Fun Family Activities in Calgary in February
February has finally arrived and the fun in YYC is just beginning! Whether you’re a fan of outdoor celebrations or you’d rather stay warm indoors, there are plenty of ways to stay busy with your family in Calgary in February. From outdoor winter festivals, to markets and sporting events and a little bit of everything in between, everyone in your family will have something exciting to look forward to this month!
Fun Family Activities and Events in Calgary in February
YYC Hot Chocolate Fest | yychotchocolate.com
February 1 – 29
Get your maps ready! YYC Hot Chocolate Fest is back (and we get an extra day to enjoy it, thanks to the leap year!) This fundraising initiative has set a goal to raise $100,000 to battle food insecurity in Calgary, one cup of hot chocolate at a time. 2023 had over 100 vendors join in across 175 participating locations, which means you’ve got a lot of hot chocolate to test this year in order to crown this year’s winners. Up for grabs this year are the titles of “Best Hot Chocolate”, “Best Spirited Hot Chocolate”, “Most Creative Hot Chocolate”, and “Cup that Runneth Over” (the most sold hot chocolate). Last year’s winners were Master Chocolat with the top rated hot chocolate, Hexagon Café with the best selling hot chocolate and Amato Gelato with the top rated spirited hot chocolate. Who will reign supreme in 2024?
Chinook Blast | chinookblast.ca
February 2 – 19
You know the old saying, “If you can’t beat ’em, join ’em”? Calgary’s Chinook Blast Festival was basically born from that sentiment. The weather may be cold, but it’s no reason for Calgarians to hide away indoors! Chinook Blast brings the worlds of winter sports, culture, live music, interactive art & installations, and unique food experiences together in a giant celebration spanning over two weeks. It’s impossible to list everything happening here, so check out the schedule of events to start filling up your calendar – you won’t want to miss a thing!
Scottie’s Tournament of Hearts | curling.ca
Friday, February 16
Calgary curling fans – this one’s for you! Tickets to join the 2024 Scotties Tournament of Hearts as a spectator start at just $20 for adults and $5 for kids. If you and your family want to cheer on the top women’s teams from across the country as they compete for the chance to win the Canadian women’s championship and represent Canada at the World Women’s Curling Championship, check out the schedule and grab your tickets before they’re gone!
Market Collective presents Broken Hearts, Friends + Lovers | marketcollective.ca
Friday February 16 – Sunday, February 18
Everybody’s favorite market is back to celebrate the loveliest time of year! Whether you’re looking for a gift for your Valentine, or a treat for yourself, Market Collective is the perfect place to grab all kinds of crafty and creative goods from local entrepreneurs, artists and makers. Enjoy live music, art installations, a photo-book, card creation station, and over 50 vendors to browse from. Admission is free!
Fishtival at the Bow Habitat Station | bowhabitat.alberta.ca
Saturday, February 17
The Bow Habitat Station is celebrating its 12th annual Fishtival with family-friendly games and activities, theatrical performances, photo-ops, Conservation K-9s, fish feeding and more! Join community partners including the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo, Parks Canada, the Alberta Conservation K-9 program, Trout Unlimited Canada and more as they share fun facts about fish, as well as prizes and tasty treats. Tickets are $10 for adults 18-64, $8 for students and seniors, $6 for kids 4-17 and free for kids 3 and under. Family passes for 2 adults and up to 4 youth are $30.
Cabin Fever – Airdrie’s Winter Festival | airdrie.ca
Saturday February 17 – Monday February 19
If you don’t mind making a little bit of a drive, the fun at Airdrie’s Cabin Fever city-wide winter festival is set to last all weekend long! Dress for the weather and take part in winter-themed outdoor activities and experiences like Cocoa Fever, a trail featuring everything chocolate, including hot chocolate stations, interactive experiences and activities from local businesses. Then, there’s the Retro 80’s and 90’s Pop Up Party. As long as there’s 4 inches of powder on the toboggan hill, Chinook Winds Regional Park will host a retro DJ ready to create the soundtrack of your tobogganing dreams! Don’t forget your skates, helmet, and cross country skis for even more outdoor fun. There will also be fires to warm up, horse wagon rides, fire dancers, bonfires and ice carving. Weather permitting, you’ll also have a chance to take a ride on a miniature rideable railways to support the Airdrie Food Bank. Check out the website for a detailed schedule and map.
The Locked Library: Chopping Block | trellis.org
Friday February 23
If you’ve got a family full of mystery-solving fanatics, you won’t want to miss this two hour, cookbook-themed puzzle spanning every level of the Calgary Central Library. Prizes await the quickest team to solve the clues and escape the locked library, so gather a team who’s ready to put their heads together! Tickets are $40 per person and all proceeds from this event will support programs and services at Calgary Public Library. Anyone is welcome to join this event, but it’s recommended for sleuths aged 12 and up. Doors open at 7:00PM and the game begins at 7:30PM.
National Aviation Day at the Hangar
February 23-25
Attention aviation aficionados! The Hangar Flight Museum is offering a free event to celebrate the anniversary of the Silver Dart – the first powered flight in Canada. In addition, this year celebrates the 100th anniversary of the Royal Canadian Air Force. This year’s event will feature free guided tours of the Avro Anson and F-86 Sabre, 15 minute presentations, wind tunnel testing, and more. This event is free, but pre-registration is required.
Special Olympics Canada Winter Games | calgary2024.specialolympics.ca
Tuesday February 27 – Saturday March 2
Calgary is proud to host the 2024 Special Olympics Canada Winter Games, which features eight sports including five-pin bowling, alpine skiing, cross-country skiing, curling, figure-skating, floor hockey, snowshoeing, and speedskating. This inclusive event welcomes over 4,000 visitors, including athletes, coaches, officials, and mission staff, along with their families and friends. The Opening Ceremony takes place on February 27 at Stampede Park, with sporting events taking place across the city the following 4 days. Most events welcome spectators – check out the schedule to find out how to join the fun!
Which events are your family looking forward to in Calgary in February? Will you be bundling up to check out some of the outdoor activities, or do you prefer indoor excursions? Did we miss anything exciting on our list? Let us know in the comments!
