Calgary weather has a sense of humour. One minute it’s patio season, the next there’s snow in the forecast and a wall of rain moving in off the mountains. When the day turns, you need an indoor plan that’s better than another movie or a lap of the mall, something you’ll actually remember. Here’s our favourite: spend a few hours making something with your hands.
Key takeaways
- Hands-on craft sessions are one of the best indoor things to do in Calgary on a cold or rainy day, warm, social, and screen-free.
- At Artis House you can tuft a rug, pour a candle, design shoes, or paint a resin piece, all guided, all beginner-friendly.
- It’s a fully licensed studio, so there’s a bar: craft cocktails, wine, or zero-proof while you make.
- Great for a date, a group, solo me-time, or a family afternoon, and you leave with something you made.
Make something instead of watching something
There’s a particular kind of good afternoon that comes from working with your hands with nowhere else to be. It’s absorbing in the way a screen never is, it’s social without being loud, and at the end you have a real thing to show for it. That’s the whole idea behind our experiences, guided, all-materials-included sessions where no experience is needed and you go home the same day with what you made.
Four ways to spend a rainy afternoon
Pick whichever suits your mood:
- Rug tufting, thread the gun and punch your own soft rug or mat, loop by loop.
- Candle making, blend a signature scent and pour a candle to take home the same day.
- Shoe design at Lace Lab, hand-paint a blank pair of shoes into something nobody else owns.
- Resin painting, paint a cast piece, from a vase to a figurine, however you like.
Turn it into a craft-and-cocktails afternoon
Because we’re a licensed studio, the bar is open while you create. Think of it as paint-and-sip, elevated, a proper craft cocktail, a glass of wine, or a zero-proof pour, sipped slowly while you make something you’ll actually keep. (Alcohol is 18+ and photo ID is required.)
Good for whoever you’re with
Bad weather is a great excuse to gather. A hands-on session works for a date night, a girls’ or guys’ night, a quiet bit of solo me-time, or a family afternoon. Bring up to ten people per session, or book the whole studio for a bigger group.
Plan your visit
We’re at 2713 14 St SW in Marda Loop. There’s street parking out front on 14 St plus a lot at the rear of the building, and sessions run about two to four hours depending on the craft. New to us? Here’s exactly what to expect on your first visit.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best indoor things to do in Calgary?
Making something by hand is high on the list, at Artis House you can tuft a rug, pour a candle, design shoes, or paint a resin piece indoors, with a drink from the bar, and take your finished piece home. It’s a great option for cold, rainy, or any-weather days.
What is there to do in Calgary when it’s raining?
A guided craft session is ideal for wet weather, you’re warm, indoors, and busy for a few hours. Book an experience at Artis House in Marda Loop any time of year.
Do I need any experience?
None at all. Every experience is fully guided and all materials are included, so beginners are welcome and comfortable.
Can I have a drink while I craft?
Yes, we’re a fully licensed studio. Order craft cocktails, wine, or zero-proof drinks from the bar during your session. Alcohol is 18+ with valid photo ID.
Next time the forecast turns, skip the scroll through streaming menus. Book an experience and make the day worth remembering.