11 Family Day Events in Calgary

A provincial holiday tacked onto the weekend—and for some, an extra two days because of a teacher's convention? Heck ya, we're taking it! Whether you can get away for an afternoon or are able to take a few days off in a row, here's a look at what's shaking in and around Calgary over Family Day weekend.

Calling all pioneers! Ditch the devices and hit up the Fort on Monday, February 15, for a day of good old-fashioned fun. Take in the carnival games and crafts, sample maple taffy or take a hayride across the grounds. Admission to the carnival is free, but lunch in the Upper Barracks is not.

Winter just got a whole lot cozier with this sweet festival. Take the tots on a tour around town, sampling the city's best hot chocolates. Over 30 vendors are creating specialty hot chocolates for diners to vote on all month long. Proceeds from each drink are donated to Meals on Wheels. You know you're going to indulge in chocolate anyway this weekend, so why not feel good about it?

Strap on your skates and glide across the fastest ice in the world! Enjoy free public skating at the U of C Olympic Oval from noon until 5:00 pm on Monday, February 15. Shine FM & AM 700 The Light will be blasting tunes and Tim Hortons will be serving up coffee. Good to know: Helmets are mandatory, so don't forget yours—but skate and helmet rentals are available on-site if you do.

A 15-minute drive south of the city lands you in Okotoks. This community knows how to have fun with a capital F. On Family Day head to the Okotoks Recreation Centre from 10 am to 3:30 pm for free swimming, skating and gym time. There'll be shinny games, cross country ski lessons and treats doled out to keep everyone's energy high.

Alberta Family Fishing Weekends only happen twice a year—the Family Day long weekend and the second weekend in July. There are 166 stocked water bodies in Alberta to cast a line in, and during Family Day weekend you don't need a license. This is a great opportunity to spend a little one-on-one time with your favourite kiddo in nature—and perhaps even bring home dinner.

The Canmore Winter Carnival takes place over Family Day weekend. Tuck into a free flapjack breakfast at Civic Centre Plaza on the Saturday, before taking in the Pooch Parade that afternoon. Sunday brings a Family Art Workshop and French-Canadian culture (expect music, maple taffy, and hockey) is celebrated at The Pond all afternoon. Circle back to The Pond on Family Day for curling, White Mountain Adventures' giant ski races, a snowshoe obstacle course and kid's ice carving.

Family Day fun awaits at the Alberta Legislature with music and magic performances, a Lego Zone and a history hunt. There's a family fun zone at the Silver Skate festival and you won't want to miss exploring that gigantic ice castle. Rabbit Hill is hosting a winter festival on the Saturday and the Art Gallery of Alberta is offering free admission, plus family activities on Monday the 15th.

Adventure is the name of the game in Jasper National Park. Parks Canada is offering free family-friendly programming at Marmot Meadows. Take a fat bike demo, learn how to light a campfire or sample some new winter activities. For the first time ever, Marmot Basin is offering discounted lift passes for Family Day and Jasper Park Riding Stables will have half-off pricing for children ages six to 16-years on Family Day.

Winter in Waterton Lakes National Park is like having an entire national park to yourself. True, many touristy shops shut down for the winter, but there are loads of activities taking place Family Day weekend. Until April 30, 2016, Waterton Lakes Lodge is offering $159 for two queen beds, a $40 dining credit, plus cross country skis or snowshoes for two people. Like to rough it? Winter camping is free at Pass Creek picnic site.

Juno Award Winning children's entertainer, Peter Puffin, will be entertaining families at the Kerry Wood Nature Centre on Family Day and there'll be crafts and special activities at Alberta Sports Hall of Fame and Museum. At the Red Deer Museum and Art Gallery, Tree House Youth Theatre will bring several Robert Munsch books to life. The nearby community of Innisfail offers outdoor skating, a bon fire, hay rides, hot dogs and hot chocolate at the Skating Loop behind the Innisfail Twin Arena at 11 am on Family Day. Meanwhile, tons of outdoor activities and games are found on the east side of the pier at Sylvan Lake on Family Day, with fireworks capping off the holiday in the early evening.

A creative spectacle you won't want to miss awaits in Golden. The Snow King's 10th Masque Parade takes place the night of February 14. Spirit Square transforms into a magical site with stilt walking, giant puppets, fire spinning and other circus arts. If disco tubing, night skiing, skating, a bouncy castle and complimentary hot chocolate and marshmallows by the fire sound tempting, head to the The Learning & Adventure Centre at Kicking Horse Mountain Resort the Friday and Saturday of Family Day weekend.