CALGARY – Get into the Christmas spirit by enjoying a few of the following family-friendly events happening around Calgary this year.
Zoolights
Head to the Calgary Zoo for their annual Christmas light display. 1.5 million twinkling lights line pathways and twist around trees, forming animals shapes and flashing to music. Dress warmly because this event is outside – but if you get cold there are fire pits to keep you warm, as well as hot chocolate.
WHEN: Nov. 27, 2015 – Jan. 2rd, 2016
COST: General Admission $14.00, Child (3 – 15) $11.00, Infant (2 & under) Free
WEBSITE: Calgary Zoo
WATCH:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BdH32JEX__8&feature=youtu.be
Once Upon a Christmas at Heritage Park
Take a trip to Heritage Park to experience Christmas from years gone by.
You can enjoy a romantic wagon ride with a loved-one or sing Christmas carols with the kids. Other activities include gingerbread cookie decorating, a petting zoo and a vintage photo parlour. Starting in 2015, admission includes access to the Gasoline Alley Museum.
WHEN: Weekends from Nov. 21 to Dec. 20, 2015, 9:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.
COST: General gate admission (15 – 64) $10.50, Child (3 – 6) $5.25, Youth (7 – 14) $6.50, Senior (65+) $8.25
WEBSITE: Heritage Park
CP Holiday Train
The CP Holiday Train is North America’s longest rolling food bank fundraiser. Over the three weeks of the program, musicians play more than 150 concerts from a boxcar turned into a travelling stage. Performers include Kelly Prescott, Jim Cuddy and his son Devin Cuddy.
WHEN: Friday, Dec. 11 from 6:45 p.m. – 7:45 p.m. at the Anderson CTrain Station – south parking lot
COST: Free – but attendees are encouraged to bring either a non-perishable food item or cash donation for the Calgary Food Bank.
WEBSITE: Holiday Train
A Christmas Story: The Musical
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Storybook Theatre presents A Christmas Story: The Musical. Follow the antics of bespectacled boy Ralphie in 1940’s Indiana as he tries to get his one Christmas wish.
WHEN: Friday, Dec. 4 to Wednesday, Dec. 23, 2015. Thursdays to Saturdays at 7 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays at 2 p.m., and Wednesdays and Thursdays at 10 a.m.
COST: $21.00 to $26.25
WHERE: Storybook Theatre / 375 Bermuda Drive N.W.
WEBSITE: Storybook Theatre
Handel’s Messiah
Watch the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra’s performance of Handel’s Messiah at the Jack Singer Concert Hall on Dec. 11 and 12. Or, join the crowd in a chorus of “Hallelujah” at the sing-along Messiah on Dec. 13.
WHEN: Friday, Dec. 11 and Saturday, Dec. 12 / Sing-along on Sunday, Dec. 13, 2015.
COST: $25 – $85
WEBSITE: Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra
Lions’ Festival of Lights
The Festival of Lights is the largest free drive-by Christmas lights display in Calgary. It can be seen along 14th Street N.W., south of 24th Avenue. The festival is 99% green, with over 115,000 LED light bulbs and almost 3 kilometres of power chords.
WHEN: 6 p.m. – Midnight from Saturday, Nov. 28, 2015 to Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2016.
COST: Free
WEBSITE: Lions Festival of Lights
A Christmas Carol
Watch Charles Dickens’ classic novel come to life at Theatre Calgary. The play tells the story of how bitter Ebenezer Scrooge learns to open his heart and embrace the spirit of Christmas.
WHEN: Thursday, Nov. 26 to Thursday, Dec. 24, 2015.
COST: $57 to $101
WEBSITE: Theatre Calgary
Christmas at Spruce Meadows
Spruce Meadows uses a quarter of a million lights to blanket their entire facility. Hop in your car and drive the two kilometer route through the grounds to see their spectacular display, which includes Tournament Lane, The Courtyard, Traffic Circle, the Nations Flag Park, Congress Hall, Riders Chapel and the Pond.
WHEN: Saturday, Dec. 5, 2015 to Sunday, Jan. 3, 2016 / every evening between 5-10 p.m.
COST: Free
WEBSITE: Spruce Meadows
The Nutcracker
A staple among numerous ballet companies, the Nutcracker tells the tale of Klara and her Nutcracker as they battle against the evil Rat Tsar and his army of mice, set to Tchaikovsky’s score.
WHEN: Thursday, Dec. 17 to Thursday, Dec. 24, 2015.
COST: $29.50 to $121.50
WEBSITE: Alberta Ballet
WATCH:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FnIZWVAFTLE
Outdoor skating
Celebrate the holidays with an outdoor skate! Hold hands to keep warm – and don’t forget your helmet.
WHEN: In Calgary, outdoor skating rinks are weather dependent but are typically open mid-December through February, except for Olympic Plaza which is a refrigerated ice surface and is generally open from mid-November to mid-March.
COST: City-maintained outdoor rinks are free to use and are flooded as needed during low usage hours.
WHERE: The following outdoor skating rinks are maintained by The City:
• Big Marlborough Park – opening mid December
• Bowness Park Lagoon – opening mid December
• Carburn Park – opening mid December
• Olympic Plaza – opening mid November
• Prairie Winds Park – opening mid December
• Prince’s Island Lagoon – opening mid December
WEBSITE: City of Calgary
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