Calgary 
Calgary has released details of its upcoming New Year’s Eve celebration, outlining a series of free, family-oriented activities at two adjacent downtown sites.
Credit: City of Calgary/2014 Fireworks
The evening at Eau Claire Plaza and Prince’s Island Park will feature live entertainment, participatory events and a midnight fireworks display synchronized to CJSW 90.9 FM.
What to Expect
- Food Trucks, Fire Pits and Games: From 8 p.m. to midnight at Eau Claire Plaza, attendees can access food vendors, warming fire pits and informal games suitable for a broad age range. The setup is intended to provide continuous activity as visitors circulate through the plaza before and after scheduled entertainment, creating opportunities for families to remain onsite while preparing for the later countdown.
- Stilt Walkers: Performers on stilts will move between Eau Claire Plaza and Prince’s Island Park from 8:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Their presence adds visual animation along key pedestrian corridors and provides roaming entertainment during the early hours of the event. The activity is structured to engage visitors outdoors as they transition between gathering points.
- DJ Skating and Dance Party: At Prince’s Island Lagoon, a DJ-led session will run from 9 p.m. to midnight, combining skating and dancing in an open setting. Skate rentals will remain available until the close of the program. The lagoon serves as one of the primary activity zones, enabling participants to remain active while awaiting the fireworks display.
- Fire Dragon Parade: A cultural procession featuring an incense dragon will occur from 10:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m., beginning at the Sheraton hotel and proceeding toward Prince’s Island Park. The parade introduces a traditional performance element to the event, offering a scheduled spectacle that precedes the countdown period.
- Midnight Fireworks: Fireworks will be launched from Prince’s Island Park from midnight to 12:15 a.m., with audio synchronized to CJSW 90.9 FM. The show will be viewable from both official celebration sites or via livestream, which begins at 11:55 p.m. and includes a blessing by Elder Bryan Little Chief and a countdown with Mayor Farkas.
- Free shuttle buses will operate from 9 p.m. on December 31 until 1:30 a.m. on January 1, running approximately every 45 minutes and stopping at Lot 59 (200 Memorial Dr. N.W.). Routes connect to the Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium and the Max Bell Centre.
2026 New Year’s Eve in Calgary – Fireworks, Family Events & NYE Parties For Adults
“On New Year’s Eve, I welcome all Calgarians to celebrate each other and all our achievements as a city,” said Mayor Jeromy Farkas. “Whether you’re skating, dancing or enjoying the fireworks with family and friends, this is our chance to greet 2026 with joy, gratitude and a sense of community.”
New Year’s Eve Fireworks Calgary – 2026
What: Enjoy family-friendly activities, live entertainment, local food trucks, an outdoor skating/dance party, fireworks and more at Eau Claire Plaza and Prince’s Island Park starting at 8 p.m.
When: Wednesday, December 31, 2025, 8 p.m. to 12 a.m.
Where:
Prince’s Island Park, 698 Eau Claire Ave SW, Calgary
Eau Claire Plaza, 139 Barclay Parade SW, Calgary
How Much: Free
Getting around on New Year’s Eve
Shuttle buses
Free shuttle buses will run from 9 p.m. on Dec. 31, 2025, until 1:30 a.m. on Jan. 1, 2026, with buses arriving at each stop approximately every 45 minutes. All shuttles stop at Lot 59 (200 Memorial Dr. N.W.), conveniently located across the bridge from Eau Claire Plaza and Prince’s Island Park, steps away from both New Year’s Eve celebration sites.
- N.W. route: Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium North Surface Lot (1415 14 Ave. N.W.) to and from Lot 59.
- N.E. route: Max Bell Centre (1001 Barlow Tr. S.E.) to and from Lot 59.
The shuttles were made possible through support provided by The City’s Winter City Strategy, which focuses on activating spaces and bringing the city to life during the coldest months.
Calgary Transit will be regular fare with extended service hours to help everyone get home safely.
- CTrain service will run until 4 a.m. on Jan. 1, 2026.
- Bus routes 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 22, 301, 302 and MAX Orange, MAX Yellow, MAX Teal and MAX Purple will run until 3 a.m. on Jan. 1, 2026.
Road closures and community access
Credit: City of Calgary
- Memorial Drive N.W.
- Closed in both directions (eastbound and westbound) from 10 Street N.W. to 4 Street N.E.
- After midnight on Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026, any vehicles parked in Sunnyside will be able to exit westbound onto Memorial Drive N.W.
- Crescent Heights & Rosedale Communities
- No public access. Access restricted to residents only
- Residents can access their homes via the vehicle access points
- Proof of residence in Crescent Heights or Rosedale is required for vehicle access.
- If you have guests arriving to your home during the closure, please meet them at a vehicle access point with proof of your residence so they can access the area.
- To avoid delays, consider asking your guests to arrive before 9 p.m.
Vehicle Access Points:
- From Centre St. N.: 10 Avenue N.W. or 12 Avenue N.W.
- From 16 Avenue N.W.: 4 Street N.W.
- From 10 Street N.W.: 13 Avenue N.W.
Parking
- Harmony Parkade (Lot 40) – 112 5 Avenue S.W. (Accessible parking) – $3 max rate after 6 p.m.
- Lot 71 (Downtown) – 603 3 Avenue S.W. $3 max rate after 6 p.m.
- Lot 888 (Chinatown) – 109 Riverfront Avenue S.E. (Accessible parking) $4 max rate after 6 p.m.
- Lot 26 (Chinatown) – 307 1 Street S.E. $4 max rate after 6 p.m.
- Crescent Heights no parking zone: 8 Avenue N.E. from Centre Street N. to Edmonton Trail from 9 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025 to 1 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026.
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