17 Things to Do in Calgary this January (2019)
- January 4, 2019
- By Cody Battershill
Top 17 Activities to Do in Calgary this January
Looking for some of the best activities and events happening in the first month of the new year? We’ve compiled a list of the top 15 things to do in Calgary this January for people of all ages. See them below!
What are your favourite activities and or events you usually do in January? Let us know what activities are on the top of your list for January and we'll add them to the list!
#1 - High Performance Rodeo
- When - Jan. 9th - 27th, 2019
- Website - https://www.hprodeo.ca/
The High Performance Rodeo brings Calgary alive in the dead of winter with an incredible array of live performances from around the world.
Experience dance, theatre and music in a contemporary fashion like you never have before at this awesome annual event. Calgary's first month of winter has never been more fun!
#2 - Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour
- When - Jan. 15th - 27th, 2019
- Website - http://mountainfilm.ca/buy-tickets-online/
Every fall season, the Banff Mountain Film and Book Festival takes place out in the beautiful mountain town of Banff. Just an hour or so west from the city limits, this epic nine-day event is filled with rich content shared by adventurers who’ve journeyed to remote destinations on ground-breaking expeditions all over the world.
If you like discovery, adventure and excitement, this event is perfect for you! It's also family-friendly, making it an epic stop on the way to or from the mountains!
- Also see these 3 Things to Do in Banff, Alberta
#3 – BIG Winter Classic
- When - Jan. 24th - 27th, 2019
- Website - https://www.bigwinterclassic.com/
The BIG Winter Classic is a great way to come out of winter hibernation - even if its just for a few days - to enjoy some good homegrown beer over some of the best local live music around.
This adults-only event features more than 40 different musicians / singers / bands from a wide spectrum of genres at performance locations around Calgary like Broken City, The King Edward Hotel and Palomino on 7th Ave SW.
#4 – Ice Magic Festival
- When - Jan. 16th - 27th, 2019
- Website - https://www.banfflakelouise.com/ice-magic-festival
Set in the beautiful mountainous surroundings of Lake Louise, the Ice Magic Festival is a world class, family-friendly event with more than two decades of history.
Talented ice artists from all over the globe make the trek to Lake Louise for the three day annual event to sculpt ice masterpieces that will leave you in awe.
#5 – InjaNation – Winter Programs
- When - Most Days of the Week
- Website - https://www.injanation.com
Every day InjaNation offers a winter program pass starting at $139.00 per person for ages 5 to 14.
InjaNation's massive warehouse space nearby Deerfoot Mall includes several ‘Ninja Warrior’ obstacle courses, a trampoline zone, military course, climbing centre, dodgeball court, food and drink concession and parent lounges.
#6 – InjaNation – Teen Night
- When - Every Friday
- Website - https://www.injanation.com/pricing-promotions/
Every Saturday night InjaNation hosts an exclusive teen night only from 7:00pm to 10:00pm for just $25.00 a person.
In addition to all the facilities mentioned above for family night, teens will never have a boring Friday with great music, competitions, contests and prizes throughout the night that are geared towards the teenage age range.
Also check out the Dodgeball tournament on Jan. 5th, and the Fornite Duos challenge on Jan. 12th.
#7 – VRKade
- Website - https://vrkade.com/
VRKade took the title as the largest Virtual Reality Arcade in North America when it opened its doors last summer.
With state-of-the-art VR equipment, affordable prices and its safe environment, this place has been a hit among people of all ages looking to get an extra dosage of reality from their games.
Today they have nearly 20 virtual reality games to choose from. There's also two locations: one in the NE and SE, making it convenient to play awesome virtual reality games in the midst of winter.
#8 – Outdoor Ice Skating
The City of Calgary has several dedicated outdoor winter skating areas that are open all hours of the day and maintained throughout the season. Why not bundle up in some warm clothing and head out with your bestie?
There’s also more than 30 volunteer-run rinks around the city – keep an eye out!
#9 – Flames Game
- Website - https://www.nhl.com/flames/schedule
Calgary Flames enter the new year in a top spot in the NHL. They are ON FIRE!!
This year they are even younger and more fiery than the last with incredible talent and the skill to take it far into the playoffs this year.
Guarantee you’ll never drink beer that gets you tipsy as fast as the ones on tap at the Saddledome. Be careful of those heroin beers though (as locals call them), you dont't want to get too drunk!
#10 – Adults Only Night at TELUS Spark
- When - Every Thursday
- Website - http://www.sparkscience.ca/experience-telus-spark/for-adults/adults-only-night/
TELUS Spark hosts a monthly adults only night usually on Thursdays which gives you free reign in the galleries in addition to dance jams and a fully-licensed bar.
The night is anything but boring with involved challenges and fun "adult-only" education that can sometimes take a turn towards the naughty and delve into the mysteries of sex.
- Learn more at Best Calgary Tourist Attractions - Telus Spark
#11 – Flying Squirrel
Flying Squirrel is an insane all-in-one activity park with two locations in Calgary's North and South areas, featuring:
- 3D climbing wall
- Arcade
- Battle Beam
- Dodgeball court
- Cafe food and drink
- Foam pits
- Kiddie court
- Dunk hoops
- Laser maze
- Rope swing
- Slack line
- VIP area
...and more. This place is so much fun, and it's nice and warm!
#12 – Flying Squirrel – Toddler Saturdays
- Website - https://flyingsquirrelsports.ca
Flying Squirrel opens its doors Monday to Friday from 10:00am to 1:00pm for toddlers-only playtime. On weekends, that time is shortened and is between 10:00am to 11:00am.
This lets younger children play without interference and with little or no worry about colliding with older and more heavier bodies.
#13 – Flying Squirrel – Neon Lights
- Website – https://flyingsquirrelsports.ca
Every Friday and Saturday at Flying Squirrel between 9:00pm and 12:00am there is a ton of glow-in-the-dark fun to be had.
The entire play trampoline park / activity area is illuminated by black lights, making for a unique atmosphere to bounce on trampolines, play trampoline dodgeball and fly off a trampoline into a huge pile of Styrofoam blocks to name a few of the activities you can do inside.
#14 – Escape Rooms
Over the past few years there have been a ton of different escape rooms open up shop around the city. I’ve been to a couple of them including Confined Escape Rooms on 32nd Avenue NE and Trapped Escape Room in Kensington and had a blast each time.
These rooms typically give you and your party 60 minutes to figure out how to escape and give tips along the way in case you get stuck. Many of these businesses create fully custom escape room experiences that you won’t see anywhere else!
#15 – Day Trip to Canmore
- Website - http://www.tourismcanmore.com/
The mountain town of Canmore is only about 45 minutes away from Calgary’s city limits and has a ton of different fun activities and events happening every week for the entire family to participate in.
It’s also a great place to take your significant other on a romantic getaway, even if it’s just for a day. Make sure to book in advance if you plan on staying over night!
#16 – Day Trip to Banff
Banff is another mountain town located not too far away from Calgary – about an hour give or take. Just like Canmore, there’s a plethora of things to do and places to go and see in and around the town itself.
Whether you want to hit up the hot springs, take the gondola to the top of Mt. Rundle, or perhaps explore and check out Lake Minnewanka in all its frozen glory, your options truly are limitless!
Make sure to book in advance if you plan on staying over night!
#17 - Shooting Centre
- Website - https://www.theshootingcentre.com/
Adults, if you're interested in popping off some bullets to cool your winter blues, the Calgary Shooting Centre is the place to go.
Located in the southeast warehouse area, you get to choose from a wide selection of handguns, rifles and shotguns to use on range.
The best part about this place is that you can choose to fire as many guns as you want. You pay a one-time fee after registering and then simply pay for the ammo you use!
The shooting range is one heck of a time, but it's not cheap. Be prepared to spend some coin if you want to shoot some guns.
More Local Activities and Events
I Love Calgary!
What are your favourite things to do in Calgary January? Let us know below and we will add it to our list of best Calgary activities in Calgary. Also be sure to check out our other best in Calgary lists!
For more of everything to do with YYC, be sure to give us a like or follow us at Calgaryism on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter today! We hope to see you there.
