By Jonathan Lawrence
The best things in life are free, and that’s especially true during the holiday season. Fortunately, most of the following events are free and family-friendly. From outdoor skating and live entertainment to lights and trees, this is the best time of the year to get out – despite the cold – and embrace the festivities. [Photo credit: istockphoto.com/ca/portfolio/marieclaudelemay]
The International Christmas Market at Spruce Meadows is one of the best shopping experiences in the city. With more than 300 vendors, it’s the perfect place to find a unique hand-crafted or exotic gift for friends and family – no more tube socks! Featuring live entertainment and amazing food, this event will surely get you into the Christmas spirit.
There’s always a festive buzz in the air at shopping malls during the holidays, especially at the CORE Shopping Centre, which will be hosting its second annual tree decorating event – a huge hit last year. The public has the opportunity to decorate up to 150 trees with lights, tinsel and ornaments, which will be on display in the mall until Dec. 21 before being donated to local families in need. Equal parts charity and fun, this will surely be an event not to miss.
For a true holiday lights spectacle in Calgary, there is no better choice than Zoolights. Now in its 20th year, the 2017 iteration of Zoolights promises to be the “most glow-tastic one yet" with 1.5 million dazzling lights. Organizers promise new and exciting events this year, but the classic activities people know and love will return, including skating, sipping hot chocolate and learning all about animals. Don't miss the after-hours adult night Nov. 30 from 6:30 to 11 p.m.
For a traditional Christmas experience, make sure to visit Heritage Park, which looks like an old-timey winter wonderland this time of year with its beautifully-lit historic homes and buildings. Visiting the park makes for a perfect family event where you can enjoy a wagon ride, check out the Christmas train display, decorate gingerbread cookies, listen to the carollers and round off the night by petting alpacas – the next best Christmas animal to reindeer.
It is freezing cold during the holidays in Calgary – which gives you the perfect excuse to stay inside and nerd out, especially at the Expo Holiday Market. Santa Claus, who will be present for photos, won't be the only one dressed up in costume. There will also be hundreds of comic book vendors and board game and collectible retailers, such as Myth Games and Hobby Inc., and dozens of artists on display.
There's nothing like a peaceful skate on a weekend afternoon. Olympic Plaza, located downtown and created in 1988 for the Olympic Winter Games, is the perfect place to embrace the joyful cheer in the air. Best of all, it's completely free!
If you can’t make it to Olympic Plaza, skating will be open mid-December at multiple other locations, including Prince’s Island Lagoon, Thomson Family Park and Prairie Winds Park.
Tchaikovsky's instantly recognizable Nutcracker suite is synonymous with Christmas. Featuring a cast of more than 70 dancers from Alberta Ballet and performed by the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, this is among the premiere spectacle events of the holiday season.
For the past 25 years, Theatre Calgary has been warming audiences’ hearts with this classic holiday tale of Scrooge, Tiny Tim and the ghosts of Christmas Past, which the Calgary Sun called “the best of all possible versions of A Christmas Carol.”
You’ll remember what Christmas is all about with this amazing live performance of the music from the 1965 holiday classic, featuring original songwriter and drummer Jerry Granelli and a children’s choir. One of the few classic holiday films to have an equally memorable soundtrack, A Charlie Brown Christmas is full of timeless songs that will surely put you in the holiday spirit – no matter how small your Christmas tree may be.
Christmas in Calgary is a magical time, with snow covering the tops of buildings and Christmas lights brightening the downtown. Whether you visit Zoolights or take in a performance of Theatre Calgary's A Christmas Carol, the most important part of this season is spending it with those close to you.
