67 things to do in Calgary this December

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December is a special month that is comprised of many beautiful moments that make up an entire season of fun and delicious memories spent with the people that you love.

There is seriously nothing better than curling up in an ugly Christmas sweater with a cup of steamy hot chocolate, in front of a crackling fire and twinkling tree or the lingering scent of fresh Christmas baking filling up your kitchen.

Get Outdoors

Image: Olympic Plaza / Shutterstock

Outdoor Skating

What: Now that winter seems to have finally settled in for the long haul, it’s time for the winter activities to commence. Grab a few friends, some hot chocolate and bundle up in your warmest, yet stylish winter attire and go skating on one of Calgary’s many outdoor rinks that are well maintained by either the city or volunteers within the community. Don’t own a pair of skates? Rent a pair at your nearest outdoor center or at specific rinks around the city – see website more for details!
Where: Various rinks throughout Calgary
Cost: FREE

Go for a Sleigh Ride

What: Take a ride into your very own winter fairy tale! Pop champagne and drink steamy hot cider as you cuddle beneath a warm, cozy blanket of a horse drawn sleigh. Listen to the sleigh-bells jingle as the horses take you on a journey through glaciers, meadows, frozen waterfalls and other magical gems in the picturesque landscape of the Canadian Rockies – it doesn’t get more romantic than that. Don’t forget to check the weather report before you head out to ensure a safe and enjoyable ride!
Where: Banff National Park
Cost: Varies

Snowshoeing or Cross-country Skiing

What: If you’re new to the world of snowshoeing or cross-country skiing or don’t feel comfortable venturing out on your own, book yourself on a tour or find a group of friends and reserve a private outing. A certified guide will lead you through the mountainous winter wonderland and provide you with hot chocolate and cookies, along with snowshoes and skis if you don’t have your own.
Where: Kananaskis Village Center – 1 Mt. Sparrowhawk Cresent
Cost:
- Group: $69.00/person; $39.00/6-14 years old; Free for 5 and under.
- Private: $89.99/adult; $64.99/youth 6-14 years; Free for 5 and under. Minimum booking of 2 adults or $180/tour. 20% off for private tours of 4-6 people.

Santa Shuffle: Fun Run, Elf Walk

What: Choose to either run 5km or walk 1km, whatever your fitness level will permit, while raising money for the Salvation Army. Each level of pledged donations you reach you will receive a free t-shirt and Running Room gift card, along with the added bonus of helping a family or individual make ends meet this Christmas – everybody wins!
Where: 200 Barclay Parade SW
When: Saturday, December 3
Cost: $50 and up

Spruce Meadows Run Series – Dashing Through the Glow

What: Dash through the dark winter wonderland in this 10km, 5km or 2km run held by the Running Room and Spruce Meadows.
Where: Equiplex Building, Spruce Meadows – 18011 Spruce Meadows Way SW
When: Friday, December 9
Cost: $55 and up

Toonie Day

What: Ski Mt. Norquay for only $2 on December 14^th – yes that is less than a cup of coffee! If you thought this deal couldn’t get any better, then think again. Not only do you Ski for $2, but your money is also donated to a local charity at the end of the season. Help them beat their $20,000 total from last year!
Where: Mt. Norquay – 1520 Banff, AB
When: Wednesday, December 14
Cost: $2

Free Things to Do

Image: The Calgary Zoo / Facebook

Visit the Calgary Farmers Market while it’s open 9 days straight

What: Get to the Calgary Farmers Market and do your holiday shopping before it closes between December 24 and January 4. The market will re-open and resume regular hours on January, 5th 2017.
When: December 15 to 23
Where: Calgary Farmers Market – 510 77th Avenue SE

Kensington Movie Series

What: Every Saturday until Christmas enjoy 4 of your favourite Christmas classics up on the silver screen. The best part – it’s FREE! Start the series off with an old time favourite, ‘Miracle on 34th Street,’ hang out with Buddy the elf in ‘Elf”, feel all the feels in the romantic drama ‘The Holiday’ and go on an adventure with Kevin McCallister in ‘Home Alone’
When: Every Saturday between December 3 and December 24
Where: Plaza Theatre – 1133 Kensington Road NW
Cost: FREE

Christmas in Kensington

What: Enjoy a complimentary hot chocolate and coffee as you roam the streets of Kensington enjoying local holiday shopping, Christmas carolers, horse and wagon rides, selfies with jolly old Saint Nick and more. There is something for everyone in the family to enjoy!
When: Every Saturday between November 26 to December 24
Where: Kensington
Cost: FREE

Volunteer at a local Charity

What: 2016 has been a rough year for our city and for some December will be even harder. Show Calgary some love by volunteering a few hours of your time at an organization that needs your help, so that everyone is able to have a wonderful holiday season and our city can look towards a brighter future in the New Year! Here are a few initiatives that are currently looking for volunteers this month:

December Hampers – Calgary Food Bank
Salvation Army Christmas Program – Salvation Army
Adopt-a-family – Salvation Army
Teen Christmas Totes – JR League of Calgary
Christmas Meal Delivery – Calgary Meals on Wheels
Magic of Christmas Assistance Program – The magic of Christmas
Childrens Christmas Party – Our Lady Queen of Peace Ranch
Birthday and Christmas Gift Program for Seniors – Seniors Secret Service
Operation Christmas Child – Samaritans Purse

*You can also call your local community association to help out with community dinners and other initiatives specific to your area!

When: throughout the Christmas season
Cost: FREE

Art Baby Tours

What: Babies and art rarely go together, so this is the perfect opportunity if you have an infant and are interested in seeing the Glenbow’s current temporary exhibition, “1920’s Modernism in Montreal: The Beaver Hall Group.” Bring your baby (under 2 years) for an infant friendly 1 hour tour of the exhibition and be transported into the vibrant life of the Jazz Age in the 1920’s in Montreal.
Where: Glenbow Museum – 130 9th Avenue SE
When: Saturday, December 7
Cost: FREE with admission

A Heritage Christmas

What: Always wondered why we hang stockings? Or what is so special about trimming the tree? Learn about old-fashioned Christmas traditions and what a classic Christmas on the prairies used to look like at the turn of the century at this exhibition held at the Okotoks Art Gallery, throughout the month of December.
Where: Okotoks Art Gallery – 53 North Railway Street
When: November 18 to December 23
Cost: FREE

Santa Shreds For Free

What: If you love to dress up and you love to ski then you are in luck! Grab your Jolly St. Nick, Mrs. Clause, Reindeer or Elf costume and ski for free on Christmas at MT. Norquay. It’s truly the best Christmas gift of all!
Where: Mt. Norquay – 1520 Banff, AB
When: Wednesday, December 25
Cost: FREE

Check out the Best Christmas Light Displays in YYC

What: Want to check out some beautiful light displays, without having to break the bank? Check out the Calgary Christmas Lights Map Marker and drive around the city to holiday music, as you discover the many creative light displays that Calgarians have put up at their homes.
Where: Calgary and surrounding areas
Cost: FREE

Arts and Theatre

Image: Alberta Ballet / Facebook

The Nutcracker

What: Transport into the magical Kingdom of Sweets with Clara and her Nutcracker Prince in this authentic Russian Ballet, proudly performed in collaboration with the Alberta Ballet and the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra. Watch as the stage comes alive in the famous Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy and the battles they undergo with the mischievous army of life size mice. It’s a holiday performance you won’t want to miss!
Where: Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium – 1415 14th Avenue NW
When: December 16 to 24 –Weekdays at 7pm,
Saturday and Sunday at 1pm & 6pm
Cost: Varies

Youth Singers of Calgary in Toy Wonder

What: The Calgary Youth Singers presents the wonderful and joyful performance of “Toy Wonder,” a heartfelt story about a toy and his journey through 8 decades of Christmas memories. Also, help support the Toy Angels Campaign by bringing an unwrapped, new toy to the performance and ensure that one more Calgary child has a toy under the tree this Christmas.
Where: Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium – 1415 14th Avenue NW
When: Sunday, December 4
Cost: $45

A Christmas Carol

What: Relive this iconic Christmas favourite by Charles Dickens in Theatre Calgary’s 30th anniversary of the production. Laugh, cry and feel the joy as you follow alongside Ebenezer Scrooge, played by Stephen Hair, on his unique journey to discover the holiday spirit and the true meaning of Christmas. Bah humbug!
Where: Theatre Calgary – 220 9th Avenue SE
When: November 24 to December 24
Cost: $34-$130

Disney’s Beauty and the Beast

What: Children of all ages will fall in love with this magical rendition of the original Disney Classic, Beauty and the Beast. Warm your heart with the beloved soundtrack of this holiday musical including everyone’s favourite, Be our Guest!
Where: StoryBook Theatre – 375 Bermuda Drive NW
When: November 25 to December 23
Cost: Child (3-17) $20, Adult (18+) $25

It’s a Wonderful Life

What: This Christmas classic is celebrating it’s 75 th year of spreading holiday joy on the silver screens! Allow the compassion and kindness that George Bailey embodies and the love he has for his family and the Bedford Falls community, to enter your hearts this Christmas season as you experience this live rendition of this wonderful holiday favourite.
Where: Pumphouse Theatre – 2140 Pumphouse Avenue SE
When: December 2 to 17
Cost: $20-$25

It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play

What: Seriously, who doesn’t have a soft spot for George Bailey and his hilarious good spirited guardian angel Clarence? Experience this heartfelt holiday classic as it comes to life in a live 1940’s radio style broadcast on the Lunchbox Theatre stage. Remember, “when you hear a bell that means an angel just received his wings!”
Where: Lunchbox Theatre – 160 115 9th Avenue SE
When: November 28 to December 21
Cost: $25 Adult, $20 Student + Senior

Slipper: A Distinctly Calgarian Cinderella Story

What: A Stampede talent show, a guitar playing teenager and handsome time traveler, could it get any more Calgarian than that? Well, minus the time traveller perhaps – but you get the point. Laugh along to jokes about life in #yyc in this modern day Calgary adaptation of this unique British fairy tale.
Where: Martha Cohen Theatre – 215 8th Avenue SE
When: November 22 to December 31
Cost: $25-$72

Holiday Shopping

Christmas Market/Shutterstock

Calgary Holiday Pop Up Hosted by Obviously Chic Boutique

What: Indulge in our Chic Boutiques’ most beautiful POP UP of the season, with their holiday pop up! Snag the best gifts for YOU & people you love!
Where: Best Western Premier Freeport Inn & Suites – 86 Freeport Boulevard NE
When: December 3 and 4

Shop Late on 4^th

What: Spend over $100 at any of the participating businesses on 4th street and bring your receipt to the WURST patio to receive a FREE Christmas tree – yes you read that right! Talk about killing two birds with one stone! * FREE Christmas trees are limited in quantity to the first 40 people.
Where: 4th Street SW
When: December 1 and 8

Greater Goods Holiday Sip and Shop Event

What: From 6-10pm visit Greater Goods for a unique holiday shopping experience! Browse pop-up shops from local artists, Knitatude, Milk and Honey for cozy knits and quirky home décor or purchase a beautiful Christmas bouquet from Antheia Floral. There will also be door prizes, a charity drive, hot chocolate and sweet treats for you to munch on while you shop around this beautiful boutique, located in the heart of Bridgland.
Where: Greater Goods – #8, 606 Meredith Road NE
When: Saturday, December 10
Cost: Free!

Market Collective Cheer

What: Market Collective is a well-known Calgary market that showcases hundreds of local artists, artisans, designers and musicians and works to support and promote them throughout the community. Join them for 4 weekends of holiday shopping, live music, delicious food, funky holiday – themed photo booths and unique performances from the Market Collective Holiday Choir.
Where: Chinese Cultural Centre – 197 1st Street SW
When: Every weekend between November 25 to December 18
Cost: $5 and Kids under 12 are free

Spruce Meadows International Christmas Market

What: Enjoy over 250 vendors in the indoor comfort of the Spruce Meadows Riding Hall, Equi-Plex Gallery on the Green, Reindeer Alley, and Candy Cane Lane. From imported items around the world to hand-crafted gifts the International Christmas Market brings you stress-free shopping and a place to unwind with friends to soak up the festive atmosphere.
Where: 18011 Spruce Meadows Way SW
When: Every weekend between November 18 to December 4
Cost: $10 (online), $12 (At door)

Calgary Christmas Market

What: Get in the holiday spirit by listening to carolers sing some of your favourite Christmas tunes, while consuming a Canadian classic, cabane sucre (frozen maple syrup) and shopping pop up market vendors and more!
Where: Calgary Farmers Market – 510 77 Avenue SE
When: Every weekend from November 18 to December 11
Cost: Free

Festival of Crafts

What: Four days of craft shopping at BMO Centre for one of Canada’s largest holiday handcrafted shopping events.
Where: BMO Centre, Stampede Park – 20 Round Up Way SE
When: December 8 to 11
Cost: $10 (Adults), $8 (Senior 65+), $8 (Youth 13-17), Children 12 and under are free

Xmas in Inglewood

What: For three weekends in December enjoy holiday shopping in Calgary’s oldest neighbourhoods.
Where: Inglewood Community
When: Saturdays December 3, December 10, December 17, all day
Cost: FREE

Holiday Workshops

Image: Cookie Decorating / Shutterstock

Get creative this holiday season and add a personal touch to your gifts or traditional Christmas decor. Choose from a variety of unique workshops and learn how to make your own Gingerbread Houses, Ugly Christmas Sweaters, gift tags, ornaments and other crafty holiday options.

Make it Merry Gingerbread House

Where: Any Micheal’s Locations
When: Saturday, December 3
Cost: $11.99

Ugly X-mas Sweater Decorating

Where: Wurst – 2437 4 Street SW
When: Wednesday, December 7
Cost: $50

Beaded Bracelets Workshop

Where: Calgary Farmers Market – 510 77 Avenue SE
When: Thursday, December 8
Cost: $45

Tea Blending Workshop

Where: ByOllia – 810C 16th Ave SW
When: Sunday, December 4
Cost: $65 (includes all tea tastings, ingredients, packaging, + some of our house made sweets to keep us going)

Make it Merry Gift Tag Event

Where: Any Micheals location
When: Saturday, December 10
Cost: Buy the gift tags, and the rest of the supplies are included.

Hip Hop Christmas

Where: Wurst – 2437 4th Street SW
When: December 13
Cost: $25 (Ticket includes supplies for card making and one delicious holiday cocktail)

Rustic Ornaments

Where: Double Zero (Downtown) – 751 4th Street SW
When: Tuesday, December 13
Cost: $40

Knitted Cozies Workshop

Where: Calgary Farmers Market – 510 77th Avenue SE
When: Thursday, December 15
Cost: $35

Macaron 101 Baking Class

Where: By Ollia – 810C 16th Avenue SW
When: December 6 and 13 – limited spots available
Cost: $100

Food + Drink Festivities

Image: Dinner / Shutterstock

Table for Two

What: Looking to do something new for date night? Take this cooking class at the Interactive Culinary Centre and work together to create a three-course meal that will later be pair with 3 very carefully chosen wines. You even get to keep the apron!
Where: Interactive Culinary Centre – #103 227 10th Street NW
When: Thursday, December 1
Cost: $119

Once Upon a Christmas at Heritage Park

What: Experience the magic of Christmas past in this enchanting holiday event. Try your luck at gingerbread cookie decorating (worst case you just eat a cookie and a pile of colourful icing), get your photo take in the vintage photo parlour, visit jolly old Saint Nick, take a wagon ride around the park or see a live Christmas Play in the Canmore Opera House – there is something for the whole family to enjoy!
Where: Heritage Park – 1900 Heritage Drive SW
When: Weekends from November 19 to December 18
Cost: General (15+) $10.75, Senior (65+) $8.50, Youth (7-14) $6.75, Children (3-6) $5.50 and 2 under – free

Breakfast with Santa

What:See Santa stop by for breakfast. Begins at 9am and there will be
pancakes, bacon, eggs and fresh fruit. Tickets must be purchased in advance. Call 403-288-2616 or stop by the SSCA office for more information.
Where: Silver Springs Community Association
When: Saturday, December 3
Cost: $10

French Wine & Macarons Tasting

What: Wine and macarons is a combination you can’t go wrong with! Take a trip to France for an evening and enjoy tasting 4 French wine’s, unique to their regions, paired with tasty traditional French macarons and become and expert at wine and food pairing.
Where: By Ollia – 810C 16th Avenue SW
When: December 9 and 16 – limited spots available
Cost: $40

Boxing Day Brunch

What: Sleep in and cap off your holiday festivities with a delicious brunch. Who can say no to benny?
Where: The Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel – 405 Spray Avenue, Banff
When: December 26
Cost: Adults $65, Children 6-12 $37, Children under 6 FREE

Torchlight Dinner & Ski Event

What: Escape the city for this unique opportunity to spend Christmas or New Years on the slopes and exploring after hours. You will begin the night in the Whitehorn Lodge enjoying drinks, appetizers and live music. Then you will get the explore the hill as you make your way down to the Sitzmark Lounge, where you will find a feast, live entertainment and drinks galore!
When: December 25 and 31
Where: Lake Louise Ski Resort – 1 Whitehorn Road
Cost: Adult (13+) $79, Children (6-12) $52, Kids (1-5) FREE

Festivals and Other Events

Image: Canadian Pacific Holiday Train / Facebook

Zoo Lights

What: This Calgarian holiday tradition continues to live on year after year! Stay warm by dressing in layers and consuming delicious hot chocolate, as you roam through the 200 beautiful light displays, such as the all time favorite, ‘lovers lane’, and other unique light shows set up throughout the Calgary Zoo.
Where: The Calgary Zoo – 210 St. George’s Drive NE
When: November 25 to January 8 Nightly from 6 to 9 pm
Cost: $14.99 Adults, $11.99 Kids

New Years Torchlight Parade

What: Ring in the New Year with the Torchlight Parade. The event starts at 7pm and the parade is down the North American Chair at Mt. Norquay and can be seen from the town of Banff.
When: December 30 at 7pm
Where: Mt. Norquay – 1520 Banff, AB, SunshineVillage

Lions Festival of Lights

What: Help celebrate the 30 th annual Festival of Lights and come see 300,000 LED lights in a colourful 3km free holiday showcase. The most remarkable thing about this light show is that it is entirely put together by a team of volunteers and draws over 56,000 visitors per day. Now that’s the true meaning of Christmas – go yyc!
Where: 14^th Street NW
When: November 26 to January 8
Cost: FREE

A Whyte Christmas – Open House

What: The Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies works to preserve and promote the unique history and culture of the Rocky Mountains. Bring the whole family to this event and discover the distinct past of our mountainous backyard, while enjoying carols, crafts, baked goods and of course a visit from Santa Clause himself!
Where: Whyte Museum – 111 Bear Street, Banff
When: December 3
Cost: FREE

Canadian Pacific Holiday Train

What: For the 18th consecutive year everyone’s favorite holiday train will be travelling from coast to coast to 150 different Canadian cities. Come support the Calgary Foodbank by bringing a healthy and nutritious food item to the show and see Country music star Dallas Smith, The Odds and Jonathan Roy light up the night on a stage in a modified boxcar!
Where: Anderson C-Train Station – South C-train parking lot
When: December 10
Cost: FREE, donation to local food bank

The Polar Express Train Ride 2016

What: Hop aboard the magical Polar Express and head to the North Pole to see Santa! You will receive hot chocolate and cookies on your journey along with caroling and holiday entertainment. Following the protocol in the movie guests are encouraged to wear their PJ’s and each child will receive a sleigh bell from Santa – to those who believe!
Where: Aspen Crossing – Highway #24 Mossleigh
When: November 25 until Christmas Eve
Cost: Economy Seating $57, First Class Seating $65, Coach Class Seating $75, Dome Class Seating $75

Adults Only Night: Energy Series

What: Be sure to not let this Adults Only Night slip away. Join Telus Spark for an evening that appreciates and celebrates all things ice – it’s more important than you may think!
Where: Telus Spark – 220 St. George’s Drive NE
When: Thursday, December 15
Cost: Included in regular admission to the Telus Spark Centre

Christmas Skate at the Olympic Oval

What: Ever since the Oval was build in 1988 for the Calgary Olympics it has become a family tradition to skate the oval during the winter months. Not only are you indoors, so bundling up is not a worry, but they provide fun family inspired events to continue to keep the tradition alive. Join them on December 23^rd and enjoy hot chocolate, Christmas music and other exciting festivities as you race your friends and family around loop.
Where: The Olympic Oval – 2500 University Drive NW
When: Friday, December 23
Cost: $2 with a food donation to the Calgary Food Bank

Cheer on the Flames at a game

What: Cheer on the Flames this holiday season in their 8 home games at the dome!
Where: Scotiabank Saddledome – 555 Saddledome Rise SW
When:
- Friday December 2 at 7pm vs. Minnesota
- Sunday December 4 at 7:30pm vs. Anaheim
- Saturday December 10 at 8pm vs. Winnipeg
- Wednesday December 14 at 7:30pm vs. Tampa Bay
- Friday December 16 at 7pm vs. Columbus
- Friday December 23 at 7pm vs. Vancouver
- Thursday December 29 at 7pm vs. Anaheim
- Saturday December 31 at 8pm vs. Arizona

Concerts and Performances

Cash Cash

What: This American electronic trio just released their debut album, Blood, Sweat and 3 Years, featuring collaborations with Nelly, Christina Perri, Busta Rhymes, B.o.B, Neon Hitch and more! See them light up the Marquee Stage on December 2.
Where: Marquee Beer Market and Stage – 4630 Macleod Trail South
When: Friday, December 2
Cost: $30 – an 18 and above event

July Talk

What: This proudly Canadian alternative rock band was formed in 2012 and is known for their explosive and energetic live shows. Check out their sophomore album, Touch, that was released in September and prepare yourself for a night you’ll never forget!
Where: MacEwan Hall – 2500 University Drive NW
When: Saturday, December 3
Cost: $30

Christmas in Paris

What: The Festival Orchestra is bringing a piece of the most romantic city in the world to Calgary, in their iconic performance celebrating festive music and holiday favourites straight from the French capital.
Where: Knox United Church – 506 4th Street SW
When: Saturday, December 3
Cost: $25 General, $20 Seniors (65+) + Students, $15 Children (12 and under)

The Paper Kites

What: This popular Australian indie rock band is joining us to experience a true Canadian winter – are they in for a treat!
Where: The Gateway (SAIT) – 1301 16th Avenue NW
When: Tuesday, December 6
Cost: $20

Elvis Costello

What:
Where: Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium – 1415 14th Avenue NW
When: Saturday, December 10
Cost: $55-$150

Mistletoe and Mischief

What: Join the Calgary Wind Symphony in celebrating their 60th anniversary in this festive performance with special guests, The Heebee Jeebees!
Where: Rozsa Centre, University of Calgary – 2500 University Drive NW
When: Sunday, December 11
Cost: $20

Half Moon Run

What: Not only are you in for a great show from this talented Canadian indie rock band, but you will also be supporting a good cause. They have teamed up with Plus 1 and as a result, $1 from your ticket will be donated to the Native Youth Sexual Network.
Where: MacEwan Hall – 2500 University Drive NW
When: Tuesday, December 13
Cost: $33.50 – All Ages

The Funk Hunters Present Funk The Halls

What: The Funk Hunters are putting the soul back into electronic and dance music in this unique performance, featuring a technical display of creative collaboration between 4 turntables. This DJ duo has successfully played for international audiences at Burning Man, Wakarusa and Shambhala – so they will not disappoint!
Where: Flames Central – 219 8th Avenue SW
When: Friday December 16
Cost: $35, ages 18 and up

Hotel California

What: With their music, The Eagles have managed to touch the hearts of every generation. Sing along to your favourite hit’s and allow yourself to be taken back experiencing the energy and the magic in this tribute to the timeless legacy The Eagles left behind.
Where: Deerfoot Inn & Casino – 1000, 11500 – 35 Street SE
When: Saturday, December 31
Cost: $124.95

New Years Eve Festivities

Image: New Years – Shutterstock

New Years House Party

What: Come ring in the New Year at Calgary’s original country honky tonk! Have a delicious Alberta Beef dinner with all the fixings and afterwards join the party with live entertainment, popcorn, cotton candy, a photo booth and a $1005 cash money balloon drop when the clock strikes 12.
Where: Ranchmans Cookhouse and Dancehall – 9615 MacLeod Trail S
When: December 31
Cost: $25

New Year’s Eve, Voyageur Style

What: This New Year’s marks the beginning of Canada’s 150th Birthday! Join fur traders and Metis from Rocky Mountain House and celebrate like they would have 150 years ago, while learning what Parks Canada has in store for 2017. You can even get your photo taken in a traditional Parka!
Where: Banff Avenue Square
When: December 31 from 7 to 11:30pm
Cost: FREE

New Year’s Eve Gala

What: Get a little fancy this New Years at the Banff Springs New Year’s Eve Gala! Grab your ball gowns and tuxedos and enjoy a four-course meal, live entertainment, dancing and a delicious midnight snack buffet. If you have kidlets between 6-12 be sure take them to their own New Year’s Party that begins at 8pm.
Where: The Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel – 405 Spray Avenue, Banff
When: December 31
Cost: $329 Dinner + Dance

Canada’s 150^th Party

What: If you have ever been to Banff for New Year’s festivities, you’ll know that they never do anything small – and this year being the 150th birthday is all the more reason to expand the celebration! All along Banff Avenue experience live street entertainment children's activities, games, warming shelters, interpretive programming, food booths and more, ending in a beautiful fireworks display at midnight.
Where: Banff Avenue From Buffalo Street to Wolf Street
When: December 31
Cost: FREE

New Years Eve Celebrations in the Heart of YYC

What: For Canada’s 150th Birthday yyc is going all out! Enjoy a glow-in-the-dark dance party, kids activities, family skating on an illuminated Olympic Plaza, live ice carvings, fire spinning, an ice slide, live entertainment from the top Calgary DJs and a special performance by Calgary’s own Eve Hell and the Razors. It will be a New Years that you won’t want to miss!
Where: Begins in Olympic Plaza
When: December 31

Written in collaboration with Daily Hive by Kristy Archibald

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