Things to know, do on Family Day weekend
Monday marks Family Day. The annual statutory holiday marks a day off for most, but also means many services and attractions across the city will be closed or running on limited schedules. Here’s what you need to know:
GETTING AROUND
Calgary Transit bus and CTrain routes will run on Sunday-level of service. The Calgary Transit online schedules page will have further details about when certain bus routes are running.
All on-street parking is free on Monday, while holiday rates will be in effect at certain Calgary Parking Authority parkades and surface lots.
Regular rates will still apply at the Calgary Zoo, TELUS Spark and Heritage Park.
CLOSURES
Some city facilities will be closed Monday, including:
All City of Calgary Administrative buildings, including city hall
Wildflower Arts Centre and North Mount Pleasant Arts Centre
The Nature Centre at Inglewood Bird Sanctuary
The Animal Services Centre Acadia Aquatic and Fitness Centre
Beltline Aquatic and Fitness Centre
Foothills Aquatic Centre Glenmore Aquatic Centre Renfrew Aquatic and Recreation Centre
Sir Winston Churchill Aquatic and Recreation Centre
City landfills remain open on Family Day from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Updated landfill hours and locations are available at Calgary. ca/landfill.
ACTIVITIES
The city’s outdoor skating rinks will be open, while free public skating will take place at the following indoor rinks between 1 and 2:30 p.m.
Shouldice Arena
Rose Kohn/Jimmie Condon Arena
Stu Peppard Arena StewHendry/HenryVineyArena Ernie Starr Arena Murray Copot Arena Optimist/George Blundun Arena
The city also has a list of hills it maintains during the winter for tobogganing or sledding, while cross-country skiing and snowshoeing can be done in any city park. There are also several dedicated cross-country skiing tracks available in and around Calgary.
If staying indoors sounds more appealing, both the Southland Leisure Centre and Village Square Leisure Centre are open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and regular admission applies.
Free public swims will also take place from 1 to 2:30 p.m. and 3 to 4:30 p.m. in a number of facilities, including:
Bob Bahan Aquatic and Fitness Centre
Canyon Meadows Aquatic and Fitness Centre Inglewood Aquatic Centre Killarney Aquatic and Recreation Centre
Shouldice Aquatic Centre Thornhill Aquatic and Recreation Centre
FIVE THINGS TO DO ON FAMILY DAY WEEKEND
Check out Family Fun Day at Eau Claire Market. From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., the market will feature live entertainment, a petting zoo, crafts and carnival games, as well as special guests PJMASKS. More details are available at eauclairemarket.com. More “family fun” can be had Monday at Studio Bell, which is hosting a full day of activities, including scratch DJ extraordinaire Kid Koala performing a “Music to Draw To” set.
Multiple Chinese New Year celebrations will take place this weekend. First, the annual Chinese New Year carnival will run Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Calgary Chinese Cultural Centre, featuring performances of the traditional Dragon and Lion Dance, Chinese lantern displays and martial arts demonstrations. Cultural performances and traditional tea will also be featured at the CORE Shopping Centre’s Chinese New Year celebrations from Friday to Sunday.
Winterfest at Fort Calgary returns from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Family Day. The day features stories told by a Blackfoot knowledge-keeper in a teepee, a showing of Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day at 2 p.m. (which comes with popcorn and confections), admission to the museum, the opportunity to try on a Mountie uniform and more. Admission rates are available online.
Heritage Park will host a “Family Quest” at Gasoline Alley Museum from Thursday to Monday between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Featuring “travel-themed fun and adventure, interactive displays and challenging games and activities,” the quest allows you to build your own train and take a family selfie in a re-created colonist car.
Bow Habitat Station is hosting a Family FISHtival, where families can come roast marshmallows, trek through the park on snowshoes, practice their fish identification skills, tie a fly and take part in other activities.