While Calgary no longer has a downtown Santa Claus Parade, it does boast several major Christmas/Holiday events design to appeal to Calgarians and visitors of all ages and backgrounds. Bet you didn’t know Calgary is home to the world’s largest Christmas Market. Yep, no need to travel to Europe to have a Christmas Market experience.

Given all of the things to see and do in Caglary at Christmas, including no provincial sales tax when shopping you would think Calgary would be a mega Christmas destination.

Here is a brief look (in no particular order) at few of the ways Calgary celebrates the Christmas/Holiday Season. If you have visiting family and/or friends over the holiday season these would be a great way to show off Calgary’s festive spirit.

Just one of the exhibition halls at the Spruce Meadow’s Christmas Market. There are over 400 vendors offering everything from local crafts and foods to clothing and Christmas decorations. It is huge.

The Christmas Market is spread out over several buildings and outdoor plazas that allow you to warm up. And PARKING IS FREE!

Spruce Meadows’ International Christmas Market

Hot Tips: Fridays are less busy and if you go late afternoon you can explore in the daylight for a few hours and then watch as the sun goes down and the lights come on. It is magical.

Yes in 2022, Planet Cruise ranked Spruce Meadows’ International Christmas Market as the fourth “Must Visit” market in the world. The Spruce Meadow’s market is by far the largest with 415 stalls, the next largest being Dresden with 260 stalls.

The ranking was based on:

number of stalls
number of days open
TripAdvisor ratings
TripAdvisor reviews
social media posts
positive social sentiment
Google search demand

It shouldn’t surprise anyone Spruce Meadows has a world-class market as everything they do is first-class. What started as the Southern family’s vision to create a world-class equestrian and show-jumping facility has indeed been fulfilled. It is now one of the most respected facilities of its kind in the world, hosting one of the four Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping prestigious events each year. It is home to a diversity of events year-round.

Located on the southern edge of Calgary, with the Rocky Mountains in the background, the International Christmas Market is a winter wonderland. Visitors can browse a wide selection of handmade crafts, artisanal goods, and savour delicious treats from local businesses, all while being surrounded by the sounds of carolers and live music within a stunning backdrop of snow-covered trees and beautiful decorations. It truly is a magical place. The market has kicked off Calgary’s holiday season since 2001.

Times:

FRIDAYS (Nov. 17, Nov. 24, Dec. 1): 12:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m.
SATURDAYS (Nov. 18, Nov. 25, Dec. 2): 10:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m.
SUNDAYS (Nov. 19, Nov. 26, Dec. 3): 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.

Tickets:

General Admission: $15.00
Child (3–12): $10.00
Senior (65+): $10.00

Pricing does not include fees and tax. Parking is complimentary.

There are at least 4 inside exhibition halls like this one.

I love how they have converted the horse stables into display places for vendors.

There are fire pits if you are feeling a bit chilly.

Even as you leave you are rewarded with a elegant Christmas Tree lane.

Christmas Dinner & High Tea At Spruce Meadows

Indulge in a global culinary Long Table dinner, featuring wines paired with dishes from four countries. Friday nights bring themed dinners showcasing cuisine from Ukraine, Germany, and Italy. $199/person all-inclusive pricing INCLUDES meals, Wine Pairings (dinners only), Welcome Cocktail (dinners only), Christmas Market Ticket, all gratuities, all taxes and ticketing fees.

Sundays offer a sophisticated High Tea at 2 pm for $69.99 all in price.

Nov 17 Ukraine Dinner

Nov 24 German Dinner

Dec 1 Italian Dinner

High Teas Sundays, Nov 19, 26 and Dec 3 at 2 pm.

Link: Culinary Christmas at Spruce Meadows

Lions Festival of Lights

Calgary’s oldest Christmas event started in 1986 and happens in the Confederation Golf Course along 14th Street at 24th Ave NW. The Lions Festival of Light, created by Calgary Lion Club members is a series of mega iconic Christmas theme figures – angels, trains, snowflakes, snowmen, and of course Santa Claus. You can view them from the street or wander into the golf course for a closer look and some family photos.

But the fun doesn’t stop at the light show, it is also a great opportunity for the entire family to toboggan or sleigh down the hills. Yes, that means Nanna and Grandpa too.

Zoolights

The Calgary Zoo has been hosting Zoolights since 1996, with each year getting bigger and better. This year’s Zoolights which take place from November 17, 2023, to January 7, 2024, includes 250 light figures, scattered around the Zoo to create an aurora theme.

On December 1st the Wild Canada area will reopen including the new polar bear exhibit. Did you know the Calgary Zoo is the second largest in Canada, with more than 1,000 animals from around the world?

Zoolights Only Tickets:

General Admission: $21.95

Children (3 -15): $14.95 (No special senior rate)

Sunlight to Zoolights Combo Tickets:

(visit both the zoo after 1 pm and stay for the lights)

General Admission: (16-59) $45.95

Senior: (60+) $43.95

Child: (3-15) $31.95

Once Upon A Christmas at Heritage Park (OUAC)

This year’s OUAC happens on weekends from November 25 to December 17th offering an intimate Christmas market, carolers, horse-drawn wagon rides, and various activities for children. In various buildings in the park are displays on how different cultures around the world celebrate the holiday season. This is a great opportunity for kids to tell Santa what they want for Christmas and even have breakfast with Santa.

The big addition to this year’s OUAC programming will be several warming huts designed by local architects, artists and designers. Modeled after Winnipeg’s very successful “warming hut” program along its Assiniboine and Red Rivers, it will allow visitors to get in from the cold and perhaps make some new friends.

Ticket Price:

Members: Free

Child (3-15): $14.95 plus GST

General (16+): $19.95 plus GST

Millarville Christmas Market

Just a 20-minute drive from the southern edge of Calgary is the picturesque Millarville Christmas Market which has been taking place since 1988. This year’s market happens, from Nov 4 to 12th.

On Saturday and Sunday the markets will include food trucks, opportunities to see and hang out with real reindeer and hayrides from 10:30 to 2:30. Santa and Mrs. Claus photos and more than 300 vendors are available daily.

This year, the exciting new addition is the Kids Only Shoppe for kids aged 5-12 on the Saturday and Sunday market days (Nov 4 & 5 and Nov 11 & 12).

Tickets:

General Admission: $6 + GST

Children under 12 Free

The Millarville Christmas Market has timed ticketed entry to provide all visitors with a more comfortable shopping experience. No dogs allowed.

Link: Tickets https://millarvilleracetrack.ticketspice.com/millarville-christmas-market-2023

Glow Calgary

Glow Calgary at the Nutrien Western Event Centre in Stampede Park is the new kid on the block as this is only its second year (there are “Glow” events across North America). And while the event is family-friendly during the day at night it becomes much more adult-oriented.

The main attraction is the more than one million twinkle bulbs installed to create a “light garden.” This year’s theme, “Santa’s Sleigh Adventure” takes attendees through an enchanting maze and is the perfect backdrop for snapping selfies.

The event features an exciting lineup of live entertainment, including nightly musical performances from local artists and, on Fridays, the Rocking Reindeer Bash Dance Party, where couples can get their groove on as the in-house DJ spins all the biggest holiday hits.

The festival also includes Glow Golden Seniors days, specially tailored to seniors, and Glow Without Limits, which transforms the festival’s attractions to meet the needs of those with sensory sensitivities.

Visitors can also get plenty of holiday shopping done at the “Merry Makers Market” that showcases homemade crafts from artisan vendors.

“Glow” runs from December 7 to 31.

Tickets:

General (16 – 64) Monday to Friday $22.99, Weekend/Holiday $25.99

Seniors/Children Monday to Friday $16.99, Weekend/Holidays $19.99

Family Pass (2 General, 3 child/senior, 3 and under free)

Monday to Friday $75.99 Weekend/Holidays $89.99

Last Word

If you are looking for other uniquely Calgary ways to celebrate Christmas, you could go skating at Bowness Park or Olympic Plaza. The latter being Calgary’s equivalent of New York City’s famous Rockefeller Centre skating rink.

Links to some other fun Christmas blogs:

London: Christmas Card Fun

Vancouver Street Fun: Holiday Season Flower Power

A guide to Calgary's Fun Christmas Celebrations