25 things to do in Calgary this weekend: December 7 to 9

CP Holiday Train (jonathanjacobs_/Instagram)

December rolls along with another fun weekend in Calgary. Check out these 25 things to do from Friday, December 7, Saturday, December 8, and Sunday, December 9. CP Holiday Train, Calgary Hitmen Teddy Bear Toss, and more.

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

Friday, December 7, 2018

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 7, 2018
Time: 5 to 11 pm
Where: Eau Claire Market – 200 Barclay Parade SW
Admission: Free

University of Calgary Students’ Union StressLess Week 2018

What: The University of Calgary Students’ Union has put together a whole host of events to help students reduce stress. StressLess Week wraps up today with “Are You Game?” Carnival in the MacHall North Courtyard.

When: Now to Friday, December 7, 2018
Time: 11:30 am to 2 pm
Where: University of Calgary – 2500 University Dr. NW, Calgary
Admission: Free

Airdrie Festival of Lights

What: The annual Airdrie Festival of Lights is set to illuminate more than a million Christmas lights in Nose Creek Park again, starting December 1. There will be miniature train rides available for $2 and two handcrafted fire pits to gather around. Much needed cups of hot chocolate will also be $2. Santa will also pay a few visits to the park during the festival. The festival is run by volunteers, with entry by donation. All proceeds go to the Airdrie and District Hospice Society and their Tree Of Hope Campaign. At the festival, the Tree of Hope will be illuminated every night in memory of loved ones who have passed and greetings of hope will be left for those suffering.

When: Now to Monday, December 31, 2018
Time: 6 to 9 pm
Where: Nose Creek Park – 1701 Main Street S, Airdrie
Admission: By cash donation; parking is free

Market Collective Holiday Markets 2018

@marketcollective/Instagram

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 7 to Sunday, December 9 and 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 Entrepreneur Centre Holiday Mingle

What: Come celebrate your hard work and the holidays with the Entrepreneur Centre team and fellow Calgary entrepreneurs. Ticket includes one free drink, appetizers and an entry into the door prize draw, with all ticket proceeds going to The Calgary Food Bank.

When: Friday, December 7, 2018
Time: 4 to 7 pm
Where: Last Best Brewing & Distilling – 607 11 Avenue Southwest, Calgary
Tickets: Online, $5

Saturday, December 8, 2018

CP Holiday Train Calgary 2018

What: The 20th edition of the Canadian Pacific Holiday Train brings holiday cheer to 164 communities and collect donations for local food banks. Each stop features live entertainment, music, and festive activities.

When: Saturday, December 8, 2018
Where: Anderson C-Train Station – South C-train parking lot
Time: 6:45 to 7:45 pm
Price: Free! Bring non-perishable donations to support your local food bank.

Lion’s Festival of Lights 2018

What: The Lions Festival of Lights is back for their 32nd year to brighten up Calgary’s 14th Street NW with over 450,000 shining lights. The display is put together by volunteers who spend thousands of hours creating the shining assortment of Christmas figures and decked-out trees. This year’s festival is now 99% green as it is created using LED bulbs connected by nearly three kilometres of power cords.

When: Now to Tuesday, January 8, 2019
Time: 6 pm to midnight daily
Where: Confederation Park – 14th Street NW, north of 24th Avenue, Calgary
Admission: Free

Calgary Flames

What: The Flames take on the Nashville Predators as the NHL season continues at Scotiabank Saddledome.

When: Saturday, December 8, 2018
Time: 8 pm
Where: Scotiabank Saddledome – 555 Saddledome Rise SE
Tickets: Online

Alberta Guide Dogs Open House and Christmas Market 2018

BC and Alberta Guide Dogs/Facebook

What: Alberta Guide Dogs has just opened a new office in Calgary and will be hosting an open house, Christmas market, and bake sale to celebrate. The open house is free for all to attend, and will even be visited by a few puppies-in-training for viewings of their obedience classes. Visitors will also be able to make some purchased at the Christmas Gift Shop as well as pick up some baked goods (for both humans and canines). Potential visitors are asked to RSVP by calling 403-258-0819, or by emailing [email protected].

When: Saturday, December 8, 2018
Time: 11 am to 2 pm
Where: Alberta Guide Dogs — #11 6115 — 4th Street SE
Admission: Free, donations are welcome and will go towards Guide and Autism Support Dogs.

Tough Guy: The Bob Probert Story

What: A look at the life and death of NHL legend Bob Probert, as told through exclusive interviews with his family, friends, teammates and rivals. Featuring game footage, news reports, and never before seen home movies. Screening includes a Q&A with filmmaker Geordie Day and guests.

When: Saturday, December 8, 2018
Time: 6:30 pm
Where: The Plaza Theatre – 1133 Kensington Rd NW, Calgary
Tickets: Online,

Inn from the Cold Winter Open House

What: Every holiday season Inn from the Cold open the doors of our Emergency Shelter and invite Calgarians to join in on a day of festive cheer. There will be interactive tours, live music, a visit from Santa, holiday activities for all ages, and large amounts of holiday cheer. Join a tour, make a donation, or visit with staff and other Inn from the Cold supporters.

When: Saturday, December 8, 2018
Time: 10 am to 2 pm
Where: Inn from the Cold – 110-11th Avenue SE, Calgary
Tickets: Online, Free

Make It! Calgary 2018

makeitshow/Instagram

What: Calgary’s biggest handmade market, the Make It! Show is coming back to Calgary just in time for the holidays. The event is taking place now to Sunday, December 9 and it’s set to feature more than 130 of Canada’s top artists, makers, and crafters. The fun, upbeat shopping experience is the perfect place to find gifts for everyone on your holiday list this season, as you’ll be able to shop everything from clothing and accessories, to art, home decor, gourmet goodies, baby and kid items, among other handmade treasures.

When: Now to Sunday, December 9

Friday, December 7: 11 am to 9 pm
Saturday, December 8 10 am to 6 pm
Sunday, December 9 11 am to 5 pm

Where: Deerfoot City — 901 64th Avenue NE
Price: $3 early bird online | $5 at the door | Kids under 12 are free – Tickets available via EventBrite

Christmas Craft Parade

What: The Christmas Craft Parade at St. Michael School features over 40 vendors, plus a raffle and delicious food.

When: Saturday, December 8, 2018
Time: 10 am to 3 pm
Where: St. Michael School – 4511 8 Avenue Southwest, Calgary
Admission: Free

Three Days Grace

What: Ontario rockers Three Days Grace bring The Outsider Tour to Calgary with special guests Nothing More and Bad Wolves.

When: Saturday, December 8, 2018
Time: 7:30 pm
Where: Grey Eagle Resort & Casino 3777 – Grey Eagle Drive S.W., Calgary
Tickets: Online

4th Annual Authentically Indigenous Craft Show & Marketplace

What: Authentically Indigenous Holiday Edition features over 30 unique Indigenous Artist Vendors from the Calgary and Treaty 7 area of Southern Alberta. Handmade crafts, art, jewelry, prepared food and more. There is also a Kids Zone, where kids can colour or make an ornament to take home. Plus Santa will be making an appearance.

When: Saturday, December 8, 2018
Time: 9 am to 5 pm
Where: Calgary Farmers’ Market – 510 77 Ave SE, Calgary
Admission: $2, free for children

Sunday, December 9, 2018

Calgary Hitmen Teddy Bear Toss 2018

Calgary Hitmen teddy bear toss (tlem8/Instagram)

What: The Calgary Hitmen’s annual Teddy Bear Toss is coming up on December 9. Last year, 18,035 fans brought 24,605 bears to the 2017 Teddy Bear Toss game, though this year’s organizers are hoping for an even bigger turnout, as 25,000 bears are needed to be shared with children by more than 65 local agencies. Attendees of the December 9 game are encouraged to bring a new small to medium sized stuffed animal or toy to the game to throw onto the ice the first time the Calgary Hitmen goal horn sounds.

When: Sunday, December 9, 2018
Time: 2 pm
Where: Scotiabank Saddledome — 555 Saddledome Rise SE, Calgary
Tickets: Online, starting at $15 for adults and $10 for students and children

Holiday Fest ‘n’ Film

What: Embrace the holiday season with friends and family at St. Patrick’s Island. Enjoy winter fun and festivities like curling and visits with Santa, then cozy up to enjoy Smallfoot on the big screen at 2 pm.

When: Sunday, December 9, 2018
Time: 12 to 4 pm
Where: St. Patrick’s Island, Calgary
Admission: Free

Christmas at the Opera: Menotti’s Amahl & The Night Visitors

What: A heartwarming one-act family opera about a young boy who meets three kings on their way to bring gifts to the baby Jesus, and learns that giving is sometimes its own gift. Presented by Calgary Opera.

When: Now to Sunday, December 9, 2018
Time: Various times
Where: Calgary Opera – 1315 7 Street SW, Calgary
Tickets: Online

Yung Heazy

What: A bedroom pop star born overnight online after his first releases racked up millions of streams, Yung Heazy aka Jordan Heaney released his highly anticipated debut LP “Whenever You’re Around I Hate Everything Less” on June 1, 2018, and has been on the road in North America, Europe, Mexico and Asia since.

When: Sunday, December 9, 2018
Time: 7 pm
Where: Tubby Dog – 1022 17 Ave SW, Calgary
Tickets: Online, $7

Tenacious D

Tenacious D (Tenacious D / Facebook)

What: The musical comedy duo of Jack Black and Kyle Gass had a variety series on HBO that aired in 1999. Their self-titled album was released in the fall of 2001 with Epic Records and was quickly certified at gold-selling status, and has since been certified platinum. In 2014, Tenacious D won a Grammy in the category of Best Metal Performance for their cover of Ronnie James Dio’s “The Last in Line.”

When: Sunday, December 9 and Monday, December 10, 2018
Time: 8 pm (doors open at 7 pm)
Where: Grey Eagle Event Centre — 3777 Grey Eagle Drive, Calgary
Tickets: $69.50, $85.00 and $99.50, available online