 22 - February 8
Alexisonfire
Canadian indie rock superstars Alexisonfire return to Calgary, with special guests NOBRO, at the Scotiabank Saddledome.
Where: Scotiabank Saddledome
When: January 23
Big Winter Classic
Big Winter Classic is a fun party in the middle of winter that’s already become a classic. Local arts, music, and beer come together for a four-day winter festival with performances by I Am The Mountain, Ezra Furman, Bully, Jennifer Castle, and Ron Gallo.
Where: Where
When: January 23-26
Harlem Globetrotters
The world famous Harlem Globetrotters come to Calgary with some of the most electrifying athletes on the planet for a family friendly day of one-of-a-kind sports entertainment.
Where: Scotiabank Saddledome
When: January 24
Nordic Greats
Nordic Greats captures the landscape and folk spirit of Norway in this world premiere collaboration featuring violinist Eldbjørg Hemsing, as part of the 34th Annual High Performance Rodeo for a limited run in Calgary.
Where: Jack Singer Concert Hall
When: January 25
The Louder We Get
Theatre Calgary presents The Louder We Get, a dazzling musical that tells the inspirational true story of Marc Hall’s fight with the Catholic school system to take his boyfriend to prom.
Where: Max Bell Theatre
When: January 28 – February 22
We’ve Read This Book Club: Three Women
The We’ve Read This Book Club returns to discuss Three Women by Lisa Taddeo, a book described as a “nonfiction literary masterpiece.” This event is hosted by blogger and book reviewer Anne Logan at the Memorial Park Library.
Where: Memorial Park Library
When: January 29
FIS Freestyle Ski Moguls World Cup
Watch the world’s best freestyle mogul skiers compete at the FIS Freestyle Ski Moguls World Cup, including 2018 Olympic gold-medalist Mikaël Kingsbury. Over 100 athletes from 15 different countries challenge Team Canada in men’s and women’s single moguls. Meet the athletes, take pictures, and get autographs at this FREE event.
Where: WinSport
When: January 31 – February 2
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