With so many fun activities to experience, February in Alberta should be anything but hibernation season. From winter festivals to wine tastings and timeless ballet, there’s no shortage of ways to get out, celebrate the season, and make the month unforgettable.
Celebrate Winter and Skating
As winter continues in our wonderful province, the urge to hunker down must be resisted. And so, it’s lucky that there are winter festivals around the province happening this February that aim to get you out, enjoying local arts culture and skating across the ice!
Calgary’s Chinook Blast Winter Festival celebrates the arts as well as winter recreation in the city’s downtown core. From Jan. 30 to Feb. 16, Chinook Blast will take over Eau Claire Plaza, showcasing live music, markets, light displays, roving performers and of course, ice skating on a lagoon on the Bow River.
Meanwhile, Edmonton’s Silver Skate Festival—that city’s longest-running winter festival—is set to celebrate winter sport, art, music, and outdoor activities. From Feb. 6–16, Sir Wilfrid Laurier Park will host the festival, which features a number of events daily, including snow sculpture building, fire sculpture building and burning (a must-see!), skate races, a winter triathlon, ball hockey and broomball for kids, folk storytelling, and just so many activities that it’s almost impossible to list them all. Check out all the winter fun on the Silver Skate website!
Celebrate Alberta Composers
The music of our province will be explored during the Love Letters to Alberta show on Feb. 20 with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra. Music by three generations of contemporary creators will be performed, with the goal of showcasing groundbreaking compositions by living composers. Some highlights of the show will include two world premieres, including from Edmonton Cree composer Cris Derksen. AMA members can now save 10% on tickets at the Winspear Centre—purchase your tickets via phone or in person at the box office.
Classic Nordic Fun
For the cross-country skiers, check out the Canadian Birkebeiner Ski Festival—set to take place Feb. 13–15 around the Cooking Lake-Blackfoot Provincial Recreation Area, east of Edmonton. Considered one of Western Canada’s premier cross-country ski celebrations, the Birkie offers a variety of different tours to participate in, from 55-kilometre challenges to a 7-kilometre Fun Ski. Spectators and families can also enjoy the Nordic Fair, food and drink, and a Viking Feast dinner.
Love and Wine
Valentine’s Day takes place Feb. 14, a time to celebrate those you love, and for many, that often includes a shared appreciation for a great glass of wine. And luckily, there are food and drink festivals taking place across the province for couples, friends and families to enjoy together.
In Calgary, Willow Park Wines & Spirits will play host to a special Valentine’s Vino Festival on Feb. 13, which includes curated wine tastings as well as food stations. Meanwhile, Winefest Edmonton is set to take place Feb. 20 & 21 at the Edmonton Convention Centre, showcasing hundreds of wines and a range of appetizers—all included in your ticket price. And if you’re hoping to sip in the mountains, you’re in luck, because Winefest Canmore is kicking off Feb 13 & 14 at the Malcolm Hotel.
Romance Meets the Stage
And what better way to celebrate the month of love with one of the most iconic love stories of all time: Romeo & Juliet, brought to life by Alberta Ballet. The production, set to take place in Calgary Feb. 12–14 and Edmonton Feb. 20–21, features the passionate story of two young lovers, as well as choreography by Franceso Ventriglia, the iconic score by Sergei Prokofiev, and costume design by Academy Award-winner James Acheson. AMA members save 15% off the regular price for Alberta Ballet tickets purchased online.