25+ Festive Issues to Do that Season

Compiled by the Street Journey Alberta staff

Final up to date on November 19, 2022

Christmas in Calgary is a particular time. Vacation lights are twinkling, carolers are out singing, skaters are gliding on Olympic Plaza, gift-givers are strolling by way of Christmas markets, and a lot extra. There are many methods to benefit from the Christmas season in Alberta’s greatest metropolis.

Celebrating Christmas in Calgary

Discovering the Greatest Christmas Lights in Calgary

Admiring a panoramic show of vibrant lights is a surefire strategy to get within the vacation spirit, and there are many locations to see stunning vacation shows all all through Calgary. Smaller cities exterior of town limits change into winter wonderlands from November by way of to December, too. The area’s drier local weather makes for a light-weight, fluffy snow, giving the Christmas gentle shows a really magical really feel! Get within the vacation spirit by testing the one nearest you, or load the household into the automobile and make a time out of exploring someplace new.

Calgary ZOOLIGHTS

ZOOLIGHTS has been lighting up the Calgary Zoo for the previous 26 years, and this 12 months is not any exception. Together with one of the vital beautiful gentle shows within the metropolis, ZOOLIGHTS hosts loads of enjoyable occasions and performances for kids, like a go to to Santa’s Cabin and rentable snowglobes to not point out axe throwing and enchanted dinners for an older crowd. Heat up subsequent to certainly one of their many firepits. With proceeds going instantly to assist wildlife conservation efforts, it’s the most effective out of doors actions Calgary has to supply in the course of the vacation season.

ZOOLIGHTS on the Calgary Zoo runs from November 18-January 8 and tickets promote out quick, so be sure you reserve your spot.

Legacy Neighborhood

Calgary’s residential neighbourhoods come alive with shows every winter to get you within the vacation season, however certainly one of them stands out above the remainder. Situated within the southeast quarter, the group of Legacy is without doubt one of the greatest spots to see Christmas lights free of charge in Calgary. A far cry from the hustle and bustle of downtown Calgary, Legacy is a quiet group teeming with inexperienced (or white) area and over 15 km of pathways so that you can wander down with a heat drink in hand as you admire the vacation lights. The lights keep up all by way of December.

Downtown Calgary

Yearly in the course of the holidays the Calgary downtown core is lit! The Winter Mild Pageant involves downtown Calgary to rejoice the festive season with the entire metropolis. Interactive LED lights make for superb shows, plus there’s heaps of dwell leisure and enjoyable actions for the youngsters, to not point out an enormous line of meals vans. Each Stephen Avenue and Olympic Plaza are embellished to the max. Olympic Plaza additionally occurs to have the one refrigerated out of doors ice rink within the metropolis with skate leases obtainable. And if in case you have the time, make your approach over to Prince’s Island and to the Jaipur Bridge for that good vacation photograph in a beautiful setting.

Lions Pageant of Lights

The Lions Pageant of Lights is held yearly by the Lions Membership of Calgary as a approach of giving again to Calgarians. Admittedly, it’s considerably of a smaller show than different locations on this record. Nevertheless, it is freed from cost, making it an inexpensive and inclusive choice for anybody eager to get into the vacation spirit. The lights might be turned on beginning November 27 and run till the top of December.

CP Vacation Practice

Greeting Canadian Pacific Railway’s Vacation Practice because it rolls by way of Calgary is an iconic strategy to benefit from the holidays, and this 12 months might be no exception. Arriving on December seventh, the lit-up prepare will cease on the Anderson C-Practice Station (South C-train parking zone) at 5:45 pm and within the hour following, will provide performances by nation music star Tenille Townes and Oji-Cree songwriter Aysanabee. That is the Twenty fourth 12 months for the CP Vacation Practice and as all the time, donations collected onsite help meals banks throughout the nation.

The place to See Christmas Lights Round Calgary

After all, Calgary isn’t the one place to get your repair of Christmas lights. The encircling space consists of smaller cities and suburban neighbourhoods with sprawling yards which can be good for organising a show in the course of the vacation season.

Spruce Meadows Christmas Mild Drive By means of

Drive south out of Calgary to achieve the city of Spruce Meadows and take within the sights from the consolation and heat of your automobile. This occasion is drive-through-only, and guests are requested to stay within the automobile for his or her and everybody else’s security. Basic admission to the Spruce Meadows Christmas Mild Drive-By means of is freed from cost and it’s open each weekend in December.

Cochrane Mild Up

Cochrane Mild Up is a large vacation occasion that takes place simply west of Calgary locally of Cochrane. With the capability to accommodate over 10,000 individuals, Mild Up hosts occasions to go well with the entire household sponsored by native companies together with a hearth pot, gingerbread home show, and a neighborhood choir.

Mild Up Okotoks

Mild up Okotoks is a one-day-only occasion that kicks off the vacation season in Okotoks, situated south of Calgary. The lighting of the group Christmas tree takes place on November 18 this 12 months, however come down early to get a head begin in your vacation buying on the artisan market, take the kids for a wagon experience or heat your self by the hearth pit.

Airdrie Pageant of Lights

Airdrie is a family-oriented group north of Calgary that has the excellence of internet hosting Canada’s largest free Christmas gentle show. Operating all by way of December, occasions embrace the Santa Clause Parade, a efficiency by the Airdrie Sky Twirlers, choir singers, and different particular occasions hosted by members of the group.

Visiting the Calgary Christmas Markets

Calgary’s (generally) heat but snowy climate makes wandering round a Christmas market on the weekend really feel much more particular. Whether or not you’re in search of particular present concepts for your loved ones, dwell leisure, or desire a style of Christmas dinner, the Christmas markets in and round Calgary have gotten you coated.

Heritage Park As soon as Upon a Christmas

As soon as Upon A Christmas takes place all through the historic village in Heritage Park, inviting guests to step again in time and expertise Christmas the best way it as soon as was. It runs all day, from 10 am to 4 pm, each Saturday and Sunday beginning November 27 and goes till the weekend earlier than Christmas on December 18. Assist out native artisans and get your vacation buying finished on the similar time, plus there are many out of doors actions for everybody to take pleasure in like snow portray and wagon. Inside, children can place a letter sure for the North Pole of their vintage mailbox or take pleasure in a scrumptious Christmas breakfast at Gunn’s dairy barn or the Wainwright Resort.

Inglewood Evening Market

You’ll know Christmas in Calgary has formally kicked off when the Inglewood Evening Market heads indoors. This standard Calgary staple provides a vacation twist in the course of the month of November, internet hosting an indoor occasion that features scrumptious meals from native hotspots, dwell music and leisure, and distributors promoting all the pieces from home made items to electronics to antiques. The Inglewood Evening Market is open each Friday and Saturday in December from 5pm – 10 pm. Tickets are simply $5 and proceeds go to charities that function out of town.

Authentically Indigenous

Established in 2015, the Authentically Indigenous Market is the place individuals of all walks of life can come to find out about and rejoice Indigenous tradition and help native Indigenous creatives. Beadwork, jewellery, books, blankets, and work are simply a number of the treasures which can be ready to be discovered. The market is situated at Kerby Centre in SW Calgary and is open from 10 am til 5 pm on December 10 and 11. There’s a small payment of $5 for entry, however children underneath the age of 12 are free and weekend passes can be found for simply $8.

Spruce Meadows Worldwide Christmas Market

Certainly one of Spruce Meadows’ most particular occasions, the Worldwide Christmas Market provides guests an opportunity to pattern staple Christmas meals from all world wide. The World Meals Market & Concession hosts native distributors promoting worldwide delights from Canada to the Caribbean to Burma and past. Fill your stomach, then head to the Driving Corridor to satisfy Santa’s reindeer. Be aware that the reindeer might be on the market each Sunday.

The place to Discover Santa in Calgary

It’s simple to search out Santa in Calgary in the course of the Christmas season! He’ll be making appearances at each shopping center all through December and at numerous Christmas markets all through city. When you’re in search of a particular spot for that annual household photograph with Santa we suggest the next.

Homestead Market

Go to Homestead Markets in Airdrie for The 2022 Final Santa Expertise. Throughout choose weekends within the months of November and December, the farm turns into Santa’s Workshop and your children will get an opportunity to satisfy Santa and inform him precisely what they need this Christmas. Time slots are reserved prematurely, and specifically priced photograph packages be sure that it received’t be a second they quickly overlook. Go to the craft desk afterward and convey house a specially-made Christmas treasure.

Granary Street Christmas Market

Granary Street‘s A Christmas to Bear in mind’ pageant is the proper place for photograph ops with Santa. The expansive market might be stuffed with distributors so yow will discover that good present, and there might be a variety of enjoyable out of doors actions like wagon rides, alpaca photograph ops, and s’extra making. A particular breakfast with Santa might be held every weekend main as much as Christmas day on the market. Pre-registration is required for this and different actions, however entrance to the market itself is totally free. A day of enjoyable is all however assured, so be sure you reserve your spot.

Christmas Carols, Performs, and Live shows in Calgary

The Immersive Nutcracker – A Winter Miracle

From the producers of the favored ‘Immersive Van Gogh’ comes ‘The Immersive Nutcracker‘. One of the beloved vacation tales is coming December 1 to the BMO Centre with over 500,000 cubic toes of marvel. Friends might be handled to the music of Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s and his iconic picks reminiscent of “The March of the Toys” and “The Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy”. There might be a lot of particular results, a giant-sized Nutcracker, and loads of probabilities for images. Ebook tickets for this magical expertise at present!

The Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra

Take within the soothing sound of Christmas carols sung by the Calgary Philharmonic and Calgary Women Choir. First, watch the Christmas traditional ‘Residence Alone in Live performance‘ set to dwell music carried out by the Calgary Phil on Friday, December ninth, or Saturday, December tenth. Ticket costs vary from $24-$89. Or take within the ‘Conventional Christmas‘ present in the course of the week as an alternative on the Grace Presbyterian Church and luxuriate in traditional Christmas carols carried out by the Calgary Phil and Calgary Women Choir. This is without doubt one of the hottest occasions within the metropolis, so be sure you get your tickets early.

Max Bell Theatre

When you’re in search of extra options than simply Christmas-themed reveals in Calgary, then it is best to take a look at this season’s lineup on the Max Bell Theatre. Theatre Calgary has a formidable choice this winter, together with a efficiency of Little Girls that runs all by way of December beginning on the seventh.

Alberta Ballet – The Nutcracker

Yearly, the Alberta Ballet places on a magical and enjoyable efficiency of E.T.A Hoffman’s Christmas traditional, The Nutcracker. This 12 months, followers are promised some new and thrilling parts throughout Act 2’s Kingdom of the Sweets. In Calgary, the Nutcracker might be carried out on the Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium in the course of the third week in December, from the Sixteenth-Twenty fourth.

Christmas Procuring in Calgary

There are many spots all through Calgary to search out that good Christmas present. When you don’t discover what you’re in search of on the Christmas Markets, take a look at these standard malls and retailers.

CF Market Mall

CF Market Mall, situated within the northwest suburban neigbourhood of Varsity, is certainly one of Calgary’s largest malls. The mall is open from 10 am- 9 pm all through the week, and with so many retailers to select from, they’ve all the pieces you should get a head begin in your vacation buying. Test the web site for a full record of retail areas obtainable and to search out out their prolonged vacation hours, together with Christmas Eve hours for these last-minute consumers.

Deerfoot Metropolis Mall

Deerfoot Metropolis Mall is a large out of doors buying centre in Calgary’s northeastern quadrant. With over 1 million sq. toes of retail area, the place is full of retail retailers, eating places, specialty grocery shops, and extra. You’re positive to search out one thing for everybody in your record in Deerfoot Metropolis.

CF Chinook Centre

Chinook Centre is Calgary’s greatest and arguably hottest mall. Conveniently situated in SW Calgary, simply 5 km from town centre and steps away from the C-Practice, the buying centre boasts lots of of retail areas to select from. They actually have all of it right here, from high-end shops to seasonal pop-up shops and all the pieces in between. It’s additionally a neighborhood favorite for Boxing Day gross sales, however you’ll must be there effectively earlier than opening hours to order your spot in line.

CrossIron Mills Mall

Lastly, CrossIron Mills mall is a bit out of the best way, situated north of town between Calgary and Airdrie. Nevertheless, the abundance of outlets, together with model names and outlet shops, make the trek effectively price it. Go to their web site to search out out extra about unique gross sales and promotions.

Different Christmas Occasions and Enjoyable Winter Actions in Calgary

Telus Spark Science Centre

The Telus Spark Science Centre is internet hosting two occasions this winter to maintain your spirits merry and shiny. ‘Twinkle Twinkle Little Spark’ will give guests of all ages an opportunity to witness a glowing night time sky from the heat and luxury of the Infinity Dome Theatre. ‘Sparkle Sparkle‘, open from December 1st-January 2nd, is the place science meets Christmas. A totally immersive expertise, Sparkle Sparkle goals to high up your dopamine reserves as we head into the darkish days of winter.

Skating

Skating is virtually synonymous with winter, and there’s no scarcity of out of doors rinks in Calgary, so why not lace up your skates for a day of enjoyable on the ice? Regardless of the place you reside, there’s positive to be an outside skating rink close by. Make sure you take a look at Olympic Plaza, Prince’s Island, Panorama on the North finish, or Shawnessy in SW Calgary.

Sledding

Arms down, sledding is without doubt one of the greatest out of doors actions winter has to supply, and Calgarians know precisely the place to as soon as the snow begins to fall: Confederation Park. Situated in Calgary’s northwest quadrant, Confederation Park has a couple of hill to select from with various steepness, so each toddlers and teenagers can take pleasure in this park. Removed from busy streets, the park can also be stuffed with scenic strolling trails and even a few out of doors skating rinks, utterly freed from cost.