As recommended by health officials, if you choose to participate in events outside of your home, please adhere to COVID-19 health and safety measures, including proper physical distancing, mask wearing, and frequent handwashing. If you are sick, please stay home.
There’s still plenty to do in Calgary, even with new public health measures in place.
From outdoor activities to ways to keep you entertained while inside, there’s no reason to be bored in YYC this weekend.
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Here are a few fun events and activities you can do — all while safely physically distancing!
Pick up a locally made gift for that special someone
Rocky Mountain greeting cards (krystlesimmonds/Instagram)
Our city has such a strong entrepreneurial spirit that not even a global pandemic can shake, but it still needs our help to keep it alive. This year more than ever, it’s so important that our hard-earned dollars go towards supporting local businesses, makers, and artists whose livelihood depends on the success of the holiday season.
When you purchase a gift from a small business, you’re not only helping to support the family behind it but also our local Calgary economy as a whole.
We’ve put together an extensive guide to shopping local this holiday season to help you find gifts for all your friends, family, and frontline workers whom you may or may not see in person this year.
Go for a holiday photo walk
It’s the most wonderful time of the year in Calgary, and what better time to brighten up your Instagram than when the city is lit up for the holidays?
If you’re looking to get out into the city, live your best holiday life, and take pictures to document winter’s precious moments. We’ve got just the list of spots for you.
Enjoy the sunshine
Grab those shades and slap on some sunscreen because it’s going to be a warm one in Calgary this weekend!
The weather over the next few days is expected to sit well above freezing, with clear and sunny skies expected from Friday to Sunday.
Check out Telus Spark’s Sparkle Sparkle
Telus Spark
Telus Spark has launched Sparkle Sparkle, an indoor winter wonderland featuring over 270,000 LED lights arranged in stunning (and incredibly photo-worthy) displays.
The pathway experience brings visitors through a simmering Northern Lights cave, past LED bonfires, and under simulated shooting stars.
Guests will also get to grab a hot chocolate, create their own lantern, taste some treats at a Sugar Shack, and learn about the infinite expanse that is the cosmos.
When:Â Now until January 3, excluding December 24, 25, and 31
Time:Â Time slots are available between 5 and 9:30 pm
Where: Telus Spark — 220 St. George’s Drive NE
Tickets: Available online, $19
Go for an ice skate at Olympic Plaza
If you’re down to get outside and have some fun, then make your way downtown for some (physically distanced) skating.
The rink is open from 10 am to 9 pm daily, and it’s completely free of charge — unless you’re hoping to rent some skates, that is.
Location:Â 228 8th Avenue SE
Watch Christmastime classic, Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring
We honestly think that 2001’s cinematic marvel The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring deserves its rightful place among the VHS tapes that are broken out every December.
Buckle up, because there is a lot to unpack here.
Warm up at an outdoor fire pit
Firepit (Shutterstock)
It might be a little chilly in Calgary these days, but the city is hoping to take the bite out of an encroaching winter for those hoping to hang outside with their bubble.
The City of Calgary has installed a number of fire pits at community parks across the city, as the recent provincial public health orders have made it illegal to host social gatherings indoors.
A full list of parks can be found here.
Check out some residential light displays
A fun, free, and gorgeous night out on the town just became that much easier to enjoy.
Lighten UP Calgary has brought back their interactive light display map, allowing Calgarians to pinpoint exactly where some of the best residential light displays are in the city.
Whether you’re bringing the whole household out for some holiday fun or going on a dazzling date night, the map offered at Lighten UP Calgary’s website makes tracking down those displays a LOT easier than just cruising around city blocks.
Go Skiing at Mount Norquay
While it may have meant an early end to fall, the snowfall Alberta has seen over the past week hasn’t been all bad.
The early arrival of winter has also meant that Alberta’s local ski hills have been seeing plenty of the white stuff, so much so that Mount Norquay has opened early this season.
ZooLights 2020
Zoolights (erikasmind/Instagram)
One of Calgary’s most festive events is on its way back this holiday season.
Zoolights, presented by Olympia Trust Company, is returning to the Calgary Zoo for its 24th year.
The zoo will be transformed into a magical wonderland with two million twinkling lights from November 20, 2020, to January 3, 2021 (excluding December 25), for seven weeks of family-friendly fun that gives back to animal conservation.
When:Â November 20, 2020, to January 3, 2021
Time:Â 5 to 9 pm
Where: The Calgary Zoo — 210 St. George’s Drive NE
Tickets: Available online, 20
Go sledding on a City of Calgary approved hill
Winter is still a month away, but someone must have forgotten to tell Mother Nature because Calgary has already seen quite a bit of snow over the past week.
While YYC may be going through its usual freeze, snow, thaw routine at the moment, it’s only a matter of time before the white stuff is here to stay for good. Not that there’s anything wrong with that, as the snow covering actually lends the opportunity for anyone looking to slip and slide down some hills.
Calgary actually has a bylaw in effect, stopping would-be tobogganers from sliding down any hills that haven’t been officially given the green light, but lucky for us, there are quite a few on that list.
Get your flu shot
It’s officially flu season.
Alberta Health Services has announced that the annual flu shot is now available throughout the province. Albertans are being encouraged to get immunized to protect both themselves and their at-risk neighbours.
According to the Alberta Health Services website, influenza immunization will be offered through AHS to children under five and their family or household members. However, the vaccine will need to be booked through an online tool that will become available as of October 13.
All other Albertans should contact their pharmacist or physician to arrange for their own free vaccinations.
Check Out High Park
High Park parkade/Beltline Neighbourhood Association
Talk about a picnic with a view.
Calgary’s newest park may not have the grass, trees, or ponds you’d come to expect from an outdoor public space, but what it lacks in nature it makes up for in colour, views, and originality.
High Park opened to the public this week, offering Calgarians a space to check out (while safely physically distancing) at the tip-top of a six-storey parking garage.
Kick back and binge some Disney+
Stay indoors and stay safe this week by making some popcorn and having some Disney+ and Chill time.
Here are a few new releases worth checking out on the streaming giant this weekend.
Pick up the perfect Christmas Tree
Shutterstock
It’s that time of year again where it pays off to think ahead before the stressful holiday rush.
Dust off your shopping chops, dig out the Christmas decor and get ready for the holiday festivities.
If you’re thinking about getting a new Christmas tree this year, real or artificial, there are plenty of places to find the perfect tree fit for any home.
Check out our list of locations here.
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