Holiday markets
Explore festive markets filled with handcrafted treasures and local artisans and find the perfect gifts to make your season bright and joyful!
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Holiday magic
Celebrate the holiday magic in downtown Calgary with festive events, bustling markets and cozy pop-up bars. Discover unique gifts while shopping local and soak in the sparkling lights that transform the city into a winter wonderland. Cap off the month by attending an unforgettable New Year’s Eve celebration in the heart of downtown!
Shop 'til you drop at these
Holiday markets
Shop local this season
Shopping
Authentically Indigenous Holiday Art Market
Celebrate Indigenous culture at Calgary’s Authentically Indigenous Holiday Art Market, featuring handmade First Nations, Métis and Inuit art, live entertainment food, and festive fun for all ages. Dates: Dec. 5-7, 2025.
Events & Festivals
Under $100 Art Show
The Under $100 Art Show is back for its 18th year in Calgary with nearly 100 artists per weekend offering original art, prints, tattoos and handmade accessories. Dates: Dec. 4-7, 11-14, 2025.
Shopping
Market Collective Holiday Markets
Market Collective is back to celebrate local creativity with art, music, food and community in an inclusive, curated marketplace. Dates: Dec. 5-7, 12-13, 2025.
Make lasting memories with these
Holiday events
Don’t miss these fun and festive holiday events that will make the season truly special.
Holiday events
Join the festivities
Events & Festivals
ZOOLIGHTS
Experience the wonder of twinkling holiday lights and dazzling displays, where the joy of the season brings you closer to family, friends, and the heart of the community.. Dates: Nov. 14, 2025 – Jan. 4, 2026.
Arts & Culture
A Charlie Brown’s Christmas
Enjoy the classic soundtrack of Charlie Brown’s Christmas performed live in the intimate setting of the Engineered Air Theatre. Dates: Dec. 10-11, 2025.
Events & Festivals
Frostpop Kids Party
A craft gathering inspired by global warm drink and décor traditions, including sachet and mug decorating. Date: Dec. 13, 2025.
Arts & Culture
Theatre Calgary: A Christmas Carol
Dickens’ classic holiday tale comes alive on the Theatre Calgary stage, with stunning sets and costumes. See why A Christmas Carol has become a holiday tradition for so many Calgarians. Dates: Nov. 28 – Dec. 31, 2025.
Events & Festivals
Cult Classics & Crafts at The Confluence
Gather your crafting supplies, grab a seat, and settle in for an evening of creating and laughing with the holiday classic, National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation!
Arts & Culture
Calgary Philharmonic: A Traditional Christmas
Have yourself a cozy Christmas-inspired evening with your Calgary Phil featuring the heartwarming music of traditional carols, classic holiday songs, and other merry tunes. Dates: Dec. 9-11, 2025.
Events & Festivals
Holiday Wonder
Holiday Wonder is Calgary’s newest holiday tradition. Step into a sparkling wonderland filled with holiday light displays, festive attractions, and magical moments. Dates: Nov. 27, 2025 – Jan. 3, 2026.
Celebrate the season with magical
Holiday lights
Discover downtown’s dazzling holiday lights and capture festive photo ops around every corner.
Holiday lights
Dazzling photo ops
Attractions
Holiday Lights on Stephen Ave
Stephen Avenue is transformed into a shimmering corridor of festive lights, turning the historic street into a magical winter postcard, perfect for holiday snapshots with friends or a cozy solo stroll.
Attractions
Prince's Island Park Holiday Lights
Create lasting memories with the whole family and head down to Prince’s Island Park, sparkling with festive lights and holiday cheer!
Attractions
River Hall Firepits
Warm up by the fire this winter at River Hall! Cozy up around two crackling fire pits lit every weekend from noon – 7 p.m. and daily as Christmas draws near. Bring your friends, sip something warm and soak in the festive vibes!
Events & Festivals
Winter Warm Up Series
Head to the East Village for the Winter Warm Up Series, featuring pop-up performances, community activities, holiday lights and a little something different every time.
Attractions
Eau Claire Plaza Holiday Lights
The spot for holiday photos this year thanks to a 40-foot Christmas tree, accompanied by several other Christmas trees, an illuminated polar bear, wreaths and more!
Shine bright this season with
Holiday glam
Step into the season in style! Discover gorgeous outfits at these shops and make every holiday moment sparkle.
Holiday glam
Celebrate in style
Shopping
Adorn Boutique
A charming, family-owned Calgary boutique in Inglewood that carries thoughtfully selected dresses, jewelry, and accessories - with many Canadian and eco-conscious brands.
Shopping
Kate Hewko
A Calgary-based designer offering bold, statement fashion pieces designed and shipped locally from her storefront on 17th Avenue.
Shopping
The Latest Scoop
A beloved Canadian concept lifestyle store with a curated, always-changing selection of fashion, home décor, and giftable treasures to inspire effortless style.
Shopping
Bankers Hall
A sophisticated mix of fashion, local boutiques, cafés, and wellness stops, with chances to discover indulgent treats and one-of-a-kind handmade pieces from pop-up vendors.
Shopping
The CORE Shopping Centre
Downtown Calgary’s premier retail hub, connecting 160+ fashion, beauty, and lifestyle brands across four vibrant city blocks linked by the +15 network.
Shopping
Twenty-Seven Boutique
A Calgary-born fashion destination offering a beautifully curated collection of stylish clothing, accessories, and lifestyle pieces perfect for standout looks - truly a local gem.
Try your favorite cocktail with a holiday-twist at these
Pop-up bars
Step into a holiday wonderland and sip festive drinks crafted with cheer straight from Santa’s workshop!
Pop-up bars
Spread some holiday "cheers"
Eat & Drink
Presents & Potions
Step into this Christmas pop-up and experience the most wonderful time of the year-Potion Room style. Festive cocktails, magical vibes, twinkling lights, and all the holiday cheer you can handle. Dates: Nov. 12 - Dec. 31, 2025.
Eat & Drink
Sippin’ Santa at Ricardo’s Hideaway
Sippin’ Santa is back! Check out the transformed island bar as it turns into a winter wonderland with limited edition, over-the-top Christmas tiki cocktails. Dates: Nov. 19 - Dec. 31, 2025.
Eat & Drink
Miracle on First Street at Proof
Proof’s Miracle pop-up is back with another year of Christmas decor, drinks and music. Stop in to try cocktails like the Christmapolitan, Rudolph’s Replacement and the Santa Slide. Dates: Nov. 14 - Dec. 24, 2025.
Eat & Drink
Nightmare on First Street
Shelter’s holiday takeover returns with its signature moody Christmas vibe and bold, attitude-filled seasonal cocktails. Expect a dark, twisted, and unapologetically fun atmosphere. Dates: Nov. 26 – Dec. 31, 2025.
Eat & Drink
The Green Door Bistro
Yellow Door Bistro transforms part of its space into a Grinch-inspired pop-up featuring green dishes and festive cocktails. The Green Door Bistro runs Fridays to Sundays with cozy late-night vibes. Dates: Fridays to Sundays, Nov. 21 – Dec. 21, 2025.
Ring-in 2026 at one of these downtown celebrations on
New Year's Eve
There’s no better place to welcome 2026 than in the vibrant heart of the city! Celebrate with an incredible lineup of events and festivities that make ringing in the New Year unforgettable.
New Year's Eve
Ring in the New Year
Events & Festivals
Noon Year’s Eve at TELUS Spark Science Centre
Celebrate New Year’s early with a kid-friendly “Noon Year’s Eve” at TELUS Spark - expect hourly science-themed fun, a balloon drop at noon, and a dance party that wraps up by mid-afternoon.
Events & Festivals
Malt Ball 2026: A Cold Garden New Year’s Eve!
The Malt Ball, A Cold Garden NYE is back! Head to The Palace Theatre to launch into 2026 with another infamous Space Disco! Featuring interactive performances from Le Cirque De La Nuit and galactically renowned live
Events & Festivals
New Year’s Eve with Dueling Piano Kings at The King Eddy
Ring in 2026 with a lively all-request piano show at the historic King Eddy – bring your song picks and get ready for crowd-pleasing music, drinks, and a party vibe to welcome the new year.
Events & Festivals
Kick Off 2026 with Fireworks, Music and Celebration!
Ring in 2026 with free, family-friendly festivities at Eau Claire Plaza and Prince’s Island Park, featuring live entertainment, activities, food trucks, and outdoor skating from 8 p.m. onward. At midnight, enjoy a synchronized fireworks show launched from Prince’s Island Park, with audio on CJSW 90.9FM or via livestream at calgary.ca/NYE.
Eau Claire Plaza & Prince’s Island Park
Events & Festivals
New Year’s Eve Countdown Party at CRAFT
The countdown to 2026 is on! Celebrate at CRAFT with a DJ spinning late, dancing, and an unforgettable New Year’s party.
Events & Festivals
NYE 2026 The Disco Ball & Neon Glow Party
Calgary’s Ultimate New Year’s Eve Experience is back! One ticket, two incredible parties! DJ Dillon will be on the main floor for The Disco Ball NYE. DJ 4Low will take over downstairs for the Neon NYE Glow Party.
Getting Around
Whether you hit up one spot or all of them, every visit makes a difference. Let’s keep supporting our community and enjoying everything downtown Calgary has to offer!
Check out some resources to help make visiting downtown convenient.
Check out other experiences
From chill hangouts to adrenaline-pumping activities, there’s something for every vibe in Downtown Calgary. Let your next great experience find you.