Looking for something to do this first weekend of February? We’ve got you covered.
Outdoors
The Flying Canoe Festival paddles its way to Mill Creek Ravine and La Cité Francophone. The event showcases Métis, French Canadian and First Nations cultures, traditions and food on until Saturday.
The Fatbike Chariot Race Winterus Maximus takes place Saturday evening at Rutherford School. Think Chuckwagon racing, gladiator chariots meets dog sledding.
You might want to carve out some time to head down to Ice on Whyte festival. It wraps up this weekend.
Edmontonians continue to flock to the towering ice castle in Hawrelak Park complete with throne room, waterfall and ice maze. You want to check online first before heading down to make sure it’s open and not sold out.
Arts and Culture
Aidan Ferguson sings the role of the Sandman in the Edmonton Opera production of Hansel and Gretel. (Madison Kerr/Edmonton Opera)
Edmonton Opera’s production of Hansel and Gretel hits the stage of the Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium with performances on Saturday, then Tuesday and next Friday.
A classic by old Billy Shakespeare is being presented at MacEwan University. $15 will get you a ticket to A Midsummers Night’s Dream playing in Allard Hall with performances on until Feb. 9.
Your last chance to catch Sweat over at the Citadel Theatre, until Sunday. A production that won the 2017 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, is set in a bar in a Pennsylvania steel town where workers face the loss of their jobs and friendships amidst labour unrest.
Music
The voice is the instrument on offer at the third annual Edmonton A Cappella Festival on the weekend featuring performances and workshops at Harry Ainlay High School.
Paul Brandt is touring Western Canada with a stop in Edmonton on Saturday and Fort McMurray on Sunday. (Warner Music Canada)
Paul Brandt brings ‘The Journey Tour’ with High Valley to Rogers Place Saturday night.
If you’re after cabaret, Patricia Zentilli once again taking to the Roxy on Gateway Saturday night featuring pianist Stephanie Urquhart and special guest Erin Kay.
The Cosmopolitan Jazz Orchestra plays at the Spruce Avenue Community Hall for Saturday’s free community swing and skate while over at City Hall on Sunday you can cut a rug to the stylings of the MacEwan University Big Band.
Sports
The temperature will certainly be chilly for this year’s running of the Hypothermic Half Marathon on Sunday from the Highlands Golf Club with 5K, 10K and 21K runs.
There’s cross-country skiing, hot chocolate and socializing at the Waskahegan Staging Area in the Cooking Lake-Blackfoot Provincial Recreation Area Sunday afternoon for the last of three Birkie Hot Chocolate events.
At the University of Alberta on Saturday there’s hockey, tennis and basketball action for both the Golden Bears and the Pandas.
For more community events you can catch Our Edmonton Saturday at 10 a.m., Sunday at noon and Monday at 11 a.m. on CBC TV.