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.
December in Calgary
Things to Do
December in Calgary
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The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
Alberta Theatre Projects presents The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, a thrilling tale that follows four children on an epic adventure to the magical land of Narnia. Directed by Darcy Evans and adapted from the C.S. Lewis classic, discover this heartwarming family holiday show from November 19 – December 29, 2019, and get 20% off all Tuesday to Thursday performances at checkout when you use promo code VISITCALGARY.
Old Time Rock & Roll
Take those records off the shelf with Old Time Rock & Roll at Jubilations Dinner Theatre, a trip back through the wonder years of classic rock.
Where: Jubilations Dinner Theatre
When: October 19, 2019 – January 11, 2020
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Paul Brandt’s Country Christmas
Paul Brandt is home for the holidays! The Canadian country music superstar joins the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra and conductor Karl Hirzer for Paul Brandt’s Country Christmas — a memorable concert of seasonal classics and his own hit songs. Share in the holiday spirit at a special Evening with Paul Brandt at the intimate Bella Concert Hall on Tuesday, December 10. Get your tickets at calgaryphil.com.
Body Worlds: Animal Inside Out
From goats and giraffes to octopuses and ostriches, see the world’s most spectacular animals like you’ve never seen them before at Body Worlds: Animal Inside Out at TELUS Spark Science Centre.
Where: TELUS Spark Science Centre
When: October 25, 2019 – March 1, 2020
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Studio Bell, home of the National Music Centre
Discover marquee exhibits this holiday season at Studio Bell, home of the National Music Centre. Geddy Lee’s Big Beautiful Bass Exhibit features a curated tower of 26 basses from the legendary Rush frontman’s personal collection. Homegrown Country celebrates Canadian country music icons from Hank Snow and Shania Twain to Paul Brant and k.d. lang. Visit Studio Bell this holiday season for five floors of interactive activities and memorabilia from four Canadian music halls of fame.
Sherlock Holmes and the Raven’s Curse
Sherlock Holmes returns home to solve the murder of his favourite uncle in Sherlock Holmes and the Raven’s Curse by Vertigo Theatre.
Where: Playhouse Theatre
When: November 9 – December 14
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Once Upon a Christmas at Heritage Park
Experience the magic of Christmas past at Heritage Park in Calgary. Once Upon a Christmas brings the magic of the holiday season to life with wagon rides, caroling, hands-on-activities, festive shopping, live entertainment, holiday treats, and visits from jolly old Saint Nick. Discover the wonder of Yuletide traditions in Calgary with Once Upon a Christmas at Heritage Park, open weekends until December 23, 2019.
ZOOLIGHTS
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 22, 2019 – January 4, 2020
Check out the complete guide to exploring Christmas Lights in Calgary.
Shakespeare Company: The Merchant of Venice
The Shakespeare Company presents The Merchant of Venice, a classic tale of money and love, directed by Carey Perloff.
Where: The Reeve Theatre
When: November 28 – December 8
Theatre Calgary’s A Christmas Carol
A Christmas Carol celebrates 33 years with Ebenezer Scrooge and the spirits of Christmas past, present, and future. Stephen Hair returns for his 26th season playing this classic role with Theatre Calgary.
Where: Max Bell Theatre
When: November 28 – December 28
Discover more ways to celebrate the holidays with the complete guide to Christmas in Calgary.
The Brick Teddy Bear Toss with the Calgary Hitmen
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 377,583 stuffed toys for charity.
The Calgary Hitmen play five home games in December, including December 1, 6, 8, 15, and 30.
Where: Scotiabank Saddledome
When: December 1
Serena Ryder: The Christmas Kisses Tour
JUNO Award winning musician Serena Ryder brings the holiday cheer to Calgary with The Christmas Kisses Tour at the Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium.
Where: Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium
When: December 2
WordFest presents Neil Pasricha (You Are Awesome)
Discover all the reasons You Are Awesome with author Neil Pasricha, presented by WordFest.
Where: Patricia A. Whelan Performance Hall
When: December 4
The Tenors: Wonder of Christmas Tour
The Tenors are coming to town with their annual Wonder of Christmas Tour, celebrating the holiday season with a selection of songs from their two Christmas albums and other festive favourites.
Where: Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium
When: December 5
New York New York: A Broadway Revue
Sing along to New York New York: A Broadway Revue featuring show tunes from classic Broadway shows like Hamilton, Dear Evan Hansen, Rock of Ages, Mamma Mia, Grease, Hairspray, West Side Story, Footloose, and Chicago.
Where: The GRAND
When: December 5-7
Calgary Flames Hockey
The NHL seasons kicks off with the Calgary Flames playing eight home games in December at the Scotiabank Saddledome.
Where: Scotiabank Saddledome
When: December 5, 7, 12, 14, 17, 19, 29, 31
Granary Road Christmas Market
Granary Road Christmas Market
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: December 6, 7, 8, 13, 14, 15, 20, 21, 22
Johnny Reid: My King of Christmas Tour
Multi award-winning singer-songwriter Johnny Reid brings an intimate holiday concert to Calgary with Johnny Reid: My Kind of Christmas Tour.
Where: Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium
When: December 7
Christmas Concert at the Meadows
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 7
Winter Fantasia
Celebrate the season with Winter Fantasia, a showcase of the MRU Conservatory coral ensembles in the beautiful Bella Concert Hall.
Where: Bella Concert Hall
When: December 8
An Evening with Paul Brandt
Canadian country music star Paul Brandt comes home for An Evening with Paul Brandt at the Jack Singer Concert Hall.
Where: Bella Concert Hall
When: December 10
Dinner & A Movie: Die Hard
Join Heritage Park for Dinner & A Movie, a movie-themed, three-course dinner at the Selkirk Grille before enjoying Die Hard on the big screen.
Where: Gasoline Alley Museum
When: December 10
Paul Brandt’s Country Christmas
Canadian country music superstar Paul Brandt is home for the holidays for a special Christmas program with the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra. Paul Brandt's Country Christmas brings a mix of Christmas classics and original songs to the Jack Singer Concert Hall for a memorable night of holiday cheer. Get your tickets for two shows and start a new holiday tradition, December 11-12, 2019.
Alberta Spotlight: Mariel Buckley with Mark Times
The National Music Centre presents alt-country act Mariel Buckley with country singer-songwriter Mark Times as part of the Alberta Spotlight series.
Where: Performance Hall, Studio Bell
When: December 12
Spark After Dark
Dare to explore at Spark After Dark, an adults-only experience featuring drinks in test tubes, rad tunes, exclusive speakers, and new programming the second Thursday of each month, with access to all the galleries. This is an 18+ event.
Where: TELUS Spark Science Centre
When: December 12
Market Collective Holiday Market (Photo credit: Travel Alberta/Chris Amat).
Market Collective Holiday Market
Explore the Market Collective 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 13-15, 20-22
Funk the Halls at The Palace Theatre
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 14
The Nutcracker by the Alberta Ballet.
Alberta Ballet’s The Nutcracker
Discover the magical holiday tradition of Alberta Ballet’s The Nutcracker with a live orchestra, dazzling sets and costumes, and more than 120 dancers.
Where: Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium
When: December 14-15, 20-24
Dave Kelly Live Christmas Special
The Dave Kelly Live Christmas Special 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 14-15
Dinner & A Movie: The Sound of Music
Join Heritage Park for Dinner & A Movie, a movie-themed, three-course dinner at the Selkirk Grille before enjoying The Sound of Music on the big screen.
Where: Gasoline Alley Museum
When: December 17
Visit Glenbow
Take advantage of your last chance to see a vibrant collection of exhibitions at Glenbow. Exhibitions for Sybil Andrews: Art and Life, Extraordinary Objects, One New Work, Gerald Ferguson, and Artist In Residence: Albertine Crow Shoe, all end in early January 2020.
Where: Glenbow
When: Open Tuesday – Sunday
The largest tube park in Western Canada.
Tube Park at WinSport
Take a ride down the largest tube park in Western Canada with the 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: Opening December 20
The Dudes Annual Christmas Special
Christmas cheer returns with The Dudes Annual Christmas Special at The Palace Theatre. This is an 18+ event.
Where: The Palace Theatre
When: December 20
Calgary Roughnecks Lacrosse
Come for the party and stay for the game with Calgary Roughnecks lacrosse action at the Scotiabank Saddledome.
Where: Scotiabank Saddledome
When: December 21 & 28
Honeymoon Suite & Headpins
Honeymoon Suite & Headpins come to the Grey Eagle Resort & Casino for a night of classic rock in Calgary.
Where: Grey Eagle Resort & Casino
When: December 27
Nightlights Public Sleepover
Join the Calgary Zoo for the first ever Nightlights Public Sleepover and discover what happens when the zoo gets ready for bed. Tour ZOOLIGHTS, skate on the ice rink, enjoy a bedtime snack, bunk down in the Safari Lodge, and enjoy a pancake breakfast and guided zoo tour the next morning.
Where: Calgary Zoo
When: December 28-29
New Year’s Eve 2020
Ring in the New Year with New Year’s Eve 2020 as the City of Calgary shares a magical fireworks display at midnight from the Calgary Tower.
Where: Calgary Tower
When: December 31
Ring in 2020 with the complete guide to celebrating New Year’s Eve in Calgary.
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