Merry Christmas Friends!
Have your best Christmas in Calgary 🌃
Calgary is a magical place to spend Christmas! 💫 Thanks to Canadian winters, we usually have snowy white surroundings but it isn't too bitter cold (just yet anyway!) so it's just perfect to get you into an anticipatory Christmas sprit ❄️
We have some unique festive activities you can only experience in Calgary like the Hitmen Teddy Bear Toss and the Calgary Zoo Lights. Plus you'll find Theatre Calgary does an outstanding job of their "A Christmas Carol" production. And of course I can't recommend enough Alberta Ballet's The Nutcracker at the Jubilee. 🩰 This is a quintessential Christmas activity.
If you're looking for somewhere to throw back a few rum 'n nogs the Christmas Pop-up bar scene has exploded in recent years (pun intended 😏) We now have at least 6 over-the-top cheesy nostalgic Christmas pop-ups for you to sip sugary festive drinks. at. 🍸 And you simply must not skip Santa Con, a free, locally-organized, santa suit pub crawl. Last year was my first and I plan on joining again this year. 🎅🤶
Calgary of course has a number of bright seasonal light displays - indoor, outdoor, walk or drive through, free or paid experiences, are all available. (See the list below.) Zoo Lights is the most popular but don't dismiss the others! 🎇
Of course, it wouldn't be Christmas without some wintertime gift shopping at one of Calgary's many Christmas markets. 🎁 There seems to be more than the normal number of Christmas markets to choose from this year. I'd recommend Millarville Christmas Market for a truly classic outdoor market experience with santa, reindeer and hot cocoa. For a more unusual shopping experience check out the Geeky Gift Market or the Under $100 Art Show & Market.
All this and more listed in my guide below! Merry Christmas friends!
🎄Sarah
8 Classic Christmas Activities in Calgary
1) The Calgary Hitmen's Teddy Bear Toss
1) The Calgary Hitmen's Teddy Bear Toss
1) The Calgary Hitmen's Teddy Bear Toss
When the Hitmen hockey team scores their first goal everyone throws a teddy bear on the ice! 🐻Around 20,000 bears are collected and donated!
2) Alberta Ballet's The Nutcracker
1) The Calgary Hitmen's Teddy Bear Toss
1) The Calgary Hitmen's Teddy Bear Toss
This stunning classic ballet at the Jubilee Auditorium features live music from Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra. 🩰
3) Theatre Calgary's A Christmas Carol
1) The Calgary Hitmen's Teddy Bear Toss
3) Theatre Calgary's A Christmas Carol
Each year Theatre Calgary produces a new take on the Charles Dickens holiday classic at Max Bell Theatre. 👻
4) Santa Shuffle Annual Run
6) Cirque Musica Holiday Wonderland
3) Theatre Calgary's A Christmas Carol
Throw on your Santa costume and join this festive annual jog supporting the Salvation Army. 🎅
5) Polar Express Train
6) Cirque Musica Holiday Wonderland
6) Cirque Musica Holiday Wonderland
The Polar Express in real life! 🚂Check out this crowd pleasing fave at Aspen Crossing.
6) Cirque Musica Holiday Wonderland
6) Cirque Musica Holiday Wonderland
6) Cirque Musica Holiday Wonderland
This epic cirque show dazzles with gravity defying acts set to Christmas tunes and decor.
7) Santa Con Pub Crawl
8) Zoo Lights Snow Globes
8) Zoo Lights Snow Globes
Get out your Santa Suit for Calgary's largest Santa Con pub crawl. 🎅 This is locally organized and free to attend! Find info about the crawl on the local facebook group
8) Zoo Lights Snow Globes
8) Zoo Lights Snow Globes
8) Zoo Lights Snow Globes
It's not cheap! But it is festive. You can rent out a snow globe at Zoo Lights and choose from a list of 3 festive food packages. Price includes your admission to Zoo Lights.
10 Extravagant Christmas Light Displays in Calgary
1) Once Upon a Christmas at Heritage Park
1) Once Upon a Christmas at Heritage Park
1) Once Upon a Christmas at Heritage Park
Travel back in time for all the traditional Christmas feels as you stroll through Heritage Park. 🐎
2) Glow Festival of Lights
1) Once Upon a Christmas at Heritage Park
1) Once Upon a Christmas at Heritage Park
Walk through this big indoor light festival at the Nutrien Western event centre designed for photo ops. 📸
* Not on for 2024
3) Calgary Zoo Lights
1) Once Upon a Christmas at Heritage Park
4) Silver & Bold at Telus Spark
Calgary's most popular light display. Walk and be dazzled by multiple themed displays (note the zoo animals are not part of Zoo Lights). 🎄
4) Silver & Bold at Telus Spark
1) Once Upon a Christmas at Heritage Park
4) Silver & Bold at Telus Spark
Now's your chance to explore Calgary's science centre while everything has a festive Christmasy theme! 🔬
5) Spruce Meadows Christmas Light Drive Thru
5) Spruce Meadows Christmas Light Drive Thru
5) Spruce Meadows Christmas Light Drive Thru
Drive through the famous Spruce Meadows festive lights laneway. 🚗 Stay warm in your car plus its free to visit!
6) Lions Festival of Lights
5) Spruce Meadows Christmas Light Drive Thru
5) Spruce Meadows Christmas Light Drive Thru
Walk through, or drive by, Confederation Park's light displays put on by local volunteers. 🎄 Free to visit!
7) Legacy Lights
5) Spruce Meadows Christmas Light Drive Thru
8) CPKC Holiday Train
Over 1 million lights make up the community of Legacy's light displays, including their light tunnel! ✨ Free to visit!
8) CPKC Holiday Train
5) Spruce Meadows Christmas Light Drive Thru
8) CPKC Holiday Train
See the CPKC Holiday Railway Train as it rolls through Calgary! 🚂 Free!
9) Airdrie Festival of lights
9) Airdrie Festival of lights
9) Airdrie Festival of lights
Lots of lights, Santa (on certain dates), plus fire pits (pack marshmallows and sticks!). It's free to go, but cash donations are encouraged.
10) Coca-cola Holiday Caravan
9) Airdrie Festival of lights
9) Airdrie Festival of lights
Visit the Coke Truck up close! Depending on the event, you'll also see Santa and a get a free coke zero! 🚂
Calgary's 9 Biggest Christmas Markets
1) SIGNATURES FESTIVAL OF CRAFTS 🎁 at BMO Centre Oct 31-Nov 2, 2024
2) INGLEWOOD HOLIDAY NIGHT MARKET 🌙 November 15&16 - 22&23 - 29&30, 2024
3) ART MARKET & CRAFT SALE 🎄 at Telus Convention Centre Nov 14-17, 2024
4) SPRUCE MEADOWS INTERNATIONAL CHRISTMAS MARKET 🎅November 15–17 | November 22–24 | November 29–December 1
5) GRANARY ROAD CHRISTMAS MARKET 🐐 Nov 30-Dec 1, Dec 7-8, Dec 14-15
6) THE HOLLY JOLLY MALL MARKET 🎄 at New Horizons Mall Sat Dec 7
7) WEIHNACHTSMARKT GERMAN CHRISTMAS MARKET 🥨 at Century Downs Nov 30, 2024
8) CALGARY HOLIDAY GEEKY GIFT MARKET at BMO Centre Nov 23-24, 2024
9) THE GRAND SOUTH CHRISTMAS MARKET at 5 south Calgary communities Nov 16, 2024
BONUS MARKETS (outside the city):
- MILLARVILLE CHRISTMAS MARKET 🦌 Nov 7-10 & 14-17, 2024
- BANFF CHRISTMAS MARKET Nov 14-Dec 8, 2024
- SASKATOON FARM CHRISTMAS MARKET Nov 29-Dec 1 & Dec 6-8
- AZURIDGE CHRISTMAS MARKET Nov 30-Dec 1
- BEARSPA CHRISTMAS MARKET Nov 29-Dec 1 & Dec 6-8
8 Immersive Christmas Pop-Up Bars
1) Miracle on 1st Street
1) Miracle on 1st Street
1) Miracle on 1st Street
🎄 Theme: Nostalgic Christmas
📍 Location: Proof Cocktail Bar
🎅🏼 Christmas Factor: 5/5
2) Sippin' Santa
1) Miracle on 1st Street
1) Miracle on 1st Street
🍍 Theme: Tropical Christmas
📍 Location: Ricardo's Cocktail Bar
🎅🏼 Christmas Factor: 5/5
3) Red Nose
1) Miracle on 1st Street
4) Nightmare on 1st Street
🪞 Theme: Rudolph
📍 Location: 17th Ave
🎅🏼 Christmas Factor: 2/5
4) Nightmare on 1st Street
4) Nightmare on 1st Street
4) Nightmare on 1st Street
🌒 Theme: Nightmare Before Christmas
📍 Location: Shelter Cocktail Bar
🎅🏼 Christmas Factor: 2/5
5) Home Alone
4) Nightmare on 1st Street
6) Harry Potter Christmas
😱 Theme: Home Alone
📍 Location: Eighty Eighty Brewing
🎅🏼 Christmas Factor: 3/5
6) Harry Potter Christmas
4) Nightmare on 1st Street
6) Harry Potter Christmas
🧙♂️ Theme: Harry Potter Christmas
📍 Location: The Potion Room
🎅🏼 Christmas Factor: 3/5
7) Christmas in Space
7) Christmas in Space
7) Christmas in Space
🧙♂️ Theme: Galaxy Christmas
📍 Location: The Potion Room
🎅🏼 Christmas Factor: 5/5
8) Christmas Vacation
7) Christmas in Space
7) Christmas in Space
🧙♂️ Theme: Christmas Vacation
📍 Location: Dandy Brewing
🎅🏼 Christmas Factor: 3/5
Christmas Concerts & Magical Musicals
🎺Southern Alberta Jubilee
🥁Arts Commons
- A CHORAL CHRISTMAS @ Jack Singer Concert Hall Dec 6
- IN THE CHRISTMAS MOOD @ Jack Singer Dec 7
- CHRISTMAS AND NEUJAHRSKONZERT @ Jack Singer Dec 8
- A ROCKY MOUNTAIN HIGH CHRISTMAS @ Jack Singer Dec 10
- A DRAG QUEEN CHRISTMAS @ Jack Singer Dec 16
- A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS @ Engineered Air Theatre Dec 18
- JANN ARDEN CHRISTMAS TOUR @ Jack Singer Dec 19-20
🎻other venues
- CIRQUE MUSICA HOLIDAY WONDERLAND @ Winsport Nov 29
- CHRISTMAS WITH JOHNNY REID @ Grey Eagle Dec 8
- TRADITIONAL CHRISTMAS 2024 @ Grace Presbyterian Church Dec 10-12
- A CHRISTMAS CAROL @ Fairmont Banff Dec 5-29
- THE NUTCRACKER BY CIRQUE EN L'AIR @ The Grand Dec 15
- A COUNTRY CHRISTMAS @ The Grand Dec 20
Unique Festive Local Faves ❤️💚❤️
~ It's Local Tradition! ~
Each year Calgarians look forward to a few festive local announcements that are near and dear to our hearts. ❤️ If you're an out of towner, these may not be the most exciting, but I'm including them here should you want experience a little part of Calgary's festive story.
🥛Ship Nog 🥛
The quintessential Calgary pub, Ship & Anchor on 17th Ave, holds a delicious festive fundraiser each year. Money from each of their Ship Nog beverages (their take on a rum & eggnog) goes towards charity. The nog is extremely popular and is known to sell out on some days. Locals look foward to the mid-November each year when they can finally grab a glass of this famous creamy rich nog Cheers!
🥧Edelweiss Village 🥧
This European store/market/restaurant really gets into the Christmas spirt with festive décor and food & beverage options. All with classic European Christmas feel. Find out more here.
🍨Festive Ice Cream Flavours 🍨
Two of Calgary's most famous ice cream shops (Made by Marcus and Village) drop new flavours on us monthly. 🍨 And December is no exception! Each year Calgarians eagerly look forward to Dec 1 to find out what the new festive ice cream flavours for the year will be. Normally some combination of Baileys, peppermint, fudge, or candy cane as expected. But there is always a fun twist to keep us guessing like rosemary, pine, or even turkey stuffing.
76 LOCAL CHRISTMAS GIFT IDEAS 2024
🎁Calgary Christmas Presents 🎁
🎫 LOCAL MEMBERSHIPS 🎫
1. Contemporary Calgary Membership
2. Calgary Zoo Annual Membership
3. Spark Science Centre Annual Membership
4. Studio Bell National Music Centre Annual Membership
5. Heritage Park Annual Membership
6. An A-List Membership with Avenue Magazine
7. Arts Commons Founders Circle Membership
9. Cobb’s Adventure Park Season Pass
10. Calgary Farmyard Season Pass
🎭 LOCAL ARTS & THEATRE COMMUNITY 🎭
3) Calgary Opera E-Gift Certificates
4) CIFF Calgary International Film Festival Gift Card
5) High Performance Rodeo Gift Card
6) Aussie Rules Piano Bar Gift Card
🎁 LOCAL PRODUCTS & PHYSICAL GIFTS 🎁
2) Plantsie
3) Buttons & Wicks Luxury Candles
4) Calgary Surge Merch (Basketball)
5) A Cheese Club Subscription at Peasant Cheese
6) Meow Foundation Merch or Annual Calendar
LOCAL ACTIVITIES & FUN EXPERIENCES
1. Outdoor Winter Sport Lessons at WinSport
2. Flight Simulator Experience at Altitude Calgary
3. iFly Indoor Skydiving Online Gift Voucher
4. Escape 60 Online Gift Certificate
5. LaunchPad Golf Digital Gift Card
6. GlobalFest Fireworks Festival Tickets
7. Hexagon Board Game Cafe E-Gift Card
8. Activate Calgary Gift Card (North or South Location)
10. Downhill Go Karting Gift Card
12. Calgary Surge Holiday Tickets Flex Pack
🧶 LOCAL CRAFT-RELATED ACTIVITIES 🧶
1. Candle Making Workshop at Milk Jar
2. Crafts & Woodworking Workshops at Black Forest Wood Company
3. Creative Carpet and Rug Classes Tuft Love Studios
4. An Art Workshop at 4 Cats Studio in Inglewood
5. A class at The Apothecary in Inglewood
6. Workshops at Plant in Inglewood
7. Winter Witch 2025 Courses at The Botanist
🍽️ LOCAL FOOD-RELATED ACTIVITIES 🍽️
1. Cooking Classes at The Cookbook Company
2. Righteous Gelato Tour & Tasting Experience
3. Cocktail Workshops with Shelter Cocktail Bar
4. Cocktail Classes at Two River Distillery
5. Roasterie tour at Phil and Sebastian’s
6. Ollia Macarons or Macaron Baking Class
7. Iconic Eats of Calgary Food Tour with Alberta Food Tours
8. Taste The City Dining Experience
9. Calgary Brewery Tours with Canadian Craft Tours
10. Neapolitan Pizza Classes at Lina's Kitchen
11. Cut Like a Chef Classes at Knifeware in Inglewood
12. Le Petite Chef Dining Experience at The Dorian
13. Tequila & Events at the Westley Hotel
💆 LOCAL PAMPERING & RELAXATION 💆
1. Cedar & Steam Spa Gift Card
2. Kananaskis Nordic Spa Gift Card
3. Japanese Head Massage Gift Card
4. Metropolish Manicure/Pedicure Gift Card
💡 OTHER IDEAS 💡
1. Downtown Calgary Gift Card (works for multiple businesses)
Where to book your Christmas Party
Office party? Friend party? Something for the fam? Check out this list of party venues perfect for any holiday party.