Calgary 
The Christmas and holiday seasons give us extra things to do and celebrate. In Calgary this year, you can turn a number of these festive or wintery activities into the perfect romantic afternoon or night out. For festive date ideas of all kinds in Calgary and the foothills, you’ll find ways to get you moving, ways to wine and dine, and ways to ring in the holiday season.
Holiday/Christmas Light Displays
Credit: Zoo Lights/Calgary Zoo
Walk hand in hand or go for a drive to enjoy the twinkling lights of the season.
- Zoo Lights: Experience how 2+ million lights, 200 displays, crackling fire pits, and fun-filled activity zones, transform the Calgary Zoo into a magical winter wonderland. – Calgary Zoo
- Lions Festival of Lights: You can experience this local lighting display from your car or on a walk through the park. The Lions Festival of Lights turns Confederation Park into a wonderful winter landscape each Christmas season, providing an equally as romantic setting. — November 27, 2021, to January 9, 2022 @ Confederation Park – 24 Ave. and 14 St. NW, Calgary
- Christmas at Spruce Meadows: During Christmas time, Spruce Meadows is adorned with Christmas decorations. The 2 kilometer drive through the grounds includes Tournament Lane, The Courtyard, Traffic Circle, the Nations Flag Park, Congress Hall, Riders Chapel and the Pond with strings of lights measuring 72 kilometers. — December 10 to January 2, 2022 @ Spruce Meadows, Calgary
- Lighten Up Calgary: Every year many Calgary residents and neighbourhoods cover their houses with festive Christmas lights and other great decorations, they bring the Christmas spirit to the local communities. Go on a driving tour of the best residential Christmas light displays in and around Calgary.
Festivals & Events:
Credit: University District
- Once Upon a Christmas: This annual Christmas event held at Heritage Park is perfect for a date night – enjoy horse-drawn rides, breakfast buffet, carolling and more!
Festive Food, Wine & Spirit Events
Credit: Brooke Lark/Unsplash
Book a table for two at these spots:
- Sippin’ Santa: Enjoy some tiki-themed cocktails. This year’s roster includes drinks like the Kris Kringle Colada (Dark Jamaican Rum, Cynar, Allspice, Lime & Pineapple Juice and Cream of Coconut) and the Christmas Eve of Destruction (Dark Overproof Rum, Herbal Liqueur, Nutmeg Syrup, Lime Juice and Angostura Bitters).
- Miracle on First Street Christmas Bar: Visit Proof Cocktail Bar for Christmas-themed cocktails and food in an over-the-top Christmas extravaganza right up until Christmas Eve.
- Nightmare on First Street: Paying homage to one of the greatest Christmas films ever made, the Nightmare Before Christmas, Shelter is transforming itself into a ‘Christmasized’ version of itself for the month of December. Try ’12 days of Christmas’ style selection of holiday cocktails in a reimagined festive setting.
- 8 Places to Find Festive Cocktails During Holiday Season in Calgary
Winter Patio Spots:
- Hayden Block Smoke & Whiskey: The superb menu from Hayden Block can be enjoyed in their intimate and outdoor Whiskey Garden, their winterized patio space. They offer several plates for sharing, a unique selection of cocktails, and a massive menu of whiskey. @ 1136 Kensington Road NW, Calgary
- Last Best Brewing: Head out for a patio date at Last Best and enjoy either snacks and dinner, brunch, extended happy hour, or their late-night menu. The patio is in a snug downtown location with great views for a winter sunset and is close to Central Memorial Park where you can walk of your meal in a romantic setting. @ 607 11 Ave SW, Calgary
- Poolside Dining at Hotel Arts: It doesn’t matter if you’re booking an ultimate date with a stay at the hotel, or if you just want a cool place to dine- non-guests can still book a spot in the Hotel Arts pool. This unique space is like no other in the city and allows you to dine in the pool or poolside under a heated and covered patio. — Hotel Arts – 119 -12 Avenue SW, Calgary
Live Theatre:
Credit: Alberta Ballet
Whether you like ballet or cabaret, there are plenty of options for live theatre during this season in Calgary.
- The Nutcracker: Alberta Ballet’ s Nutcracker is perfect for an opulent date night – enjoy live orchestra and a cast of more than 120 dancers, with dazzling sets and costumes designed by Emmy-award winning designer Zack Brown, and choreography by Edmund Stripe.
- Theatre: Calgary presents A Christmas Carol: This classic Christmas story will be a great way to spend a night together just before the holidays arrive. You can catch A Christmas Carol from Theatre: Calgary right up until Christmas, too, with showtimes going until the 24th.
Live Music:
- Events The Arts Commons: There are a few different festive performances taking place at the Arts Commons this December.
- Calgary Philharmonic: Choose from the concert of Handel’s Messiah, Traditional Christmas or Holiday Cirque.
Christmas Markets:
Credit: Spruce Meadows
Explore a Christmas market together. There are plenty of market across Calgary. Here are some of them.
- International Christmas Market at Spruce Meadows: Spruce Meadows will host up to 200 local businesses, artists, and vendors for their International Christmas Market, presented by Telus. The festive market is in the scenic equestrian centre which will be fully decorated for the holidays, complete with tons of holiday lights to see.
- Market Collective Holiday Markets: Explore BMO Centre as live music, interactive workshops, galleries, food and beverage, over 150 local vendors, and special surprises fill Calgary’s convention centre.
- A Christmas to Remember at Granary Road: This year-round farmers’ market transforms itself into a magical holiday scene for their Christmas to Remember and provides you with tons of local shopping options for Christmas. You can get ideas for dinner later, gift inspiration, and snacks for during the shopping trip.
- Christmas Market at Saskatoon Farm: As a massive holiday market with over 240 vendors, the Saskatoon Farm shopping experience can cover everyone on your list. But this scenic little farm makes for a romantic outing in the winter with several places for short walks, cute photos, and warm drinks.
Welcome 2024:
- Welcome 2023 together in Calgary. Though the city of Calgary has not yet announced the details of the 2022 New Year’s Eve fireworks, tickets are on sale for various NYE parties and dinner & dance events.
- Salute to Vienna New Year’s Concert: Waltz into 2023 with Salute to Vienna New Year’s Concert, now a Canadian Tradition! This dazzling performance evokes a golden age of Viennese music, brimming with energy, merriment, and romance.
Outdoor Date Ideas:
- Hygge Hut: Follow the sights, sounds and smells of a crackling campfire at the Hygge Hut at East Village. It’s also home to Calgary’s best Winter Wonderland-themed photo wall, so if you’re stuck in a winter rut, visit East Village to get happy with winter!
- Outdoor Fire Pits at Calgary Parks: The city of Calgary has set up small fire pits in various parks so that Calgarians can reserve them for a safe outdoor gathering with their bubble. Reservations are available until the last Sunday in March and is free-to-use weekdays between 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and weekends from 12-2 p.m., 4-6 p.m. and 7-9 p.m.
- A Winter Hike: The landscapes just west of Calgary provide many opportunities for gorgeous hikes all year, with many still a great way to explore in the winter months. Check out these simpler and closer hikes to Calgary that can create all the natural beauty you need for a romantic afternoon.
- WinSport at Canada Olympic Park: Not only can you ski or snowboard together at Calgary’s WinSport outdoor adventure park, but you can also prepurchase tickets to their Tube Park. Fill your afternoon together with all the adventure and relax afterwards with a drink and meal at the restaurants and cafes.
- Sleigh Rides: Go dashing thru snow on two horse open sleigh over hills we go laughing all the way while enjoying a beautiful view of the Calgary Skyline at Horsin’ Around. The Boundary Ranch will make for a day-date and daytrip out to Kananaskis where you’ll be carted along through gorgeous scenery by horse and sleigh. If you rather be in Calgary,
- Cross-country Skiing (once there is enough snow on the ground): The University of Calgary offers several different types of winter rentals, including cross-country skis for only about $20 per day per person (when you include boots, skis, and poles). If you know your date is into skiing, or would like to show them something new, take them out on one of Calgary’s groomed trails for scenery, fresh air, and physical activity.
- Skating: It will likely soon be cold enough to skate at Calgary’s public outdoor rinks. And you’ll have several types of settings to choose from like the natural beauty of North Glenmore Park, the urban landscape of Olympic Plaza, or the rive and skyline views from Prince’s Island Park. Olympic Plaza is especially festive and romantic with bright Christmas trees and lights. Once the Bowness Park lagoon freezes, you can rent an ice bike and take it for a spin together.
- Snowshoeing at Bow Habitat Station: The Pearce Estate Park and Bow Habitat Station not only allow you to explore their interpretive trails with snowshoes, but they’ll provide the equipment, too!
More Winter Date Ideas:
- 25 Date Ideas During Winter in Calgary
- Outdoor Date Ideas During Winter in Calgary
- Things to Do this Winter in Calgary
