Activities . Family Fun . What's Up in Calgary?

What’s Up This Weekend?

On November 23, 2022 by Calgary's Child

November 25 to 27

Until November 25; Calgary Opera presents Carmen, the ultimate femme fatale doing what she can to survive in a poor town with traffic and shocking consequences at the Jubilee Auditorium. Learn more at jubileeauditorium.com/calgary/calgary-opera-carmen.

November 25; What’s Up with Humans and Wildlife, many different critters live in our backyards, schoolyards and parks – sometimes we forget to think of them as wild. This November, learn about our wild neighbors, and discover the different types of wildlife we co-exist with in Alberta at Bow Habitat Station. Learn more at bowhabitat.alberta.ca.

November 25 to 27; Festival of Trees, Red Deer Festival of Trees will kick off the holiday season in Central Alberta for the 29th time in 2022. Join in on traditional festivities like the Christmas Tree Room, Silent Auction, Gift & Sweet Shop, and – just for children – Candy Cane Lane! Learn more at reddeerfestivaloftrees.ca.

November 25 to 27; Spruce Meadows International Christmas Market, this renowned market brings Calgarians a shopping experience filled with entertainment, delicious food, and unique gift-buying opportunities. Learn more at sprucemeadows.com.

November 25 to 27; Saskatoon Farm Christmas Market, the Saskatoon Farm is bringing back its Christmas Market, so you can enjoy holiday fun while you get some shopping done. Try delicious treats and come visit this Christmas wonderland. Learn more at saskatoonfarm.com.

November 25 to 28; Calgary Carol Festival, Knox United Church is delighted to present the annual Calgary Carol Festival. Four nights of Carol singing from Calgary’s best choirs. The event also includes the carol sing-along with choir and organ. Learn more at calgarycarolfestival.ca.

November 26, 5pm to 6pm; Strathmore Santa Claus Parade, join in the family fun! Let’s Light up the Night with bright floats and warm hearts this season. This year’s parade is being organized by RE/MAX Key.

November 26; Auburn Bay Parade of Lights, join the Auburn Bay Community Association as they kick of the holiday season and bring the community together with a parade of festive floats throughout the community. Complimentary hot chocolate will also be available to spectators along the parade route. Learn more at auburnbayca.ca/2022parade.

November 26 to 27; Candy Cane Kids Holiday Musical, start a new family tradition this Christmas with the original All-Canadian musical production. Join Cookie, Pep, Stripe and the Candy Cane Dancers as they pull out all the stops to raise Christmas spirit all across Canada!

Are they successful? You’ll have to join us to find out. Learn more at storybooktheatre.org/candycanekids.

November 27; A Celtic Family Christmas, Juno Award winning fiddle virtuosos Natalie MacMaster and Donnell Leahy are hitting the road again to bring back their successful concert series, A Celtic Family Christmas. This intimate and unique show sold out everywhere prior to the pandemic and it will see the duo perform with their incredibly talented children playing Celtic and holiday favourites that are fun for the entire family at the Jubilee Auditorium. Learn more at jubileeauditorium.com/index.php/calgary/natalie-macmaster-donnell-leahy.

November 27, 1pm to 3pm; Family and Friends Day at Alberta Ballet School, join Alberta Ballet for a special Friends and Family Day! This is your chance to experience a classical ballet class complete with barres and live piano accompaniment! Revisit your ballet practice, introduce your child to a new passion, or feed your curiosity and experience the beauty of ballet for the first time. Learn more at albertaballetschool.com/explore/events/2022/friends-and-family-day.

November 27, 3pm to 4:30pm; The Calgary Philharmonic Presents Symphony Sundays for Kids – Firebird for the Family, the Firebird comes to life with music and dance in this family-friendly concert featuring the Orchestra and members of Alberta Ballet School. Igor Stravinsky based this popular work on a folk tale about a prince who encounters a mysterious firebird and receives a magic feather that helps him defeat an evil wizard. Learn more at calgaryphil.com/events/firebird-for-the-family-2022-11-27-300-pm.

November 27 to 29; Earth Science for Society 2022, Earth Science for Society (ESfS) is a fun, educational, and dynamic geoscience outreach event in which students, families, youth groups, and the public are given an opportunity to explore the wonders of Earth science at MacEwan Hall at the University of Calgary. Interactive, hands-on exhibits are showcased in four themed pavilions. Learn more at esfscanada.com.

OTHER CHRISTMAS FAIRS & MARKETS

Christmas in the Country Market

When: November 25 to 26
Where: Beaupre Community Hall

18th Calgary Scout Christmas Market

When: November 26
Where: 18th Calgary Scout Hall
Learn more: fb.me

Crafty A.F. Fair

When: November 26
Where: cSPACE
Learn more: katewares.com

Dalhousie Christmas Craft Market

When: November 26
Where: Dalhousie Community Centre
Learn more: dalhousiecalgary.ca

Lake Bonavista Christmas Craft Fair

When: November 26 to 27
Where: Lake Bonavista Community Association
Learn more: lakebonavistacommunity.com

Little Modern Market

When: November 26
Where: FAC Deerfoot Campus
Learn more: littlemodernmarket.com

Marlborough Christmas Market

When: November 26
Where: Calgary Marlborough Community Center
Learn more: calgarymarlborough.com

North Haven Christmas Makers Market

When: November 26
Where: North Haven Community Hall
Learn more: northhavenyyc.ca

Rocky Ridge Ranch HOA Holiday Market

When: November 26
Where: Rocky Ridge Ranch Homeowner’s Association
Learn more: rrrha.ca

Springbank Gingerbread Tea and Artisan Sale

When: November 26
Where: Springbank Heritage Centre
Learn more: springbankheritageclub.com

YMCA Winter Market

When: November 26
Where: Melcor YMCA at Crowfoot
Learn more: ymcacalgary.org

Twelve Mile Coulee School Winter Market

When: November 27
Learn more: Twelve Mile Coulee School

Ongoing

Every Sunday, Friday, Saturday, November 18 to December 4; Banff Christmas Market, with more than 80 artisanal vendors, live music, an outdoor fire lounge, Santa’s House and Reindeer Stables, Christmas treats and warm drinks, there is something for the whole family at Warner Stables. Learn more at banffchristmasmarket.com.

Until November 27; Loose Moose Theatre Presents Treasure Island, the Loose Moose Theatre For Kids is a truly magical experience for children ages four to 10, as well as fun and entertaining for parents. Learn more at loosemoose.com.

Weekends until December 18, 10am to 4pm; Once Upon A Christmas at Heritage Park, one of Calgary’s most iconic holiday events, with hands-on activities and entertainment sure to delight guests of all ages. Come get your fix of wholesome holiday cheer! Learn more at heritagepark.ca.

Until December 18; Granary Road’s Christmas Market, an enchanting celebration of the holidays that starts with our stunning Market with 40-foot vaulted ceilings, exposed trusses and lighting reminiscent of days gone by. Learn more at granaryroad.com.

Until December 21; Christmas in the Country Art Sale, enjoy a whole lot of Christmas cheer in Alberta’s beautiful Foothills region. The Leighton Art Centre is featuring fine crafts and artwork by local artists in the galleries of the historic Leighton home and on the online shopping site this November and December. Learn more at shop.leightoncentre.org.

Until December 23; Calgary Christmas Market, the Calgary Farmers’ Market (south and west locations) have transformed into the Calgary Christmas Market, just in time to get everything you need for ‘on the table and under the tree’ and have fun doing it. Learn more and book your Santa photo at calgaryfarmersmarket.ca.

Until December 24; The Elves and the Shoemaker, with only a few days left before Christmas, siblings Ezra and Charlie Wishniski are struggling to make ends meet. With limited supplies and no one stopping by their shop, a good Christmas seems like a faraway dream. But, when two elves are sent by Santa to help, their fortunes begin to turn around. Can the elves help in time to give the Wishniski’s the Christmas they hoped for? Learn more at stagewestcalgary.com/stage-west-for-kids.

Until December 26; Christmas at The Castle, Fairmont Banff Springs’ annual ‘Christmas at the Castle’ programming features holiday events, activities, and exclusive dining experiences that are as enchanting as one will ever find. Though primarily offered to hotel guests, visitors who are not staying at the hotel can still experience the grandeur of the castle by joining a Eat the Castle culinary tour of the Fairmont Banff Springs, or by taking in a live performance of A Christmas Carol with the whole family. Learn more at christmasatthecastle.ca/.

Until December 31; Elf The Musical, Beddington Theatre Arts Centre presents this title known the world over. This modern-day holiday classic is sure to make everyone embrace their inner elf. After all, the best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear. Learn more at storybooktheatre.org.

Until December 31; Glow Calgary, introducing a brand-new Christmas Festival–a unique experience in Calgary for the first time. Christmas Around The World – Santa crosses the globe to bring gifts to the children of the world. Can you help him? Celebrate Christmas magic in China, India, The Netherlands, Mexico, France, and England, all in one night, and all under the glow of a million twinkle lights. The breathtaking space is over 70,000 square feet, and brings a majestic winter wonderland completely indoors. Complete your travels with a visit to the North Pole and meet the man himself–Saint Nick! Learn more at glowyyc.ca.

Until December 31; Nightrise at Banff Gondola, pursuit unveils an immersive experience of light, sound and wonder with the launch of Nightrise, a multi-sensory winter experience at the Banff Gondola. This unique winter activity merges multimedia, storytelling and nature for a new and inspiring perspective at such an iconic Banff location. Learn more at banffjaspercollection.com.

Until December 31; Banff Mountaintop Christmas, Christmas activities galore can be found atop Sulphur Mountain at the Banff Gondola’s Mountaintop Christmas, featuring a Santa Claus photo-op on top of the world, holiday crafts, a holiday movie screening, and more. Learn more at banffjaspercollection.com.

Until December 31; In Search of Christmas Spirit, 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 January 1; Hot Chocolate Trail in Banff, bundling up isn’t the only way to stay warm while exploring Banff and Lake Louise. The Hot Chocolate Trail is a treasure map of local restaurants and cafés offering 29 limited-time holiday-themes hot chocolates. With alcoholic and non-alcoholic options like the Alpine Cherry boozy hot chocolate from one of Banff’s newest restaurants, Brazen, to the Ferrero Rocher Hot Chocolate at JK Bakery & Café, there’s something for everyone. Dine in or take yours to go, but don’t forget to bring a reusable mug with you to reduce waste. Learn more at banfflakelouise.com/christmas/hot-chocolate-trail.

Until January 2; Goodnight Moon Digital Immersion Experience at TELUS Spark, the world’s first and only Goodnight Moon digital immersion experience takes the famous bedtime story off the page and into a massive pixel playground, where kids and adults alike can travel through a star-filled tunnel, hear the story and interact with characters and objects from the story’s visual universe. Learn more at sparkscience.ca/whats-on/goodnight-moon.

Until January 8, 5pm to 9pm; ZOOLIGHTS, The 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.

Until January 8; 34th Annual Lions Festival of Lights, this year’s display will feature Merry Christmas greetings in 15 languages together with the Candy Canes and Shooting Stars along 14 Street! Learn more at lionsfestivaloflights.ca.

Until January 14, Jubilations Dinner Theatre presents The Office: A Pop Rock Comedy, a hilarious take on the goings on at a small paper company office with Jim, Pam, Michael, and Dwight. Learn more at jubilations.ca/the-office-a-pop-rock-parody.

Until January 15; A Mighty Shrek Christmas, Jubilations Junior presents A Mighty Shrek Christmas – a production written for kids, and a meal designed with kids in mind. Learn more at jubilations.ca.

Until January 15; Legacy Christmas Lights, Legacy will light up the south end of the city with more than a million Christmas lights in a cheery display throughout the community as one of Calgary’s largest free light displays. Learn more at legacyresidents.ca.

Until January 22; Potion Putt – A Wizardry Minigolf Course, test your magic and wizarding putt putt skills on the golf course. A crazy golf course inspired by famous fantasy and fiction Wizards is coming to Springbank Links Golf Club this year. Embark on nine wand-erful holes of magic and encounter smoking cauldrons, tasty beverages, and magical portals along the way. You may even be required to cast a few spells in order to excel and complete the mystical challenge. Learn more at potionputt.com.

Until March; Snowshoe Under the Stars, this November, enjoy the great outdoors and up your next date night with this one-of-a-kind experience. On this unique excursion, Calgarians will follow a skilled guide on a fresh, starlit tour through forest and snow, then can sip hot cocoa in a secluded meadow. They’ll bring the drinks, the lamps, and the telescope, and all you have to bring is yourself, and a good jacket! Learn more at kananaskisoutfitters.com.