Christmas Events, Parades & Holiday Theatre in Calgary 2018

Credit: Mahogany Parade of Lights

Things to do this Christmas in Calgary 2018
Events, Festivals & Holiday Theatre 

A list of Santa Claus Parades, Ballets, Theatre & other christmas related events happening in & around Calgary. Christmas/Holiday lights and Concerts are not included in this article.

For Christmas Lights, see Christmas Light Displays in Calgary

For Christmas Carols and Concerts, see Christmas Carols in Calgary

I. Santa Claus Parades in Calgary Area

  Santa Claus Parade of Lights

Festive Fun with Santa is a bustling event whose name says it all. Christmas craft making, face painting, balloon twisting, carnival games and photos with Santa himself provide hours of entertainment and memories that last a lifetime. Finally, enjoy the sweet songs of roaming carolers and watch the magic and glow of the Santa Claus Parade of Lights. Details.

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 Airdrie Santa Claus Parade

Take family and friends to the Santa Claus Parade where Santa and numerous floats roll down on Main Street and light up the downtown. This is a festive, fun way to set the mood for your holiday. Details.

Auburn Bay Parade of Lights

The Auburn Bay Community Association presents the Fifth-annual Parade of Lights. Twenty floats will be participating and local businesses/organizations will be serving delicious complimentary hot chocolate to spectators along the parade route! Details.

Mahogany Parade Of Lights

Come on out December 9th to celebrate the holiday season alongside your neighbours with Mahogany’s community parade. The Parade will be approximately 1.3 km long (30-40 mins). Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus will lead the Parade, which will also include local groups and businesses as well as some other special surprise guests. Details.

High River Santa Claus Parade

Annual Santa Claus Parade. Enjoy ‘Light Up George Lane Park’ along with Elsa and Anna from Frozen and meet Santa Claus after the parade at the Museum of the Highwood! Details.

Cochrane Santa Claus Parade

Creating Childhood Memories That Last A Lifetime. Cochrane’s  annual Santa Claus Parade.

II. Christmas Plays, Holiday Theatre and Events

 Disney On Ice

Celebrate what’s possible as the adventures of five daring Disney heroines spark the courage inside us all at Disney On Ice presents Dare To Dream!  Hosted by Mickey and Minnie, discover why no dream is too big when we find the strength to shape our own destiny at Disney On Ice presents Dare To Dream! Details.

Moscow Ballet’s Great Russian Nutcracker

Celebrate the beloved Christmas tradition with the whole family as forty world-class Russian artists bring this charming classic to life. The New York Times raves “Knock Out!” Experience Tchaikovsky’s master score this Christmas with the magic of larger than-life-puppets, growing Christmas tree and life-sized Matrushka Dolls! Details.

Lougheed House Christmas

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. Plus, fun activities for kids, included with admission, and free parking!  Details.

Star Warz: The Farce Strikes Back

Join us again for all the fun and excitement of your favourite rebels, Darth Vador, lightsabres and a princess. Set to the best galactic rock tunes in the universe. The Force will be strong in you at Jubilations Dinner Theatre.  Details.

 A Midsummer Night’s Dream

A story of order and disorder, reality and appearance, and love and marriage. Shakespeare delivers by writing a plot filled with foiled engagements, defied fathers, and love enchantments cast on unsuspecting recipients. Details.

 Zorro: Family Code

When Zorro’s arch nemesis, Capitán Juan Ramon, escapes a California prison and flees across the ocean to a tiny Spanish town – the masked crusader is hot on his heels, ready to see justice served once and for all… But nothing can prepare our aging hero for an encounter with a mysterious swashbuckler who also calls themselves “Zorro”! A swashbuckling, adventure-filled comedy about family, honour and choosing the mark you want to leave on the world. Details.

A Christmas Carol

Theatre Calgary’s annual production of Dickens’ classic tale has become a favourite holiday tradition. Let Tiny Tim, and the Spirits of Christmas Past, Present, and Future melt your heart with kindness and rejoice in the music of the season. Details.

 Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

One of the most enduring shows of all time, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is a reimagining of the Biblical story of Joseph, his father Jacob, eleven brothers and the coat of many colours. Told entirely through song with the help of a main character, Narrator, the musical follows preferred son Joseph on his journey from slavery to redemption. Details.

The Polar Express™ Train Ride

Set to the sounds of the motion picture soundtrack, passengers will relive the magic of the story as they are whisked away on THE POLAR EXPRESS™. Once onboard, hot chocolate and treats are served as passengers read along with the classic children’s book, The Polar Express, by Chris Van Allsburg. Santa and his helpers greet passengers at the North Pole and then board the train, where each child is given the first gift of Christmas – a silver sleigh bell. Chefs aboard each car lead passengers in singing Christmas carols on the ride back to Aspen Crossing.  Details.

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer

You know Dasher and Dancer and Prancer and Vixen, Comet and Cupid and Donner and Blitzen, but you have never heard the true story of how Rudolph came to lead Santa’s sleigh on Christmas Eve. As Rudolph is training to be a full-time reindeer he is confronted by the newest reindeer, Olive. Through a series of festive contests the two reindeer are faced with having to decide between winning or giving in the true spirit of Christmas. Musical joy-filled holiday fun for the whole family.  Details.

Once Upon a Christmas

Once Upon A Christmas is the perfect way to get into the true spirit of the holidays! Enjoy a scenic horse-drawn wagon ride around the Park, take in live historical theatre, sing carols in the church and don’t forget to visit jolly old Saint Nick and his reindeer!  Details.

It’s A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play

With the help of a rookie angel and a cast of charming characters, It’s a Wonderful Life reminds us that we are each precious and important. Conceived as a live 1940s radio broadcast, this classic holiday story of love and redemption will be brought to life on stage by our Betty Mitchell Award-winning ensemble. Details.

Christmas / Holiday Themed Murder Mysteries

A REBEL WITHOUT A CLAUS
Headed by elf James Bean, a group of renegade elves are planning to infiltrate Santa’s workshop. Olive Reindeer is James’ human girlfriend. But Noelle Noel, Workshop Supervisor, has caught wind of their plans and refuses to let this happen. Robyn Redd is a disgruntled postal worker, who sympathizes with both sides. Someone will be doing the stocking, and someone is going to get stuffed!

COMPLIMENTS OF DECEASIN’
The Christmas office party is the big event in the social calendar of Buttons and Bows Promotions Inc., a time for the staff and bosses to let their hair down, celebrate the year’s successes, and congratulate the Happy Button Winner of the Best Promotions and Events Award. However, there’s more mayhem than merriment at Buttons & Bows this year. The fight for the prize, which includes a resort vacation and a bonus, has been vicious. As the staff anxiously waits for the boss to reveal the final decision, a year’s worth of inter-office rivalries, jealousies, and resentments gather with them under the mistletoe. When blackmail and betrayal join the party, kisses turn to kills and merry wishes become Compliments of Deceasin’.  Details.

 Twas the Night Before Christmas

This new, once-act musical tells the story of a family trapped in a cabin by a snowstorm on Christmas Eve. They’re away from home, have no power, no electronics and no way to escape each other. It looks to be the worst Christmas ever until an unexpected visitor comes knocking, seeking shelter from the storm.  Inspired by the poem by Clement Clark Moore, “’Twas the Night Before Christmas” will make you see holiday traditions and the annual visit from Santa in a whole new way.  Details.

 Peter Pan & The Fairy’s Tale: Tinkerbell’s Return

In traditional British pantomime style, this world premier play by Dan Gibbins promises hilarity, audience interaction, cross-dressing and a rip roaring good time for the whole family. Details.

Santa Shuffle 5km Fun Run and 1km Elf Walk

This merry event helps The Salvation Army to assist families and individuals in need during the Christmas season and throughout the year. Details.

 Christmas at the Hive

Christmas in Kensington

Join Kensington in celebrating this magical time of year for a variety of free, family-fun activities in the neighbourhood. There will be horse and wagon rides,  Santa roaming the streets for an opportunity to take #SelfiesWithSanta, petting zoo, hot chocolate and more! Details.

Calgary Opera’s Amahl & the Night Visitors

Gian Carlo Menotti’s Amahl and the Night Visitors is a charming retelling of the story of the Magi from the point of view of a young disabled boy, Amahl. Amahl lives in poverty with his widowed mother near Bethlehem. One night he sees a bright star in the sky and tells his mother to go look, but she wearily brushes him off. That same evening, three kings bearing gifts for a holy child visit Amahl’s meagre hut and seek shelter. Details.

Cirque Musica Holiday – Wonderland

CIRQUE MUSICA HOLIDAY presents Wonderland is an all-new concert experience featuring the cast of Cirque Musica together with your favorite holiday songs performed by a live symphony orchestra. Cirque Musica Holiday will bring audiences on a journey into a world of “Wonderland” with unforgettable visuals and amazing acrobats, aerialists, hilarious hijinks and holiday cheer. Details.

Naughty….But Nice! 4Play!

Five Fabulous Years of saucy holiday tunes calls for a Roman numeral, so Forte is proud to present Naughty… but Nice: The Big V! Come join us for everyone’s favourite sweet but risqué holiday celebration. A hit parade of favourites from the past and a smattering of new tunes will remind you why, every year, Naughty… but Nice is on your must-see list. Details.

Canadian Pacific Holiday Train

The Canadian Pacific (CP) Holiday Train program is returning to the rails for the 19th year to raise money, food, and awareness for food banks and hunger issues across Canada and the United States.  Details.

Chrismoose Carol

Our irreverent version of Charles Dickens’ seasonal classic comes wrapped a little differently each year, and this year is no exception. In previous years we have presented Chrismoose Carol as a western, as a play within a play, and as a three person show where each evening the audience chose who would play Scrooge. As is traditional we are keeping this years style of presentation a secret, but we can say it will be just as humorous and heartwarming as previous versions.. Details.

The Nutcracker (in a Nutshell)

Nutcracker (in a Nutshell) takes children through the classic ballet The Nutcracker in just 30 minutes. Set to Tchaikovsky’s music, The Nutcracker Prince, Rat King, Snow Queen, Sugar Plum and all her friends make an appearance. Make Christmas crafts before the show. Waltz of the flowers interactive character dance and creativity workshop follow the performance.  Nutcracker in a Nutshell is part of Soulocentric’s Bach Tots program which choreographs performances specifically for children ages 0-6 and introduces them to classical and contemporary dance, visual storytelling, music and the performing arts through short live performances. Details.

ONE BAD APPLE:
The Queen, Snow White and the Evil Red Delicious

The childhood classic you have come to love; a tale of finding love where you least expect it, about seeing with your heart, complete with a needy witch, some animated furniture and a poodle. Our holiday panto is back – oh yes, it is! – and it’s fun for your whole family. .. Details.

Cirque du Flip Presents How the Grinch Stole Christmas

Cirque du Flip presents How the Grinch Stole Christmas, a circus retelling of the beloved Christmas tale. This unique performance incorporates circus aerials, trampoline, acrobatics, prop manipulation, and gymnastics. Details.

Christmas at the Track

Come out and enjoy some Christmas cheer while watching the world’s best including the infamous Canada Olympic hopefuls race. Activities include Viewing access to the Viessmann Luge World Cup races, Airbrush tattoos, Face painting, Horse drawn rides inside the track (Husky Gardens to Kreisel)
Petting zoo, Bouncy castles and more! Details.

The Nutcracker – Alberta Ballet

Feel the energy of the live orchestra as dancers take the stage, the house lights glow and a magical fairy tale begins. With this unforgettable ballet, Edmund Stripe reveals an elegant and seamless marriage between dancer and orchestration. Young and old will delight in the beauty and power of The Nutcracker, set to Tchaikovsky’s immortal score and performed live by the enormously talented Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra… Details.

Calgary Nativity Pageant

A traditional Christmas Nativity pageant with live actors, live animals, outdoor lighting and sound. It is accompanied by a musical background by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. Details.

Christmas Skate

Come on down to the Christmas Skate at the Olympic Oval and enjoy a fun-filled afternoon. Enjoy Christmas Music throughout the day while you, your family and your friends enjoy a skate together! Details.

Santa Shreds for Free

Join us for the annual Santa Shreds for Free! On Christmas Day (December 25th) anyone dressed up as the Jolly St. Nick (or Mrs. Claus, or a Reindeer or an Elf) will receive a free full day pass! Details

Christmas Eve/Day Brunch/Lunch/Dinner

• Places to Dine Out or Order in for Christmas in Calgary

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