What’s Up This Weekend?

December 30 to January 1

December 31; Mt. Norquay’s Torchlight Parade, a select number of Norquay instructors and staff will take on the North American run from the Big Chair with torches in hand to light up the night. The best spot to view is from downtown Banff. Learn more at banffnorquay.com/event/torchlight-parade-2/.

December 31, 7pm to 9pm; Airdrie Festival of Lights New Year’s Eve Party, a family-friendly dance party inside the heated tent at Nose Creek Park. There will also be miniature train rides, hot chocolate, fire pits, and the lights! Fireworks take place at 6:30 pm in Ed Eggerer Park. Learn more at airdrielights.com.

December 31; Calgary Public Library New Year’s Eve, celebrate New Year’s Eve with the Calgary Public Library for a free, family-friendly celebration all day at Central, Crowfoot, Saddletowne, Shawnessy, and Signal Hill libraries. Activities will include a New Year’s Eve storytime, a family dance party, refreshments and giveaways, and an early countdown at 1:58 pm to ring in the new year. Learn more at calgarylibrary.ca/events-and-programs/upcoming-events.

December 31; New Year’s Eve at Calgary ZOOLIGHTS, a separately ticketed event for you to enjoy all the fun of ZOOLIGHTS with extra special entertainment including numerous early countdowns. It’s a festive way to help you and your loved ones ring in the new year in a safe (and “zoonique” way!) while supporting the Calgary Zoo’s wildlife conservation initiatives. Learn more at calgaryzoo.com/zoolights.

December 31; Canmore New Year’s Eve Party and Fireworks, join the Town of Canmore for free activities at the Canmore Recreation Centre to say goodbye to 2022. You’ll find free public skating, live musical performances, a DJ dance party, crafts, and fireworks at 8 pm. You can also count down the last minutes of 2022 and celebrate the arrival of 2023 with midnight fireworks at Millennium Park. Learn more at canmore.ca/residents/town-events/new-years-eve.

December 31; City of Calgary New Year’s Eve Fireworks, plan a family party this New Year’s Eve with inspiration from the City of Calgary. They have ideas on their website about what to do on New Year’s Eve, like skating on Olympic Plaza or finding a winter fire pit, and there will be fireworks at the Plaza just before midnight. Learn more at calgary.ca/events/new-years-eve.html.

December 31, 7:30pm; Luminous Voices Choir: A Luminous New Year, Luminous Voices is thrilled to return to the Bella Concert Hall stage for their annual New Year’s Eve tradition. Weaving together unaccompanied choral gems spanning the centuries, you will hear the voices echo through the hall, allowing space and time for reflection, celebration, and renewal. Learn more at luminousvoices.com/a-luminous-new-years-eve-1.

December 31; Rocky Mountain New Year’s Eve, enjoy a buffet supper, cash bar, night snow tubing followed by a dance party right until midnight with a champagne toast at Lake Louise Ski Resort. Learn more at skilouise.com/things-to-do/rocky-mountain-new-years-eve22.

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; 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 December 31; Little Women at Max Bell Theatre, this coming-of-age war–time story about a family during the holidays is a tale that has been cherished for generations. Jo March isn’t your typical Victorian lady. She is unconventional and headstrong. And she is convinced that one day she will be a great novelist. But tumultuous times surround her and her sisters. They need to be imaginative, wise, and brave – all while approaching adulthood in Civil War America. Louisa May Alcott’s classic novel adapted by Kate Hamill is sure to bring warmth and joy to your holiday season. Learn more at theatrecalgary.com.

January 1, 9:30 am to 1:30pm; Heritage Park New Year’s Day Brunch, this is the first year Heritage Park is hosting a New Year’s Day Brunch and it’s sure to become a delightful tradition. With multiple seatings and an extensive menu, families can also explore a unique setting, as the brunch will be held in Gasoline Alley Museum. Learn more at heritagepark.ca/plan-your-visit/event-calendar/new-years-day-brunch.

January 1; New Year’s Day Free Skate, skate for free at select City of Calgary skate rinks. Learn more at calgary.ca/parks-rec-programs/free-activities.html?redirect=/free.

January 1; The Calgary Phil Presents Salute to Vienna New Year’s Concert, this holiday season, the spirited romance of operetta, the glamor of ballroom dance, and the delicate beauty of ballet will waltz you into a triumphant New Year at Arts Common. Inspired by Vienna’s beloved Neujahrskonzert, this charming celebration showcases acclaimed European singers and dancers, as well as The Strauss Symphony of Canada featuring the Calgary Phil, for a rich cultural experience that will start your year on a joyous note. Learn more at calgaryphil.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.

Ongoing

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.