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

What’s Up This Weekend?

On November 30, 2022 by Calgary's Child

December 2 to 4

December 1 to 4; Bear Grease, Making Treaty 7 hosts an Indigenous twist on the classic musical Grease, featuring Crystle Lightning and MC RedCloud at The Grand. Learn more at visitcalgary.com.

December 2, 7:30pm; The Calgary Phil Presents Rune’s Christmas, join Music Director Rune Bergmann, the Calgary Philharmonic Chorus, and Cantaré Children’s Choir for a joyous concert of curated holiday music at Jack Singer Concert Hall. From beloved classic carols to contemporary festive hits, there’s something for everyone in this heartwarming Christmas musical buffet! Learn more at calgaryphil.com.

December 2 to 4; Candy Cane Kids Holiday Musical, Cookie, Stripe and Pep are the Quality Control Inspectors for McJingles Incorporated. Their job? To monitor, measure and analyze Christmas spirit worldwide. This year, however, the cheery trio discover Canadian spirit is dangerously low, and pull out all the stops to raise it. Using their social media platform Jinglegram, they decide to broadcast live! They sing, dance, bake and cheer-on Canada in this 75-minute extravaganza at Shane Homes YMCA! Learn more at occasionalnotes.net/candycanekids.

December 2 to 4; Spruce Meadows Christmas Market, the market boasts an enviable line-up of exquisite gifts and treats for the whole family. With over 300+ independent local businesses, hand-picked by our team, the market prides itself on a unique shopping experience. Begin the festive season by enjoying a day out with family and friends, shop for exquisite gift ideas, purchase artisan food, and stroll through the winter wonderland of Spruce Meadows. Learn more at sprucemeadows.com/christmasmarket.

December 3, 10am to 5pm; CKE Deck the Hall Christmas Market, there will be a local Christmas market, a “Christmas cottage” kids only market, $5 kids make & take craft or cookie, gift wrapping, and dance performances. Admission is a donation to the Calgary Food Bank of $2 or a non-perishable food item. Learn more at ckecommunity.com.

December 3; 2pm to 4pm; Christmas! Things Could Be Norse…., the Stampede City Chorus, together with the Calgary Children’s Choirs, is putting on a matinee Christmas show at Scarboro United Church. The Stampede City Chorus is Calgary’s original male acapella barbershop chorus whose shows always entertain their audiences. All proceeds go to support the Calgary Veteran’s Foodbank.

December 3; A Venetian Christmas, this will be another travelogue Christmas program with featuring major works by Antonio Vivaldi – his immensely popular GLORIA and the Calgary premiere of his soulful and devout MAGNIFICAT, both filled with the vigor, rhythmic drive and memorable melodies of his Four Seasons. And a musical buffet of Italian folk carols, seasonal favorites, and audience sing-along at Knox United Church. Learn more at allevents.in/calgary/a-venetian-christmas/.

December 3; Skate with Santa at the Olympic Oval, experience Christmas on the most “Festive Ice in the World” with activities, refreshments, skating, and of course — Meet Santa Claus! Learn more at oval.ucalgary.ca/recreational-skating-running/santa.

December 3; The Master’s Singers Christmas Concert at Emmanuel Christian Reformed Church, this Christmas concert with The Master’s Singers was founded in September 2000 by the director, Muriel Wiebe, and a group of seven men committed to growing a male chorus in Calgary. They had no idea how fruitful the next 15 years of ministry would be. Learn more at mastersingers.org.

December 3; Mahogany Parade Of Lights, come one, come all! Dress in your winter woolies, add a splash of holiday accents and join us in Mahogany for the 5th Annual Parade of Lights! Santa and Mrs. Claus will make the trip down to join as well! Learn more at mahoganyhoa.com/parade-of-lights-tree-of-hope.

December 3; Airdrie Santa Claus Parade, Santa and Mrs. Claus are coming to Airdrie and we’re having a Parade in their honor. Take family and friends to the Santa Claus Parade where Santa and numerous floats roll down on Main Street and light up the downtown. This is a festive, fun way to set the mood for your holiday. Learn more at airdrieparades.com/santa-claus-parade.

December 3 to 4; Winter Wonderfest, Calgary has a brand-new winter festival that shouldn’t be missed at ATCO Park. Home solutions company, Rümi is inviting Calgarians to attend their first-ever Winter Wonderfest for just $5 per person and all proceeds going to Habitat for Humanity. Learn more at visitcalgary.com/events/rumi-winter-wonderfest.

December 4; Central Commons Park Grand Opening, the official grand opening of Central Commons Park. This three-acre park includes a skating rink, fire features and more. The event will be full of fun for the entire family including skating performances, music and entertainment, complimentary hot cider and the U/D Night Market-Holiday Edition. With the skating rink open to the public for the first time. Learn more at myuniversitydistrict.ca.

December 4; Spiritus Chamber Choir – LIGHT, celebrate the joy and light of Christmas with Spiritus at Knox United Church. Featuring works by Ēriks Ešenvalds, Eric Whitacre, and Vytautas Miškinis, alongside traditional Christmas classics. Learn more at spirituschamberchoir.ca.

OTHER CHRISTMAS FAIRS & MARKETS

ReLove Vintage Pop-Up Party

When: December 2

Where: Snap Foto Club, #200 – 118 8 Avenue SW

Learn more: Follow @relovepopup on Instagram

Vend Urban Market

When: December 2 to 3

Where: Contemporary Calgary, 711- 11 Street SW

Learn more: vendmarket.ca

More Than A Store – Christmas Market

When: December 2 to 4

Where: Epic Vineyard, 2018 Centre Street N

Learn more: calgaryeconomicdevelopment.com

A Very Merry First Street Market

When: December 3

Where: First Street Market

Learn more: fsmyyc.com

Christmas Market at New Horizon Mall

When: December 3

Where: New Horizon Mall

Learn more: newhorizonmall.com

Merry & Bright Christmas Market

When: December 3

Where: Christian Life Assembly

Learn more: facebook.com

St. Paul’s Christmas Market

When: December 3

Where: St. Paul’s Anglican Church

HVCA Craft Fair & Bake Sale

When: December 3

Where: Holy Trinity Anglican Church

Learn more: hiddenhut.org/2022-hvca-craft-fair-and-bake-sale/

500 Collective Inaugural Winter Market

When: December 3 to 4

Where: 500 Collective

Learn more: 500collective.com/market

Century Downs Weihnachtsmarkt

When December 3 to 4

Where: Century Downs Racetrack and Casino

Learn more: cnty.com

Holiday Market & Mrs. Claus Gift Shop For Kids

When: December 3 to 4

Where: 200 East Lake Crescent in Airdrie

Learn more: bgcairdrie.com/holiday-market

Whole Earth Market December

When: December 4

Where: Shawnessy Barn, 224 Shawmeadows Road

Learn more: wholeearthmarket.ca

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 December 10; Christmas at the Hive, this annual event at Chinook Honey Company in Okotoks offers family fun and fundraising for the Foothills Country Hospice Society. Visit the animals, taste mead and learn all about bees and honey. You can partake in beeswax snow candle making, s’mores by the fire, honey taffy making, hot chocolate and enjoying mulled mead. Learn more at albertaopenfarmdays.ca/events/christmas-at-the-hive.

Until December 11; European Christmas Village Market and Fireworks, the European Christmas Village Market will provide you with an amazing, fun-filled family event at Bearspaw Lifestyle Centre. You will enjoy shopping from the Edelweiss booth to a variety of vendors each weekend. There will be story time, Santa’s workshop, skating and sleigh rides. Learn more at bearspawlc.org.

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; Christmas Sleigh Rides, roundup the whole family for horse-drawn sleigh rides this holiday season at Horsin Around. Go dashing through the snow on a two-horse open sleigh with breath taking views of the Calgary Skyline. and warm up to the camp fire with a cup of hot chocolate. Learn more at horsinaround.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 28; The Immersive Nutcracker: A Winter Miracle, the ultimate holiday experience for the entire family! For nearly 130 years, The Nutcracker has enchanted children around the world. Now your family can experience the timeless holiday tale like never before – brought to life on a majestic scale at the BMO Centre. Learn more at immersive-nutcracker.com/Calgary.

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; Canmore Rotary Festival of Trees, a community-based holiday celebration with decorated trees, wreaths, gingerbread houses, and special events and activities for the entire family. It is free to view and walk through the forest of trees and magical Candy Cane Lane. Learn more at rotaryclubofcanmore.ca/page/festival-of-trees.

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, with about a million dollars’ worth of displays and other special features. Learn more at airdrielights.com.

Until December 31; Alberta Theatre Project’s The Jungle Book, this holiday season, escape into the jungles of India with this vibrant reimagining of the legend of the boy raised by wild animals at Martha Cohen Theatre. Learn more at albertatheatreprojects.com.

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 2; Sparkle Sparkle at TELUS Spark, the science centre is open late every night, and full of holiday surprises! Starting at 5pm, guests will experience the magic of Goodnight Moon, holiday carollers, quirky characters on stilts, a robot dog, crack open a geode, and so much more! Guests can enjoy the whole science centre – with a holiday twist. Learn more at sparkscience.ca.

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.