31 of the best things to do in Calgary this December

Hey there, Calgary! We figure that you’ve probably been sitting in your footie pajamas and Santa hat by a fireplace sipping on egg-nog and rum since 12:01 AM on November 1st, so we don’t need to remind you that the real month of holidays is finally upon us. This is what you’ve all been waiting for! Just in case you are frazzled about making the most out of the holiday season (and the rest of the month), here are 31 exciting things to do in Calgary this December.

Calgary Hitmen Teddy Bear Toss

Kick-off December with the world-famous Teddy Bear Toss! Make it rain in support of the Salvation Army and the Children’s Hospital!

When: December 1
Where: Scotiabank Saddledome
Cost: $14.99+

Spruce Meadows Christmas Market

The incredible Spruce Meadows international market is back for its final weekend. Enjoy sights, sounds, lights, and food from over 300 vendors and an infinite amount of Christmas spirit!

When: December 1
Where: Spruce Meadows
Cost:$12

Serena Ryder: Christmas Kisses Tour

Serena Ryder made it big after her song Stompa basically took over every alt station across Canada. Now she’s back, with something a little more festive! Check out her Christmas Kisses tour this month!

When: December 2
Where: Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium
Cost: $45+

Holidays at the Rimrock Resort

Banff is an actual wonderland in the winter. Celebrate the holidays at the Rimrock Resort and check out some of their exciting events in the spirit of the season. Get crafty, meet up with Santa, indulge in one of their Christmas or New Year’s feasts, or step out and attend their Alice in Wonderland Gala!

When: Check event calendar here
Where: The Rimrock Resort Hotel

Rich The Kid

In the 2 years since his first studio album release, Rich the Kid has worked with huge names like Kendrick Lamar, Khalid, and Lil Wayne. He’s ammassed 7 million followers on his Instagra and even owns his own record label. Dang this guys busy. Catch him at the Palace Theatre December 1st.

When: December 1
Where: The Palace Theatre
Cost: $58+

Noel Indoor Light and Market

This event has been very highly anticipated this year! Noel is the city’s only indoor Christmas lights display and market and will practically take over the Stampede grounds this holiday season. Browse the artisan market, check out the food trucks, sip on wine and spirits, and cozy up with a hot chocolate in Santas Village.

When: December 1-30
Where: Nutrien Western Event Centre
Cost:$20+

Bumble App Holiday Party at CRAFT

Enjoy complimentary cocktails, food, activities and new connections! All you have to do is create a Bumble profile and show up. Easy enough. For every attendee and app download, Bumble will donate to the Shoebox Project. Tis’ the season for giving … and drinking for free.

When: December 4
Where: CRAFT Beer Market – 345 10th Ave SW, Calgary
Cost: Free

Market Collective Holiday Series

This holiday market will feature over 150 local vendors and a ton of special surprises. Three whole weekends of live music, interactive workshops, galleries, AND food? You won’t want to miss it!

When: December 6-8, 13-15, 20-22
Where: BMO Centre
Cost: $6

Johnny Reid

Get holly jolly with Johnny Reid’s brand of twang during his My Kind of Christmas Tour. You won’t want to miss this Scottish-Canadian country star in action! It’s honestly the best time of the year, isn’t it?

When: December 7
Where: Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium
Cost: $97+

Holidays on 17th

Get into the Christmas spirit in Tomkins Park with Holidays on 17th Avenue. Take pictures with Santa himself, play games, visit their petting zoo and sip on some hot chocolate!

When: December 7
Where: 17th Avenue

Dax

This Canadian Rapper went from the not-to-be-taken-seriously viral star to becoming a respected member of the rap community, all in an incredibly short time. This up and coming artist has been compared to game changing freestyle rappers, so it might be worth checking out.

When: December 8
Where: Commonwealth
Cost: $30+

Heritage Park Dinner and a Movie – Die Hard

Die Hard is absolutely a Christmas movie, right? Argue with your family members over an incredible Die Hard-themed three-course meal at Heritage parks Selkirk Grille before watching the Bruce Willis Classic. Yippee Ki-Yay is practically season’s greetings, after all.

When: December 10
Where: Heritage Park
Cost: $44+

Downtown Christmas Market

They’re bringing the Christmas market to the people! The busybodies of downtown can check out the city centers’ very own event. Won’t it be nice to cross a couple of those unique gift ideas off of your shopping list, without having to go very far?

When: December 10
Where: Gulf Canada Square
Cost: FREE

Lions’ Festival of Lights

Calgarys largest free drive-by light festival is back! See over 500,000 lights all along 14th street, and get your holiday spirit on. It’s tradition, after all.

When: Until January 8th
Where: Confederation Golf Course – 14th Street NW

The Lion, Witch, and the Wardrobe

C.S. Lewis’s timeless classic about imagination, friendship, bravery, and family will take over the stage at Martha Cohen Theatre. This show will feature puppetry, incredible costumes, and amazing backdrops, you won’t want to miss it!

When: Now until December 29
Where: Martha Cohen Theatre
Cost: $40+

Sippin’ Santa Tiki Pop-up Bar

Jingle your bells to a fiest-ive soundtrack of Christmas music while you sip on Kris Kringle Coladas all December long! Sippin’ Santa will be every holiday lover’s dream, every grumpy grinch’s nightmare, and every rowdy Rudolph’s watering hole.

When: Until December 31
Where: Ricardos Hideaway – 1530 5 St SW, Calgary

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Paul Brandt

Calgary’s sweetheart, and most awarded Canadian male country artist, Paul Brandt, is home for the holidays! This unforgettable performance of Christmas classics is all in the name of charity! Catch the man with a heart of gold and the entire Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra at MRU, December 10th.

When: December 10
Where: Bella Concert Hall, Mount Royal
Cost: $100+

It’s A Wonderful Life Screening

Catch a holiday classic and feel good about yourself this Christmas. Kensington’s Plaza Theatre will be screening It’s a Wonderful Life December 11th. All proceeds from ticket sales will go to Habitat for Humanity!

When: December 11
Where: Plaza Theatre – 1133 Kensington Road NW

Gingerbread Cookie Decorating at CIBO

All the fun without the mess! Decorate gingerbread cookies and enjoy incredible happy hour pricing on pizza, draft beer, and wine. It isn’t Christmas without a little icing and some sprinkles.

When: December 12
Where: Cibo on 17th
Cost: $12+

Buffo Holiday Prix Fixe

Comfort food at its very best. Plus, $1 from every two or three-course meal will go to Mealshare, so you can feel good about dining! Their festive menu will feature favorites like roast butternut squash soup, braised brisket and hazelnut semifreddo. Sounds delish!

When: December 13-24
Where: Buffo – 6455 MacLeod Tr. SW
Cost: $32+

Fairmont Banff Springs: Christmas at the Castle

Have a fairytale Christmas! Make your stay at the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel extra special by attending one of their holiday events.

When: Check event calendar here
Where: Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel

Boney M

This iconic Euro-Carribbean band invented the disco wedding turn-up, when they released Rasputin in 1978. Only a few years later they also dropped their massive Christmas album, featuring Mary’s Child, which is most likely on 80 percent of all Christmas playlists ever made. They’ll be in Calgary with their original lead singer this month!

When: December 13
Where: The Grey Eagle
Cost: $70+

Alberta Ballet Presents: The Nutcracker

Pyotr Tchaikovsky’s classic two act-ballet is another “don’t miss this” show. The beautiful story of The Nutcracker will be brought to life by over 120 professional dancers, a live orchestra, and incredible choreography.

When: December 13-15 and 20-24
Where: Southern Jubilee Auditorium
Cost: $67+

The Dudes

Calgary band, The Dudes, are everywhere, on every holiday, always, without fail. This Christmas was no exception! It’s true what they say, ho-ho-home is where the heart is!

When: December 20
Where: The Palace Theatre
Cost: $20

Calgary Glow Party

Black lighting, lasers, bass and Glowsticks. Alright, sensory overload. Get complementary LED gear at the massive glow party this at Knoxvilles.

When: December 21
Where: Knoxvilles Tavern
Cost: $10+

Miracle on 1st Street Pop-up Bar

Nothing says “happy birthday, Jesus” like getting the holiday hiccups from one too many Christmas spirits. Get elfin’ crazy at this over-the-top pop-up bar. Ugly sweaters and furry red hats are encouraged!

When: Until December 24
Where: Proof Cocktail Bar – 1302 1 St SW, Calgary

Sub Rosa Nutcracker Ball

Couldn’t get a flight out to visit the rents this Christmas? Don’t let that be the reason you stay in! On December 24 check out Sub Rosa’s holiday industry party. Toast to the holidays with shots of Jameson’s, pop a bottle of Dom or keep it chill with tallboys of PBR. Email nutcrackersball@subrosa.com with the subject line: Nutcrackers Ball to reserve your spot.

When: December 24
Where: Sub Rosa
Cost: Free

We Will Rock You: The Musical

Okay, so you’ve watched Bohemian Rhapsody 30 times, and still haven’t gotten your fill. We Will Rock You, the aptly named musical is just what the doctor ordered. Sing along to Queen classics, and bop in your seats to incredible vocal performances December 27-29.

When: December 27-29
Where: The Southern Jubilee Auditorium
Cost: $83+

Cash Cash

This show will be wild. This American electronic group have been behind official remixes for Capital Cities, Kelly Clarkson, Katy Perry, Bruno Mars and Krewella. These guys are hot off the successful release of Take me Home ft. Bebe Rexha, and they’re bringing the heat to Palace Theatre. You won’t want to miss it.

When: December 28
Where: The Palace Theatre
Cost: $41.30+

Polar Express at Aspen Crossing

All aboard Aspen Crossing Polar Express! Just outside the Calgary limits, a magical experience inspired by the motion picture awaits! Guests are in for some caroling, hot chocolate, Christmas cookies, and appearances by Jolly Old Saint Nick and other characters from the story onboard a fully functional train.

When: Until December 29
Where: Aspen Crossing
Cost: $134 +

A Christmas Carol

Is it really even Christmas until you’ve seen this classic at least once? Join Scrooge on a soul searching journey through his humble past, troubled present and uncertain future.

When: Now until December 28
Where: Max Bell Center
Cost: Prices Subject to Change

Phew! We made it! Now you have 31 more plans you might not have had before. One for every day this month plus! Happy Decem-burrrr, Calgary!