Holiday festivals and Christmas events in Calgary this winter
The Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo hosts Zoolights. (Calgary Zoo/Facebook)
If you're a fan of Christmas lights and holiday celebrations, there are lots of events in Calgary this winter to be aware of.
Here's a look at just a few…
Zoolights
- What: Zoolights is a family friendly event that sees the Calgary Zoo decked out in thousands of sparkly holiday lights. Some days may be cancelled due to cold weather, so be sure to check the Calgary Zoo’s social media before attending.
- Where: Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo, 210 St. George's Drive N.E.
- When: Nov. 15, 2024 – Jan. 5, 2025.
Spruce Meadows International Christmas Market
- What: Immerse yourself in a festive atmosphere with seasonal décor and shop for holiday gifts at the Spruce Meadows International Christmas Market, which has both indoor and outdoor spaces.
- Where: Spruce Meadows, 18011 Spruce Meadows Way SW.
- When: Nov 15-17, Nov. 22-24 and Nov. 29-Dec. 1, 2024.
Muppet Christmas Carol at the Jubilee
- What: The Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra and Glatz Concerts present Disney’s The Muppet Christmas Carol in concert, featuring a screening of the complete film with the musical score performed live to the film.
- Where: Jubilee Auditorium, 1415 14 Ave. N.W.
- When: Friday, Nov. 22 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, Nov. 23 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Lions Festival of Lights
- What: This year marks the 38th annual Lions Festival of Lights, a dazzling outdoor Christmas light display you can drive past or walk through.
- Where: Confederation Park Golf Course, 24 Avenue and 14 Street N.W.
- When: Nov. 23, 2024 – Jan. 5, 2025.
A Christmas Carol at Theatre Calgary
- What: Watch Charles Dickens’ classic holiday tale A Christmas Carol come to life on the Theatre Calgary Stage. The play tells the story of elderly miser Ebenezer Scrooge, who is visited by three spirits that take him on a journey into his past, present and future to show him the errors of his ways.
- Where: Max Bell Theatre at Arts Commons), 220 Ninth Ave. S.E.
- When: Nov. 29 – Dec. 29, 2024.
Christmas lights at Spruce Meadows
- What: View some Christmas lights from the comfort of your car by heading to Spruce Meadows. Enter the drive-through holiday light display at the main gate at Spruce Meadows Way (on the east side of Spruce Meadows) and exit via Tournament Lane (on the west side of Spruce Meadows).
- Where: Spruce Meadows, 18011 Spruce Meadows Way SW.
- When: Dec. 6-8, 13-15, 20-22 and 27-29, 2024.
Once upon a Christmas at Heritage Park
- What: Experience the magic of the holidays at Heritage Park during Once Upon a Christmas.
- Where: Heritage Park, 1900 Heritage Dr. S.W.
- When: Saturdays and Sundays from Dec. 7 – 22, 2024.
Calgary Philharmonic's Traditional Christmas
- What: Celebrate the season with a selection of holiday favourites performed by the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, Calgary Men’s Chorus and soloists from Calgary Opera's McPhee Artist Development Program.
- Where: Grace Presbyterian Church, 1009 15 Ave. S.W.
- When: Dec. 10, 11 and 12, 2024.
The Nutcracker
- What: Alberta Ballet brings The Nutcracker back to the Jubilee Auditorium. The classic two-act ballet tells the story of Klara and her new nutcracker doll given to her for Christmas from her eccentric uncle.
- Where: Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium, 1415 14 Ave. N.W.
- When: Dec. 13 – 24, 2024.
Sippin' Santa at Ricardo's Hideaway
- What: Staff at Ricardo’s Hideaway will be decking the halls with festive décor and serving up specialty cocktails as part of the bar's annual Sippin' Santa popup.
- Where: Ricardo’s Hideaway, 1530 Fifth St. S.W.
- When: Monday, Nov. 18 - Sunday, Dec. 31, 2024.
Shopping Trends
The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Police locate labyrinth of tunnels connecting tents to generator in Hamilton encampment
Hamilton police say that they discovered a series of “man-made holes and tunnels” during a patrol of a downtown encampment earlier this week.
BREAKING
BREAKING George Kresge Jr., who wowed talk show audiences as the The Amazing Kreskin, dies at age 89
George Joseph Kresge Jr., who was known to generations of TV watchers as the mesmerizing entertainer and mentalist The Amazing Kreskin, has died at age 89.
Canada Post strike: Talks deadlocked as sides clash on wages
Negotiations between Canada Post and the union representing its workers appear to be in a deadlock as the two sides remain far apart on wages and other issues.
Meta working on resolving Facebook, Instagram outage
Meta users are experiencing a widespread outage, including applications like WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook and Facebook Messenger, according to third-party website Downdetector.com. Meta acknowledged the issue and is working on resolving the outage.
Bank of Canada drops key interest rate to 3.25%, Trump tariff threat 'new source of uncertainty'
Canada's central bank has cut its key rate for the fifth consecutive time – now sitting at 3.25 per cent – as the country's economy grows at a slower rate than projected.
Police identify murder victim whose skull was found in Ontario river more than three decades ago
Police have identified a man whose skull was found almost 40 years ago in a Peterborough-area river.
'Baseball-sized hail': Toronto man owes car rental company $18K after hailstorm
A Toronto man is on the hook for about $18,000 after a car he rented over the summer was pelted by baseball-sized hail.
Poilievre's Conservatives still in majority territory: Nanos seat projections
The Liberals' promise of a temporary GST break and $250 rebate cheques haven't benefited Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his minority government when it comes to public support, according to Nanos Research data.
New Vancouver mom temporarily discharged from hospital to see Taylor Swift concert
A Vancouver woman didn’t let an emergency C-section keep her from Saturday’s Taylor Swift concert.
Edmonton
-
Crash involving school buses ties up south Edmonton traffic
Two school buses carrying children were involved in a crash in south Edmonton Wednesday morning.
-
Young man sought in 2 convenience store armed robberies
Police are asking the public for help finding a person suspected of robbing two convenience stores last month.
-
Mass casualty event to be simulated in St. Albert on Thursday
An active shooter situation will be simulated in St. Albert on Thursday for the city and local first responders to practice their response to a mass casualty event.
Lethbridge
-
LDE will continue to operate Agri-food Hub and Trade Centre, property tax increase deferred
The Lethbridge and District Exhibition (LDE) will continue to operate the Agri-food Hub and Trade Centre for at least for the next two years.
-
Advance voting begins for Lethbridge-West byelection
Plenty of voters were at the University Drive Alliance Church in Lethbridge on Tuesday to take advantage of advance voting for the Lethbridge-West byelection.
-
Charges laid after drugs, weapons seized from multiple southern Alberta homes
Four people are facing charges after drugs and weapons were seized from multiple southern Alberta homes as part of a trafficking investigation late last month.
Vancouver
-
No Santa, no Rudolph: B.C. mother questions lyric changes for son's school concert
A Saanich, B.C., mom is questioning why her son came home from school with the words “Santa,” “Rudolph” and “Christmas” crossed out on a lyric sheet for his winter concert.
-
Suspect arrested in string of Metro Vancouver sex assaults
Police in Metro Vancouver have arrested a suspect following a string of sexual assaults on strangers in recent days.
-
B.C. First Nation to develop salmon hatchery with Fisheries Department
The Tsilhqot’in National Government in British Columbia says it has formed a "historic partnership" with the federal Fisheries Department to develop a permanent salmon conservation hatchery in its territory.
Vancouver Island
-
No Santa, no Rudolph: B.C. mother questions lyric changes for son's school concert
A Saanich, B.C., mom is questioning why her son came home from school with the words “Santa,” “Rudolph” and “Christmas” crossed out on a lyric sheet for his winter concert.
-
B.C. First Nation to develop salmon hatchery with Fisheries Department
The Tsilhqot’in National Government in British Columbia says it has formed a "historic partnership" with the federal Fisheries Department to develop a permanent salmon conservation hatchery in its territory.
-
Suspect arrested in string of Metro Vancouver sex assaults
Police in Metro Vancouver have arrested a suspect following a string of sexual assaults on strangers in recent days.
Saskatoon
-
'Unfortunate coincidence': Two Saskatoon power outages not related, city says
The city's two major power outages within a week were caused by different reasons, according to Saskatoon Light & Power (SL&P).
-
River search for missing Saskatchewan man suspended
Emergency crews have suspended their river search for a missing Saskatchewan man.
-
'A pretty big hit': Sask. gun store loses $40K in inventory, following federal gun ban
About $40,000 worth of guns have been removed from a Saskatoon store, following the latest federal ban.
Regina
-
Sask. premier sees rise in approval as new term begins, according to poll
Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe has seen a bump in his approval rating as his new term begins, according to a recent poll from Angus Reid.
-
Former U of S Huskie coaching women's national hockey team in New Zealand
Brooke Patron, 29, who hails from the small community of Redvers, Sask., has taken her talents across the world and has been named the Head Coach of the New Zealand Ice Fernz, the country’s national women’s hockey team.
-
'Creatively incredible': Regina raised talent featured in 'Wicked' film
A professional dancer from Saskatchewan was featured in the movie adaptation of Wicked, which has seen significant success at the box office.
Toronto
-
Police locate labyrinth of tunnels connecting tents to generator in Hamilton encampment
Hamilton police say that they discovered a series of “man-made holes and tunnels” during a patrol of a downtown encampment earlier this week.
-
‘We just want a clear plan’ Ford says ahead of meeting with Trudeau on Trump tariff threat
Ontario Premier Doug Ford is softening his language a day after telling a U.S. media outlet that he plans to hold Prime Minister Justin Trudeau “accountable” for managing the threat of tariffs from U.S. President-elect Donald Trump.
-
Police identify murder victim whose skull was found in Ontario river more than three decades ago
Police have identified a man whose skull was found almost 40 years ago in a Peterborough-area river.
Montreal
-
Quebec launching investigations into 3 Montreal schools over religion
The Quebec Education Ministry will formally investigate three Montreal schools for possible religious abuses. Preliminary information points to a toxic climate and behavior that could lead to fears for students' safety, among other things.
-
Dorval apartment building evacuated after fire breaks out
Around 90 firefighters are at an apartment building in Dorval after a fire broke out on the fifth floor of a seven-storey building.
-
5 suspected organized crime figures arrested for 3 Montreal and Quebec homicides
Montreal and Quebec police arrested five suspects they believe have organized crime ties in connection with three homicides in 2023 and 2024.
Atlantic
-
Maritime weather: Rainy, windy weather moves through region
More rain and wind are ahead for the Maritimes Wednesday through Thursday, with weather warnings in effect for parts of the region.
-
Two men charged after weapons, body armour found in stolen vehicle: N.B. RCMP
Two men have been charged after police allegedly seized a loaded weapon and body armour from a stolen vehicle that fled from officers in southwestern New Brunswick.
-
Truro man wanted on provincewide warrant: N.S. RCMP
The RCMP is searching for a man from Truro, N.S., who is wanted on a provincewide warrant.
Winnipeg
-
BREAKINGBREAKING Winnipeggers face 5.95 percent property tax increase in budget
Winnipeggers will be paying more property taxes than expected next year.
-
Manitoba nurse found not criminally responsible for killing parents has licence to practice suspended
A Manitoba nurse who was found not criminally responsible for killing his parents and attacking another nurse in a Winnipeg hospital has been suspended from practicing.
-
Manitoba’s homicide rate highest among Canadian provinces
New data from Statistics Canada shows the number of homicides across the country decreased in 2023 compared to 2022; however, Manitoba continued to lead the way for homicides per 100,000 people.
Ottawa
-
Council approves Ottawa Police Service budget, begins debate on full 2025 spending plan
Council will vote on the final 2025 City of Ottawa budget on Wednesday and residents can expect to pay more in taxes next year.
-
Governance challenges force 3-month closure of libraries across The Nation, Ont.
Library branches in St-Albert, Limoges and St-Isidore are set to close temporarily for three months starting on Jan. 1, 2025, The Nation says, citing governance challenges at the board level.
-
Coca-Cola company adds to Gatineau, Que. man's memorabilia collection after seeing CTV News story
A Gatineau man’s collection of Coca-Cola memorabilia gets the attention of the soft drink company.
Northern Ontario
-
Sudbury police make big drug bust at apartment connected to assault suspect
As Sudbury police continue to investigate Tuesday's assault on Elm Street, a search of the apartment where some of the suspects were found uncovered $135,000 in drugs.
-
Ontario man charged with sex trafficking underage girls from Sudbury, Kingston
Two young girls, from Sudbury and Kingston, Ont., were rescued from sex trafficking in the GTA and their suspected abuser has been charged, but police fear there may be more victims.
-
Canada Post strike: Talks deadlocked as sides clash on wages
Negotiations between Canada Post and the union representing its workers appear to be in a deadlock as the two sides remain far apart on wages and other issues.
Barrie
-
Blizzard and snow squall warnings issued for the region with hazardous travel expected
Prepare for some wicked weather expected to hit the region on Wednesday, with heavy snowfall up to 80 centimetres possible and gusty winds creating dicey travel conditions.
-
Driver speeding 155km/h in posted 80 zone in dense fog charged: OPP
A motorist accused of speeding 75 kilometres per hour over the posted limit in the Town of Mono through dense fog will have to explain their actions in court.
-
Modified shotgun, axe and drugs seized from vehicle in Midland parking lot: OPP
Two people face charges after a driving complaint in Midland led officers to allegedly find drugs, an axe, baton and a modified shotgun.
Kitchener
-
Canada Post strike: Talks deadlocked as sides clash on wages
Negotiations between Canada Post and the union representing its workers appear to be in a deadlock as the two sides remain far apart on wages and other issues.
-
Why a complaint to the City of Guelph will cost a bike repair business $1,900
A Guelph woman says a complaint to the city about her bicycle repair business will end up costing her $1,900.
-
Lottery ticket worth $40 million sold in Wellington County
Someone in Wellington County could be $40 million dollars richer.
London
-
Blizzard, snow squall warnings in effect, as much as 80cm possible in some areas
More snow is expected to roll through the region this afternoon, and it’s coming out swinging.
-
Councillor McAlister claims his ward 'got shafted' by the rest of London after storming out of debate
An unexpectedly tense debate about adjusting London’s electoral boundaries saw Councillor Hadleigh McAlister leave mid-meeting and claim his ward is being carved up to satisfy the rest of London.
-
Bank of Canada drops key interest rate to 3.25%, Trump tariff threat 'new source of uncertainty'
Canada's central bank has cut its key rate for the fifth consecutive time – now sitting at 3.25 per cent – as the country's economy grows at a slower rate than projected.
Windsor
-
Manning Road closed after crash involving dump truck
Essex County OPP say Manning Road is closed after a crash involving a dump truck.
-
Multiple guns seized by US border officers at Windsor-Detroit crossings
U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers seized multiple guns at Windsor-Detroit crossings.
-
'When there’s a need, there’s a Lion': Free medical equipment loan project helps those in need
It’s not uncommon for Essex County residents to make an intentional effort to help those in need during the holiday.
