25 things to do in Calgary this weekend: December 27 to 29

Dec 26 2019, 9:30 pm

Time flies when you’re having fun! Here are 25 Calgary events happening on Friday, December 27, Saturday, December 28, and Sunday, December 29. We Will Rock You, Calgary Roughnecks, and more.

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

Friday, December 27

Christmas Lights at Spruce Meadows

December 24

Spruce Meadows / Facebook

What: Drive or walk through Spruce Meadows this holiday season to enjoy over 90 kilometres of lights sparkling with over 305,000 individual light bulbs.

When: Now until January 5, 2020 (closed Christmas Day)
Time: 5 to 10 pm
Where: Spruce Meadows – 18011 Spruce Meadows Way SW, Calgary
Admission: Free

Northern Reflections: A Winter Window Exhibition

What: Buds Collective has teamed local businesses with Calgary artists and animators for a unique and immersive art experience unlike any other. Find and enjoy six murals through the AUGLE app. Then use AUGLE to see the animation through Augmented Reality.

When: Now to December 31, 2019
Time: Various times
Where: Various locations in Calgary’s downtown core
Admission: Free

Making Treaty 7 Cultural Society’s 2nd Annual Indigenous Art Exhibition

What: Making Treaty 7 Cultural Society’s second annual Indigenous Art Exhibition is being showcased at a number of venues around Calgary this winter. The exhibition features work from 17 artists.

When: Now until January 18, 2020
Time: Various times
Address: Calgary Central Library — 800 3 Street SE, Calgary
Admission: Free

Winter ice skating at Olympic Plaza

What: Built in 1988 for the Olympic Winter Games, Olympic Plaza has the only refrigerated outdoor ice surface in the city. You can rent skates down at the plaza if you don’t have a pair of your own. Helmets are strongly encouraged.

When: Open daily until mid-March
Time: 6 am to 11 pm
Where: Olympic Plaza — 228 8th Avenue SE, Calgary
Admission: Free. Skates are also available to rent

The Mercantile at Symons Valley Ranch

What: The Mercantile at Symons Valley Ranch features over 35 vendors under one roof over one counter. Crafts, food vendors, and more.

When: Fridays to Sundays
Time: 10 am to 6 pm (Fridays), 10 am to 5 pm (Saturday to Sunday)
Where: Symons Valley Ranch – 14555 Symons Valley Road, Calgary
Admission: Free

Saturday, December 28

We Will Rock You: The Musical on Tour

What: An original story musical set to the songs of Queen, and written by Ben Elton. We Will Rock You takes the audience to iPlanet, a distant future earth where revolutionaries Galileo and Scaramouche go on an epic quest to save Rock N’ Roll. Featuring more than 24 Queen hits including We Are the Champions, Killer Queen, Bohemian Rhapsody, and We Will Rock You.

When: December 27 to 29, 2019
Time: Various times
Where: Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium – 1415 14 Ave NW, Calgary
Tickets: Online

The Holly Jolly Christmas Caper 2019

lougheed house

Lougheed House (@edwardross/Instagram)

What: Calgary’s Lougheed House will be taken over by Escape Capers YYC from December 26 to 30, allowing Calgarians the chance to test their wits against the puzzles, brain-teasers, and riddles that bar their freedom.

Taking a regular escape room up quite a few notches, the Holly Jolly Christmas Caper will include teams of two to nine people working their way through the house and solving clues as they go.

When: December 26 to December 30, 2019
Time: Multiple times available for booking
Where: The Lougheed House — 707 13th Avenue SW, Calgary
Tickets: $50 to $55, booking available online

A Christmas Carol

What: Theatre Calgary’s brand-new adaptation of the classic Dickens Christmas story A Christmas Carol, where Ebenezer Scrooge is paid a visit from the spirits of Christmas Past, Present, and Future on Christmas Eve, and is forced to finally confront how his bad behaviour and attitude have affected others.

When: Now until December 28, 2019
Time: Various times
Where: Max Bell Theatre, Arts Commons
Tickets: Online

Farmers and Makers’ Market at cSPACE

What: Check out 60 local farms, food-makers, bakers, brewers, distillers, and artisan vendors, food trucks, live music, kids arts and cultural activities, and more every Saturday at the Farmers and Makers’ Market at cSPACE.

When: Every Saturday, year-round
Time: 10 am to 1 pm (Now until to May 2020)
Where: cSPACE King Edward – 1721 29th Avenue SW, Calgary
Admission: Free

Lion’s Festival of Lights 2019

What: The Lions Festival of Lights is back for their 33rd year to brighten up Calgary’s 14th Street NW with over 500,000 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 until January 8, 2020
Time: Opening day, 5 pm, then 6 pm to midnight daily
Where: Confederation Park – 14th Street NW, north of 24th Avenue, Calgary
Admission: Free

Body Worlds: Animal Inside Out

What: Body Worlds: Animal Inside Out features over 100 preserved animal specimens ranging from the common pigeon to an expertly dissected camel. Visitors will be able to check out what’s under the skin of some spectacular animals and determine what makes us the same — and different.

When: Now until March 1, 2020
Time: Various times
Where: TELUS Spark — 220 Saint George’s Drive Northeast, Calgary
Tickets: Online

Granary Road Public Market

What: Granary Road Public Market is open year-round and offers fresh produce, artisan cheeses, pizza, tacos, handcrafted home goods, and more.

When: Every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday
Time: 9:30 am to 5 pm
Where: Granary Road Market — 226066 112 Street West, Foothills No. 31
Admission: Free

Rotary Festival of the Trees

Christmas Tree / Shutterstock

What: The Canmore Rotary Club celebrates its 10th annual Festival of the Trees. Stroll through tree decorated by local organizations, wreaths and gingerbread alley, and vote for your favourite one. There will also be other festive activities happening in order to raise funds for the many programs and services that the Rotary Club of Canmore supports.

When: Now until December 31, 2019
Time: Various times
Where: Canmore Civic Center – 902 7th Avenue, Canmore
Admission: Free

Calgary Roughnecks vs Colorado Mammoth

What: Calgary Roughnecks take on the Philadelphia Wings in National Lacrosse League action at Scotiabank Saddledome.

When: December 28, 2019
Time: 8 pm
Where: Scotiabank Saddledome – 555 Saddledome Rise SE, Calgary
Tickets: Online

Cash Cash

What: New Jersey electronic music group Cash Cash play The Palace Theatre on December 28 with guests Titus1, Dirtystylez, and Confined.

When: December 28, 2019
Time: Doors 9 pm
Where: The Palace Theatre – 219 8th Avenue SW, Calgary
Tickets: Online

Sunday, December 29

Winter CARnival in Gasoline Alley Museum

What: The annual Winter CARnival in Gasoline Alley Museum at Heritage Park features a variety of family-friendly winter-themed games and activities. Take part in a hat trick hockey challenge, play pin the heart on the Grinch, explore the museum, and more.

When: December 27 to 31, 2019, January 2 to 5, 2020
Time: 10 am to 4 pm
Where: Gasoline Alley Museum – Heritage Park – 1900 Heritage Drive SW, Calgary
Admission: Regular Gasoline Alley admission rates apply.

Tubing at Winsport’s Canada Olympic Park

What: Acura Tube Park at Winsport’s Canada Olympic Park is described as one of the fastest of its kind in Western Canada! Tubers can also check out the food truck and enjoy the convenience of washrooms on site.

When: Fridays until Sundays throughout the winter season. Special times are offered during the holidays and on long weekends.
Time: Various times
Where: WinSport’s Canada Olympic Park – Acura Tube Park – 88 Canada Olympic Road SW
Admission Info: Online

Zoolights

What: The 23rd year of Zoolights features million of lights, new themes and classic activities, and special guests in 2019. Bundle up and check out Wizarding Wednesdays, fire pits, the Wishing Tree, ice skating, and more.

When: Now until January 4, 2020
Time: 6 to 9 pm
Where: The Calgary Zoo – 210 St. Georges Drive NE, Calgary
Tickets: General (16+), $19.95; child (3-15), $14.95, available online

Banff Gondola Mountaintop Christmas 2019

mountaintop christmas

Banff Gondola (@argenel/Instagram)

What: Until the end of December, the Banff Gondola will turn its sky-high destination into a Winter Wonderland, complete with visits from Santa, cookie decorating, star gazing, and a mulled wine bar. Kids get free admission (one per adult admission) if they take the gondola up before noon, and all the Christmassy goodness that awaits at the top is built into the price of the ticket.

When: Weekends until December 30, 2019
Time: 10 am to 5 pm
Where: 100 Mountain Avenue, Banff
Tickets: Available online, $58 for adults, $29 for children

Calgary Flames vs Vancouver Canucks

What: The Calgary Flames take on the Vancouver Canucks at Scotiabank Saddledome on December 29.

When: December 29, 2019
Time: 7:30 pm
Where: Scotiabank Saddledome – 555 Saddledome Rise SE, Calgary
Tickets: Online

TOQUE

What: Canadian classic rockers TOQUE – Todd Kerns, Brent Fitz, Cory Churko and Shane Gaalaas – perform at The Back Alley Nightclub on December 29.

When: December 29, 2019
Time: 8 pm
Where: Back Alley Nightclub – 4630 Macleod Trail S, Calgary
Tickets: Online

Airdrie Festival of Lights

(Airdrie Festival of Lights)

Airdrie Festival of Lights

What: The annual Airdrie Festival of Lights in Nose Creek Park features miniature train rides, children’s activities, live entertainment, and more. The festival is run by volunteers, with entry by donation. Donations are used for general maintenance and upkeep of displays and attractions, and portions of the proceeds go to support local non-profits and youth groups.

When: Now until December 31, 2019
Time: 6 to 9 pm
Where: Nose Creek Park – 1701 Main Street S, Airdrie
Admission: By cash donation (suggested contribution is $10-$20 per family, and $1-$5 per person on a bus). Parking is free

Crossroads Market

What: Enjoy farm-fresh produce and tasty treats plus lots of unique finds from the large variety of vendors.

When: Fridays to Sundays
Time: 9 am to 5 pm
Where: Crossroads Market – 1235 26 Avenue SE, Calgary
Admission: Free

The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe

What: Alberta Theatre Projects presents C.S. Lewis’ classic tale at the Martha Cohen Theatre from now until December 29. Watch as Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy team up with Mr. Tumnus to save Narnia from the White Witch and set the stage for the return of Aslan the Lion.

When: Now until December 29, 2019
Time: Various times
Where: Martha Cohen Theatre — 215-8th Avenue SE, Calgary
Tickets: Online

Sunday Fundays at Devonian Gardens

What: Calgary Parks hosts Sunday Fundays at Devonian Gardens. The whole family can learn about nature, bird species, flowers and gardens. Attendees can also paint a coy, complete a puzzle or take part in colouring activities.

When: Every Sunday until March 29, 2020
Time: 12 to 3 pm
Where: Devonian Gardens – CORE Shopping Centre – 333 7 Avenue SW, 4th floor, Calgary
Admission: Free

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