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What to do in February

Dance Theatre of Harlem Artists Derek Brockington and Delaney Washington. Photo: Nir Arieli

 

Chinese Lunar New Year Festival 2025

Say hello to the Year of the Snake at the Chinese Lunar New Year Festival February 1 and 2! One of the world’s most widely celebrated New Year festivities comes to the Calgary Chinese Cultural Centre, with a dazzling array of food, art markets and diverse performances that includes traditional Chinese lion and dragon dances. Admission is free all weekend, so don’t miss the chance to embrace the festivities. For more information visit culturalcentre.ca.

 

YYC Hot Chocolate Festival

Warm your heart with hot cocoa at the YYC Hot Chocolate Festival. Calgary Meals on Wheels has brought the YYC Hot Chocolate Festival to the city since 2011 to address food insecurity and stimulate business in the community. For the whole month of February, restaurants and cafés across the city compete in a heated competition to craft the most creative and delicious hot chocolate concoctions. Sip, savour, and vote online for your favourites to win; for every cup sold, a portion of the funds go to a warm meal for those in need. Find a list of participants and voting info at yychotchocolate.com.

 

The Wedding Fair

Say “I Do” to Alberta’s biggest bridal exhibition on February 2. For over 30 years, The Wedding Fair has brought together top-tier wedding professionals with ideas ready to inspire couples with every taste and budget in mind. At the BMO Centre, explore your vision at a fashion show or through stunning displays with experts excited to craft your perfect day. The event runs from 10 a.m. and goes until 5 p.m., so secure your tickets for the whole bridal party and let the planning begin! Visit theweddingfair.ca for tickets and more information.

 

2025 Exposure Photography Festival
Since 2004, this festival has showcased the talent of local and international photographers, offering artists a platform to explore the art and craft of photography. From exhibiting cutting-edge contemporary practices to creating opportunities for emerging artists, the festival welcomes photographers and audiences nationwide to celebrate community and images. See the world through their lens on February 6 at Contemporary Calgary. Visit exposurephotofestival.com for a snapshot of the details.

 

Annual Black History Month Dinner

Honour Black History Month at the Annual Black History Month Dinner. Hosted at Gasoline Alley Museum by the Calgary Black Chambers on February 7, this event highlights Black art, food, dance, and music. Enjoy all this fun while raising funds to uplift Black students through scholarships and financial support at a live auction. And don’t miss the keynote presentation by historian Cheryl Foggo. Reserve your seat at calgaryblackchambers.ca.

 

Black Ballerina

Experience the powerful performance of Black Ballerina, presented by Springboard Performance. Dancer Syreeta Hector’s 45-minute show explores her identity, race, and belonging through the art of ballet. The show is touring nationally, with an earlier performance winning the Stratford Festival Lab Award for Research and Creation. The performance runs from February 8 to 9 at the Brookfield Residential YMCA Seton and the Shane Homes YMCA Rocky Ridge locations. Tickets are $20 at ymcacalgary.org/black-ballerina.

 

Re-presenting the Lives and Language of Black Cowboys with Bertrand Bickersteth

Despite often being overlooked in historical records, Black pioneers have been shaping prairie history since the late 18th century. On February 9, uncover the untold legacy of Black cowboys in Alberta with poet and historian Bertrand Bickersteth at the Calgary Central Public Library as he uncovers these stories with his groundbreaking findings. In partnership with the Chinook Country Historical Society, re-learn history as the poet shares research and re-presents the history of Black cowboys. Grab your free tickets at eventbrite.ca/black-cowboy-history.

 

Calgary Tattoo & Arts Festival Winter Edition

This highly anticipated exhibition highlights local and national tattoo art as more than 700 artists join the three-day event. Watch live adult entertainment, explore art retailers, and maybe even get yourself some new ink at the Big Four Roadhouse. Entrance tickets cost between $25 to $30 depending on the specific day (or $80 for a weekend pass), and artists accept walk-ins and appointment-made tattoo sessions during the event. From February 7 to 9, this event celebrates every shade and style of body art. Details and passes at albertatattooshows.com.

 

Dance Theatre of Harlem

“Ballet belongs to everyone,” says Dance Theatre of Harlem. Experience the vision of choreographers Robert Garland, Robert Bondara, and George Balanchine as the multi-ethnic ballet ensemble infuses classical precision with contemporary flair. The ballet program blends the elegance of the Nyman String Quartet No. 2 with Radiohead’s alternative rock, Aretha Franklin’s electrifying soul, and more. Don’t miss this celebration of inclusivity and artistry at the Jubilee Auditorium from February 13 to 15. Visit albertaballet.com for tickets.

 

Valentine Comedy Extravaganza

The FunnyFest Comedy Society presents a show filled with rip-roarin’ laughs on February 14. Featuring co-headliner Stu Hughes and two other FunnyFest comedians, the sets promise wit, sharp punchlines, and goofs. Purchase a Romantic Night ticket package for $39 to set the mood, including a rose, chocolates, and a $100 FunnyFest gift certificate for future comedy events. The show starts at 8 p.m. at The Canadian Brewhouse, so grab a drink and a chuckle with your sweetheart. Tickets are available at funnyfest.com.

 

Ethnik Festival of Arts and Culture

The Ethnik Festival of Arts and Culture returns on February 21 and 22 to celebrate the rich diversity of Calgary’s Black community. The two-day festival brings people from all over the Black and Afro-Canadian community together to celebrate heritage at multiple venues across Calgary. From food to art and music, the festival features numerous expressions of Black culture for all to celebrate and enjoy. Visit ethnikfestivals.com for more information.

 

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