25 of the best things to do in Calgary this January

Happy New Year, Calgary! Another month, another year and another decade have come and gone. January is about looking forward to a better version of yourself, and what better way to improve your day-to-day than getting out and doing something new? “Have more fun” sounds like a good resolution to us!

Here are 25 exciting things to do this month to get you started.

Backseat Cinema: Wayne’s World

Netflix, who? The Back Seat Cinema is the most unique way to catch a flick in Calgary. “Schwing” by on January 3rd when they show the ’90’s classic, Wayne’s World. Enjoy specialty cocktails, games, and additional entertainment. “Party time, excellent!”

When: Friday, January 3rd
Time: 9:00 pm
Where: 608 1 St SW, Calgary
Cost: $15 +

Glenbow Museum: Free Night

Get in touch with your cultured side on the first Thursday of every month. Wander, squint, “hmm,” and “huh” at modern, and traditional pieces of genius, curated by Calgary’s Glenbow Museum… for FREE!

When: Thursday, January 2nd
Time: 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Where: 130 9 Ave SE, Calgary
Cost: FREE

Kim Chi, Naomi Smalls & Violet Chachki at Cowboys

Enjoy a unique evening of hair, gold, glitz and glam with some of your favorite queens from RuPauls Drag Race. Doors for the event open at 8:00 pm. You won’t want to miss it!

When: Friday, January 3rd
Time: 8:00 pm – 2:00 am
Where: 421 12th Ave. SE, Calgary
Cost: $19.99+

Mesmerica

Mesmerica is a colorful and family-friendly visual journey through music, space and time. Leave all of your worries at the door, this is an hour of hypnotic images and beautiful music curated by artists from around the world.

When: Saturday, January 4th and 18th
Time: See times here
Where: 220 St. George’s Drive NE, Calgary
Cost: $13+

Zoolights

It’s tradition! Grab your closest friends and family for a familiar evening of winter magic and bright lights. Enjoy special guests and kid-friendly activities at this year’s ZOOLIGHTS.

When: Until Saturday, January 4th
Time: 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Where: 210 St. George’s Drive NE, Calgary
Cost: $19.95

Jim Cuddy Band

Jim Cuddy probably has one of the most recognizable voices in Canadian music, as one half of the country duo Blue Rodeo. In between writing for and winning Juno Awards with the legendary Toronto based band, he’s in the studio under his own name with a few close friends. Damn, this guy is busy… Catch him January 5th at the Jack Singer Concert Hall.

When: Sunday, January 5th
Time: 7:30 pm
Where: 225 8 Ave SE, Calgary
Cost: $38+

Blue Jays

The ‘boys of summer’ will attend a private brunch, work with local students, visit a few charities, and then host an autograph signing for fans at the Big Four Centre on January 10th.

When: Friday, January 10th to Saturday January 11th
Time: See Schedule here
Where: 1410 Olympic Way SE, Calgary
Cost: Dependent on event

Inaudible Headphone Party

Speakers are so 2019. Welcome to the future where the party is broadcast through wireless headphones, and the room is silent. Tune in to DJ Teddy Celebration or DJ Sky Millz, who will be playing everything from the ’80s to now. Dance yourself into Saturday on January 10th.

When: Friday, January 10th
Time: 7:00 pm – 10:00pm
Where: 1301 16th Avenue, Calgary
Cost: FREE

Mamma Mia

Here we go again! MY MY, how can you resist it? Catch the ABBA inspired musical, Mamma Mia at Stage West all month long.

When: All January long (Until Sunday, February 9th)
Time: See times here
Where: 727 – 42 Avenue SE, Calgary
Cost: $75 +

Champange Drip & Luzcid

Since breaking into the electronic scene in 2014, Champagne Drip has worked with a ton of genre heavyweights including Billboard making duo, Disclosure, which is a pretty big deal. EDM musician, Luzcid has worked with wave makers like Bassnectar and has earned millions of streams Spotify and YouTube. You can catch both of them in the very same place, January 10th. You won’t want to miss it!

When: Friday, January 10th
Time: 9:00 pm
Where: 840 9 Avenue SW, Calgary
Cost: FREE

Drew Gregory

This guy is as country authentic as they come. When Drew Gregory isn’t herding cattle on his farm right here in Alberta, he’s herding crowds into music venues across the country. He’ll be taking the stage at The King Edward Hotel on the 11th. Home is where the heart is!

When: Saturday, January 11th
Time: 9:00 am – 11:00 am
Where: 8 – 9 Ave SE, Calgary
Cost: $15+

Dive in Movie: Abominable

Grab a tube and get ready to experience a movie night unlike anything else. Prune and bob, or hang out poolside while you watch this months showing of Dream Works, Abominable.

When: Saturday, January 11th
Time: 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Where: 2000 Southland Drive SW, Calgary
Cost: $6 +

Battle of Alberta

The Calgary Flames will take on the Edmonton Oilers in a tense showdown of grit, determination, and fan support, Saturday January 11th. GO FLAMES, GO!

When: Saturday, January 11th
Time: 8:00 pm
Where: 555 Saddledome Rise SE, Calgary
Cost: $91+

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Strumbellas with Neon Dreams

The Strumbellas have dominated alternative radio stations worldwide, with songs like “Sprits” and “We Don’t Know,” off their newest album Hope. Catch them, and pop duo Neon Dreams, best known for their 2016 hit “Marching Bands” ft. Kardinal Offishall this month at the Jubilee.

When: Tuesday, January 14th
Time: 8:00pm
Where: 1415 14 Ave NW, Calgary
Cost: $35+

2020 Calgary MS Whisky Festival

They say it’ll put hair on your chest. Get right down to the truth at the 9th annual MS Whisky Festival! Try over 300 different kinds of whisky from over 40 vendors, all while raising awareness and money for The MS Society of Canada.

When: Thursday, January 16th
Time: 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Where: 130 9 Avenue SE, Calgary
Cost: $120

Half Moon Run

This Montreal group’s percussion-heavy sound has been described as everything from indie-rock, and dreamy alt-pop to psychedelic indie. This month, sway to their angelic harmonies and vibe to their unique sound when they take the stage at MacEwan Hall.

When: Friday, January 17th
Time: 7:00pm
Where: 2500 University Dr. NW, Calgary
Cost: $39+

Lunar New Year Celebration

It’s the year of the rat! Celebrate this incredibly colourful holiday with breathtaking lantern displays, firecrackers, live entertainment and amazing food at the Chinese Cultural Center.

When: Saturday, January 18th-19th and Friday, January 24th-26th
Time: 10:00 am – 6:00pm
Where: 197 – 1st Street SW, Calgary
Cost: FREE

Static Shift

This Calgary based rock n’ roll trio released two independent albums and an EP before landing their big break on the talent search TV show, The Launch, where they were mentored by Nikki freaking Sixx, from Motley Crue. Check them out at the Gateway, January 18th.

When: Saturday, January 18th
Time: 8:00 pm – 12:00 pm
Where: 1301 16 Ave NW, Calgary
Cost: $19+

The Wedding Fair

Before you walk down the aisle meet and greet with over 250 exhibitors at this year’s Wedding Fair. One of them might just help make your dream wedding a reality!

When: Sunday, January 19th
Time: 9:30 am – 5:00 pm
Where: BMO Centre (Halls A, B & C) 20 Roundup Way SE, Calgary
Cost: $20

Cirque Flip Fabrique: Blizzard

A poetic adventure through ice and snow, Blizzard is an enthusiastic display of acrobatics, juggling, aerial hoops, and trampoline trickery set to original music. You won’t want to miss it!

When: Tuesday, January 21st
Time: 6:30 pm
Where: 225 8 Ave SE, Calgary
Cost: $39+

Alexisonfire

Break-ups, make-ups and shake-ups. This band has gone through it, but when they finally returned in 2015 fans completely lost their marbles. They’ve only released singles since their big come back, but they’ve been touring almost non-stop since. Start the year off with a shot of nostalgia straight to the eardrums, January 23rd.

When: Thursday, January 23rd
Time: 7:00 pm
Where:
Cost: $64+

Contemporary Calgary 2020 Opening

Starting January 23rd, aesthetes can expect to see a kick-off of incredible exhibits by Yoko Ono, Omar Ba and UK-based Luke Jerram, among other well-known and local artists.

When: Thursday, January 23rd
Time: Tuesday to Sunday, 11AM – 6PM, Thursdays 11AM – 9PM.
Where: 701 11th Street SW, Calgary
Cost: $10

Harlem Globetrotters

The legendary Harlem Globetrotters are bringing their ball handling wizardry to Calgary. Grab the kids, or your fellow b-ball fanatics and laugh your way through incredible rim-rattling dunks and trick shots at the Saddledome.

When: Friday, January 24th
Time: 7:00 pm
Where: 555 Saddledome Rise SE, Calgary
Cost: $24

Drake Brunch

Check out this boozy brunch celebrating Canadas national treasure, Drizzy Drake. Sing your heart out, enter the Aubrey Graham costume contest, and have a bite to eat at this one-of-a-kind event held by The Brunch Club.

When: Saturday, January 25th
Time: TBD
Where: TBD
Cost: $50

Jasper Beer Festival

Your mountain adventure starts at the bottom of a glass! This unique festival is one part beer/spirit festival, one part intriguing story-time seminars, and one part wilderness adventure. Sample tantalizing craft beers and spirits and succulent foods prepared by the Jasper Park Lodge chefs all weekend long.

When: Friday, January 31st – February 2nd
Time: 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Where: Jasper Park Lodge – 1 Old Lodge Road, Jasper
Cost: $99+

There you have it, Calgary. 2020 is about enjoying yourselves. Get out there, folks!