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.
2018 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 16, 2018 | 5:30 PM to 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.
CORE Christmas Tree Lighting & Fireworks
Get into the holiday spirit with The CORE for a special night of live entertainment, Christmas tree lighting, fireworks, and of course, Santa. The night begins with opportunities to watch sponsors decorate Christmas trees. There will be entertainment and live music, and free Santa photos (monetary donations will be gratefully accepted by The Magic of Christmas). The night culminates with the lighting of The Core’s famous 45-foot tree and fireworks show. Lights
Tree Lighting: Thursday, November 22, 2018 | 04:00 PM – 07:00 PM
Trees on Display: Until December 19, 2018
The CORE Shopping Centre, Downtown Calgary
Zoo lights at Calgary Zoo
November 23, 2018 – January 5, 2019, excluding December 25 | 06:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Calgary Zoo
Lougheed House: The magnificent mansion, Lougheed House will be decked in artistic lights during the season.
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, 2018 | 06:00 PM – 09:00 PM
Nose Creek Park -1701 Main St S,Airdrie, AB T4B 1A4.
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
December 1, 2018- January 8, 2019 | 6:00 PM to 11:00 PM
Confederation Park in NW Calgary. The display can be viewed along 14 St NW, North of 24 Avenue.
Lightup George Lane Park
32nd Annual Santa Claus Parade Enjoy ‘Light Up George Lane Park’ and meet Santa Claus after the parade at the Museum of the Highwood! The Lions Club of High River will be on hand with hot dogs and hot chocolate, and there is caroling and other activities before the switch is thrown!
December 7, 2018 | 5:00 PM, LIghts will remain until the season is over
George Lane Memorial Park, 343 Macleod Trail SW, High River
Christmas at Spruce Meadows
Sunday, December 9, 2018 to Sunday, January 6, 2019 | 5-10 pm
Spruce Meadows, Calgary
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
Performers: Terri Clark, Sierra Noble and Kelly Prescott
Calgary — Performers: Terri Clark, Sierra Noble and Kelly PrescottSaturday, December 8, 2018 | 6:45 PM (Show: 7:00 PM – 7:45 PM ) @ Anderson C-Train Station – South C-train parking lot
Airdrie — Performers: Terri Clark, Sierra Noble and Kelly Prescott
Tuesday, December 11, 2018 | 5:30 PM (Show: 5:45 PM – 6:45 PM) @ Nose Creek Park, Main Street, East side of CP tracks
Cochrane – Performers: Sam Roberts Band, Kelly Prescott and Tracey Brown
Thursday, December 13, 2018 | 2:45 PM (Show: 3:00 PM – 3:30 PM ) @ Between River and 4 Street, behind the Provincial building
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 150 trees + 45 foot Christmas tree at CORE.
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. 150 trees until Dec 21, 2017
10. For a romantic or date night christmas lights tour, head out to Heritage Ranch – Details here
11 . For individual house decorations Christmas lights in Calgary including, see Lightenup Calgary.
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.
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 🙂
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.
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.