14 things to do in Calgary this weekend: December 9 to 11

Sparkle up your weekend at TELUS Spark 

Telus Spark (sparkscience.ca)

What: You can enjoy the Goodnight Moon immersive digital experience that turns the great green room into a 3,000-square-foot interactive playground for everyone. There is also an illuminated, enchanted winter forest, snowy ice cave and candy cane lane to experience. The infinity dome offers an out-of-this-world twist on a holiday classic with The Alien Who Stole Christmas. Of course, the big guy will be there as well. You can get your picture taken with Santa in the Earth and Sky ice caves and have fun with the elves.

When: December 1, 2022, to January 2, 2023
Time: 5 pm to 9 pm
Where: TELUS Spark Science Centre (220 St. George’s Drive NE, Calgary)
Tickets: $26 for adults, $19 for youth (ages three to 17)

Add some glow to your weekend with the Glow Christmas Festival

Glow Christmas Festival

What: This holiday fest is a major annual event in Edmonton, so it’s amazing it’s making its way to YYC this year. Visitors will be dazzled by a million Christmas lights, including a light tunnel and possibly even a visit from Santa Claus himself. Held at the massive 70,000-square-foot Nutrien Western Events Centre in Stampede Park, this is shaping up to be one of the largest indoor holiday festivals of the season. If you are looking to find the perfect gift for the holiday season, stop by the Merry Makers Market which is set to have a ton of local vendors. There will be plenty of food and drinks here as well, with licensed bars and food trucks like Happy Fish serving grilled cheese sandwiches and tacos.

When: November 25 to December 31, 2022
Where: Nutrien Western Events Centre
Tickets: $16.99 to $25.99; tickets can be found here

Get in the Christmas Spirit at Granary Road

What: A Calgary-area tradition, the Granary Road Christmas Market is back with its own unique version of a holiday festival. Celebrate the holiday season at a stunning market with 40-foot vaulted ceilings with fantastic light displays. Finish your Christmas shopping with special gifts from the large collection of Artisan vendors and makers.

When: Saturdays and Sundays from November 26 to December 18
Time: 10 am to 5 pm
Where: Granary Road (226066 112th Street West, Calgary)

Head north and enjoy the Airdrie Festival of Lights

Airdrie Festival of Lights

What: Head down to Nose Creek Park in Airdrie to check out this beautiful outdoor walk-through lights experience, with about a million dollars worth of displays and other special features. Light up your social media with some amazing displays like North Pole, Candy Land, Penguin Village, Poinsettia Arch, Santa Takes Flight, Skating Party, Woodland Fantasy, and Winter Wonderland.

When: December 1 to 31
Time: 6 to 9 pm
Where: Nose Creek Park, Airdrie
Tickets: Free; donations gratefully accepted

Laugh along with Elf the Musical

Elf The Musical

What: Elf The Musical is a modern-day holiday classic that is sure to make everyone embrace their inner elf. It is the perfect night out for the whole family.

When: November 25 to December 31
Where: Storybook Theatre — 375 Bermuda Drive NW
Price: $27 for children, $32 for adults

Take a ride Aspen Crossing’s Polar Express Train

Polar Express (Aspen Crossing/Facebook)

What: Dive into the classic holiday movie with Aspen Crossing’s Polar Express. Hang out with characters from the movie then get your picture with Santa. The train experience lasts about an hour, and along with the bell, you also get hot chocolate in a collector’s ceramic Polar Express mug and a delicious cookie.

When: Fridays to Sundays, November 25 to December 18, and December 19 to 24. Visit the website for details
Where: Box 30, Mossleigh, Alberta (one kilometre west of Mossleigh on Highway #24)
Tickets: Available online now, varies by day and train

Test your skills at Potion Putt

Courtesy of Potion Putt/Explore Hidden

What: This boozy experience offers the chance to have some golf fun even in the winter months. This is from the same team that has brought similar pop-up adventures to Calgary, like the Alice Cocktail Experience and the Peter Pan Neverland experience. This “crazy golf course” is inspired by a certain famous wizard who can’t be named for copyright reasons. There will be nine holes to play as you come across bubbling cauldrons filled with tasty potions that may even help you cast a few spells to help you complete some of the mystical tee-off challenges.

When: November 3, 2022, to May 31, 2023
Where: Springbank Links Golf Club – 125 Hackamore Trail, Calgary
Price: $15 per person; buy here

Check out a parody of a legendary sitcom

@JamesMoore_org/Twitter (NBC)

What: Check out this pop-rock parody of The Office at Jubilations Dinner Theatre. Have a great meal along with some laughs as you follow along with this unique look at the legendary show and its iconic characters.

When: From now until January 14, 2023
Where: Jubilations Dinner Theatre — 37th Street SW
Cost: Starting at $69.95

Walk into a parallel universe at Calgary’s science centre

Quantum Sandbox exhibit (Elle McLean/Daily Hive)

What: Fascinated by the idea of parallel universes? If so, you can now take a deeper trip into the world of the subatomic in an exhibit at Telus Spark Science Centre’s digital immersion gallery. The team at Calgary’s science centre has taken what many would consider to be the hardest science subject – quantum physics – and turned it into a floor-to-ceiling visual adventure that everyone can relate to.

When: Open as of March 1, 2022
Time: 9 am to 4 pm Monday through Thursday, 9 am to 5 pm Friday through Sunday
Where: Telus Spark Science Centre – 220 St. George’s Drive NE, Calgary
Cost: Included with general admission; $26 for adults, $19 for children