23 wonderful things to do in Calgary this December
December is here, and it’s shaping up to be an amazing month full of things to do in Calgary. With the holiday season right around the corner, there are tons of festive activities and outings to enjoy all month long.
From concerts and hockey games to markets and live shows, here are 23 wonderful things to do in Calgary this December.
Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra: Handel’s Messiah
Tourism Calgary
What: The Calgary Phil is bringing back their beloved Christmas tradition, Handel’s Messiah. “Conductor Stephen Stubbs, a cast of soloists, and the Calgary Philharmonic Chorus join the Orchestra for this quintessential holiday classic,” according to the website.
When: Dec. 4 and 5, 2025; 7:30 p.m.
Where: Jack Singer Concert Hall – 225 8th Ave. SE
Cost: Ticket prices vary on seat and date
Once Upon A Christmas at Heritage Park
Heritage Park/Facebook
What: Heritage Park is turning into a winter wonderland this December, featuring wagon rides, carolers, visits with Santa Claus, and holiday cheer. This year, you can hop on their new diesel-electric locomotive, which has onboard entertainment.
When: Weekends through Dec. 6 to Dec. 23, 2025
Where: Heritage Park – 1900 Heritage Dr. SW
Cost: Prices vary; tickets can be found online
Artist Extravaganza Showcase
What: Ten emerging artists are hitting the stage at the King Eddy this December, each performing two songs. It’s a free event, so make sure to show up early!
When: Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025; 8 p.m.
Where: The King Eddy – 438 9th Ave. SE
Cost: Free
Granary Road Christmas Market
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What: Granary Road is hosting its annual Christmas market for two weekends this December. You can find Christmas carolers, decorated trees, lights, festive photos with Santa, and much more.
When: Dec. 6 to 7 and 13 to 14, 2025
Where: Granary Road – 226066 112th St. W.
Cost: Prices vary
Ms. Lauryn Hill
Harvey Aspell/Shutterstock
What: American rapper and singer-songwriter, Ms. Lauryn Hill, has been recognized as one of the most influential musical artists of her generation, and she’s bringing her show right to Calgary.
When: Monday, Dec. 8, 2025; 6 and 9 p.m.
Where: Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium — 1415 14th Ave. NW
Cost: Prices vary on seat
Enchanted Forest at Southcentre Mall
Southcentre Mall/Facebook
What: Southcentre Mall is turning into a winter wonderland this December. You can wander through a magical, interactive forest to meet Mr. Claus. Free visits, family photo packages and special photos with pets will be available.
When: Nov. 14 to Dec. 24, 2025
Where: Southcentre Mall – 100 Anderson Rd. SE
Cost: Free visits; photo package costs vary
Catch a Calgary Flames game
Sergei Belski/Imagn Images
What: Head on over to the Scotiabank Saddledome this month to watch the Calgary Flames in some exciting home games. They have a total of nine home games in December, so there are plenty of games to check out!
When: Dec. 4, 6, 8, 10, 18, 20, 27, 29, 31, 2025
Where: Scotiabank Saddledome – 555 Saddledome Rise SE
Cost: Ticket prices vary on date and seat
Skate with Santa
What: Santa Claus is coming to the Olympic Oval at the University of Calgary this December. You can lace up your skates and hit the ice, and then visit over 80 vendors at the University of Calgary’s Holiday Market.
When: Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025; 12 to 5 p.m.
Where: University of Calgary Olympic Oval – 288 Collegiate Blvd. NW
Cost: $10 for adults, $5 for children, UofC alumni skate free
Servus Tube Park
WinSport’s Canada Olympic Park/Facebook
What: The Servus Tube Park reopens this month for the winter season. Grab a tube and hit the slopes right in the city!
When: Dec. 20, 2025, to March 30, 2026
Where: 88 Canada Olympic Rd. SW
Cost: Prices vary
Christmas Afternoon Tea at Lougheed House
Lougheed House/Facebook
What: Tea at the Lougheed House is always a good time, but this December it’s turning festive! Enjoy delicious sweet and savoury treats along with tea while taking in all the amazing Christmas decor.
When: Dec. 7 and 21, 2025
Where: Lougheed House – 707 13th Ave. SW
Cost: $64.95 per person
Calgary Hitmen at the ‘Dome
Official Calgary Hitmen Hockey Club/Facebook
What: The Calgary Hitmen have five games at the Saddledome in December. Dec. 7 is their annual teddy bear toss, where, after the Hitmen score their first goal, fans throw teddy bears on the ice to be donated for Christmas.
When: Dec. 5, 7, 12, 17, 19, 2025
Where: Scotiabank Saddledome – 555 Saddledome Rise SE
Cost: Ticket prices vary depending on date and seat
Zoolights
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What: Zoolights is back this year, bigger, brighter, and wilder than ever. Watch as the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo turns into a winter wonderland filled with twinkling lights and dazzling displays. Guests can enjoy axe throwing, interactive activities, treats, and much more.
When: Nov. 14, 2025, to Jan. 4, 2026
Where: Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo — 210 St. George’s Dr. NE
Cost: Ticket prices vary on date
Polar Express Train Ride at Aspen Crossing
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What: Hop aboard the Polar Express at Aspen Crossing to celebrate the holidays this year. The train ride, inspired by the popular movie, takes you around the tracks for an hour while you enjoy hot chocolate in a Polar Express collector’s mug, a cookie, and a silver bell.
When: Select dates between Nov. 21 and Dec. 23, 2025
Where: Aspen Crossing — 203079 Range Rd. 251
Cost: Ticket prices vary on date
Cheer on the Calgary Wranglers
Wranglers/Facebook
What: The Calgary Wranglers have seven exciting home games this month. You can watch the Flames’ top prospects battle it out on the ice right at the Saddledome.
When: Dec. 9, 11, 13, 14, 19, 21, 30, 2025
Where: Scotiabank Saddledome – 555 Saddledome Rise SE
Cost: Ticket prices vary depending on date and seat
A Charlie Brown Christmas
What: Listen to the soundtrack of A Charlie Brown Christmas performed by musicians and a children’s choir. The show will include holiday classics like “Christmas Time is Here” and “The Little Drummer Boy.”
When: Dec. 10 and 11, 2025
Where: Engineered Air Theatre – 234 9th Ave SE
Cost: $25 – $35
Cult Classics and Crafts at The Confluence
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What: Grab your crafting supplies and head over to The Confluence for a night of movies and crafts. The 1989 classic National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation will be playing on Dec. 10.
When: Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025; 6:30 p.m.
Where:
Dillon Francis
What: DJ Dillon Francis is bringing his electric set right to the city. Get ready for a night of bumping EDM tunes right on Stephen Avenue.
When: Friday, Dec. 12, 2025; 9 p.m.
Where: The Palace Theatre — 219 8th Ave. SW
Cost: Starting at $65.75
Miracle on 34th Street the Musical
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What: Storybook Theatre kicks off Miracle on 34th Street the Musical this week. The show synopsis reads: “With the support of a determined attorney, and the belief of a young girl named Susan, Kris Kringle takes on the cynics in this musical adaptation of this holiday classic.”
When: Nov. 21 to Dec. 30, 2025
Where: Beddington Theatre Arts Centre — 375 Bermuda Dr. NW
Cost: Prices vary on date and seat
Spark after Dark: Greatest Hits
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What: Telus Spark is celebrating its greatest hits at this exciting event! Dive into a mix of its previous events like February’s Guilty Pleasures, April’s Foodology, June’s Beyond the Rainbow, and August’s Your Brain On Music and October’s Gore all in one wild night.
When: Friday, Dec. 12, 2025; 6 p.m.
Where: Telus Spark Science Centre – 220 St. George’s Dr. NE
Cost: $32.95
Holiday Wonder
holidaywonder.ca
What: Calgary is getting a brand-new holiday festival this year. Holiday Wonder will feature over one million lights, a life-sized gingerbread house that’s made with real gingerbread, Frosty’s indoor snowball fight zone, Santa’s sleigh simulator, a twinkling snowflake forest, and more.
When: Nov. 27, 2025, to Jan. 3, 2026
Where: BMO Centre — 1912 Flores Ladue Parade SE
Cost: Prices vary
The Enchanted Festival at Spruce Meadows
What: The Spruce Meadows light display consists of over one million lights stretching more than 50 kilometres. Some displays guests can look forward to are 100 shimmering horses, charming animals like peacocks, bears, and foxes, and tunnels of twinkling lights. You can relax in their cozy rest areas, wander through a Sparkling light display, enjoy family-friendly movies, and explore Calgary’s only indoor Christmas light maze.
When: Weekends in December
Where: Spruce Meadows — 18011 Spruce Meadows Way SW
Cost: $20 for adults, $12 for kids and seniors
Lions Festival of Lights
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What: Returning for its 39th year, the Lions Festival of Lights has become a Calgary Christmas staple. Known as the largest free Christmas light showcase in Calgary, visitors can look forward to winding through sparkling displays composed of over 300,00 lights.
When: Nov. 23, 2025, to Jan. 8, 2026; 5:30 p.m. to midnight
Where: 14th Street NW and 24th Avenue NW
Cost: Free
The Nutcracker by Alberta Ballet
What: The Alberta Ballet is putting on the classic Christmas ballet show, The Nutcracker. This year, the show has been reinvented by Artistic Director Francesco Ventriglia. You’ll find fresh choreography, new sets, and stunning costumes.
When: Dec. 12 to 24, 2025
Where: Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium – 1415 14th Ave. NW
Cost: Prices vary; tickets can be found online