Calgary Events: December 26 - January 1

All the New Year's events you need to know about

Author

Krista Sylvester
December 26, 2023

Happy Tuesday, friends. Welcome to this week’s edition of TWIC. This week, we’ve got a full list of all the New Year’s events to get you ready for the weekend!

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

🎶 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.

👠 Rock the Nation: Studio Bell is bringing its popular event featuring electrifying performances of beloved hit Canadian songs with over 60 years of Canadian music from Jan 27 to April 28.

🎸 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

Sunday | 11:55pm | Prince’s Island Park

Watch the fireworks from any location with a view of Prince’s Island Park or at home via livestream. Tune in to CJSW 90.9 FM at 11:55pm as the program kicks off ahead of the midnight fireworks with a soundtrack of Canadian artists.

Sunday | 5-9pm | Wilder Institute Calgary Zoo

Enjoy activities for the little ones such as face painting, crafting stations, ice sculpting and dancing, along with multiple countdowns at Zoo Year’s Eve. Children under 3 are free. [$22.95-$29.95]

Until Saturday | SunnyCider Bar & Kitchen

A Christmas-themed experience featuring a festive cocktail list created in tandem with Confluence Distilling at SunnyCider Bar & Kitchen. Save 10% by using CODE CITIZEN10 to book your tickets.

Sippin' Santa Pop-Up | Until Dec 31

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

Glow Calgary | Until Dec 31

Enjoy festive attractions and an indoor light garden illuminated by millions of twinkling bulbs.

Drag Me to the Opera | Friday | 7pm

Aida Cupcake is hitting operatic highlights and high notes in this autobiographical revue at Engineered Air Theatre at Arts Commons. [$15]

Jazz Jam | Saturday | 3-6pm

Head to Kawa Espresso Bar for a jazz jam with Chris Tauchner who has been on the scene for more than 20 years. All ages and levels of experience are welcome. [Free]

A night of live performances, DJs and more at the Radisson Hotel and Conference Centre Calgary Airport. [$35-$58]

Dance the night away to club anthems, top 40, hip hop, house and mashups. [$13.54-$25.57]

This free family-friendly affair from 12pm-10pm includes a dance party and a mock countdown at the Central, Crowfoot, Saddletowne, Shawnessy, and Signal Hill locations.

The Cochrane and Area Events Society is holding this family celebration with activities for kids starting at 4pm, a balloon drop at 6pm, and fireworks at 7pm.

A sophisticated three-course year-end feast at The RidgeHouse, Crystal Ridge with live music. [$49]

Dinner and a show by headliner Sam Demaris and two other comedians. [Sold out]

At this charity gala hosted at Sheraton Cavalier, take part in a silent auction with proceeds going to the Ronald McDonald House, along with dinner, dancing, and a champagne toast at midnight. [$102.51+]

This kid-friendly event allows people to try games in the free board game library and lasts until 1am. [Free]

FunnyFest Calgary Comedy Festival Society is putting on this celebration at the DoubleTree by Hilton Calgary North with three headline comedians, a dinner buffet, live dance band, party favours and sparkling wine. [$138.72]

Celebrate the new year with dinner and a show, or just a show with a live band at the Kings Head Eatery. [$25-$80]

Barbarella NYE 2024 | Sunday | 7pm

A NYE event that will embrace the allure of the Amalfi Coast with Italian-inspired fare, live music from local DJs and curated cocktails.

A Moulin Rouge themed party for New Year’s Eve with bubbly, bites and Lady M cakes. [$93.57]

New Year’s Eve at Craft Beer Market | Sunday | 7pm

A four-course dinner, party favours, complimentary cocktail, glass of bubbles at midnight and a DJ dance party from 9pm onwards happening at the Downtown and Southcentre locations. [$20-$95]

A New Year’s Eve dinner and dance at the Royal Hotel with cocktails starting at 7pm and dinner at 8pm. [$125]

The Century Downs casino floor will turn into a cirque spectacle with performances starting at 8:30pm until midnight with a complimentary champagne toast and a chance to win $2,024 at midnight. There will also be a four-course meal. [$60]

Tickets include an unlimited non-redemption game band, entertainment, and complimentary sparkling wine toast at midnight. [$54-$106.50]

Renaissance Countdown | Sunday | 8:30pm

This Beyoncé inspired party at Twisted Element for New Year’s Eve will be hosted by Justin Mulrain and will feature Calypso Jetè Balmain, Felicia Bonée, Dayna Hart, Tangerine Dream and Stephanie Prince, along with DJ Price Morbucks. [$27-$65]

This Much Music video dance party will kick off at 9pm with a glass of champagne. [$23-$266]

Party with a live DJ playing disco, ’80s ’90s, 2000s hits and more. Enjoy a complimentary drink, a charity 50/50 draw and more at this 18+ event. [$35]

Dance to hip hop, Afrobeats, dancehall and more at Habebe’s Banquet Hall with a champagne toast at midnight. [$33.28]

Visit a Canadian Brewhouse on New Year’s Eve for a pizza bar and champagne toast at midnight. [$19.99]

Tres Beaches and Friends are taking over Local 522 for a New Year’s Eve party featuring champagne and confetti showers at midnight. [$22]

’80s outfits are encouraged for this DJ dance party in the Sundance Ballroom. Ring in 2024, but party like it’s 1989.

April Wine concert | Sunday | 10pm

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.

Happy hour all night with party favours and free bubbly at midnight surrounded by underwater decor. There will be dancing, a midnight sea countdown, and more. [$20]

Celebrate the new year with some mingling, live music and classic cocktails. [Free, but reserve a spot]

Ongoing

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 year? Same time, same place.

✌️ TWIC (from the Calgary Citizen team)

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