January in Alberta may bring extreme sub-zero temperatures, but the bluebird skies and endless events—both indoor and outdoor—make up for the shivering.
Jammin’ in January
Grab your tickets and put your dancing pants on for Winterruption YEG, Edmonton’s winter concert and festival. Running for four days from January 22-26, musicians, bands, and performers will take the stage at venues across downtown Edmonton and put on shows you won’t forget. Be sure to check out the full lineup and festival schedule online.
For those in Calgary, Chinook Blast rounds out the month with its kickoff January 31. This two-week celebration of music and art is all about embracing the cold season. In collaboration with other festivals, including Block Heater in February, the Blast is amplifying Alberta culture through theatre, music, sports, interactive installations, culinary experiences, and more. For all the details, visit the event website.
Shaken, not stirred
Pour out those martinis and don your classiest attire—Bond is in the house. The Calgary Philharmonic returns to the Jack Singer Concert Hall January 17-18 with Bond + Beyond, a thrilling escapade that will take you through more than six decades of iconic James Bond music. Soak up the sounds of cinematic classic scores like Goldfinger, Diamonds are Forever and Skyfall. Tickets are available online—AMA members save 15% on tickets purchased online.
Ice, Ice, Baby
Head to the mountains as Banff becomes even more of a winter wonderland during the Ice Magic Festival at the end of January. Watch world-class ice carvers as they transform blocks of ice into visual masterpieces—a glittering gallery of immersive art. The festival is open to guests of participating hotels, and tickets are available online. To book your mountain adventure, set up an appointment with an AMA travel counsellor today.
Strap on your crampons
For those who prefer their ice in its natural form in the mountains, strap on your crampons and grab an axe—it’s time to do some ice climbing. While there are plenty of spots for experienced ice climbers to scale frozen landscapes, there are also lots of options for novice ice climbers to learn the ropes—literally. Check out one of many great spots for beginner climbers between Banff and Lake Louise, like Grotto or Johnson Canyon. Or, head to Jasper and explore Panther Falls. Don’t forget to pick up your Parks Canada pass before heading out—all AMA members save up to $10 on annual passes.
In our Byzantine Era
The Deep Freeze Festival is a one-of-a-kind cultural extravaganza in the heart of Edmonton. For two days on January 18-19, celebrate the diverse communities and cultures of Alberta Avenue: Ukrainian, French Canadian, African Franco, Indigenous, Latin American and Asian. Discover performances, art and culinary delights, and enjoy street hockey, axe-throwing and ice sculptures. And be sure to stop by Pipon Village for snowshoeing, bannock by the fire and cultural storytelling before the weekend is over. No tickets required, but charitable donations are welcomed through Arts on the Ave.