Calendar

December 10 to 24; check website for performance times. Alberta Ballet Presents, The Nutcracker. Brighten your holidays and share some family magic on an adventure your family will cherish for a lifetime! It’s Christmas Eve and Klara has received a magical gift from her eccentric Uncle Drosselmeyer: a handsome nutcracker doll. Little does she know as she falls asleep that her new toy is about to spark her imagination and take her on a dreamy adventure to the Land of the Sweets!

November 30 to December 24; check website for performance times. Holiday spirit lives on! Theatre Calgary will perform this three-person cast production live on stage. Your family also has the opportunity to choose Stafford Arima’s extended director’s cut of the online filmed version you can watch from the comfort of your own home. There are also ASL interpreted performances on select dates. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit the website.

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.

Performances takes place now until December 26 (excluding Christmas Day). Tuesdays to Saturdays, 7:30pm and Saturday and Sunday Matinees, 1pm. In this ambitious and contemporary retelling of Lewis Carroll’s classic novels, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass, three actors fantastically portray the story’s iconic characters, transforming right before audience’s eyes. Follow Alice through the rabbit hole, and be swept away through theatre magic, as the stage spectacularly metamorphosizes into a stunning visual realm. In Wonderland is a world premiere, commissioned and developed by Alberta Theatre Projects, which revisits these timeless stories in a newly imagined way. Suitable for the entire family, be guided through a journey of self-discovery, exploring the resonating themes that Alice reflects upon: “Who am I?” and “Where do I really want to be?” For ages 6 and up. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit the website.

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!

Calgary Unplugged is an annual family-friendly Earth Hour event. Date: Saturday, March 23, 2024 Time: 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Location: Central Library (800 3 Street SE) Join us for music, entertainment, and opportunities to experience what environmental actions you can take in Calgary. Pedal power midway games and experience how our natural world affects our daily lives. Bring personal lighting and dance to the DJ when the lights go down for the Earth Hour party! Calgary Unplugged is hosted by The Arusha Centre's Climate Program, with support from The City of Calgary and community agencies. If you can't make it to the event, turning off nonessential lights, "unplug" from electronics at 8:30 and reconnect with people, games or hobbies! After Earth Hour, share your participation with #EarthHour and #EarthHourYYC. Email programs@arusha.org with questions.

Let us show you how we empower our students to reach their full potential! Hear stories from staff, current students, and parents before learning about how you can be a part of our wonderful community. Rundle Studio is an online learning environment built to help students with diagnosed learning disabilities thrive. Let us show you how we empower our students to reach their full potential!

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

Join us at Southcentre Mall from June 3rd to 23rd for our fourth annual Indigenous History Month celebration in partnership with Authentically Indigenous. This month-long event will foster understanding, appreciation, and celebration of Canada’s Indigenous Peoples. Experience educational activities, cultural displays, and storytelling sessions that connect both Indigenous and non-Indigenous Canadians. The celebrations will include: Full-Size Tipi: Step inside a tipi adorned with tapestries representing decades of Indigenous contributions to Calgary’s culture. Storytelling: Be moved by traditional stories from elders, delight in puppet shows by Indigenous authors, and explore virtual reality experiences by the Urban Society for Aboriginal Youth. Artisan Market: Discover the vibrancy of Indigenous creativity at our artisan market on June 7th and 8th. Enjoy music, dance, and locally crafted goods. Educational Information Walls: Learn and engage with displays that provide deeper insights into Indigenous culture.

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.

Saturdays, November 6 to January 8 (excluding December 25 & January 1). Jubilations Junior Presents, Beauty & The Grinch. A production written for kids, and a meal designed with kids in mind! Join Jubilations Junior for a fun-filled morning of laughter, music, and food! Glooville is set for Christmas to ring. The town is filled with holiday cheer, but not everyone is happy that Christmas is here. Outside of town, there’s one who’s not happy. He thinks singing and dancing are boring and sappy. He stays far from town in his own neighborhood. His name is the Grinch and he’s up to no good! For showtimes and to purchase tickets, visit the website.

Takes place Mondays to Saturdays, November 13 to December 24. Sensory Santa is a time for children with sensory sensitivities and mobility issues to experience the magic of visiting Santa in a sensory-friendly environment. To ensure social distancing, all visits with Santa must be booked in advance. A special North Pole mailbox will also be available for children to send their holiday wish lists and letters to Mr. Claus. The Enchanted Forest will also feature enhanced sanitization protocols between each visit, one-way traffic flow, designated entrance and exit points, clearly marked waiting zones, minimal touch points, temperature checks, mandatory hand sanitization upon entry, and all staff will be fully vaccinated.

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.

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!

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.

Takes place November 18 to 21 & December 16 to 19. They are tree-mendously excited to announce Crafty Cane Lane at the Market! Join this holiday season for an afternoon with Crafternoon. Get all your holiday shopping done at the Christmas Market - they've got everything you need for on the table and under the tree! Leave the kiddos at Crafty Cane Lane for a 90-minute holiday inspired workshop. For November, kids get a chance to choose between crafting a Christmas tree, menorah, or holiday countdown craft. For December, kids get to build their very own personalized felt wreaths.

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.

Expert speakers will deliver timely, credible information and best-practice strategies to support the development and mental health of a child or youth in your life. Previously recorded presentations are also available for viewing: https://youtu.be/tLbDa8Vlutk

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.

Deck the Ave brings holiday cheer to Downtown Calgary with seasonal displays, fire pits, and live music along Stephen Avenue. It’s a family-friendly event that lets people of all ages take a break and celebrate the season. The fun includes two photo booths managed by SNAP Foto Club in the retail space at the corner of Stephen Avenue and 1 Street SW. The space will be converted into a seasonal oasis so you can take some holiday shots in indoor comfort. There will be walk-in spots (subject to availability), but groups and individuals can reserve a spot online: 18+, $5 per person. Ages 13 to 17, free if with an adult. Ages 13 to 17, $5 if not with an adult. 12 and under, free but must be accompanied by an adult/guardian. Booking a spot will guarantee great pics you can share online. When you register onsite, you’ll also be entered to win one of three gift cards redeemable at downtown businesses. The theme for December 18 is Kids' Day.

Takes place November 19 to January 2 (excluding November 23, 28 & 30 and December 3, 25 & 31). ZOOLIGHTS, presented by Olympia Trust Company, is back for its 25th year! This year's ZOOLIGHTS will feature exciting new themed areas and activities including a 25th anniversary Memory Lane, the Nutcracker in the ENMAX Conservatory, and an all-new “Tunnel of Light,” a tribute to Canada’s wetland, a holiday Zoo Market, and a very special “Dinos at Night” experience like you have never seen before! Of course, the Zoo is bringing back all the classic activities everyone has come to love like the Skating Rink, Fire pits, and Rival Axe Throwing. ZOOLIGHTS comes to life at night with twinkling lights at every turn, including over 200 light figurines, along with interactive and choreographed light displays. The lights are turned on at 5pm nightly and run until 9pm. It takes approximately 90 minutes to 2 hours to experience all that ZOOLIGHTS has to offer - but you are able to stay for as little or as long as you like!

Takes place November 19 to January 2 (excluding November 23, 28 & 30 and December 3, 25 & 31). ZOOLIGHTS, presented by Olympia Trust Company, is back for its 25th year! This year's ZOOLIGHTS will feature exciting new themed areas and activities including a 25th anniversary Memory Lane, the Nutcracker in the ENMAX Conservatory, and an all-new “Tunnel of Light,” a tribute to Canada’s wetland, a holiday Zoo Market, and a very special “Dinos at Night” experience like you have never seen before! Of course, the Zoo is bringing back all the classic activities everyone has come to love like the Skating Rink, Fire pits, and Rival Axe Throwing. ZOOLIGHTS comes to life at night with twinkling lights at every turn, including over 200 light figurines, along with interactive and choreographed light displays. The lights are turned on at 5pm nightly and run until 9pm. It takes approximately 90 minutes to 2 hours to experience all that ZOOLIGHTS has to offer - but you are able to stay for as little or as long as you like!

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!

The Airdrie Festival of Lights glows nightly from December 1 to 31. You can also ring in 2022 with the New Year' Eve Family-Friendly Dance Party! Enjoy Western Canada’s largest free outdoor walk-through Christmas Light Display! Something magical is coming on December 1 as the first-ever Coca-Cola Canada Holiday Truck Tour will be making a stop at the festival! Bring your family and friends to experience the magic, and snap and share a festive selfie with the Holiday truck and Santa! More festive fun includes activities for families, courtesy of TELUS, Santa visits, kids activities with Community Links, Santa's Reindeer are back, a holiday performance by Ambition Performing Arts, and more! The festival is free but they cannot glow without you! Donations are gratefully accepted.

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.

Takes place Mondays through Saturdays, November 13 to December 24. Pet owners are invited to bring their furry friends to experience a ‘Paws with Claus’ photo opportunity with Santa during select times. To ensure social distancing, all visits with Santa must be booked in advance. The Enchanted Forest will also feature enhanced sanitization protocols between each visit, one-way traffic flow, designated entrance and exit points, clearly marked waiting zones, minimal touch points, temperature checks, mandatory hand sanitization upon entry, and all staff will be fully vaccinated.