Family Day Weekend Events in Calgary

Family Day Weekend is designed to be just that: a time to hang out with the fam, and the city thinks so too—judging by the amount of quality programming scheduled for this weekend. So pack up the kids and make it a weekend to remember. Here are 12 ways to put more ‘family' into Family Day.

A new (and free!) event: the GLOW Downtown Winter Light Festival. Running in various locations from 6:30 to 11 pm, you'll enjoy interactive light installations, projections and theatrical performances. Some include a recreation of the tropics, a virtual ‘outdoor shower', a door that opens to different experiences each time, a chandelier made of chopsticks, and much more. Use your dancing moves to power the Piezoparty installation. Wonder at the Fallen Stars monument created out of retired streetlights. Or bring your skates to the Family Day Skate Party at the Olympic Plaza. These instillations are connected to information and refreshment hubs, and the Food Trucks will be around Harley Hotchkiss Gardens on 4th Street. If it gets a bit chilly, warm up by travelling to more than one installation using the Plus15 skywalk network! It's outdoor theatre in its most creative form and a creative way to bond with the family over the weekend. More info here.

Go back in time to experience traditional Blackfoot stories and history at this free event. Other activities include a Quebecois sugar shack, dreamcatcher making, Mountie uniform try-on and more. Catch a historical play as well. It's a learning experience wrapped up in family fun. More info here.

Ice is nice—especially when it's carved into outdoor games and activities that the whole family can enjoy. Play pool on an ice table, or a giant frozen game of tic-tac-toe. Try your hand at carving a cold brick at the ice chipping stations. More activities are added on a regular basis. Get jumping on a Springfree Trampoline; relax in the Iced Lounge; or let your kids (ages 12 and younger) try out snowboarding at Burton Riglet Park—it's only $30 for a family and everything is included in the admission. More info here.

If you're looking for gentle fun for little ones, or have kids who like to motor, head out to Gasoline Alley for family-friendly fun. Utilizing the car-themed space, little ones can test out their trike skills, create their own flags while older kids can try out the Winter Roads scavenger hunt, or puzzle through skill-testing questions to get their own license! More info here.

Budding Wayne Gretzky's won't want to miss this version of the iconic Canadian tale: The Hockey Sweater. Narrated with the support of the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, and presented with the original illustrations, The Hockey Sweater makes for a great afternoon out with sports (and literary) fans of all ages. (Be sure to arrive an hour before the performance to enjoy the Instrument Discovery Zoo for kids!) More info here.

Celebrate all things family and nature at the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary. This free afternoon event includes wildlife crafts, scavenger hunts, games set in nature and guided walks of the park. Perfect for families with kids of all ages, ‘We are Family' is a fun, outdoor adventure right in the city. More info here.

Make it a market day and enjoy a ‘winter' carnival at Eau Claire! Full of free fun, the event includes musicians, face painting, carnival games, a magician and ice carving demonstrations. There's fun for older kids as well: Mom and Dad will enjoy exploring what the artisan market has to offer. The event runs from 11 am to 4 pm. More info here.

If you haven't had the chance to enjoy Calgary's annual Hot Chocolate festival this month, Family Day weekend is a great time to get your sweet fix. More than a simple mug of cocoa, these hot chocolate options make ice cream sundaes look bland. At locations all around the city, you can choose from options such as the Saucy S'more Hot Chocolate (Sauce), the Maple Bacon Hot Chocolate (Odyssey), the Citrus Ginger Orange Hot Chocolate (Monogram), and much more. Make it a day and visit a few different locations to truly experience the amazing options the city has to offer. Visit the site to determine which ones are on your ‘must' list—and be sure to bring your sweet tooth. More info here.

If you haven't had the chance to explore the new StudioBell National Music Centre, Family Day is the perfect time to get your groove. Aside from live music all day, kids can craft their own instruments, and check out Kimball Theatre Organ performances. Get your karaoke on in the vocal sound booth! The museum is definitely a rocking place on Family Day. More info here.

Don't want to wait until the spring to pull out the tackle box? Family Day Weekend is one of two weekends in the year where no license is required to go fishing. While fishing regulations still apply (read: not for beginners), it's a fun way to spend time together whether out on the ice—without skates—or in warmer waters. More info here.

Ever want to say ‘yes' when the kids want to play with their vegetables? Now is the chance. W.p. Puppet Theatre is teaching kids how to create puppets out of actual vegetables at the Haysboro Community Association hall. It's a fun activity for you to do with the littlest members of your team. Tickets can be bought in advance online, and donations to the Calgary food bank are welcomed. More info here.

Try on a new pair of shoes! Bow Habitat Station offers snowshoe rentals for the day for only $7. Explore the beautiful Pearce Estate Parkland right beside the station. It's a perfect opportunity to try out a winter sport with the kids on easy trails. Plus, when you're done, you can warm up and check out the aquariums in the Discovery Centre or explore the Interpretive Wetlands and enjoy the outdoors indoors! More info here.