Calgary
Photo Credit: Spruce Meadows Lights
Enjoy the best time of the year in all its glory with your Family. A list of places to enjoy Christmas and holiday light displays in Calgary.
1. 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.
Take a break, visit CORE, grab a bite or a mug of hot chocolate, revel in the greenery at Devonian Gardens. Don’t miss CORE’s 45-foot Christmas tree.
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.
2. 2016 Light Up Okotoks
Celebrate the start of the holiday season with a visit from Santa, lighting of the Christmas tree and festive activities all through downtown! Enjoy live performances, Ice Sculpture Demo, Spirit of Christmas Artisan Market, Horse Drawn Wagon Rides, Pony petting zoo, Arts & Craft Sale,Hot Chocolate & more! Details
The lights will remain throughout the season.
3rd Friday in November each year
Friday, November 18, 2016 | 5:30 PM – 09:00 PM
Downtown Okotoks
At the Olde Towne Plaza Stage
Visit from Santa 6:50 PM
Lighting of Community Christmas Tree: 07:00 PM
Fireworks from Lineham Park @ 09:00 PM
Along Elizabeth Street, Okotoks Public Library, Okotoks Art Gallery.
3. CORE Christmas Tree Lighting
CORE is inviting you to help us kick off the holidays with 100 stunningly beautiful Christmas Trees decorated by Calgary’s dynamic corporations, not-for-profit groups, media and attractions.. Lights
Tree Lighting: November 24, 2016 | 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM
100 trees on Display: Until December 22, 2016
The CORE Shopping Centre, Downtown Calgary
4. Zoo lights at Calgary Zoo
Ultimate Christmas Light decoration with over 1.5 million lights twisting around trees, and tracing animal and dinosaur shapes. Along the way, stop to warm up by the fire pits and have some fun in the Kids Zone.- Should be on the must do list. Zoo Lights
November 25 2016 – January 8, 2017, excluding December 25 | 06:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Calgary Zoo
5. 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 26, 2016 until January 8, 2017 | 6:00 PM to 11:00 PM
Grand Opening November 26, 2016 | 05:00 PM
Confederation Park in NW Calgary. The display can be viewed along 14 St NW, North of 24 Avenue.
Lougheed House: The magnificent mansion, Lougheed House will be decked in artistic lights during the season.
6. Airdrie Festival of Lights
Western Canada’s Largest outdoor walk through Christmas Light Display! Enjoy the lights, Skate at the Nose Creek Pond, Ride the miniature train & more! Details
December 1 to 31, 2016 | 06:00 PM – 09:00 PM
Nose Creek Park -1701 Main St S,Airdrie, AB T4B 1A4.
Take Deerfoot Trail and Highway 2 to the first Airdrie exit. From the exit ramp, turn left, and then travel west on (Yankee Valley Blvd) about 1 kilometre, to the traffic lights at Main Street. Turn right onto Main Street, and travel north about 1 kilometer, then turn left into Nose Creek Park.-source from Airdrie site.
7. Legacy Christmas Light Parade
During the month of December, Calgary’s Community of the Year, Legacy, will be hosting their 2nd annual family-friendly Christmas light parade with over 80,000 lights! For some classic winter fun drive through the entire community to experience the tunnels of lights, Christmas displays and an outdoor skating rink! Details
December 1st- 31st, 2016 | 05:00 PM – 11:00 PM
The Community of Legacy, 210th and Macleod Trail SE, Calgary
8. 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. Details
December 10, 2016 – January 8, 2017 | 05:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Spruce Meadows, Calgary
9. 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. Performers: Dallas Smith and OddsDetails
Airdrie on Friday, December 9, 2016 | 05:30 PM (Show from 5:45 PM – 6:15 PM) @ Nose Creek Park, Main Street, East side of CP tracks
Calgary on Saturday, December 10, 2016 | 6:45 PM (show from 7:00 PM – 7:45 PM) @ Anderson C-Train Station – South C-train parking lot
Cochrane on Monday, December 12, 2016 | 2:45 PM (show from 3:00 PM – 3:30 PM) @ Between River & 4th Street, behind Provincial Building
Morley on Monday, December 12, 2016 | 4:15 PM (show from 4:25 PM – 4:45 PM) @ Adjacent to the Morley Gas Station
Canmore on Monday, December 12, 2016 | 5:45 PM (show from 6:00 PM – 6:30 PM) @ Railway pedestrian crossing behind Save On Foods
Banff on Monday, December 12, 2016 | 7:00 PM (show from 7:15 PM – 7:45 PM) @ CP Train Station
10. For a romantic or date night christmas lights tour, head out to Heritage Ranch – Details here
11 . For all the Christmas lights in Calgary including individual house decorations- Check this website –Calgary Herald Christmas Map & LightenupCalgary
Christmas Carols & Concerts in Calgary
Christmas Events, Plays & Theatre in Calgary
Christmas Markets & Fairs in Calgary
New Years Eve in Calgary
Winter Activities in Calgary
Things to See & Do in Calgary
Current Weekend Activities in Calgary
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.