22 things to do in Calgary this weekend: December 15 to 17
Dec 15 2017, 3:59 am
One last weekend before all your free time is filled with Christmas dinners, holiday get togethers, and time with the family, so make this weekend all about you!
Take yourself out to something fun this weekend – even if it isn’t necessarily Christmas-related. You’ll have plenty of time for all that in a week!
See also
- Celebrate the magic of Christmas with a screening of Die Hard
- The average cost of rent in major Canadian cities in December 2017 (MAP)
- Rain and snow in the forecast for Calgary this weekend
Friday, December 15
Die Hard Christmas screening 2017
Die Hard Christmas screening (The Fifth Reel)
- What: Spend this Friday evening getting festive with loved ones by watching New York cop John McClane shoot, kill, and outsmart some bad guys throughout the Nakatomi Plaza in Los Angeles.
- When: Friday, December 15
- Time: 9 pm to 1 am
- Where: Globe Cinema – 617 8th Avenue SW
- Tickets: Eventbrite, $10-15
Embroidery Workshop by Bella Love Designs
- What: Learn how to create beautiful embroidered deigns, mingle with new friends and take home a handmade gift made by you!
- When: Friday, December 15
- Time: 6:30 to 9:30 pm
- Where: Outside the Shape – 1222 10 Avenue SE
- Tickets: Online, $60
Curated. Holiday Market
- What: Shop over 85 different vendors for four weekends leading up to the Christmas season. Come get your photo with Santa, while enjoying live entertainment, childrens workshops and more!
- When: December 15 to 17
- Time: Hours vary, check the schedule
- Where: Deerfoot City – 901 64 Avenue NE
- Tickets:$5
Watch the Calgary Roughnecks play Vancouver
- What: Come see the Calgary roughnecks kill it on the field this year.
- Where: Scotiabank Saddledome – 555 Saddledome Rise SE, Calgary
- When: Friday, December 15
- Time: 7 pm
- Tickets: Ticketmaster, $40+
Winter ice skating at Olympic Plaza
- What: Skate amidst the beauty of downtown Calgary at everyone’s favourite outdoor rink.
- When: Monday, November 20 to mid-March
- Time: weather dependent from 10 am to 9 pm
- Where: Olympic Plaza – 228 8th Avenue SE
- Cost: Free
Hit the Slopes
- What: Getting snow early this year means that our mountainous backyard is waiting for us with a fluffy layer of the white stuff, perfect for winter sports and activities. Take advantage and get some shredding in during this great pre-season, or take your snowshoes for an adventure around one of the many picturesque lakes that the Rockies have to offer. Each hill also has a variety of Christmas themed activities happening throughout the holiday season, be sure to check the websites before heading up so you don’t miss the festivities.
- Check the websites for Sunshine, Mount Norquay and Lake Louise to check hours of operation and see which trails are open!
Go Tubing at Canada Olympic Park
Snow tubing (Parilov / Shutterstock)
- What: Calgary’s only tube park is the largest of its kind in Western Canada and now boasts 12 lanes, a four person tube option, and a dedicated magic carpet. A village including a food trailer, a deck with heaters, a fire pit, and washrooms have also been added for the 2017 season. Here you get the perks of a fun winter getaway without having to even leave the city – win win!
- When: During the winter season
- Where: WinSport’s Canada Olympic Park, The Acura Tube Park – 88 Canada Olympic Road SW, Calgary
- Tickets: $28 for an adult to slide for two hours, and senior, youth, and family discounts are available.
Saturday, December 16
Northern Lights Window Exhibition
- What: Downtown Calgary shop windows will be getting a makeover this December, and it’ll be more than just a bit of paint. Using an Augmented Reality enabled app on your phone, you’ll be able to interact and experience each painted window destination, that will reflect various Christmas stories and memories of local artists. Don’t forget to vote for your favourite window through the app!
- When: Friday, December 1 to Sunday, December 31
- Where: In and around Calgary’s downtown core
- Admission: Free!
Christmas Lights at Spruce Meadows
- What: This two-kilometer drive through in Spruce Meadows is lit up so festively that it’s undeniably special for anybody to see. Also free, this Christmas lights event will leave you feeling as though Christmas day is just one sleep away.
- When: Saturday, December 9 to Sunday, January 7
- Time: 5 to 10 pm
- Where: Spruce Meadows – 18011 Spruce Meadows Way SW
- Admission: $10 per carload
Experience a Dog Sledding Exhibition
Dog Sledding/ Au Chalet en Bois Rond
- What: Cuddle up under a blanket enjoy the scenery as you glide through the trail or head up your own team of home-bred Canadian huskies – you choose!
- Where: Snowy Owl Sled Dog Tours – 109, 829 Street Canmore, AB or Mad Dogs & Englishmen Expeditions in Canmore
Mountain Top Christmas
- What: Nothing is more magical than celebrating Christmas in a wonderland of snow on the top of a mountain. Help out at Santa’s workshop, experience the Elf Interactive Centre, write Santa a letter, participate in a Christmas Treasure Hunt, stargaze with astronomers, watch Disney’s ‘Prep and Landing’ Christmas short film, and so much more. It’s truly a magical wonderland that the whole family can enjoy.
- When: November 18 to January 7 (Varies per event)
- Time: Varies per event
- Where: 100 Mountian Avenue, Banff
- Tickets: Online, Adult – $62, Child – $31
Greater Goods Pop-Ups
- What: Come sip on a Lavender Earl Grey Tea Latte while shopping for some great local goodies, for everyone on your Christmas list! This week, find yourself a beautiful vintage treasure from Prairie Bazaar during their 1-day pop up.
- Where: 606 Meredith Road NE
- When: Saturday, December 16
- Time: 11 am to 5 pm
- Admission: Free
Holiday Wishes
- What: Celebrate the holidays with 17th Avenue with cheerful holiday tunes, hot cocoa, sweet candy cane give-aways and photos with the Gingerbread Man and Rudolph. You will also have the opportunity to score some FREE Downtown parking from the Calgary Parking Authority’s Parking Elves when you bring a non-parishible food donation to the event. Win win!
- When: Saturday, December 16
- Time: 11 am to 4 pm
- Where: Tompkins Park on 17 Avenue
- Admission: FREE
Canadian Maple Shack: Make your own Maple Taffy
- What: Eating maple taffy on snow is a Canadian culinary tradition and you can pour your own tire sur la neige at the Calgary Christmas Market!
- When: Thursday to Sunday from November 16 to December 23 with the exception of November 23 to 26.
- Time: 10 am to 3 pm
- Where: Calgary Farmers Market – 510 77 Avenue SE, Calgary
- Admission: Free
Christmas in Kensington
- What: Every Saturday until Christmas, enjoy complimentary coffee and hot chocolate, selfies with Santa, horse and wagon rides, a petting zoo, and four of your favourite Christmas classics up on the silver screen. The best part – it’s FREE!
- Where: The Plaza Theatre – 1133 Kensington Road NW
- When: Saturday, December 16 – Bad Santa
- Time: 3:30 pm
- Admission: By donation
What the Calgary Flames play Nashville
Image: Calgary Flames / Twitter
- What: Playing the Predators always means there will be at least one heated shoot out that you won’t want to miss. Who knows, perhaps Carrie Underwood might make an appearance to cheer her husband on (we wish!).
- Where: Scotiabank Saddledome – 555 Saddledome Rise SE, Calgary
- When: Saturday, December 16
- Time: 8 pm
- Tickets: Ticketmaster, $36+
Sunday, December 17
Zoolights
- What: The Zoolights at the Calgary Zoo never fail to amaze. Each year, this unforgettable winter tradition of fun activities and stunning lights warms the hearts of many. See the Calgary Zoo light up for seven weeks straight and help celebrate the 20th anniversary of everyone’s favourite holiday experience.
- When: Friday, November 24 to January 6
- Time: 6 to 9 pm
- Where: The Calgary Zoo – 210 ST. Georges Drive NE, Calgary
- Tickets: General (16+) $14.95, Child (3-15) – $11.95
Granary Road Christmas Market
- What: Calgary’s newest market has a whole lot of festive fun planned for this holiday season. Get your photo taken with an alpaca wearing a festive scarf, enjoy delish holiday treats, let Santa and Mrs. Claus know what is on your Christmas list, sit back and enjoy a sleigh ride, and so much more!
- When: Every Friday to Sunday until December 23
- Time: 9:30 am to 5:30 pm
- Where: Granary Road – 226034 112nd Street W
- Admission: FREE
Christmas crafting and chocolate tasting workshop with McGruire Chocolate
- What: Taste some chocolate, learn about chocolate and take home a gift box that probably includes chocolate – sounds like a pretty good deal to us!
- When: Sunday, December 17
- Time: 2 to 5 pm
- Where: Outside the Shape – 1222 10 Avenue SE
- Tickets: Online, $25
What the Calgary Hitmen Play Kootenay Ice
The Calgary Hitmen/Facebook
- What: They’re killing it this season! Be sure to come cheer them on to bring them to the end of a good year an a great season.
- Where: Scotiabank Saddledome – 555 Saddledome Rise SE, Calgary
- When: December 17
- Time: 7 pm
- Tickets: Ticketmaster, $9+
Festive Wagon Rides
- What: Spend the afternoon sipping on a mug of hot cocoa as you tour around Banff in a snowy wagon ride with Banff Trail Riders. Be sure to dress accordingly.
- When: Every Sunday between November 19 to December 17
- Time: Noon to 4 pm
- Where: The wagon leaves from the parking lot of the Whyte Museum – 111 Bear St, Banff
- Admission: Free!
Tom Jackson: Christmas 150
- What: Join master storyteller and musician Tom Jackson for an evening of captivating stories and songs that represent his half-century journey throughout Canada, with some holiday magic weaved in.
- When: Sunday, December 17
- Where: Banff Centre, Eric Harvie Theatre – 107 Tunnel Mountain Drive
- Time: 2 pm
- Tickets: Online
- Adult $30
- Senior/Student $25
- Child $15
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