Each winter, Chinook Blast warms up our city with an incredible collection of events celebrating Calgary’s art, music, and sport communities. This year’s festival runs February 2-19, 2024. Here are some of the top family-friendly activities to make the most of these chilly days in Calgary.
Family-Friendly Chinook Blast Activities
Family Fun
Family-Friendly Chinook Blast Activities
Chinook Blast Opener
Kick off Chinook Blast with a family night out at Olympic Plaza! Feel the heat as One Yellow Rabbit and the Calgary Folk Music Festival’s Block Heater set the heart of Calgary alight with a scorching collaboration.
Where: Olympic Plaza
When: February 2, 2024, 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Cost: Free
Enjoy skating, firepits, and live music during Block Heater (photo credit: Neil Zeller)
2024 Nitrocross
Do not miss the exhilarating Nitrocross action that captivated over 20,000 people during its debut in Calgary last February. Fans will have access to a behind-the-scenes look at the teams, drivers, and cars in the open paddock. Enhance your experience with additional family-friendly activities like an entertainment stage, a gaming zone, and the opportunity to attend an autograph session.
Where: GMC Stadium
When: February 2-3, 2024, 5:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Cost: Tickets start at $35
Sport Festival Presented by Sport Calgary
Head down to Olympic Plaza to learn about, watch, and try a variety of winter sports! Sport Calgary is partnering with community sport organizations to display the winter sport opportunities available to Calgarians at this free and family-friendly event. In the evening there will be a skating party under the lights, including complimentary skate & helmet rentals!
Where: Olympic Plaza
When: February 3, 2024, 1:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Cost: Free
Watch cars fly through the air at Nitrocross (photo credit: Neil Zeller)
Learn a new winter sport at Sport Festival. (credit: Neil Zeller)
The Chinook Slide
Experience an exhilarating afternoon of curling, featuring a star-studded, athlete celebrity match from 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. and an interactive learn-to-curl event for the public from 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. with instruction from the pros at Curling Alberta, Calgary Wheelchair Curling Association, and the Special Olympics Canada Winter Games.
Where: Olympic Plaza
When: February 4, 2024, 12:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Cost: Free
Storytime at the Opera
What do stories sound like? You get to decide! Explore the multicultural soundscapes of Calgary in this interactive, family-friendly music and story play-along.
Where: Mamdani Opera Centre
When: February 17, 2024, 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Cost: Free
Puppets Plus! with Wendy Passmore Godfrey and Matricia Bauer
Join WP Puppet Theatre for Puppets Plus, a delightful family event where kids aged 8-12 can engage in a puppet-making workshop, while musician Matricia Bauer leads a separate loom beading workshop. At the end of the event there will be a fun performance featuring the kids' puppet show underscored by Matricia's drumming, inspired by Dr. Seuss's My Many Coloured Days!
Where: La Cité des Rocheuses
When: February 17, 2024, 9:30 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Cost: $12 - $55
Bowness Family Day Free Skate
Strap on your skates and put on your helmets for a day of free skating brought to you by The Bowness Community Association! Families can skate at the Bowness Community Association arena at no cost while enjoying hot chocolate and snacks.
Where: Bowness Community Association Arena
When: February 19, 2024, 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Cost: Free
Chinook Blast happens February 2-19, 2024, and is packed full of more family fun events! Click here for a look at all Chinook Blast events
More stories from Calgary
Calgary’s Winter Festival
https://www.visitcalgary.com/things-to-do/stories-from-calgary/your-guide-to-chinook-blast-2025
Budget-Friendly
https://www.visitcalgary.com/things-to-do/stories-from-calgary/free-events-at-chinook-blast