Date-worthy events
Enjoy an upcoming festival or event that sweeps you both off your feet and into an unforgettable outing.
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Dating downtown
Experience downtown’s best spots for sparking connections, sharing moments and creating memories together that feel effortlessly romantic.
Get out and explore
Date-worthy events
Explore the outdoors
Events & Festivals
East End Cold Spell
The Confluence Historic Site & Parkland will transform into the coolest winter playground with music, fashion, skijoring and markets during this new festival. Dates: Feb. 4-22, 2026.
Events & Festivals
Ethnik Festival of Arts & Culture
One of the local events marking Black History Month, this festival celebrates the voices and cultural traditions of Alberta’s African and Caribbean communities. Dates: Feb. 27 - Mar. 1, 2026.
Various locations
Eat & Drink
La Poutine Week
There’s no better food combination than crispy fries, melty cheese curds and warm gravy! Try a variety of poutines offered by local restaurants. Dates: Feb. 1-7, 2026.
Various locations
Events & Festivals
Spark After Dark
Ignite the romance at TELUS Spark’s Heart, Heat & Body Spark After Dark. Learn why touch, tension and chemistry makes us feel everything! Date: Feb. 13, 2026.
Eat & Drink
YYC Hot Chocolate Fest
Enjoy creative takes on the traditional hot chocolate! Dates: Feb. 1-28, 2026.
Various locations
Events & Festivals
Block Heater
This year’s event brings musical performances by artists like Cedric Burnside, Field Guide and Goldie Boutilier at venues throughout the city. Dates: Feb 5-7, 2026.
Various locations
Events & Festivals
Exposure Photography Festival
This popular festival showcases the work of local and international photographers.
Events & Festivals
Chinook Blast
One of the city’s biggest and brightest winter festivals, Chinook Blast returns for its sixth year of lighting up Calgary’s downtown core. Dates: Jan. 30 - Feb. 16.
It’s never too late to
Try something new
Shake up your routine and take up a new hobby or skill. Trying something new is a lot more fun when you’re both a little out of your comfort zone!
Try something new
New experiences, together!
Shopping
Plant Shop Workshops
Plant hosts a variety of botanical‑themed workshops including DIY terrariums, houseplant care, kokedama, wreath‑making and seasonal floral classes. These hands‑on sessions are ideal for plant lovers or anyone wanting a relaxing, creative date experience.
Shopping
The Apothecary in Inglewood
The Apothecary offers a diverse lineup of in-person and private classes including aromatherapy, soapmaking, DIY cleaning and other creative workshops.
Attractions
Your Date Night YYC
YDN.YYC curates creative date‑night and group experiences across Calgary, offering rotating workshops such as cooking nights, paint your pet, candle making, cocktail classes, yoga‑and‑beer sessions and seasonal pop‑ups. Their events are designed for couples, friends and families looking to try something unique together.
Various locations
Eat & Drink
Ollia Macarons and Tea
Attend Ollia’s Macaron 101 Baking Class to learn the history and develop techniques from expert pastry chefs.
Attractions
Story City
Embark on a real life ‘Choose your own Adventure’ as you explore the streets of downtown, following one of 8+ storylines that shape your journey.
Various locations
Arts & Culture
Color Me Mine
Color Me Mine is a vibrant paint-your-own pottery studio and café offering walk-in creative sessions, group events like paint nights and kids’ camps, plus curated-glazing and firing services for custom ceramic pieces.
Arts & Culture
Field Kit
Field Kit hosts hands‑on candle‑making workshops where participants explore a curated fragrance library and craft custom soy candles. Sessions include guided scent selection, vessel choices and instruction on the candle‑making process, making it a cozy and creative.
Eat & Drink
The Cookbook Co. Cooks
The Cookbook Co. Cooks offers an extensive lineup of in‑person cooking classes inside their bistro kitchen. Guests can join hands‑on culinary sessions, themed dinners and chef‑led workshops covering global cuisines – perfect for couples and friends who love to cook together.
Embrace the meet-cute energy with these
Daytime date ideas
Lean into those first-date jitters and turn a casual daytime meetup into a soft-launch moment.
Daytime date ideas
Afternoon adventures await
Arts & Culture
City Hall Public Art Gallery
Explore rotating exhibits showcasing works by local and international artists.
Eat & Drink
Biscettes Cookie Co.
Biscettes Cookie Co., a brand-new bakery in Calgary, serves up giant cookies. There's nothing better than a giant chocolate chip cookie after a delicious meal on 17th Ave SW!
Eat & Drink
Mama Dessert
Get your dessert fix at Mama Dessert, featuring popular Asian desserts found across central and SE Asia.
Eat & Drink
Alforno Bakery & Cafe
Step into the cozy elegance of this cafe offering warm eats and even warmer conversation.
Eat & Drink
Deane House
At the confluence of then and now. An inspired restaurant and bar in a spectacular setting on the banks of two rivers in the heart of Calgary.
Eat & Drink
Monogram Coffee
Monogram Coffee is a Calgary-based specialty roaster and cafe collective dedicated to making exceptional coffee approachable for everyone, building long-term relationships with growers and highlighting flavour discovery in every cup.
Eat & Drink
Waves Coffee House
Waves Coffee House is dedicated to creating a warm and inviting community space where people can gather, relax, and enjoy exceptional coffee.
Eat & Drink
Gravity Coffee
Gravity operates cafés, a roastery and a live music venue, blending exceptional coffee with a strong commitment to community and support for emerging artists.
Eat & Drink
I Love You Coffee Shop
Inspired by Japanese Jazz Bars, I Love You Coffee Shop play vinyl albums all day and serves everyone from early morning commuters, mid-day mums & dads & kids, to late night music lovers.
Eat & Drink
Wayne's Bagels
Grab some amazing authentic Montreal bagels in the Beltline! Baked fresh daily, these delightful bagels come in a variety of flavours, satisfying both traditional and adventurous palates.
Learn their love language at these
Evening date spots
Turn up the heat over dim lights, dinner and drinks. These evening vibes might make it a little easier for sparks to fly.
Evening date spots
Romantic nights downtown
Arts & Culture
Plaza Theatre
Have a movie night at the Plaza Theatre. This iconic theatre will transport you back in time with its lush pink interior and old-fashioned movie posters that pay homage to its 1930s origins. Take in a show and follow it up with conversation around coffees at the built-in café or cocktails in the lounge.
Night Life
One Night Stan's Bar Room
Come as you are to One Night Stan's. They like to have fun, play their music a little on the loud side, and stay up past their bedtime. The food is indulgent and the drinks are the perfect way to wet your whistle.
Eat & Drink
Francine’s
Francine’s is a petite French bar in Calgary’s Chinatown serving old‑world cocktails and French‑accented, tavern‑style plates in an intimate, late‑night Parisian atmosphere.
Attractions
Hexagon Cafe
Play board games at Hexagon Cafe. It's only $4.50 per hour per person to play while enjoying coffee, desserts, beer, wine or cocktails!
Night Life
Nanta Karaoke
Nanta Karaoke & Bar is your go-to destination for a night of nonstop fun. Sing your heart out in private rooms or take the spotlight on the main stage with dazzling disco lights and a buzzing atmosphere.
Eat & Drink
River Café
River Café offers seasonal, locally driven Canadian cuisine in a rustic, nature‑immersed dining room on Prince’s Island Park.
Parks & Recreation
Skating at Prince’s Island Park lagoon
Glide into ice-skating fun at Prince’s Island Park lagoon, Calgary’s ultimate downtown skating destination!
Eat & Drink
Teatro
Teatro blends contemporary Mediterranean cuisine with refined Italian influences inside a grand, historic downtown space.
Arts & Culture
Vertigo Theatre
Embrace the arts at Vertigo Theatre. Enjoy mystery and thriller productions at a theatre located in the Calgary Tower complex.
Eat & Drink
Ten Foot Henry
Ten Foot Henry delivers bright, vegetable‑forward dishes in a lively, modern space designed for sharing.
Worth the Hype
Seared Scallops
Getting Around
Whether you hit up one spot or all of them, every visit makes a difference. Let’s keep supporting our community and enjoying everything downtown Calgary has to offer!
Check out some resources to help make visiting downtown convenient.
Check out other experiences
From chill hangouts to adrenaline-pumping activities, there’s something for every vibe in downtown Calgary. Let your next great experience find you.