25 things to do in Calgary this weekend: November 29 to December 1

The last weekend of November has arrived! Check out these 25 Calgary events happening on Friday, November 29, Saturday, November 30, and Sunday, December 1.There’s Make It!, Calgary Hitmen Teddy Bear Toss, and more.

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

Friday, November 29

Make It! The Handmade Revolution Calgary

What: Vendors from all over the country are coming to Calgary this month to sell their handmade wares at Northland Village’s holiday-themed Make It! Show. Shop from more than 80 vendors selling beautiful items made by hand, with love. With handmade clothing, art, accessories, gourmet goodies, home decor, children items, and more — conscious consumers will be sure to find gifts for everyone on your list.

When: Friday, November 29 to Sunday December 1
Time: Friday, 11 am to 9 pm; Saturday, 10 am to 6 pm; Sunday, 11 am to 5 pm
Where: Northland Village in the DO What U Love space — 5111 Northland Drive NW
Tickets: Available online at makeitshow.ca. Get 50% off early bird tickets until show day. Then it’s $6 at the door during the show. Kids 12 and under are free

Calgary Hitmen vs Regina Pats

What: Calgary Hitmen face off with Regina Pats in WHL action at Scotiabank Saddledome on November 29.

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

Calgary Night Market: Holiday Market 2019

What:  Shop over 40 local vendors with everything you need for your Holiday gifting. There will be crafts, baked goods, and bath and body items on sale, plus live entertainment and a DJ to keep the party going.

When: Every Friday until December 20, 2019
Time: 5 to 11 pm
Where: Eau Claire Market Centre Court– 200 Barclay Parade SW
Admission: Free

An East Coast Christmas with The Ennis Sisters

What: The Ennis Sisters are a JUNO-Award winning trio from Newfoundland, and are bringing their family Christmas show to Banff Centre on November 29.

When: November 29, 2019
Time: 6:30 pm
Where: Banff Centre – Margaret Greenham Theatre – 107 Tunnel Mountain Drive, Banff
Tickets: Online

Spruce Meadows International Christmas Market 2019

What: The Spruce Meadows International Christmas Market offers visitors to the market a dazzling display of lights, delicious treats, and the perfect place to get a few pre-Christmas-chaos presents. Live entertainment is also planned to be on scene, so be sure to expect a few of your favourite Christmas tunes alongside some more international songs.

When: November 29 to December 1
Time: Fridays, 10 am to 7 pm; Saturdays, 10 am to 7 pm; Sundays, 10 am to 5 pm
Where: 18011 Spruce Meadows Way SW
Tickets: Available online for $10, or $12 at the door

Saturday, November 30

Calgary Expo Holiday Market 2019

What: The Calgary Expo Holiday Market will be taking over the BMO Centre this November 30 for a “one-day holiday shopping extravaganza and a festive fandom celebration,” according to the event’s website. Attendees will be able to visit Santa and his holiday stormtroopers, grab a holiday photo with Jack Skellington, and stock up on some amazing gifts courtesy of the dozens of vendors and artists expected to be selling their handmade goods.

When: Saturday, November 30, 2019
Time: 9 am to 6 pm
Where: BMO Centre Hall B – 20 Roundup Way SW
Tickets: Available at the door, $10

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: November 30, 2019, 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

The 6th Annual Great Sweater Run

What: Grab the ugliest of Christmas sweaters and get ready to run the Tacky 10 km, the Festive 5 km or the Furry Fun 3 km, all while supporting the Calgary Food Bank.

When: November 30, 2019
Time: 1:45 pm pre-race briefing
Where: South Glenmore Park, Calgary
Registration: Online

Bianca Del Rio

What: Bianca Del Rio is the season six reigning winner of Logo TV’s hit series RuPaul’s Drag Race. Bianca brings her new tour, “It’s Jester Joke” to Calgary.

When: November 30, 2019
Time: 8 pm
Where: Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium — 1415 14 Avenue NW, Calgary
Tickets: Online

Etsy Calgary’s One Stop Christmas Shop

What: Shop for Christmas gifts, holiday decor, and more at Etsy Calgary’s One Stop Christmas Shop on November 30 at Golden Acre Home & Garden. There will also be food trucks on site.

When: November 30, 2019
Time: 10 am to 4 pm
Where: Golden Acre Home & Garden — 620 Goddard Avenue NE, Calgary
Admission: $3 at the door (cash only), children under 12 are free

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

Calgary Christmas Market

What: Calgary Christmas Market features favourite market and seasonal vendors, holiday gifts, homemade crafts, and more. Attendees will also get a chance to visit with Santa, decorate cookies, have tea with Mrs. Claus, enjoy Grinchmas, and more.

When: Thursday to Sunday until December 23, 2019
Time: 9 am to 5 pm
Where: Calgary Farmers’ Market – 510 77 Avenue SE, Calgary
Admission: Free

INDIAN. RELAY.

What: A photography exhibition from Julie Vincent and Jason Lawrence on the original extreme sport of Indian Relay, the Wolf Tail family, and the tradition and danger of the sport.

When: Now to Saturday, November 30, 2019
Time: Mondays to Thursdays, 10 am to 6 pm; Fridays and Saturdays, 10 am to 7 pm; Sunday, 12 to 5 pm
Where: The Peanut Gallery, lower level, Fluevog Shoes — 219-8 Avenue SW, Calgary
Admission: Free

Stupid Cupid the one-woman show by Liz McMullen

What: Calgary’s own Liz McMullen is returning to her hometown in style. The actor just spent the last decade training and performing in the UK, and will now be bringing her one-woman show, Stupid Cupid, to Calgary for a handful of shows at the end of the month. Stupid Cupid, whose titular character is played by McMullen herself, is a Cupid in training, taking an exam to get her wings.

When: Friday, November 29 and Saturday, November 30, 2019
Time: 7:30 pm on Friday, 2 pm and 7:30 pm on Saturday
Where: Pumphouse Theatre,  2140 Pumphouse Ave SW, Calgary
Tickets: Available online, $20

Last Christmas

What: Lunchbox Theatre presents Neil Fleming’s Last Christmas, a comedic modern look at the joys and challenges of the holiday season, and a reminder that family just may be the greatest gift of all.

When: Now until December 21, 2019 (no shows on Sunday)
Time: Various times
Where: Lunchbox Theatre – 160 115 9th Avenue SE, Calgary
Tickets: Online

Sunday, December 1

Calgary Hitmen Teddy Bear Toss 2019

What: Attendees of the December 1 versus the Red Deer Rebels 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: December 1, 2019
Time: 4 pm
Where: Scotiabank Saddledome — 555 Saddledome Rise SE, Calgary
Tickets: Press-level tickets available online starting at $20 for adults and $15 for students and children; limited number of first- and second-level tickets available as well

Once Upon a Christmas at Heritage Park

What: The event will feature wagon rides, Christmas carols, and a visit by Mr. Claus himself at the historic village. Attendees will be able to learn about what Christmas was like back in the day as many of the homes and buildings will open their doors to the public. Shopping will be available at the gift shops at the front gates, hot drinks and snacks can be found at the Railway Cafe, Wainwright Hotel Bar Room, and the Club Cafe, and a Christmas breakfast buffet will be served each morning — for an additional cost.

When: Saturdays and Sundays until December 22, 2019
Time: 9:30 am to 4 pm
Where: Heritage Park — 1900 Heritage Drive SW
Tickets: Online

Banff Gondola Mountaintop Christmas 2019

What: From mid-November 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

Esker Foundation

What: Esker Foundation connects the public to contemporary art through relevant, accessible, and educational exhibitions, programs, and publications. The gallery reflects on current developments in local, regional, and international culture; creates opportunities for public dialogue; and supports the production of groundbreaking new work, ideas, and research. Admission is free. The gallery is barrier-free.

When: Open Tuesdays until Sundays. Closed Mondays
Time: 11 am to 6 pm (until 8 pm on Fridays)
Where: Esker Foundation – 4th Floor – 1011 9th Avenue SE, Calgary
Admission: Free

CUFF.Docs

What: The seventh annual CUFF.Docs showcases the best in non-fiction films during the Calgary Underground Film Festival’s five-day documentary festival. The festival screens 14 full-length features, as well as shorts, varying in subject, style and genres within the art form.

When: Now until December 1, 2019
Time: Various times
Where: Various locations
Tickets: Online

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: December 1 to 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

Noël Christmas Festival

What: Noël Christmas is a month-long festival filled with live music, shopping, visits with Santa, and nearly one million lights. A perfect holiday outing for the whole family.

When: Now until December 24, 2019
Time: Various times
Where: Nutrien Western Event Centre — Stampede Trail SE, Calgary
More Info: Online

Christmas in Kensington

What: Celebrate the holidays every weekend in Kensington Village. The annual Christmas in Kensington includes free Horse and Wagon rides, visits and selfies with Santa Claus, decorated storefronts, and more.

When: November 30 and December 1, December 8 and December 9, December 15 and December 16, December 22 and December 23, 2019
Time: All Day
Where: Kensington Village
Admission: Free

Aspen Crossing Polar Express 2019

What: Hop on the train and journey to the North Pole, complete with hot cocoa, cookies, and dancing waiters. As the journey begins, passengers will be entertained by a reading of The Polar Express. Once you get to the North Pole, you’ll be greeted by Santa himself. From carolling to holiday entertainment, the Polar Express is a magical holiday experience for the whole family.

When: Various dates from until December 24
Time: Various times
Where: Box 30, Mossleigh (1 km west of Mossleigh, Alberta on Highway #24)
Tickets: Available online, $75 per guest (sold in sets of two or four)

Find Christmas Downtown 2019

What: The fourth annual Find Christmas Downtown event at the CORE Shopping Centre has corporations, non-profit organizations, and media partners coming together to decorate 150 trees throughout the space. The trees will remain at the mall for the holiday season until December 18. After that, they will be delivered to local families in need across the city.

When: Now until December 18, 2019
Time: Mall hours
Where: The CORE Shopping Centre — 324 8th Avenue SW, Calgary
Admission: Free