The best food in Canada is right here | Plus, a new look for Alberta

_{Was this e-mail shared with you?}_{Sign up here.}

Good morning, Calgary.

It’s Monday. The coffee needs to be strong and the patience needs to be high. It’s currently -2°C and the roads are slick. The snow we were promised finally showed up overnight so give yourself extra time on the commute.

In today’s Scoop:

New plates: After 40 years, we finally got a redesign (and it’s actually good).
Top tier dining: 14 Calgary spots just made the national "Top 100" list.
Stacked week: Zoo Lights is back, MGK is at the Dome, and The Wizard of Oz opens.

Want to be in the Scoop? Got a cool story, local tip, or upcoming event? Hit reply and share. If it’s good, we’ll feature it.

Let’s get to it.

Downtown is getting nine more makeovers The City just announced nine new office-to-residential conversion projects. That brings the total to 21 buildings ditching the cubicles for condos. (One of the big ones is at 606 Fourth Ave SW). In total, this program is set to create over 2,600 new homes in the core. If you’ve been saying downtown needs more neighbours and fewer empty suits, it’s finally happening.

The new licence plates are actually nice After 40 years, the province is retiring the old design for a new one featuring Moraine Lake and the motto "Strong and Free." It replaces "Wild Rose Country" (RIP). They start rolling out in mid-2026. If you want one early, it’s a $28 fee. If you wait until your renewal date, the switch is free.

New plate featuring Moraine Lake

Calgary crushed the "Top 100 Restaurants" list OpenTable released its Top 100 Restaurants in Canada for 2025, and Calgary took 14 spots. Major Tom, River Café, and Ten Foot Henry made the cut (obviously). If you’ve been waiting for a sign to book a fancy dinner, this is it.

Go judge the new transit benches Calgary Transit is piloting new bench designs at Marlborough, City Hall, and Brentwood stations. They’re testing stainless steel vs. concrete to see what handles our weather (and wear-and-tear) best. Go sit on them, scan the QR code nearby, and tell them if they’re comfortable or if they feel like an iceberg.

Monday

Zoo Lights (Member Mondays) | If you have a membership, tonight is your night. Get exclusive access to the Asia Tent and a members-only hour with Santa (5–6 p.m.). Check details.

Gerard Michaels at Comedy Cave | Start the week with a laugh (and a buffet). Gerard Michaels is headlining all week, but Monday is the perfect antidote to, well, Monday. Book a table.

Goodnight Moon at Telus Spark | It’s a massive immersive digital exhibit that puts you inside the classic book. Open daily, but Mondays are quieter. Get tickets.

Tuesday

The Wizard of Oz at Alberta Theatre Projects | Opening night at the Martha Cohen Theatre. Just follow the yellow brick road (or the +15s) to get there. See schedule.

Hunter Brothers at Bella Concert Hall | Real Canadian country music at Mount Royal University. Get tickets.

Punk Rock Bingo at The Ship & Anchor | It’s loud, it’s chaotic, and it’s a Calgary staple. Grab a pint, dab your card, and try not to take it too seriously. Starts at 7 p.m. Check the Ship.

Wednesday

Miracle on 34th Street at Rosebud Theatre | The holiday classic is back. It’s a bit of a drive, but the show (and the buffet) are worth the gas money. Grab tickets.

Calgary Create and Connect | Looking to grow your network? Aurrin Ventures is hosting a meetup at Heliopolis Social Café (5:30 p.m.). There’s a microgrant up for grabs, so bring your elevator pitch. Get tickets.

Allan Rayman at Commonwealth Bar | Gritty, alternative R&B in a basement venue. It’s the perfect vibe for a moody Wednesday night out. Check it out.

Thursday

Winter Local: A Night Market | The District at Beltline turns festive (4–9 p.m.). Local goods, food, and vibes. Beat the mall chaos here. See lineup.

Skate Canada Challenge | The Seven Chiefs Sportsplex hosts the next generation of figure skating talent starting this Thursday. See them before they hit the Olympics. Info here.

The Weekend Lookahead (Fri–Sun)

Granary Road Christmas Market is running all weekend. Come for the gifts, stay for the alpacas. Plan your trip.

Papa Roach (Fri) and MGK (Sat) are at the Dome. Expect downtown to be loud.

Home Alone in Concert is at WinSport (Fri/Sat). The movie you know, but with a live orchestra. Details here.