Photo via Banff Christmas Market / Facebook
It’s the most wonderful time of the year! With pretty lights and a chill in the air, the holiday season has arrived. Not sure how to celebrate the season? From markets and concerts to light displays and hockey games, here are 31 wonderful things to do in Calgary this December.
Looking for a unique gift or some fresh air? Visit the Saskatoon Christmas market where local artists, bakers, and pro crafters will be selling their goods and services!
When: Friday, November 29th – December 1st, 6th-8th, 2024
Where: 80181 338 Ave East Foothills, AB
Time: 9 am
Cost: $11+
Grab a hand and a hot chocolate! The Lions Festival of Lights is one of Calgary’s most incredible displays and you can check it out for free!
When: Until January 8th, 2025
Where: Confederation Golf Course – 14th Street NW, Calgary
Time: 5 pm
Cost: Free
Rümi Winter Wonderfest is back! This December, enjoy story time with Mrs. and Mr. Claus, meet Santa’s reindeer, make crafts, and enjoy holiday treats. The best part? All ticket sales will go toward supporting Habitat for Humanity Southern Alberta.
When: Sunday, December 8, 2024
Where: ATCO Park – 5302 Forand Street SW, Calgary, AB
Time: 10 am – 4 pm
Cost: Free+
From Grammy nominations to Calgary’s Back Alley. Rich The Kid will take over Union Hall in celebration of his fourth studio album “Life’s A Gamble.” Check it out and enjoy!
When: Thursday, December 5th, 2024
Where: The Back Alley – 4630 MacLeod Trail South, Calgary, AB
Time: 9 pm
Cost: $49
From now until December 31st, wander Western Canada’s largest outdoor walk-through display! Drink hot chocolate, take a lap around the ice rink, take photos, and cozy up next to their fire. It’s tradition!
When: Saturday,December 1st – December 31, 2024
Where: Nose Creek Regional Park, Airdrie, AB
Time: 6 pm – 9 pm
Cost: Free
From Taylor Swift to Christmas Classics! This winter, Calgarians can enjoy one (or all of) Fever’s Candlelight tribute concerts. Get your tickets now and enjoy! It’s going to be magical.
When: Various dates in December
Where: Various locations
Time: various times
Cost: $29+
Lights, science, and festive music! This month, check out TELUS Spark a series of incredible events from displays to an Infinity Dome Experience. It’s going to be enchanting!
Where: 220 Saint George’s Drive Northeast, Calgary
Cost: $32+
This month, check out the Winter Festival of Lights at the Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden, a beautiful experience with lights, hot chocolate, and lanterns. This season, check it out and enjoy a magical evening.
When: Until February 28th, 2025
Where: Corner of 9th Ave S &, Mayor Magrath Dr. S, Lethbridge
Time: 5 pm – 9 pm
Cost: $13.50+
Feeling festive? The iconic CP Holiday Train is chugging around Canada again and this December it’ll be back in Calgary! Bundle up and enjoy live performances by Magic! and Sofia Camara, lights, and hot cocoa in support of Canadian food banks.
When: Saturday, December 14th, 2024
Where: Anderson C-Train Station South Parking Lot
Time: 18:30 – 19:15
Cost: Free (donations encouraged)
Love movies, food, and themed events? Check out Heritage Park and enjoy a meal along with screenings of Die Hard, Mrs. Doubtfire, Elf, and It’s a Wonderful Life.
When: Various dates
Where: 1900 Heritage Dr. S.W. Calgary, AB, Canada
Time: 5:30 pm
Cost: $49+
This December, catch Canadian ‘Bungalow’ singer Scott Helman at Commonwealth Bar and Stage in Calgary. Tickets start at $38 and are on sale now! You won’t want to miss it.
When: Friday, December 6th, 2024
Where: Commonwealth Bar & Stage – 731 10 Avenue SW, Calgary
Time: 7 pm
Cost: $38
Featuring talented dancers from the Alberta Ballet Company and musicians from the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, The Nutcracker is a long-standing tradition and a family favourite. Tickets are sure to go quickly, so don’t hesitate to check out the link above!
When: Friday, December 13th-24th, 2024
Where: 1415 14 Ave NW, Calgary
Time: See times above
Cost: $69+
With decorations from floor to ceiling, guests can enjoy adorable sips at the annual Sippin’ Santa Pop-up—a festive event with music, ugly sweaters, and fun mugs hosted by Ricardo’s Hideaway.
When: Until December 31st, 2024
Where: 1530 5 St SW, Calgary, AB
Cost: Prices vary
Canadian pop-rock band Marianas Trench will also be in Calgary this month! Best known for songs like “Who Do You Love” and “Haven’t Had Enough,” fans are in for an exciting show at the Grey Eagle Resort and Casino.
When: Tuesday, December 10th, 2024
Where: Event Centre at Grey Eagle Resort and Casino – 3775 Grey Eagle Dr, Tsuut’ina, Alberta
Time: 8 pm
Cost: $75+
We love a pop-up bar! Located at the back of UNA, a popular pizza place, Frenchie Wine Bar will host Red Nose, an adorable experience with decor, music, and fun drinks. Enjoy!
When: Thursdays to Sundays until December 23rd, 2024
Where: 616 17th Avenue SW, Calgary
The Zoolights have officially kicked off and you won’t want to miss it! This December, grab a hot chocolate and take a walk under a blanket of stars and lights. It’s going to be fantastic.
When: Until January 5th, 2025
Where: Calgary Zoo, 210 St. George’s Drive NE
Time: 5 pm
Cost: $18+
Toss on a jersey and head over to the Saddledome! This month you can cheer the Flames to victory when they play a number of different teams. For their December schedule head to the link above.
When: Various dates
Where: 555 Saddledome Rise SE
Cost: $38+
This December, Calgarians are encouraged to check out the Bearspaw Market, a European Village Christmas Market with fireworks, vendors and live music.
When: Friday, November 29th – December 1st, 6th–8th, 2024
Where: 253220 Bearspaw Road, AB
Time: Various times
Cost: $5
While the public will not be able to do laps around the Christmas tree this year, adventure-seekers will be encouraged to check out Calgary’s ‘Plaza Palooza,’ an eight-day celebration with entertainment, games, and food.
When: November 29th – December 1st, 6th-8th, 13th-15th, 20th-22nd, 2024
Where: 228 8 Ave SE, Calgary
Time: 4 pm – 9 pm
Cost: Free
This December, catch a series of holiday films like Elf for just $3.99 (plus applicable taxes). Get your tickets now and stay tuned for more family-friendly titles.
When: Saturdays in December
Where: See Cineplex locations near you above
Cost: $3.99
It’s magic! This December, head to Rocky’s for live music, fantastic food, and charming gifts at the Banff Christmas Market. What’s better than the mountains during the holidays?
When: Friday, November 29th to December 1st, 6th-8th, 2024
Where: Warner Stables, 100 Sundance Rd
Cost: $15+
This December check out Miracle of 1st Street, which will have over-the-top decorations, music, and fun cocktails. Don’t miss out!
When: Starts Friday, November 15th, 2024
Where: 1302 1 St SW, Calgary, AB
Cost: Prices vary
Featuring colour, illumination, and music, In Search of Christmas Spirit is an incredible display that tells a heartwarming story of Christmas. The best part? Though tickets are required, this event is totally free to attend so don’t miss it!
When: Until December 31st, 2024
Where: Cascades of Time Garden – Cave Avenue, Banff, Alberta
Time: 4:30 pm to 9:30 pm
Cost: Free
Want to get your adrenaline pumping? You have to go tubing at Norquay this winter – especially if you’re not into skiing. Just because the sport isn’t your thing, doesn’t mean you can’t hit the hills!
When: Friday, December 13th, 2024
Where: Improvement District No. 9, AB
Cost: $45+
This December, cheer on the Calgary Hitmen as they take on various teams in the iconic Scotiabank Saddledome! The very best part? Tickets are affordable – so check them out!
When: Various dates
Where: 555 Saddledome Rise SE, Calgary
Cost: $17+
Alberta Prairie Railway’s most incredible event is the annual Polar Express! Taken straight from the pages of a children’s classic this experience will encourage families to climb aboard a jolly train, take a ride and lose themselves in the children’s classic. Don’t miss it!
When: Various dates
Where: 4611 47 Ave, Stettler, AB
Cost: $105+
Are you a wet bandit? The iconic Home Alone-inspired pop-up at Eighty-Eight Brewing is unlike any other. This event will feature floor-to-ceiling decorations, festive music, and pizza so don’t miss it!
When: Until December 29th, 2024
Where: 2600 Portland St SE #1070, Calgary
This December, let Banff’s gondola take you to new heights during Nightrise. This enchanting experience will totally change your point of view of the Rocky Mountains with lights, colours, and music.
When: Various dates
Where: 100 Mountain Ave, Banff
Cost: $60+
Celebrate community! Legacy’s Community Light Display will kick off again this December and you won’t want to miss it. This free event will light the night with over a million tiny bulbs strung up on everything from the clock tower to the houses and it’s going to be breathtaking!
When: Sunday December 1st to January 14th, 2025
Where: Legacy Calgary – See directions here
Cost: Free
Don’t feel like making a big breakfast on New Year’s Day? We don’t blame you. On January 1st, Head over to Heritage Park and indulge in an incredible meal in celebration of the new year!
When: Wednesday, January 1st, 2025
Where: 1900 Heritage Dr. SW
Time: 9:30 am
Cost: $69+
2025 is nearly here, but how will you ring it in? This December, attend a festive fireworks event held by the city of Calgary. On December 31st, those looking for something truly magical can once again enjoy fun and excitement.
When: Sunday, December 31st, 2023
Where: TBA
Time: 11:55 pm
Cost: Free
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