Get warm, get cozy, and get into the holiday spirit with a festive collection of things to see and do in Calgary this December. From holiday markets and teddy bear tosses to Santa selfies and ZOOLIGHTS, December is a great time to warm up in Calgary.

Start the glow with ZOOLIGHTS at the Calgary Zoo with over 2 million lights, 200 displays, fire pits, and activity zones in this winter wonderland that has become a Calgary tradition.

Where: Calgary Zoo

When: November 23 – January 5, 2019

Check out the complete guide to exploring Christmas Lights in Calgary.

The Force is strong with Star Warz: The Farce Strikes Back at Jubilations Dinner Theatre as your favourite rebels, Darth Vador, lightsabers, and a princess take the stage.

Where: Jubilations Dinner Theatre

When: November 9 – January 11, 2019

Find everything on the table and under the tree at the Calgary Christmas Market at the Calgary Farmers’ Market with live music, holiday treats, and snap a selfie with Santa himself.

Check out the complete guide to shopping Holiday Markets in Calgary.

Where: Calgary Farmers’ Market

When: Thursday – Sunday, November 15 - December 23

Grab your smartphone for Free Santa Photos at The CORE every Thursday to Sunday. Donations to The Veterans Food Bank of Calgary will also be accepted.

Where: The CORE 

When: November 22 – December 23

Take advantage of your last chance to see a vibrant collection of exhibitions at Glenbow. Cosmos, The Arctic: Real and Imagined Views from the Nineteenth Century, One New Work, and The Artist’s Mirror end in early January. 

Where: Glenbow

When: Open Tuesday – Sunday

A Christmas Carol celebrates 32 years with Ebenezer Scrooge and the spirits of Christmas past, present, and future. Stephen Hair returns for his 25th season playing this classic role with Theatre Calgary.

Discover more ways to celebrate the holidays with the complete guide to Christmas in Calgary.

Where: Max Bell Theatre

When: November 29 – December 23

Wagon rides, caroling, and visits from jolly old Saint Nick make Once Upon a Christmas at Heritage Park a holiday favourite in Calgary with old-fashioned Yuletide traditions.

Where: Heritage Park

When: November 24 – December 23

Zorro is hot on the heels of his arch nemesis when he encounters a mysterious swashbuckler who also calls themselves “Zorro” in Zorro: Family Code at Alberta Theatre Projects.

Where: Martha Cohen Theatre

When: November 27 – December 30

Take a ride down the largest tube park in Western Canada with the Acura Tube Park at WinSport. The tube park is located on the main hill so you have easy access to amenities in the Frank King Day Lodge.

Where: WinSport

When: Thursday – Sunday

Get into the holiday spirit with the Granary Road Christmas Market and find everything you need for the holiday season. Shop local and enjoy festive family friendly activities at Granary Road.

Where: Granary Road

When: Friday – Sunday, November 30-December 23

Take a break from the cold weather and explore the great indoors at Shakers Fun Centre, with laser tag, rock wall climbing, arcade, and an inflatable village of fun.

Where: Shakers Fun Centre

When: Friday – Monday

Add some serious fun and games to your December plans with The Rec Room with over 100 video games and a menu of Canadian inspired dishes. The Rec Room is an all age space until 10:00 p.m. daily.

Where: The Rec Room 

When: Sunday – Thursday 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 a.m. / Friday – Saturday 1:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.

Alberta Ballet commemorates the 10th anniversary of The Nutcracker with a special edition performance that includes guest cameos, new choreography, and a cast of more than 120 performers.

Where: Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium 

When: December 14-16, 20-24

oin Heritage Park for Dinner & A Movie, a holiday-themed, three-course dinner at the Selkirk Grille before enjoying the Christmas cheer of Miracle on 34th St. on the big screen.

Where: Gasoline Alley Museum

When: December 18

Christmas cheer returns with The Dudes Annual Christmas Special at The Palace Theatre. This is an 18+ event.

Where: The Palace Theatre

When: December 21

See your holiday recyclables in a whole new way with Unboxed at TELUS Spark with a recycled rodeo and wrapping race. Ring in the New Year with a family-friendly Noon Year’s Eve bubble wrap dance party on December 31.

Where: TELUS Spark 

When: December 26 – January 7, 2019

Make a splash with Floatables at Repsol Centre and climb, play, and bounce through a series of inflatable play structures. Floatables is free with membership or drop-in admission from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Where: Repsol Centre

When: December 30

Explore the history of music in Canada at Studio Bell, home of the National Music Centre, including exhibitions like Trailblazers: Alberta, a tribute to Alberta's musical groundbreakers, and Paul Brandt Legacy Collection: YYC to BNA, which runs until December 31, 2018.

Where: Studio Bell, home of the National Music Centre

When: Open Wednesday - Sunday

Ring in the New Year with Fantasy Dreams NYE 2019 with Cowboys Dance Hall for a midnight countdown you will never forget. Early bird and VIP tickets are available.

Where: Cowboys Dance Hall

When: December 31

Ring in 2019 with the complete guide to celebrating New Year’s Eve in Calgary.

Ring in the New Year at The Laugh Shop with comedian Paul Myrehaug and enjoy a deluxe New Year’s Eve buffet, party favors, comedy show, and champagne at midnight.

Where: The Laugh Shop 

When: December 31

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These great events have already taken place.

Deck the halls with starships in the nerdy wonderland of the Calgary Expo Holiday Market with comic book vendors, dealers, collectibles, art, and a visit from Santa Claus.

Where: BMO Centre

When: December 1-2

From the award-winning composer that brought The Hockey Sweater to musical life, comes ‘Tis the Season: Kids’ Holiday Special, the classic children’s tale The Snowman set to music and narrated by Jonathan Love. Come early for the Instrument Discovery Zoo at 2:00 p.m. 

Where: Jack Singer Concert Hall

When: December 2

Join former Governor General David Johnston for a conversation about restoring personal, community, and national trust with an on-stage interview, audience Q&A, and book signing.

Where: New Central Library Theatre

When: December 4

Enjoy holiday favourites with A Traditional Christmas by the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra for a new family-friendly holiday tradition.

Where: Various locations

When: December 5-8

Dave Kelly Live celebrates the holiday spirit with the Calgary Stampede’s Young Canadians, featuring special guests, surprise appearances, stories, and music in a popular variety show setting.

Where: Jack Singer Concert Hall

When: December 7

Father and son duo Bill and Joel Plaskett bring their unique blend of east coast Canadian folk music to the Bella Concert Hall with special guests Mayhemingways.

Where: Bella Concert Hall

When: December 7

WinSport hosts the Viessmann Luge World Cup with more than 100 athletes, representing more than 20 countries, as they compete in singles, doubles, and team relay races at speeds of up to 130 kilometres per hour.

Where: WinSport

When: December 7-8 

Celebrate Market Collective’s 10 Year Anniversary and Holiday Market for a family-friendly event with live music, interactive workshops, galleries, food, drinks, and over 150 local vendors. 

Where: BMO Centre

When: December 7-9, 14-16

Come for the concert and stay for the lights at the Christmas Concert at the Meadows, featuring the Rocky Mountain Symphony Orchestra.

Where: Spruce Meadows

When: December 8

The first Calgary Hitmen goal scored in the annual Brick Teddy Bear Toss game is your que to throw stuffed toy donations onto the ice at the Scotiabank Saddledome. To date, the Calgary Hitmen have collected 347,948 stuffed toys for charity.

Where: Scotiabank Saddledome

When: December 9

Join Cirque Musica Holiday for Wonderland, an all-new concert experience that brings your favourite holiday songs to life with a live orchestra.

Where: Scotiabank Saddledome

When: December 10

Join Heritage Park for Dinner & A Movie, a movie-themed, three-course dinner at the Selkirk Grille before enjoying The Muppet Christmas Carol on the big screen.

Where: Gasoline Alley Museum

When: December 11

Multi award-winning singer-songwriter Johnny Reid brings an intimate holiday concert to Calgary in collaboration with the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, with Home for the Holidays with Johnny Reid.

Where: Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium

When: December 11

Join Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra conductor Rune Bergmann for a new Calgary tradition of winter-inspired orchestral music and traditional carols, with Rune’s Classical Christmas.

Where: Jack Singer Concert Hall

When: December 13

The best of 2018 returns for Adults Only Night: Greatest Hits at TELUS Spark with free reign of the galleries, a fully licensed bar, dance jams, and science.

Where: TELUS Spark

When: December 13

More than 80 athletes, representing more than 15 countries, participate in the Junior Luge World Cup, going at speeds of up to 130 kilometres per hour on the third stop of the Junior Luge World Cup circuit.

Where: WinSport

When: December 14

The Funk Hunters return to The Palace Theatre this holiday season for Funk the Halls. This is an 18+ event.

Where: The Palace Theatre

When: December 15