25 things to do in Calgary this weekend: December 14 to 16

Dec 13 2018, 12:19 pm

The last weekend of Fall is upon us, so make the most of it with these 25 great Calgary events to do on Friday, December 14, Saturday, December 15, and Sunday, December 17. Story Party, Once Upon A Christmas, and more.

For more things happening around town check out our events section.

Friday, December 14, 2018

Story Party Calgary 2018

story party

Story Party Tour/Facebook

What: The professional storytellers running the Story Party Tour will be putting a humorous spin on some of the most “can’t make this up” dating stories that are too ridiculous not to be true. The event will be held at Calgary’s own Cafe Koi, and will be in town for two nights, and four shows between December 14 and December 15.

When: Friday, December 14 and Saturday, December 15, 2018
Time: 7 pm and 9:30 pm
Where: Cafe Koi — 1011 1st Street SW, Calgary
Tickets: Online, $28 for early bird

Market Collective Holiday Markets 2018

What: The 10-year anniversary of Market Collective Holiday Markets will take place at the BMO Centre. Attendees can expect artists, musicians, DJs, food, drinks, and many other special surprises. These two markets will also be an ode to the past decade for Market Collective, so expect some new things you’ve never seen before.

When: Friday, December 14 to Sunday, December 16
Time: 4 to 9 pm (Friday, 10 am to 6 pm (Saturday and Sunday)
Where: BMO Centre – 20 Roundup Way, Calgary, Alberta
Admission: $5 for the weekend, children under 12 free

Calgary Night Market: Holiday Market 2018

What: Search for the perfect gift at this Holiday Night Market. Shop at over 40 local vendors with amazing handmade products, plus enjoy live entertainment and a DJ.

When: Friday, December 14, 2018
Time: 5 to 11 pm
Where: Eau Claire Market – 200 Barclay Parade SW
Admission: Free

Christmas at the Movies!

What: The Calgary Men’s Chorus take the audience on a fun and festive journey through some of their favourite songs taken from or inspired by Christmas movie soundtracks. Featuring special guests Mistletoe and Holly Christmas Quartet.

When: Now to Friday, December 14, 2018
Time: 7:30 pm
Where: DJD Dance Centre – 111 12 Ave SE, Calgary
Tickets: Online

Alberta Ballet’s The Nutcracker

What: For many, Clara and her Nutcracker bring back a warm childhood nostalgia as they brave the evil army of mice and dance with the Sugar Plum Fairy. Set to the motion of Tchaikovsky’s timeless music in an authentic Russian setting, this classic will have the whole family following along in awe.

When: Friday, December 14 to Sunday, December 16, 2018
Time: Various times
Where: Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium – 1415 14th Avenue NW
TicketsTicketmaster, $41+

Saturday, December 15, 2018

Christmas in Banff and Lake Louise – Festive Wagon Rides

Noel Hendrickson/Banff & Lake Louise Tourism

What: Cuddle up with your special someone, as you sip on hot cocoa as glide through picturesque views of the Rockies — talk about holiday romance at it’s finest.  Be sure to dress accordingly.

When: Weekends until January 1, 2019
Time: Noon to 4 pm
Where: The wagon leaves from the parking lot of the Whyte Museum – 111 Bear St, Banff
Admission: Free

Christmas in Kensington

What: Santa Clause and sleigh rides — that’s what you can expect at Christmas in Kensington. Grab the family and head down to spread Christmas cheer. Stay and catch a holiday movie at 3:30 pm as well!

When: Every Saturday to December 22, 2018
Time: 12 to 4 pm
Where: Kensington Calgary — Kensington Rd and 10th Street NW, Calgary
Tickets: By donation

Canmore Cave Tours Spirit in the Mountain series 2018

What: Canmore Cave Tours are hosting their Spirit in the Mountain concert series, which will see various music groups performing live 100 metres underground. The venue is Rat’s Nest Cave, and the performances will be by Calgary’s own indie-rock group The Silkstomes (Friday), folk-rock band Elk Run & Riot (Saturday), western Canadian music duo Trundled (Sunday), and Canmore native Seth Anderson (Monday) over the course of four days.

When: Friday, December 14 to Monday, December 17, 2018
Time: All concerts/tours start at 5 pm, with performances beginning at 8 pm.

  • 5 pm Meet your guide and pack up
  • 5:45 pm convoy to the cave parking lot
  • 6 pm hike to the cave
  • 7:15 pm let’s go caving
  • 8 pm the performance begins
  • 10 pm exit the cave
  • 11:15 pm arrive back at the office

Where: Rat’s Nest Cave – 202-129 Bow Meadows Crescent, Canmore
Tickets: Online, $130

Words That Move Me

What: Poets and musicians are paired with dancers to brings their lyrics to life. Featuring Wakefield Brewster (Poet / MC) and Manria Sekhon (Punjabi Dancer), Sonia Deleo (Folk Musician) and Matthew Oliver Van Diepen (Drag Performer), BASK (Spoken Word + Acoustic Guitar) and Anastassiia La Musa (Flamenco Dancer), Mira Black (Musician & Poet) and Sarah Zizek (Hip-Hop/Contemporary Dancer), Maddie Arnason (Musician) and Krizia Carlos (Mixed Style Dancer), Josephine Lo Re (Poet) and Kunji Mark Ikeda (Mixed Style Dancer).

When: Saturday, December 15, 2018
Time: 7 pm
Where: West Village Theatre – 2007 10 Avenue Southwest Calgary
Tickets: Online, $15

Sled Island Gong Show

What: Sled Island is hosting a super fun, super weird talent show. If you have a bizarre or surprising talent, showcase it at the Sled Island Gong Show – a Sled Island fundraiser – at The Palomino Smokehouse and Social Club. Participants will compete in front of the panel of completely unqualified judges for one of several great prizes, including Sled Island 2019 Discovery Plus Passes. Hosted by John Frosst.

When: Saturday, December 15, 2018
Time: 9 pm
Where: The Palomino – 109 7th Avenue S.W., Calgary
Tickets: Online, $10

Spectacular Christmas Showcase

What: DC Dance Club presents a Christmas showcase of dance, music, food and fun for the whole family and guests.

When: Saturday, December 15, 2018
Time: 6 pm
Where: DC Dance Club – 1235 26 Avenue Southeast #223, Calgary
Tickets: Online, $20-$25

The Funk Hunters – Funk The Halls

What: The Funk Hunters, an electronic DJ duo from Vancouver, bring Funk The Halls to Calgary with special guest Mat the Alien.

When: Saturday, December 15, 2018
Time: 8 pm
Where:  The Palace Theatre – 219 8 Avenue SW, Calgary
Tickets: Online, $30

Let It SHOW!

What: Let It SHOW! features incredible dancing, stunning vocals, and more, performed by the highly-skilled, talented artists of Calgary performing arts company, The SHOW. Featuring special guests The Moth and Santa Claus.

When: Saturday, December 15 to Sunday, December 16, 2018
Time: Various times
Where: DJD Dance Centre and Theatre – 111 12 Avenue Southeast Calgary
Tickets: Online, $21.25-$25

Once Upon a Christmas

heritage park

Once Upon A Christmas (Heritage Park/Facebook)

What: Experience the magic of Christmas past at Heritage Park. Enjoy a festive wagon ride, sing carols or visit with jolly old Saint Nick himself. Immerse yourself in an old-fashioned Christmas as some of the historical family homes and buildings open their doors to share their Yuletide traditions.

When: Weekends from now to Sunday, December 23, 2018
Time: 9:30 am to 4 pm
Where: Heritage Park – 1900 Heritage Drive S.W., Calgary
Tickets: Online

Holiday Radio Play: It’s An Okay Life, Considering

What: The Kinkonauts present a brand new family-friendly improvised holiday classic in the style of the radio plays of the 1930s. Featuring Mandy Morris and her jazz quartet, live off the floor sound effects, jingles, and more.

When: Saturday, December 15, 2018
Time: 8 to 9 pm
Where: The Rose Room – 922 9 Ave SE Calgary
Tickets: Online, $15

Sunday, December 16, 2018

Art Acoustic Sunday Series

What: Hang out with a few of Art on 9th’s favourite art instructors for an informal discussion and hands-on activity that explores the basic elements of art and design.

When: Every Sunday to December 23, 2018
Time: 10 am to 12 pm
Where: Art On 9th – 1211 9 Ave SE, Calgary
Admission: Free

Sunday Brunch at Fort Calgary

What: Enjoy a scrumptious brunch featuring fresh brunch classics like eggs benny, farm fresh sausage and bacon, house-made scones and more. Brunch includes admission to the museum.

When: Every Sunday to December 30, 2018
Time: 10 am
Where: Knox United Church – 506, 4th St. SW, Calgary
Price: Adults $30, children (5-12) $17, children under five free. Call 403-290-1875 to book.

Calgary Hitmen vs Lethbridge Hurricanes

What: The Hitmen face off with the Hurricanes in WHL action at Scotiabank Saddledome.

When: Sunday, December 16, 2018
Time: 4 pm
Where: Scotiabank Saddledome – 555 Saddledome Rise SE
Tickets: Online

Axe Cancer Calgary

What: Join Camp Quality in Calgary at BATL Ax Calgary for the first ever axe throwing tournament in support of Camp Quality Alberta. Every bullseye gets the organization closer to their target all sending all children with cancer to camp.

When: Sunday, December 16, 2018
Time: 2 to 5 pm
Where: BATL Ax Calgary – 2151 32 St NE, Calgary
Price: $50 per individual ($200 per team of 4) register online

Breakfast with Santa

week

Santa Claus/Shutterstock

What: Celebrate the holidays at TELUS Spark with a day at the science centre, including breakfast and a photo opportunity with Santa.

When: Sunday, December 16, 2018
Time: 9 am to 12 pm
Where: TELUS Spark – 220 St. George’s Drive NE, Calgary
More Info: Online

The Nutcracker (In A Nutshell)

What: The Nutcracker (in a Nutshell) takes children through the classic ballet The Nutcracker in just 30 minutes. Set to Tchaikovsky’s music, The Nutcracker Prince, Rat King, Snow Queen, Sugar Plum and all her friends make an appearance. Make Christmas crafts before the show, and at the end of the performance, cast members invite all children from the audience to join them on stage in a ‘Waltz of the Flowers’ interactive character dance and creativity workshop.

When: Saturday, December 15 to Sunday, December 16, 2018
Time: Various times
Where: Shane Homes YMCA at Rocky Ridge – 11300 Rocky Ridge Road Northwest, Calgary
Tickets: Online

Penny Sanborn Trio – Mirror Suite Release Concert

What: Join Penny Sanborn (accordion), Jamie Philp (guitar) and Rubim de Toledo (bass) for an afternoon of eclectic music as they introduce music from their newest CD, Mirror Suite. Hear a stunning collection of French, Italian and Tango music, both familiar and original, performed by the acoustic trio.

When: Sunday, December 16, 2018
Time: 2 to 4 pm
Where: Buckingjam Palace – 2101 8th Street SW, Calgary
Tickets: Online, $20

Hark the Glad Sound

What: A Calgary Christmas Tradition featuring Dolce, Viva and Brava choristers at the beautiful Knox United Church. Accompanied by Claire Butler and Minsung Pyo and organist Chellan Hoffman, the choir will be conducted by the founder, Elaine Quilichini. A selection of festive music and traditional Christmas songs will be presented.

When: Sunday, December 16, 2018
Time: 2 to 4 pm
Where: Knox United Church – 506 4 Street SW, Calgary
Tickets: Online, $25-$40

National Music Centre Jam Club Showcase

guitar

Child playing guitar/Shutterstock

What: National Music Centre’s Gig Day is our annual celebration of NMC’s after school program, Jam Club. The afternoon concert provides the Jam Club students with an opportunity to perform in front of a supportive audience and showcase their hard work.

When: Sunday, December 16, 2018
Time: 12 to 2:30 pm
Where: National Music Centre 850 – 4 Street SE, Calgary
Tickets: Online

Meet Santa at The Brewery

What: Join The Grizzly Paw Brewing Company in their Tap Room for photos with Santa. All ages welcome and photos are by donation (goods and gift cards) with all proceeds going to the Bow Valley Food Bank & Spirit of Christmas. Plus Grizzly Paw will be serving up hot chocolate and marshmallows for roasting around the fire all day.

When: Sunday, December 16, 2018
Time: 12 to 3 pm
Where: The Grizzly Paw Brewing Company – 310 Old Canmore Road, Canmore
Price: By Donation

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