Calgary Events: December 12-18

Alberta Ballet, Christmas markets ramp up, art shows, and trivia

Author

Krista Sylvester
December 12, 2023

Happy Tuesday, friends. Welcome to this week’s edition of TWIC! There’s snow on the ground and holiday-themed events aplenty as we are just two weeks away from Christmas. We hope you enjoy the newsletter and don’t forget to give us a review at the bottom!

P.S. If you haven’t already, take 30 seconds and tell us a bit about you so we can make this newsletter even better!

On our radar

🎤 A Jann Arden Christmas: Grab your tickets for next Tuesday’s Christmas-themed Jann Arden concert as the homegrown talent puts her unique spin on the classics you know and love.

🎸 April Wine concert: Canadian rock band April Wine takes to the Deerfoot Inn and Casino stage for a New Year’s party on Dec 31 so snap up your tickets before they’re gone.

🎶 Mean Girls musical: The hilarious hit musical from an award-winning creative team, including book writer Tina Fey comes to Calgary on Jan 16 for a one-week stint at the Jubilee.

👠 Canada’s Drag Race: The Official Tour: Tickets are now on sale for this fabulous Canadian tour and it’s making a stop in our city on Feb 24, featuring performances from winners, judges, and more. Sashay!

🎭 Hairspray: Tickets are now on sale for the popular Broadway musical Hairspray coming to Calgary for a week on March 14 at the Jubilee.

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Happening this week and weekend

Friday | 7pm | The Prairie Emporium

Award-winning country singer Mariya Stokes and one of Alberta's most iconic drag queens Ivy League will be joining forces for a fun variety show full of holiday tunes, comedy, drag performances, and more.

Friday-Dec 24 | Various times | The Jubilee

Celebrate the holidays with a beloved holiday production. With 120 performers, stunning costumes, and a live orchestra, the Jubilee stage becomes an enchanting fantasy world.

Saturday and Sunday | 10am-4pm | Granary Road Market

Celebrate the holidays with Christmas carols, decorated trees, lights, and festive photos with Santa and the alpacas at Granary Road’s Christmas Market.

Calgary Community Painters Winter Art Show | Today until Dec 22 | Various times

The annual winter art show is back at cSpace in Marda Loop so peruse what the painters have created and maybe find a gift or two. [Free]

Whether a seasoned crafter or a curious beginner, this event is perfect for everyone. Meet fellow craft enthusiasts, share skills, and learn how to felt your own ornament. Feel free to bring your own supplies. [By donation]

Gather your friends, sip on our finely crafted beers, and test your knowledge with various entertaining questions on topics ranging from pop culture to history. [$5]

Naughty… but Nice: Xmas!: | Wednesday until Dec 23 | Various times

Forte Musical Theatre Guild’s popular Naughty… but Nice: Xmas! is bringing its risque holiday fun back for a final year at cSPACE so don’t miss out!

Make & Take Wooden Gift Tags | Wednesday | 5pm

Register for this free “make and take” craft opportunity to create a personalized gift tag that the recipient is sure to love. [Free]

Wool & Warmth | Wednesday | 6:30pm

Calling all knitters, crocheters and crafters 18+, bring your current crafting project and cozy up in the Confluence Room at Fort Calgary for an evening of handicrafts and conversation. Tickets include complimentary hot drinks and snacks with other beverages available for purchase. [$12]

Comedy Moonlighter | Thursday | 8pm

The Dandy Brewing Co. presents The Comedy Moonlighter featuring 2 iconic headliners who are sure to make the adult mind laugh and the inner child sing. [$13]

The Andy Kim Christmas | Thursday and Friday | 7:30pm

Hip-hop pioneer Maestro Fresh Wes, Tanika Charles, Bebe Buckskin, and more have been added to the Andy Kim Christmas event on Dec 14 and 15 in support of the National Music Centre at Studio Bell. [$75]

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

Enjoy this third annual festive indoor holiday market, featuring more than 165 Indigenous and local artists, Tsuut’ina Nation dance performances, Indigenous craft corner, tipi, Santa Claus, live holiday characters, and food with free parking available. [$8]

Spark After Dark Greatest Hits | Friday | 6pm-midnight

Mark the calendar and come together to celebrate the absolute best from all of the previous Spark After Dark themes of 2023, all under one dazzling roof! [$24-$26]        

Lift your spirits with the one and only Countess Luann de Lesseps from The Real Housewives of New York and experience an evening that delivers great songs, a hot band, plenty of laughs, and glamour. [Starting at $4]

Learn to craft your own 3D Eevee or Pikachu bead ornament from scratch and connect with new people. One-hour sessions are available, registration is required. [$18]  

Paint with Alpacas |  Saturday | 1pm

Experience the wonder of being around alpacas while painting pottery with friends and family. Tickets include cuddles with Allen the Alpaca, studio time, paint & materials, glazing, and firing; cost of the pottery is additional. [$16]  

Brunch with Santa | Sunday | 10am-2pm

Enjoy a buffet-style brunch with Santa with two appearances from the jolly old man himself. Bring your camera/phone to take pictures with Jolly Saint Nick. [$50 with children 5 and under free]  

Gluten Free Holiday Market  | Sunday | 10am

Indulge in a fantastic array of gluten-free products and treats, all in one place, designed to cater to both celiac sufferers and those with gluten intolerance. Registration required. [Free]

Once Upon A Christmas | Saturday and Sunday | 10am-4pm

Enjoy classic indoor and outdoor Christmas activities such as horse-drawn wagon rides, visits with Santa, crafts, music, and more.

Join the Calgary Jazz Orchestra for a night of shimmering lights, enchanting melodies, and a touch of Sinatra’s timeless charm. With an 18-piece big band accompanied by the voice of Johnny Summers, this festival journey is like no other. [$49]

Ongoing

All is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914 | Until Dec 23 | Rosebud Theatre

Rosebud Theatre in Rosebud, AB presents this remarkable true story of the Christmas truce of 1914, an extraordinary night of camaraderie, music, and above all peace, told in the words and songs of the men who lived it.

Tinseltown: The Christmas Speakeasy | Until Dec 30 | SunnyCider Bar & Kitchen

A Christmas-themed experience featuring a festive cocktail list created in tandem with Confluence Distilling at SunnyCider Bar & Kitchen. The $15 ticket gets you a 90-minute experience with holiday music and decor as well as a drink. Save 10% by using CODE CITIZEN10 to book your tickets.

Sippin' Santa Pop-Up | Until Dec 31 | Ricardo’s Hideaway

Ricardo’s Hideaway is transformed into a wildly-decorated space with festive cocktails, a mouthwatering menu, and delicious deals.

Zoolights | Until Jan 7 | Calgary Zoo

Zoolights features more than one million lights, close to 250 light figures, and an arctic aurora theme.

Topp Gunn: A Maverick Musical | Until Jan 13 | Jubilations

Jubilations Dinner Theatre’s latest takes audiences on the Highway to the Danger Zone with its parody spin on the fighter jet franchise. Enjoy a three-course dinner while being entertained!

Outdoor Ice Skating | All winter | Olympic Plaza

The plaza was built in 1988 for the Olympic Winter Games and has one of the few refrigerated outdoor ice surfaces in the city where families can enjoy some skating 6am to 11pm.

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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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