A stampede of adorable penguins is coming to Calgary and you must see it

Throughout the winter, we’re told to walk like a penguin to avoid slips on ice. But at this beloved annual event in Calgary, you can see firsthand how these Antarctic birds waddle.

The annual Penguin Walk is returning to the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo on Jan. 10, and you can see them march at 10:30 a.m. daily.

Access to the Penguin Walk is free with ticketed admission to the zoo. It’s a daily enrichment exercise, one that’s only done if the temperatures heat up to 5°C, or dip below -25°C. Additionally, strong winds can blow over the penguins, so the walk is scheduled, weather permitting.

Up to thirteen penguins can choose to participate in the daily march, and they are typically raring to go when they excitedly line up at the door. If you’re in the mood to see the penguin march with you and your loved ones, here’s everything you need to know.

What to expect

The Penguin Plunge arrived at the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo in 2012, and they’ve become a fan-favourite ever since. This year’s penguins, Diana, Grace, Solomon, Cleopatra, Philippe, Henri, Napoleon, George, Boudicca, Rupert, Arthur, Alfred and Augustus, will welcome visitors on Jan. 10 at 10:30 a.m. The Penguin Walk will go on daily until March 15, 2026.

The penguins choose whether or not they’d like to walk each day, and it’s offered as a daily enrichment exercise during the winter months. With Calgary’s cold conditions, they mimic the Antarctic freeze these birds normally experience in their native habitat.

It’s a win-win all around, as the daily walk offers visitors the chance to see these adorable birds up close and personal. If you’ve been playing “eye spy” and “name that animal” with your little ones lately, this is a fantastic time to visit the zoo.

This colony loves to walk, so there are sure to be plenty of opportunities to see them in the coming months. It’s a winter stampede you can’t miss!

When: Saturday, Jan. 10 to Sunday, March 15, 2026
Time: 10:30 a.m. daily (weather permitting)
Where: Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo — 210 St. George’s Drive NE, 1300 Zoo Rd. NE, Calgary
Tickets: $25+

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Em Medland-Marchen

Em is a Staff Writer for Curiocity Calgary. They are passionate about live music, rose gardens, iced coffee, and walks along the Bow River.

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