6 places to see some stunning lights in Calgary this holiday season

Dec 2 2020, 7:19 pm

Albertans are encouraged to practice proper physical distancing, wear a mask when out in public, maintain proper hand hygiene, and stay home if they are feeling at all sick.

While the holidays may be looking a little different this year, the light displays set up around Calgary are just as dazzling as ever.

From completely decked-out houses to ticketed events, there are plenty of safe ways for Calgarians to enjoy one of the most beautiful aspects of the holidays.

Here’s our list of the best places to check out some stunning light displays around the city:

Check out Telus Spark’s Sparkle Sparkle

Telus Spark

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: Now until January 3, excluding December 24, 25, and 31
Time: Time slots are available between 5 and 9:30 pm
Where: Telus Spark — 220 St. George’s Drive NE
Tickets: Available online, $19

Check out some residential light displays

light displays

Lighten UP Calgary

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.

ZooLights 2020

zoolights

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: November 20, 2020, to January 3, 2021
Time: 5 to 9 pm
Where: The Calgary Zoo — 210 St. George’s Drive NE
Tickets: Available online, 20

Noël Christmas Indoor Light Park and Christmas Market

Noel Christmas

The Noël Christmas Indoor Light Park and Christmas Market is coming back to Calgary this year, and tickets are now available.

More than 100,000 sq ft of the BMO Centre at Stampede Park will be transformed into a magical holiday experience, complete with over one million twinkling lights, festive food and drink, and one-of-a-kind gifts.

Santa and Mrs. Claus will also be in attendance!

When: November 26, 2020, to January 3, 2021
Time: Times vary; see schedule
Where: BMO Centre, 20 Roundup Way SE
Tickets: $20, child and family discounts available

See Canada’s magical holiday train online

december 8

cpholidaytrain/Instagram

The annual Canadian Pacific Holiday Train is making only one stop this season — your house.

For the first time in 21 years, the train will not be trekking across Canada as a result of the pandemic.

According to the Canadian Pacific, the company will still make donations to food banks in communities along its network and will host a virtual concert instead of going on its regular Holiday Train route.

The CP Holiday Train at Home Virtual Concert will include performances by Serena Ryder, The Trews, JoJo Mason, Logan Staats, Kelly Prescott. The festivities kick off on Facebook Live on December 12 at 6 pm (MT).

Christmas Lights at Legacy

Christmas lights

Legacy Christmas Light Parade / Facebook

Despite the challenges presented by the pandemic, the community of Legacy has moved forward with this year’s light display.

A release from the Legacy Residents Association, which has been putting up the display in partnership with WestCreek Developments since 2015, states that the 2020 display will run from November 16 to January 10, with over one million Christmas lights set up throughout the community that can be enjoyed from the comfort (and safety) of a vehicle or during a physically distanced walk.

Parks, playgrounds, trees, the Legacy clock tower, and show homes will all be alight with carefully curated colours to create a stunning display.

The 2020 version will also see the addition of tunnels made of light, a huge Christmas tree, and two public skating rinks for that picturesque wintertime skate.

DH Calgary StaffDH Calgary Staff

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