Good morning, Calgary.
We are in the final stretch of 2025, and the calendar is looking good. We hope that you are having a wonderful holiday season, and we want to thank you for all the time you spent with us this year.
A quick overview of our schedule for the rest of the year:
Today: We are covering the entire week (Mon–Sun).
Dec 25: No edition, we are leaving you alone for your quiet family time.
Dec 29: We’re back for the final time this year with NYE plans.
Jan 1: No edition (more resting and quiet time).
Jan 5: We are back to regular programming (Mondays and Thursdays).
We have a lot prepared for you in 2026, including full editorial pieces on trends and things happening in Calgary, as well as coverage of our usual programming. We will also be introducing polls so we can have your input every step of the way—we want to keep this fully community-driven and close-knit.
A little note: I can't believe the number of clicks that the piece about the old building for sale got from the last edition. You guys obviously check a lot of our news, but that story was something else. We got so much interest that it made us wonder: are you curious about real estate in Calgary? Do you want us to cover it? Maybe an overview of the "Top 3 Interesting Listings" around the city? Hit reply and let us know if you’d be interested in that.
Merry Christmas again! We will talk to you next Monday. Hope you have a wonderful time this week.
Let’s get to it.
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Heritage Park got a new train. For the first time in 50 years, the park has added a new locomotive to its fleet. It’s a restored 1951 diesel-electric engine that debuted earlier this month. It’s currently pulling the "Heritage Holiday Train" for the Once Upon a Christmas event. If you want to ride a piece of prairie history without the steam, this is your chance. Check out the engine
Arbour Lake had some massive visitors. Two young moose were relocated from the NW community on Friday after an unfortunate run-in with a local dog. Wildlife officers moved the pair to a corridor near Cochrane. The photos of these giants standing in a regular suburban backyard are wild—you have to see them to believe the scale. See the photos
Calgary is officially the building capital of Canada. New data shows Calgary led the entire country in housing starts for 2025—both per capita and in total numbers. The office-to-residential conversion program is also doing heavy lifting, with 21 old office buildings currently being gutted to create over 2,600 new homes downtown. If it feels like there is a crane on every corner, you aren't imagining it. See the numbers
School report cards are in. The CBE released its annual results, and the big headline is that enrollment growth has finally hit a wall—the system grew by exactly one student last year (after adding 17,000 previously). Superintendents are calling the pause "a gift," giving them a moment to catch up on the space crunch before the next wave hits. Read the full breakdown
This is Luna. She’s an eight-month-old "Medium Mixed Breed," which is, as we all know, the code for "100% unique." At eight months, she is out of the tiny potato phase and into the fun teenage years (meaning she’s ready for winter adventures but might still need a few lessons on leash manners).
She’s currently waiting at the shelter for someone to bust her out for the holidays. If you have a soft spot for puppy energy and want a dog that no one else has, she’s your girl.
How to adopt: Visit the Calgary Humane Society or book an appointment online. See her profile
MONDAY, DEC 22
Heritage Park | Once Upon a Christmas (Special Date) The park has added special weekday hours (Mon/Tue) just for this year. Get tickets
Zoo Lights | The Classic Open tonight. Check availability
Lions Festival of Lights | Confederation Park If you want lights without the ticket price, this is the best free display in the city. It’s open nightly from 5.30 p.m. to midnight. Check Info
Tubing at WinSport The tube park is officially open for the season. It’s the thrill of tobogganing without the walk back up the hill. Book a slot
Holidays on 17th | Let's Glow A free outdoor light festival taking over Tomkins Park (17th Ave & 8th St SW). It features lantern art by Dylan Toymaker and runs nightly. More info
Spruce Meadows | The Enchanted Festival Millions of lights, the Christmas Market in the Equi-Plex, and fire pits. It’s open tonight and runs until Christmas Eve. Check the schedule
TUESDAY, DEC 23
Alberta Ballet | The Nutcracker The holiday staple is in its run. There are shows at 1:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. today at the Jubilee. Get tickets
Last Minute Market | Calgary Farmers’ Market Both West and South locations are open. The South location is open 9-5, and West is open 9-7. Go get the tourtière you forgot to order. Check hours
Canyon Meadows Cinemas It is $5 for a ticket every single day here, but it feels especially good on a Tuesday. Catch a second-run flick and save your wallet. See showtimes
WEDNESDAY, DEC 24 (Christmas Eve)
Alberta Ballet | The Nutcracker The final performance of the season runs at 1:00 p.m. today. A perfect way to ring in the holiday before dinner. Get tickets
Spruce Meadows | The Finale One of the few big light displays open on Christmas Eve. It’s a great way to tire the kids out before bed. Check the schedule
Skate the Lagoon | Bowness Park No ticket required. The park is open and it’s the perfect quiet start to the holiday. Check ice conditions
Last Call Shopping | Chinook Centre The mall closes at 5:00 p.m. sharp. This is for emergency gift cards only. Check mall hours
THURSDAY, DEC 25 (Christmas Day)
The city is closed. Here are 4 things you CAN do:
Skate: Bowness Park is open (bring your own skates).
Movies: Cineplex theatres usually open in the late afternoon (check listings).
Chinatown: Silver Dragon and a few other staples are often for take out (and for sure is available for delivery).
Gas Station Snacks: Shoppers on 17th Ave SW is the traditional "I forgot milk" saviour.
FRIDAY, DEC 26 (Boxing Day)
SIDEPIECE | The Palace Theatre The house music duo is flying in to blow the roof off The Palace. Doors at 9 p.m. It’s the biggest party in town. Get tickets
Jubilations | Pirates of the River Saskatchewan The dinner theatre is back in action tonight. Back on Sunday as well. Book a table
CrossIron Mills | The Chaos Open at 8 a.m. for Boxing Day sales. The traffic jam usually starts at the Balzac overpass. Good luck. Check mall hours
Tubing at WinSport Open today. A great way to burn off the turkey dinner. Book a slot
SATURDAY, DEC 27
PURE 2025 | Big Four Roadhouse The massive "White Party" returns. It’s Calgary’s biggest electronic event of the winter, featuring Tape B and Dr. Fresch. Wear white or don't get in. Get tickets
A Christmas Carol | Theatre Calgary The show is back on tonight and Sunday. Get tickets
Flames vs. Oilers | Saddledome The Battle of Alberta. Puck drop at 8:00 p.m. Ticketmaster
SUNDAY, DEC 28
Roughnecks vs. Buffalo Bandits | Saddledome The Lacrosse season is back. The Roughnecks host the Bandits at 6:00 p.m. Get tickets
The Unofficial Eras TOUR Featuring Charity Eden | Jubilee Auditorium The "Unofficial End of an Era Tour." It’s a massive Taylor Swift tribute show that has been selling out everywhere. Starts at 7:30 p.m. Get tickets
Want your event to be featured? Hit reply and send us the details. If it's cool, we'll share it with Calgary.
Virago | The Blues Can | Mon, 8:00 PM Info
Trivia Night | Prairie Dog Brewing | Mon, 7:00 PM Info
Live Jazz (Lobby Lounge) | Hotel Blackfoot | Mon, 6:00 PM Info
Tom Phillips & The DT | The Blues Can | Tue, 8:00 PM Info
Ben Rose | The Blues Can | Wed, 8:00 PM Info
Boxing Day Bash | Commonwealth Bar | Fri, 9:00 PM Info
Mark Sadlier Brown | The Blues Can | Fri, 5:00 PM Info
Deicha Carter | The Blues Can | Fri, 9:00 PM Info
The Buckleys | Ironwood Stage | Sat, 2:00 PM & 8:00 PM Info
Sock Hop (Rifle County Players) | Palomino Smokehouse | Sat, 7:00 PM Info
July in Christmas (Kid Cali) | King Eddy | Sat, 8:00 PM Tickets
Tim Williams Jam | The Blues Can | Sat, 3:00 PM Info
Deicha Carter | The Blues Can | Sat, 9:00 PM Info
Emo Night | Hudsons Pub | Sat, 9:00 PM Info
Sanah Kadoura | Betty Lou’s Library | Sun, 7:00 PM Info
Sunday Blues Jam | The Blues Can | Sun, 3:00 PM & 8:00 PM Info
Have a great week.
P.S. Forward this to someone who has completely forgotten what day of the week it is.