Calgary 
Embrace the holiday season’s enchanting charm with your loved ones with this curated list of Christmas and holiday light displays in and around Calgary.
Credit: Calgary Zoo
From sparkling cityscapes to whimsical wonderlands, these mesmerizing destinations promise to kindle the festive spirit within you. Join us on a journey through the luminous beauty of these seasonal attractions, creating cherished memories with your family that will last a lifetime.
If you like to see illuminated Calgary buildings, bridges and artworks at night, see Night Lights in Calgary.
1. Zoo lights at Calgary Zoo
ZOOLIGHTS, presented by Olympia Trust Company, is even brighter this year with over one million lights, close to 250 light figures, and an exciting new arctic aurora theme. Immerse yourself in a plethora of lights, making for the perfect photo opportunity, date night, or night out with friends and family.
Friday, November 17, 2023, to Sunday, January 7, 2024
Calgary Zoo
2. Light Up Okotoks
The event includes the lighting of the community Christmas tree, live entertainment, wagon rides, a sugar shack, ice sculpture demos, cookie decorating, craft sales, late-night shopping, fireworks & much more! And don’t miss Santa’s arrival or having your picture taken with Santa Claus as he hears your Christmas wishes.. Details
The lights will remain throughout the season.
3rd Friday in November each year
Starting Friday, November 17 | 5:30 PM
Various Venues, Okotoks
3. Lions Festival of Lights
Credit: Lions Festival of Lights
The Festival of Lights is the largest FREE drive-by Christmas Lights showcase in Calgary. It’s comprised of over 105,000 lights along 14 th St NW. Details
November 25, 2023 to January 8, 2024
Confederation Park in NW Calgary. The display can be viewed along 14 St NW, North of 24 Avenue.
4. Airdrie Festival of Lights
Western Canada’s Largest outdoor walk-through Christmas Light Display! Enjoy the lights, Ride the miniature train & more! Details
December 1 to 31, 2023| 06:00 PM – 09:00 PM
Nose Creek Park -1701 Main St S, Airdrie
5. Nightrise
Join for the immersive experience of light, sound and wonder during Nightrise, a multi-sensory winter experience at the Banff Gondola.
This unique winter activity merges multimedia, storytelling and nature for an inspiring perspective at such an iconic Banff location.
Vibrant lighting, multimedia effects, video projections and original soundscapes transform the entire site into a magical world, offering an evening of immersive, interactive, contemplative and educational experiences that will amaze and inspire visitors.
November 18, 2023 to March 30, 2024 – After dark
100 Mountain Avenue, Banff Gondola, Banff
6. In Search of Christmas Spirit
Paul Zikka/Banff & Lake Louise Tourism
Discover the wonder of Christmas in Banff National Park this holiday season. Bundle up for a walk through the Cascade of Time Garden, where you’ll witness a live Christmas story told by the animals of Banff National Park. Details
November 17 to December 31, 2023
Cascade of Time Garden, Cave Ave, Banff
7. Legacy Christmas Light Parade
With over 100,000 lights, all December, Legacy will be lit up with lights for you and your family to enjoy. Details
Until January 14, 2024
15 Legacy Glen Manor, – Legacy community Calgary
8. Lightup George Lane Park
See George Lane Park in High River all glow with Christmas Lights.
December 1, 2023 to mid January, 2024
George Lane Memorial Park, 343 Macleod Trail SW, High River
9. Christmas Glow Calgary
Celebrate Christmas magic in China, India, The Netherlands, Mexico, France, and England, all in one night, and all under the glow of a million twinkle lights. Our breathtaking space is over 70,000 square feet, and brings a majestic winter wonderland completely indoors. Complete your travels with a visit to the North Pole and meet the man himself–Saint Nick!
December 7 – 31, 2023
Nutrien Western event Centre, 1800 Stampede Trail SE, Calgary
10. Christmas at Spruce Meadows
Photo Credit: Spruce Meadows Lights
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. Details
December 8 to 31, 2023
Spruce Meadows, Calgary
11. 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. It’s the most wonderful time of the year, and it just wouldn’t be Christmas time without twinkling lights. Go on a driving tour of the best residential Christmas light displays in and around Calgary.
During the season
Various Locations across Calgary
12. Lougheed House
Credit: Dan Kim Photography/Lougheed House
Enjoy 14,000 square feet of 20 rooms and nooks, 11 fireplaces, 30 stained glass windows, turrets, bannisters, stair cases, hardwood floors and decorative high ceilings, vintage pianos and an organ, all aglow with Christmas trees, lights, wreaths, nutcrackers and decorations. Lights
Until December 21, 2023
Lougheed House, 707 – 13 Ave SW, Calgary
13. Canadian Pacific Holiday Train
The Canadian Holiday Train embarks on its three-week journey from Montreal, Quebec, finishing up in BC. Each event features a boxcar stage, a lineup of great musical talent and a contribution to the local food bank. The whole train is lit up like a christmas tree. Details
Airdrie – Friday, December 8, 2023
Calgary – Saturday, December 9, 2023
Okotoks – Monday, December 11, 2023
14. Christmas Lights-Themed Evening Out – A free walking tour to enjoy the season.
The best place to enjoy Christmas lights in Calgary, free of charge, is to go for a downtown Calgary walking tour.
Start the day with skating at Olympic Plaza (228 8 Ave SE, Calgary). Then walk the pedestrian only Stephen Avenue (8 Avenue SW between 4 Street SW and 1 Street SE) decked with artistic lights and window displays.
Take a break, visit CORE, grab a bite/shop and enjoy decorated Christmas trees.
Continue to the historic McDougall Centre all aglow in Christmas lights.
Prince’s Island Park is your final destination. Cross the twinkling pedestrian bridge, revelling in the glistening icicles on the trees. You can also start the tour at Prince’s Island Park: start your trip at the island lagoon (skate here if you like) and retrace the tour described above.
Make sure you are dressed for the weather!! Best to visit after 1st week of December.
Christmas Carols & Concerts in Calgary
Christmas Events, Plays & Theatre in Calgary
Christmas Markets & Fairs in Calgary
New Year’s Eve in Calgary
Winter Activities in Calgary
Things to See & Do in Calgary
Current Weekend Activities in Calgary
For a Calgary to see nothing interesting going on ever. except couple paid staff, that is the same every year.
Sad … Calgary is so boring, and for so much tax money. they could of set up Free entertainment for people 😩
Does anyone know if there will be any of the show homes doing a light show this year. The other year they did an awesome light set up. That went to music. The kids loved it.
Please be aware that there is a $10/carload charge for the Christmas Lights at SpruceMeadows this year. The information can be found on their website. I am posting so families can plan accordingly, and no one is caught by surprise by the new fees. Bring 9 friends and it is a loonie each.
I’m disappointed that Spruce Meadows doesn’t have their light display up for the craft show weekends, I thought they always did in the past. I guess I will miss them this year as I’m only here until Dec. 7th.
Thanks for all of the info, it’s great to find it all on 1 site 🙂
Downtown Calgary Christmas Lights Tour: your posting should say to wait until Dec. 1 – McDougall Centre Christmas lights weren’t on yet, and The Core isn’t yet open late for Christmas shopping. Otherwise it’s a great walking tour. Stop in at Banker’s Hall too, their inside display is magical.
Thank you! We will do that.