Calendar

November 19 to 21 and November November 26 to 28. The 2021 Banff Christmas Market - six days of magic! With over 80 artisanal vendors, live music, an outdoor fire lounge, Santa’s House and Reindeer Stables, Christmas treats and warm drinks, there is something for the whole family! Christmas comes but once a year, so make the most of it and join at Warner Stables for what will quickly become a family tradition. Pre-purchased tickets only. Admission is free for kids 12 and under.

Takes place Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays until December 12. Fridays: 4 to 9pm. Saturdays & Sundays: 10 am to 6pm. Then daily, December 17 to 24 & 26 to 31, 10am 6pm. Bundle up, grab a hot chocolate, and enjoy a stroll through the all-new Bear Street Holiday Market! Located in the heart of downtown Banff, the Bear Street Holiday Market features local artisans, retailers, and food stalls. Embrace the holiday spirit as you browse the market stalls for holiday gifts and delights and round off your experience with a bite to eat at one of Bear Street's many cozy restaurants.

Now until January 10. The 7th Annual Legacy Christmas Lights Parade is back for another year! Experience the magic of the holidays with your family in Legacy’s winter wonderland. With more than a million Christmas lights, it is one of Calgary's largest free light displays. Drive or walk through the community and explore various colorfully-lit streets, parks, homes and more, or enjoy skating at one of Legacy’s two skating rinks opening in early December, located at 412 Legacy View SE. Plus, tour around the many decorated show homes from WestCreek Homes, Look Master Builder, Morrison Homes, and more!

Now until December 19, 2pm & 7:30pm. Vertigo Theatre Presents, Murder in the Studio. A collection of three original Agatha Christie radio mysteries will be performed live on the Vertigo stage! The first tells the tale of a man haunted by his late wife, the second features the indomitable Hercule Poirot, and the third, the case of a serial killer. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit the website.

The YMCA is excited to offer Calgary Flames Grade 6 activities live and in person in a safe and fun outdoor environment and a virtual at-home experience! This free membership supported by the Calgary Flames Foundation is still available and will be extended to expire December 31, 2021 for any children that began their membership after August 1, 2020. Grade 6 Memberships for 2021/2022 school year will be available as of August 1, 2021. Programming will return to in-person in the coming weeks and months with some virtual resources also being offered. For more information, visit the website.

Come and enjoy an afternoon listening to stories and some of Canada’s finest musicians. Storyteller/Musician Samantha Whelan Kotkas and her friends will entertain you and your children with musical interactive tales of child-accessible hikes in the Rocky Mountains. Teach your child about courage, unity, joyfulness, and caring in an afternoon of fun and adventure. An event for the whole family that you will want to be a part of. Recommended for children aged 5 to 12, but created with the entire family in mind. Come one hour before the show & enjoy family friendly activities. Stay after to meet the performers. Created and Narrated by Samantha Whelan Kotkas Music by Tyler Hornby Puppets by Green Fools Theatre Video by Joel Goundry Tyler Hornby - Drums, Chris Andrew - Piano, Pat Belliveau - Saxophones, Aaron Shore - Guitar, Stephen Shepard - Bass

Children and youth are invited to take part in an epic, eight-week sustainability-themed challenge - “Around the World in 60 Days” - from Scouts Canada. Through fun and engaging activities rooted in sustainability, young Canadians will embark on exciting story-driven adventures set virtually in eight different countries. The activities will equip youth with tools and competencies to explore global issues; introduce topics such as inequality, food security, melting icecaps, mental and physical heath and more; and encourage creative problem-solving and reflection to drive awareness and development outcomes. Plus, with 265 hands-on Scouts for Sustainability activities accessible at scouts.ca, youth can explore their interests, take what they’ve learned a step further, and make an impact. Participation is free and youth don’t have to be Scouts to join in. Visit scouts.ca/around-the-world every Monday for a new video outlining the week’s challenge. The challenge runs October 4 to November 28. Share your adventures with #ExplorersNeeded.

Takes place Saturdays & Sundays, November 27 to December 19. Granary Road's Christmas Market is an enchanting celebration of the holidays with stunning Christmas carols playing throughout the market, beautifully decorated trees, strings upon strings of Christmas lights, and other festive decor. The Granary Road is a destination for Christmas shoppers, foodies, and families alike! Free admission.

This year, the Southcentre Mall Cookie Kitchen will return in support of Meals on Wheels. Stop by the Cookie Kitchen, located on the main level across from RW&Co, to decorate a cookie in exchange for a donation to Meals on Wheels and help Southcentre Mall reach the $16,000 fundraising goal. Decorate onsite or take a cookie decorating kit home. Cookies made by local bakery, Bakeri by Jess. Volunteers are also encouraged to sign up for shifts, www.mealsonwheels.com/events/2021/12/4/event-volunteer-opportunity-cookie-factory

Takes place November 26 to 28, 10am to 2pm and December 3 to 5, 10am to 2pm. Santa is back at the Calgary Christmas Market and ready to help you harvest your North Polaroids. Say, "Artisanal cheese!" as you pose next to Santa for photos and a jolly good time. Don’t forget to bring your letter to Santa so he can add your wishes to his list and write a letter in return. This event is brought to you by 100 percent sustainable North Pole magic! Presale Timed Tickets Only.

Takes place November 26 to 28, 10am to 4pm and December 3 to 5, 10am to 4pm. How would Santa make his way to the market without his trusty flying guides? Kids of all ages (there’s a kind in all of us) can see his reindeer on the south lawn! Warm yourself around a crackling fire, indulge your sweet tooth with a fresh Beavertail, and soak up some quality time together.

Takes place November 26 to 28 & December 3 to 5, 10am to 6pm. With over 200 local businesses, the market prides itself on a unique shopping experience. Begin the festive season with a day out with family and friends, shop exquisite gift ideas, purchase artisan food, and wander through the winter wonderland of Spruce Meadows!

Takes place Saturdays & Sundays, November 27 to December 19. Come and enjoy the stunning views of the Foothills! Your family will load onto the wagon for a 15-minute ride through Granary Road Park. Get in the holiday spirit by singing Christmas carols or snuggling up with loved ones under a cozy blanket. Come prepared for all weather conditions. Wagon rides will take place rain, snow, or shine. No refunds. Price: from $5. Pre-registration required; visit the website.

Now until December 22 (excluding Mondays). Enjoy a whole lot of Christmas cheer in Alberta’s beautiful Foothills region! Fine craft and artworks by local artists will be featured in the galleries of the historic Leighton home and at www.shop.leightoncentre.org. Beautiful decorations, gorgeous art, and the home’s historic ambiance combine to make visiting in person a memorable part of your family’s holiday season. Discover over 100 talented artists and find unique gifts for your loved ones. Free parking and admission is by donation. Spectacular Rocky Mountain views included!

Saturdays & Sundays, until December 19. Support local this holiday season by buying unique, handmade gifts!

Join Stage West for a children’s version of dinner theatre! For starters, Stage West displays an incredible kid-friendly buffet complete with all the favorites: hot dogs, pizza, ice cream, and much more. Visit the 'purchase tickets' tab for dates and times. Siblings Brittany and Jonathan are getting ready for Christmas morning and each believes they can get the other a perfect Christmas gift. Once a little competition enters into the equation, the stakes are raised over and over again in an attempt to 'out-gift' each other. In a tale based on the classic carol with a modern spin, "The 12 Days of Christmas" touches the holiday spirit of the whole family and reminds us that the best gifts come from the heart.

Takes place November 24 to January 1. Check website for dates and times available to book. Discover the wonder of Christmas in Banff National Park this holiday season. Banff & Lake Louise Tourism is proud to present, In Search of Christmas Spirit - a live Christmas story told by the wildlife of Banff National Park and delivered by a sensory extravaganza of light and sound. This is a free outdoor event hosted on select nights of the holiday season. The experience is ticketed for your comfort and enjoyment. You must reserve tickets for all members of your party, other than children 2 years old and under. There is no group ticket option. For full details, visit the website.

Fridays to Sundays, November 19 to 21 & November 26 to 28. Celebrate the start of winter at FrostFest! Get together outdoors with your family, friends, and the community for exciting evenings in two beautiful parks over two weekends. FrostFest is a free event with no tickets or registration required. Activities include carnival games and crafts; ice sculpture carving; photos at the FrostFest selfie station; hot chocolate by the fire; fire pits, warming huts, and play forts; DJ playing tunes; Sobercrew/AIM drum group; stilt walkers; Forest Friends animal light art display; The DOOR(S) light art display; YYC Food Trucks and Licensed Warming Café! Valleyview Park: November 19 to 21, 4 to 9pm. Sacramento Park: November 26 to 28, 4 to 9pm.

Takes place November 28 & 29. Join for the upcoming holiday-themed children’s art class! Time together will include a step-by-step instructional art lesson put on by Andrea. Using basic art supplies, learn how to draw some of Andrea's favorite activities to do over the winter season. This class is perfect for children between the ages of 5 and 10.

The Lions Festival of Lights take place November 27 to January 9. Enjoy an evening out with friends and/or family as you meander your way through beautiful twinkling holiday lights!

Takes place November 26 to December 19; check website for showtimes. StoryBook Theatre is thrilled to bring back one of the most beloved musicals of all time for the holiday season! In Austria, 1938, an exuberant young governess brings music and joy back to a broken family, only to face danger and intrigue as the Nazis gain power. Featuring a trove of cherished songs, including "Climb Ev'ry Mountain," "My Favorite Things," "Do Re Mi," "Sixteen Going on Seventeen," and the title number, The Sound of Music won the hearts of audiences worldwide, earning five Tony Awards and five Oscars. Based on Maria Augusta Trapp's memoir, the inspirational story follows an ebullient postulate who serves as governess to the seven children of the imperious Captain Von Trapp, bringing music and joy to the household. But as the forces of Nazism take hold of Austria, Maria and the entire Von Trapp family must make a moral decision. Presented in concert format, with a full cast and live orchestra, the show is planned to be presented at 50 percent capacity. Should provincial restrictions be lifted, more seats may be made available.