City of Calgary to present New Year's Eve fireworks livestream this year

After being cancelled in 2020, the City of Calgary’s New Year’s Eve fireworks has returned… virtually.

The City announced on Tuesday that there will be midnight fireworks over the Calgary Tower to ring in 2022, and Calgarians are invited to watch a virtual livestream of the show.

“After last year’s fireworks cancellation, we’re thrilled to have the dazzling fireworks show return to ring in 2022,” Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek said in a press release. “Fireworks on New Year’s Eve lift our spirits and are also a symbolic reminder that brighter days are on the horizon.”

The livestream will feature a blessing from a local Indigenous Elder and a countdown to midnight with Mayor Gondek. The music soundtrack, curated by CJSW 90.9 FM, will feature tunes from Lodgepole Kind, Thomas Thomas and Moonrunner83.

The City of Calgary recommends tuning into the livestream on calgary.ca/NYE at 11:55 pm on December 31, 2021.

You might also like:
• Alberta has changed gathering rules for the holidays: What you need to know
• Free rapid COVID-19 test kits to be given out in Alberta ahead of holidays
• Traffic Tuesday: City of Calgary uses hilarious signs to promote safe driving (PHOTOS)

In addition to tuning into the City of Calgary’s livestream, there are a lot of ways to bring in the new year.

For your 2022 NYE celebrations, the City suggests taking advantage of Calgary’s winter fire pits, toboggan hills, and outdoor skating rinks. The rink at Olympic Plaza will be open on December 31, 2021, from 10 am until midnight, and skate rentals will be available onsite.

No New Year’s Eve event or countdown will take place at Olympic Plaza, but it will be part of the livestream.

It’s important to note the following road and sidewalk closures as a result of the fireworks show. The below will be closed from 11:45 pm December 31, 2021, to 12:15 am on January 1, 2022.

• Centre Street SE, from 6th Avenue SE to 9th Avenue SE
• 9th Avenue SW, from 1st Street SW to 1st Avenue SE
• 9th Avenue SW south sidewalk, in front of the Calgary Tower

“No matter what you plan to do on New Year’s Eve, ensure you follow all public health restrictions and recommendations,” reads the City of Calgary release. “They are in place to keep us all safe.”

City of Calgary New Year’s Eve fireworks

When: December 31, 2021, to January 1, 2022
Time: Tune in to the City of Calgary’s livestream starting at 11:55 pm on December 31
Where: Virtually at calgary.ca/NYE
Cost: Free