Calgary Events: Dec. 11-17

Spark After Dark, The Nutcracker, and more Christmas markets!

Author

Krista Sylvester
December 11, 2024

Dear readers, it’s kind of crazy to us that this newsletter extends to mid-December events and we are not even remotely ready for the holidays yet. There is no shortage of Christmas markets to get your last minute shopping in though!

Editor’s note: We do our best to provide the most updated information but we encourage you to check ahead of time in case there have been changes to the event details.

A peek at the month ahead

🎆 Golden Memories, Blue Skies New Year’s Eve celebration: This free, family-friendly event offers a vibrant day of live entertainment, interactive activities, and a breathtaking 200-drone finale lighting up the night sky. Dec 31 from 10am-5pm at Southcentre Mall.

🥃 The 2025 MS Calgary Whisky Festival: The 12th annual Calgary Whisky Festival features an evening of fun, including whisky tasting, silent auctions, vendor booths, and snacks. Jan 16 at Hotel Arts.

🪲 Beetlejuice: Based on Tim Burton’s dearly beloved film, this musical tells the story of Lydia Deetz, a strange and unusual teenager whose whole life changes when she meets a recently deceased couple and a demon with a thing for stripes. Jan 7-12 at the Jubilee.

👨‍🎤 High Performance Rodeo: Once a punk rebel upstart troupe of creatives, ticket sales for this staple January theatre renaissance event are officially available. It’s never too early to start planning! Jan 14-Feb 2 at various locations.

Did you know?

🎄 Christmas lights: Don’t forget to check out the holiday light displays at Spruce Meadows until Dec 29, In Search of Christmas Spirit in Banff until Dec 31, the Zoolights display until Jan 5, the Lions Festival of Lights until Jan 8, and the Legacy lights until Jan 14.

Postponed

🎮️ Southcentre Mall’s PowerPlay: This exciting new entertainment venue was supposed to open this week but had to delay due to “circumstances beyond its control.” Its Instagram account says the state-of-the-art games facility will share its new grand opening date in the future.

Happening this week and weekend

Saturday | Studio Bell | 7pm-1pm

Sleigh the Night Away with drag superstar Tynomi Banks, Joanna Magik, and DJ Pump in this yuletide celebration with lights dimmed, beats turned up, and a ho-ho-whole lot of holiday cheer.

Friday- Dec 24 | Jubilee | Various times

Celebrate the holidays with the timeless charm of Alberta Ballet's enchanting tradition. Join Klara and her Nutcracker in their valiant battle against the cunning Rat King and travel with them to the Sugar Plum Fairy's palace.

Friday | TELUS Spark Science Centre | 6pm-midnight

This is the ultimate Spark After Dark of 2024, where all your favourites from the past year collide in one epic party. Whether you loved February's Tender Tingles, April's STEAMpunk, June's AI & Us, August's Body Mod, or October's Killer Psyche, it’s all coming back for one wild night.

Horizon of Khufu at Chinook Centre | Thursday-Jan 31 | Check times

A unique expedition to discover the wonder of Egypt. Explore the Giza Plateau and the Great Pyramid of Giza as if you were really there.

The Under $100 Art Show | Thursday-Sunday | Various times

Back for its 17th year, the Under $100 Art Show is introducing a brand new concept with 50 of the top selling artists to showcase their work in 20,000 square feet of space at 315 Manitou Rd. These original art pieces can be yours!

A night full of music that’ll have you rockin' around the Christmas tree and jingling all the way in support of the National Music Centre as Andy Kim leads a star-studded lineup of Canadian musicians.

Holiday Market Collective | Friday-Sunday | The BMO Centre | Various times

With more than 155 artisans, including 35% new and budding artists, there’s something for everyone at this seasonal local market. One of our favourites of the season!

Saskatoon Farm Christmas Market | Friday-Sunday | 12-8pm

The farm transforms into a winter wonderland filled with the warmth of community and the joy of the season.

Plaza Palooza at Olympic Plaza | Friday-Sunday | 4-9pm

Get together with your friends and family to check out four weekends of free festival outdoor fun at Olympic Plaza.

Granary Road Christmas Market | Friday to Sunday | 10am-4pm

Enjoy local vendors, wagon rides, hot chocolate and s’mores, Santa’s Holiday Brunch, Santa and alpaca photos, and festive indoor yoga.

Christmas at the Nation | Friday-Sunday | 11am-7pm

This holiday market features more than 200 local artisans and unique gifts for everyone on your list. Head to the Seven Chiefs Sportsplex & Chief Jim Starlight Centre for this market.

Enjoy this holiday classic movie with the family at the former Fort Calgary spot. Tickets include after-hours admission to The Confluence Cultural Centre, small popcorn, and additional snacks, soft drinks and alcohol are available for purchase.

Once Upon a Christmas at Heritage Park | Saturday and Sunday | 10am-4pm

Step into a winter wonderland and experience the enchanting magic of Christmas at Heritage Park for this wholesome, family-friendly event. Enjoy indoor and outdoor Christmas activities like cozy wagon rides, merry carollers, visits with Santa, and a festive Christmas market.

Christmas in Kensington | Saturday and Sunday | 12-3pm

Get into the holiday spirit with festive fun in Kensington every Saturday and Sunday until Dec 22. On Saturdays, snap a photo with Santa, cozy up by the fire, and play games. On Sundays, visit the petting zoo, meet the Grinch, and enjoy live music.

Head down to the cSPACE, Studio Theatre on Sunday for two performances of this production from an ensemble of musicians who are passionate about the art of handbell ringing.

Ongoing

A cast of six actors play over 30 roles in the Canadian premiere of this exhilarating and spirited adaptation of Christie’s classic mystery with her greatest and most beloved detective Hercule Poirot.

StoryBook Theatre’s One Christmas Carol | Until Dec 23 | Various times

This family-friendly holiday classic is back and screen performer Natascha Girgis returns as the show’s narrator at the Beddington Theatre Arts Centre.

Polar Express Holiday Train at Aspen Crossing | Until Dec 24 | Aspen Crossing | Check daily hours  

Step into the magic of the holiday season aboard the Polar Express, which is a fun-filled adventure, directly inspired by the hit movie. Grab your loved ones and throw on your favourite pajamas and embark on a journey to the North Pole.

A Christmas Carol | Until Dec 29 | Theatre Calgary | Various times

The classic tale of Ebenezer Scrooge who is visited by three spirits who take him on a journey into his past, present, and future to show him the errors of his ways. Dickens’ classic holiday tale comes alive on the Theatre Calgary stage.

StoryBook Theatre’s Disney’s Beauty and the Beast | Until Dec 29 | Beddington Theatre Arts Centre | Various times

This presentation of Beauty and the Beast promises to sweep families into a world of magic, romance, and heart. Behind the scenes, a dedicated production team of talented individuals has collaborated to bring this epic production to life.

Charlotte’s Web | Until Dec 29 | Various times

One of Alberta Theatre Projects’ most beloved productions returns to the stage this holiday season as audiences watch the heartwarming friendship between a pig named Wilbur and a spider named Charlotte.

Sippin’ Santa pop-up | Until Dec 31 | Check daily hours

This festive pop-up offers extravagant Christmas-themed cocktails in an elaborately-decorated, tropical setting at this 17th Ave bar that is known for its rum. Try cocktails such as the Jingle Bird, Merry Spritzmas, Sugar Plum Mai Tai, and A Snowball's Chance in Hilo, which is definitely made to share.

In Search of Christmas Spirit in Banff | Until Dec 31 | Various times

Is there anything more magical than Christmas in Banff National Park? Bundle up and walk through the Cascade of Time Garden where you’ll witness a live Christmas story told by the animals of Banff National Park.

Calgary Zoolights | Until Jan 5 | Calgary Zoo/Wilder Institute

Experience the magic of twinkling lights and dazzling displays after hours and enjoy family-friendly ice skating, axe throwing, delicious treats, animal facts, and more at this annual holiday classic.

From Me to You: The Beatles in Canada 1964-1966 | Until Jan 5 | National Music Centre

A nostalgic tribute to the band's transformative years upon arriving in Canada for the first time, this display captures the cultural landscape of Canada in the 1960s, and the frenzied excitement of Beatlemania that swept across the country.

All Those Rolling Stones | Until Jan 11 | Jubilations

Step into the tumultuous world of All Those Rolling Stones, where the rhythms of an iconic rock band, the ink-stained pages of a revolutionary magazine, and the pulse of a generation converge. Brace yourself for a rollercoaster ride through the ’60s and ’70s while you enjoy a three-course dinner.

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun | Until Feb 2 | Various times

The girls are all here; the Andrews Sisters in the ’40s, the Spice Girls, The Supremes, The Pointer Sisters and more, Stage West’s latest puts the spotlight on the women who changed music. Nov 15 to Feb 2 at Stage West.

That’s it!

Thanks for checking in this week. Hope you found something good to add to your calendar. Thanks for letting us be your tour guide! See you next week? Same time, same place.

✌️ TWIC (from the Calgary Citizen team)

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