What’s Up This Week?

December 25 to January 4

December 25; 10am to 1pm; Santa Claus at Lake Louise. Santa loves to ski at the Lake Louise Ski Resort! He will be out skiing, stopping for pictures and handing out candy to everyone on the Nice List! He will also be making appearances in the Lodge of Ten Peaks so be sure to keep your eyes open and ears listening for the jingle of the reindeer bells. Learn more at skilouise.com.

Until December 28; A Christmas Carol In Banff At The Fairmont Banff Springs. The ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future are packing their bags and heading straight for Banff. That’s right, A Christmas Carol in Banff is lighting up the stage at the Fairmont Banff Springs for its eighth spectacular season. Learn more at thebanffguide.com.

December 28, 2 to 3:30pm; The Adventures of a Wooden Boy. Inspired by the classic Pinocchio story (by Carlo Collodi) of a wooden puppet who dreams of becoming a real boy, and Buratino’s tale (by Alexei Tolstoy) of cleverness, adventure, and the fight for freedom, this performance is re imagined with a fresh twist at Evan Hazell Theatre at Brookfield Residential YMCA at Seton. Learn more at palarts.ca/events.

Until December 30; StoryBook Theatre Presents: Miracle on 34th Street. With the support of a determined attorney, and the belief of a young girl named Susan, Kris Kringle takes on the cynics in this musical adaptation of this holiday classic at Beddington Theatre Arts Centre. Learn more at storybooktheatre.org.

Until December 30; ZOOLIGHTS Festive Feast. ZOOLIGHTS, presented by Olympia Trust Company, is always a magical night, but you can make it even more memorable with a combo ticket that includes admission and a delicious dinner! Enjoy either a delicious Turkey Stew, a “AAA” Beef Bourguignon or a hearty vegetarian Leek, Lentil & Mushroom Ragu as you take a break from the cold in the cozy Kitamba Café and Safari Lodge. Learn more at calgaryzoo.com.

Until December 31, 5 to 11pm; Let’s Glow at Tomkins Park. Experience a stunning display of lanterns and lights by local artist, Dylan Toymaker. This dazzling spectacle illuminates the park for the entire month, creating unique opportunities for magical Instagram moments. Learn more at 17thave.ca.

Weekends until December 31; Banff Gondola Christmas: A Very Vintage Mountaintop Christmas. Soar up Sulphur Mountain for a retro summit celebration featuring Santa visits, cookie and ornament decorating, classic movie screenings and a flurry of festive surprises. Learn more at banffjaspercollection.com.

Until December 31; ZOOLIGHTS Snow Globes. Make this year’s ZOOLIGHTS, presented by Olympia Trust Company, extra magical with a Snow Globe experience! In a private oasis surrounded by twinkling lights, you’ll make festive memories to make any date night, friends’ night out, family celebration, or special occasion sparkle. Learn more at websales.calgaryzoo.com.

Until December 31; In Search of Christmas Spirit in Banff. Discover the wonder of Christmas in Banff National Park this holiday season. Bundle up for a walk through the Cascade of Time Garden, where you’ll witness a live Christmas story told by the animals of Banff National Park. Learn more at banfflakelouise.com.

Until December 31; Theatre Calgary Presents: A Christmas Carol. On Christmas Eve, Ebenezer Scrooge is visited by three spirits, who take him on a journey into his past, present, and future to show him the errors of his ways. Dickens’ classic holiday tale comes alive on the Theatre Calgary stage, with stunning sets and costumes and the return of Doug McKeag as Scrooge. See why A Christmas Carol has become a holiday tradition for so many Calgarians. Learn more at theatrecalgary.com.

Until December 31; Airdrie Festival of Lights. Located in Airdrie’s Nose Creek Park, the Airdrie Festival of Lights is a beautiful, outdoor walk-through lights experience. Visit Santa’s Gift Shop near the entrance to find high-quality and whimsical gifts for yourself, your family and your friends. Learn more at airdrielights.com.

New Year’s Eve Events

December 31, 12pm; Noon Years Eve at TELUS Spark. An annual family-friendly event on December 31 that allows children to celebrate the new year at noon. The celebration includes a countdown to noon, a giant balloon drop, and a dance party. Learn more at sparkscience.ca.

December 31, 1 to 4pm; New Year’s Eve at the Library. Ring in the new year without staying up until midnight! Say goodbye to 2025 and hello to 2026 with a family friendly afternoon at your local library. Activities include a special storytime, a family DJ dance party, a mock countdown to midnight, and more as we tie the bow on the Wish Together. Grow Together. winter campaign. Learn more at calgarylibrary.ca.

December 31, 2pm; The Wizard of Oz Sing-Along Performance. Alberta Theatre Projects invites you to sing your heart out to the classics you know and love alongside the cast and an entire chorus of enthusiastic audience members. Share in what is certain to be an unforgettable day at the theatre, and a wonderful memory for many years to come. Learn more at albertatheatreprojects.com.

December 31, 6 to 9pm; Airdrie Festival of Light Family Skate Night. Bring your family and friends, along with your skates to Nose Creek Park, to enjoy skating amidst beautifully lit holiday displays. Then warm yourself by one of our fire pits, while sipping on a cup of hot chocolate or apple cider. Learn more at airdrielights.com.

December 31, 7pm; Norquay Torchlight Parade. Watch the mountain come alive as the team lights up the dark winter night. The Torchlight Parade is a Norquay tradition, where the talented staff and instructors ski down North American with glowing torches, creating a magical display visible from downtown Banff. A fiery farewell to the old year and a bright welcome to the new. Learn more at banffnorquay.com.

December 31, 7:30pm; Luminous Voices Choir. Guest conductor Cosette Justo Valdés leads the choir in colorful Cuban choral works along with seasonal favourites, complemented by our traditional chocolate and sparkling wine at Bella Concert Hall. Learn more at luminousvoices.com.

December 31, 8pm; NYE at Eau Claire. Prince’s Island Park and Eau Claire will be buzzing as the City of Calgary hosts a free, all-ages celebration. From food trucks and fire pits to games, skating, live entertainment and a midnight fireworks show, it’s a festive way to ring in the new year. Learn more at eauclaireca.com.

Until January 1; Light Art Projection. Each evening at dusk, the artistic responses of four Indigenous youth, who learned how to use projection mapping to project their artistic responses onto 3D objects such as trees, grass and tipis, will be displayed on the northwest corner of the Barracks building at The Confluence Historic Site & Parkland. Learn more at theconfluence.ca/150.

Until January 1; Strathmore Celebration of Lights. Strathmore Agricultural Society Park is open nightly and admission is free, but donations are welcome. Families will enjoy visits with Santa right before Christmas and a Kids’ New Year’s Eve party. Learn more at strathmorestampede.com.

January 1, 2:30pm; Salute to Vienna New Year’s Concert. Mark the New Year with timeless music, dazzling costumes, and breathtaking dancing. European singers, dancers, and the Strauss Symphony of Canada return for Salute to Vienna New Year’s Concert at Jack Singer Concert Hall. Learn more at calgaryphil.com.

Until January 3; Holiday Wonder. Holiday Wonder is Calgary’s newest holiday tradition — an indoor, immersive Christmas festival that brings the season to life like never before. Step into a sparkling wonderland filled with breathtaking light displays, festive attractions, and magical moments for the whole family at the BMO Centre. Learn more at holidaywonder.ca.

Until January 4; Quest World Family Entertainment: Eye Spy Adventure! Christmas Eye Spy is a full-size, interactive scavenger hunt for all ages. The whole family will be delighted by 12 enchanting vignettes, inspired by holiday favourites at Quest World Family Entertainment. Learn more at questworld.ca.

Until January 4; Alberta Theatre Projects Presents: The Wizard of Oz. Follow Dorothy and her friends down the Yellow Brick Road in this family-friendly musical filled with courage, friendship, and magic – the perfect holiday outing for Munchkins aged five to 105! Learn more at albertatheatreprojects.com.

Until January 4; Merry & Matter at TELUS Spark. Merry & Matter invites guests to explore the science behind the season: the chemistry of warmth, the physics of light, and the biology of joy. Learn more at sparkscience.ca.

Until January 4; ZOOLIGHTS. The Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo is full of twinkling lights and the classic holiday activities you’ve come to love! This year’s ZOOLIGHTS will feature activities such as ice skating, fire pits, and much more. Learn more at calgaryzoo.com.

January 4, 2 to 4pm; Michaels MakeBreak: Winter Painting. Join for a fun winter painting, just buy the base canvas and everything else is free. Learn more at canada.michaels.com.

Ongoing

Until January 5; Discovery Wildlife Park Light the Night. A drive-through light experience, with a gift shop and a concession. Plus, the Grinch will be visiting every Wednesday to Saturday from 5:30 to 8pm. Learn more at discoverywildlifepark.com.

Until January 8; Lions Festival of Lights. For many Calgary families, the visit to the Lions’ annual light display marks the beginning of the Christmas season. You’ll find thousands of glowing lights displayed in beautiful Christmas themes at Confederation Park. Learn more at lionsfestivaloflights.ca.

Until January 10; Jubilations Junior Presents: Petey Paan’s Christmas Pirate Adventure. Petey Paan is living free in the land where you never grow old, but the Pirates on their ship aren’t fans of Petey Paan’s games. In fact, they might want to cancel Christmas altogether. Learn more at jubilations.ca/calgary-junior.

Until January 10; Jubilations Dinner Theatre Presents: Pirates of the River Saskatchewan.  Cap’n Jack and his crew are ready to set sail from the port of Jubilations Dinner Theatre. The Cap’n is looking to recruit any and all who wish to join his gang and partake of this adventure. Great music and laughter surely await all who dare to climb aboard… and treasure of course, I meant music laughter and treasure! Learn more at jubilations.ca.

Until January 15; Free Admission to National Parks. During the Canada Strong Pass periods (December 12 to January 15), no fees apply for admission for all visitors to all national historic sites, national parks, and national marine conservation areas operated by Parks Canada. Free admission applies to places operated by and for Parks Canada, during regular operating hours. No entry pass or ticket is required.  Learn more at parks.canada.ca.

Until January 15; Free Admission to Participating Alberta Museums. Did you know the Canada Strong Pass provides free admission to many of Alberta’s museums, including Lougheed House in Calgary and the Royal Tyrrell Museum in Drumheller from December 12 to January 15? Check out the full list of participating museums at parks.canada.ca.

Until March 1; WinSport Tube Park. The tube park is one of the largest in Western Canada and is the perfect activity to spend time outdoors with your family. Purchase advance tickets at winsport.ca.

Until March 29; Nightrise at the Banff Gondola. When the sun sets, a whole new adventure begins at the Banff Gondola. Experience Nightrise and rediscover Sulphur Mountain’s summit beneath the moon. Learn more at banffjaspercollection.com.

Mondays to Thursdays, 9am to 12pm; Active Toddlers at the Genesis Centre. Bring your little one for a delightful playtime adventure with our bouncy castle, toys, puzzles, and a lot more for free. Learn more at genesis-centre.ca.

Thursdays, 4 to 4:30pm; Storytime at Mastermind Toys. Mastermind Toys often has special events at their Calgary stores, including storytime. Check with your store to confirm details. Learn more at mastermindtoys.com.

Weekends; Asylum for Art Brunch. Asylum for Art hosts weekend brunch and live music at the WaffleHaus Saloon. Admission is by donation, and you can reserve a spot. Learn more at asylumforart.ca.

Monday and Wednesday from 10 to 11:30 am. The Beach YYC Drop-In Children’s Playtime. On Monday and Wednesday mornings take part in children’s play time at the beach. Learn more at thebeachyyc.ca.

Monday to Thursday, 9am; Parent + Tot Drop-In at Cavalry FC Regional Field House. Cavalry offers a variety of drop-in programs for parents to participate in with their children ages 18 months to three years old. Learn more at regionalfieldhouse.com.

Drop-In Programs at City of Calgary Recreation Centres. Don’t miss out on Active Play where you can bring your kiddo’s energy to an indoor play space. Learn more at calgary.ca.

Storytime at Calgary Public Library. Drop into various Calgary Public Library locations to enjoy stories, songs, and finger plays for the whole family at Family Storytime. Learn more at calgarylibrary.ca.

All winter; Monday Night Twoonie Skate at Olympic Oval. Lace up and hit The Fastest Ice in the World™ every Monday this season for the Monday Night Toonie Skate. From 6pm to 8pm, you can carve up the ice for $2. Learn more at oval.ucalgary.ca.