Hey Wanderers!
December is here, and Calgary is sparkling with free and festive fun! Whether you're in the mood for twinkling holiday lights, outdoor winter adventures, or discovering local markets, this month is packed with ways to make the most of the season without opening your wallet.
Celebrate the magic of the holidays with family-friendly activities, enchanting displays, and vibrant community events that highlight the best of Calgary's winter charm. From cozy evenings to exciting outings, there's so much to explore.
Bundle up, mark your calendar, and let the magic of December guide you through all the wonderful free experiences waiting for you this month!
WanderingInYYC Presents: The Last Hurrah Christmas Market
Get ready to shop, connect, and celebrate the holiday season!
WanderingInYYC is excited to host our FIRST-EVER event: The Last Hurrah Christmas Market. This one-of-a-kind market brings together local Calgary vendors offering unique, handmade, and meaningful gifts perfect for the holidays.
✨ Why attend?
Explore and support talented Calgary vendors.
Find the perfect gifts for your loved ones (or yourself)!
Participate in a festive raffle giveaway valued at $450+ with amazing prizes, including exclusive products from our vendors and WanderingInYYC swag!
🎁 Raffle Information:
1 raffle ticket for pre-registering (must attend event to receive entry)
1 raffle ticket just for attending!
1 additional raffle ticket for every purchase from a vendor.
Purchase extra tickets ($5 each) to support our chosen charity.
What to Expect
A curated selection of local vendors offering art, crafts, clothing, jewelry, and more.
Festive vibes to get you into the holiday spirit.
No fee to attend, but we’d love for you to register so we can plan for your arrival!
Registration Details
Admission is FREE, but pre-registration is encouraged to help us ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience for everyone.
By pre-registering, you’ll automatically be entered into the raffle for a chance to win some incredible prizes!
Plaza Palooza
📍 Olympic Plaza (228 8 Ave SE, Calgary, Alberta)
📆 Nov. 29 - Dec. 22, 2024
Calgarians are invited to come down to Olympic Plaza for free festival fun. The event series will include music, games, entertainment, roving buskers, ice sculpture carving, light art displays, photo opportunities, warming fire pits, a busker competition and more.
Join us for the family-friendly fun on offer including:
Enjoy exploring the plaza, which will be decorated in dazzling festive lights along with spectacular light art displays – we’ll even have a roving photographer to snap & share pics of you and your crew.
Some of Calgary’s best local buskers take part in a friendly “battle” on the Plaza Palooza stage. The Battle of the Buskers winner will be announced at 8 p.m. on the final event Saturday and will take home the ultimate title prize – a paid performance spot at The City’s 2025 Canada Day celebrations!
Live entertainment on stage every night – local community groups and artists on Fridays and Sundays, and Battle of the Buskers on Saturdays
DJs spinning tunes for the Plaza Palooza dance floor
Live ice sculpture carving demonstrations
Roving performers – stilt walkers, living statues, fire breathers and more
Calgary ’88 Winter Olympics video courtesy of the Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame
Journey Through The Stars Artist Walk
📍 Celebration Square (C-Square) (508 7 Avenue SE, Calgary, Alberta)
📆 December 01, 2024 from 9:00am - 4:00pm
Take a stroll through East Village to find the star lights at four different locations. There you will find a unique story inspired by stars and written by a talented, local author. Join the writers as they walk to each lighting installation where they will read their stories at each stop.
This is an outdoor event, so please dress warmly with one extra layer.
[Donation] The Cookie Kitchen 2024
📍 Southcentre Mall (100 Anderson Road SE, Calgary, Alberta)
📆 December 01 - 24 2024
Join us at the Southcentre Mall Cookie Kitchen, where every decorating adventure helps support families in our city. Located next to Santa’s Enchanted Forest on the main level, just across from RW&Co. Unleash your creativity on a delicious cookie in exchange for a donation to Made By Momma. Let’s spread warmth and joy during the holidays!
Lions Festival of Lights
📍 Park 96 (14660 Parkland Boulevard, SE, Calgary, Alberta)
📆 December 01 - January 08, 2024
The Festival of Lights is the largest FREE drive-by Christmas Lights showcase in Calgary. The Festival is now 99% GREEN, It’s comprised of over 650,000 bulbs on 25,000 strings and almost 4 km of power cords.
Inglewood Holiday Open House
📍 9 Avenue SE, Calgary, Alberta
📆 December 01 from 12:00 - 4:00pm
Welcome to the Inglewood Holiday Open House! Join us for a festive day with holiday cheer on Calgary's original main street - 9 Avenue Southeast. Explore local shops decked in holiday decor, enjoy delicious eats, and get into the holiday spirit with Santa and the Grinch visits, live carollers, complimentary hot cocoa, and more. This is the perfect opportunity to find unique gifts for your loved ones while supporting small businesses in the community. Don't miss out on this special event - mark your calendars and bring your friends and family along for a day of fun!
Spire Mortgage - The Polar Express Movie Night
📍 Globe Cinema (617 8 Avenue SW, Calgary, Alberta)
📆 December 01 from 4:30pm - 8:00pm
Spire Mortgage Presents a prive screening of The Polar Express!\
Join us for a cozy evening filled with holiday cheer and festive fun. Grab your popcorn and get ready for a night of joy and nostalgia! We are so grateful for all of our amazing clients and wanted to do something fun and festive to say Thank you!
Doors open at 4:30 and the movie will start at 5pm sharp!
Let's Glow
📍 Tomkins Park (8th Street & 17th Ave SW, Calgary, Alberta)
📆 December 01 from 4:00pm - 6:00pm
Kick off the holiday season with us at Tomkins Park on December 1, as we light up the night with a stunning display of lanterns by local artist Dylan Toymaker. These colorful creations will illuminate the park for the entire month, adding magic and warmth to your winter evenings.
When: December 1 | 4–6 PM
Where: Tomkins Park | 17 Ave & 8 St SW
Bring your friends and family to enjoy photo opportunities with sparkling lights, giant snow globes, and live performances, including:
🎶 Live music by Garrett Barbuto
🎼 Carols by Festive Voices
🎩 Roving jugglers, magicians, and meet the enchanting Ice King & Queen with Trixtan Entertainment
🍭Free Candy from The Sugar Cube
🎅 Photos with Santa
💫Free Hot Chocolate from Element Cafe
🎉Attendees will receive a BOGO Admission pass to the TELUS Spark Science Centre
Lifemark Multi-Employer Job Fair in Partnership with The Salvation Army
📍 The Salvation Army - Community Resource Centre (5115 17 Avenue SE, Calgary, AB)
📆 December 02 from 9:00am - 12:00pm
Get ready to meet with a wide range of employers at our biggest job fair yet, hosted in partnership with The Salvation Army! Whether you're a seasoned professional or just starting your career, this event is the perfect opportunity to explore different career paths, network with employers, and discover exciting new opportunities.
This job fair is bigger and better than ever—with more employers, more job opportunities, and a larger venue to accommodate all the talent! Don’t miss your chance to make valuable connections that could lead to your next great career move.
dis (ABLED) Art Show & Sale
📍 Vecova's Aquatics, Health and Fitness (3304 33 Street NW, Calgary, AB)
📆 December 03 from 2:00pm - 6:00pm
Come to Vecova to celebrate the International Day of Persons with Disabilities! Purchase art, silent auction, and door prize. Cash only
Free All Ages Weekly Art Class in Chinatown!
📍 110 3 Avenue SE, Calgary, AB
📆 December 03, 2024 from 6:00pm
December 3: Sun God Collage
This session celebrates the warmth and vitality of sun gods, symbols of creativity and joy. Participants will start with cut paper to form a circular base, layering collage and mixed media to develop unique sun god faces filled with personal touches and flair.
December 10: Build Your Own Wooden Temple
Inspired by the architecture of Mayan temples, this workshop will guide participants in building small wooden temples from pre-cut pieces sourced from Fuse33. Using wood glue, participants will construct their temples, allowing time for drying before moving on to painting and decorating their structures.
100 Kids Who Care Calgary GivingTuesday Event
📍 Calgary Humane Society (4455 110 Avenue SE, Calgary, AB)
📆 December 03 from 5:30pm - 7:00pm
Join us on GivingTuesday for 100 Kids Who Care Calgary's last event of the year. It will be hosted by the Calgary Humane Society, our previous charity of choice winner. Come and vote for the final Kids' Charity of Choice of 2024!
Doors will open at 5:30 pm for registration. The event will begin at 6:00 pm.
Please register all guests who will be in attendance, indicating whether they are a kid or an adult. This will ensure we have enough treats for all kids in attendance, and allow us to prepare seating in advance. Thank you!
If you are able to support the Calgary Humane Society with any of the urgently needed items listed below, please bring them to the event!
National Geographic Glow-in-The-Dark Slime Lab Staples Calgary S. Store 62
📍 Staples Calgary South Store 62 (321 61 Avenue SW, Calgary, AB)
📆 December 04, 2024 from 5:00pm - 7:00pm
AGES 8+
The National Geographic Slime Green Lab brings out your child's inner mad scientist by letting them create their own gooey, glowing slime!
It's an incredibly fun way for youngsters to explore chemistry and polymer science! It's easy to make – just mix the slime powder with water and stir until your slime takes shape.
In this session, kids will :
Make and Take Glow-in-the-Dark Slime
Simulate creative play
Have Fun!
Please Note: We reserve the right to limit one slime kit per child per event, while quanities last. Registration is required. In addition, every participant attending our events will receive a $5 off $25 coupon.
Holiday Gift Market
📍Genesis Centre (7555 Falconridge Blvd NE, Calgary, Alberta)
📆 November 16, 2024 from 10:00am - 6:00pm
Get excited because the Holiday Gift Market is coming this November at the Genesis Centre!
The Holiday Gift Market aims to celebrate the talent and craftsmanship of our local community while providing a platform for artisans to display and sell their handmade goods. Whether you are looking for jewelry, textiles, ceramics, artwork, or delicious food & beverages, there is something for everyone..
Queer rollerskating
📍House of Skate (1100 42 Avenue SE, Calgary, AB)
📆 December 05 from 7:30pm - 10:30pm
Queer Rollerskating/blading Thursday, December 5, 2024 7:30 PM to 10:30 PM MST Every week on Thursday House of Skate 1100 42 Ave SE, Calgary New and experienced skaters welcome to come out to come skate with us. We will set up a table to meet and visit while taking a break from skating!
The Gift of Perception: A Closed Minded Experience.
📍Truth Bar (608 17 Avenue SW, Calgary, Alberta)
📆 December 06 from 9:00pm
Celebrate the season at Truth Bar with "The Gift of Perception"—a festive night of fashion, astrology, and holiday vibes.
Free Santa Photos!
📍Ranchlands Community Association (7713 Ranchview Drive NW, Calgary, AB)
📆 December 06 from 2:00pm - 5:15pm
Join me to get your Santa photo for 2024! Pick a time slot, bring your smile, and enjoy your free photo with Santa just in time for the holidays!
I will also be collecting items for Royal LePage Benchmark's annual Toy Drive. I encourage you to bring a new, unwrapped toy, gift cards, or household items. All items will be donated to our local Shelter Foundations; Children's Cottage Society, Big Hill Haven and True North.
Canadian Banking for Newcomers: Canadian Banking Explained
📍Crowfoot Library (8665 Nose Hill Drive NW, Calgary, AB)
📆 November 18 from 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Canadian Banking for Newcomers: Canadian Banking Explained
Understand the types of financial institutions and bank accounts in Canada and choose the right banking partner for your financial needs. Canada is a credit-based economy, so you will need to learn how credit and credit scores work and how to build a good credit history.
Christmas Lights at Spruce Meadows
📍Spruce Meadows (18011 Spruce Meadows Way SW, Calgary, AB)
📆 December 06 - 29, 2024 from 10:00am - 12:00pm
Running throughout the Holiday Season, Spruce Meadows invites your entire family – together with your Christmas guests – to enjoy the Christmas Lights @ Spruce Meadows.
Gingerbread House Making Party
📍The Hub (2385 74 Ave SE, Calgary, Alberta)
📆 December 06, 2024 from 6:30pm - 8:00pm
Bring your family to a festive Gingerbread House Making event! Join us at The Hub (2385 74th Ave SE) for a fun afternoon of holiday creativity. Gingerbread and icing are provided—just bring your favorite candies to share with everyone. Let’s build, decorate, and celebrate together!
LEGO Fireplace and Holiday sled at Staples Calgary University Store 462
📍Staples Calgary University District Store (3909 University Ave NW, Calgary, Alberta)
📆 December 07, 2024 from 1:00pm - 3:00pm
This dual activity kit will have you building Lego Holiday Sled and Fireplace. A festive activity for the whole family to enjoy. Register today!
In this session , kids will:
Make and Take both the holiday sled and fireplace
Stimulate creative play
Have fun!
Ages 8+
2024 “Deck the Hall” CKE Christmas Market
📍CKE Community Centre (1015 73 Avenue SW, Calgary, Alberta)
📆 December 07, 2024 from 10:00am - 4:00pm
Come join us for a festive day of shopping, food, and fun at the “Deck the Hall” CKE Christmas Market! Get into the holiday spirit with unique gifts from local vendors, delicious treats, and activities for the whole family. Whether you're looking for handmade crafts, tasty treats, or just want to soak up the holiday cheer, this event has something for everyone. Don't miss out on this wonderful opportunity to support local businesses and enjoy the magic of the season. See you there!
Naija Market Day
📍Astoria Banquet Hall (2027 Pegasus Road NE, Calgary, Alberta)
📆 December 07 from 10:00am - 4:00pm
Calgary! Get ready for Naija Market Day!
Come join us at Astoria Banquet Hall for a day filled with vibrant culture, delicious food, and unique shopping experiences. This free in-person event will showcase the best of Nigerian culture right here in Calgary.
Shop from the best wholesale vendors in Canada for unique crafts, household items, African wears, jewelries, food items, hair accessories, and lots more while you enjoy afrobeat music by Calgary baddest DJ Freddy while Calgary's finest MC Sam Precious will play host as the hype man of the day.
Light Up The Square
📍5th Street Square (712 5 St SE, Calgary, Alberta)
📆 December 07, 2024 from 3:00pm - 6:00pm
You’re invited to celebrate, laugh and be jolly for our 9th annual community tree lighting at 5th Street Square. Family event, all are welcome!
Festivities include:
– Live carolers & firepits
– Complementary hot cocoa and baked treats
– Allen the Alpaca
– Special Santa Claus appearance
Newcomers at Work: Navigating the Canadian Job Market
📍Saddletowne Library (7555 Falconridge Boulevard NE, Calgary, AB)
📆 December 08, 2024 from 2:00pm - 3:30pm
Ages 18+
This introductory workshop provides recent immigrants with an overview of the job market in Canada, highlighting sectors with high demand for skilled workers and explaining the process of job searching in a new cultural context.
YYC Small Business Winter Market
📍The Rooftop YYC (414 3 Street SW, Calgary, Alberta)
📆 December 08, 2024 from 11:00am - 4:00pm
Welcome to the YYC Small Business Winter Market! Join us at The Rooftop YYC for a day of shopping, supporting local businesses, and spreading holiday cheer. Discover unique gifts, delicious treats, and handmade treasures from a variety of small businesses in the area. Whether you're looking for one-of-a-kind decorations or tasty goodies, this event is the perfect place to find something special for everyone on your list. Don't miss out on this festive gathering of local vendors and artisans - see you there!
CPKC Holiday Train 2024
📍Anderson C-Train Station, Calgary, Alberta)
📆 December 14, 2024 from 6:30pm - 7:15pm
The 2024 CPKC Holiday Train will tour Canada and the U.S. Nov. 21 through Dec. 20, raising money, food and awareness to support food banks across our network. Professional musicians play free concerts from the brightly decorated train's stage. CPKC donates to the local food bank at each stop and encourages all attendees to make a monetary or heart-healthy food donation.
Gluten Free Holiday Market by Lokal
📍Marda Loop Communities Association (3130 16 Street SW, Calgary, Alberta)
📆 December 08, 2024 from 10:00am - 3:00pm
No tickets required.
Join us for the ultimate Gluten-Free Holiday Market on December 8th from 10 AM to 3 PM at the Marda Loop Community Association Hall. Indulge in a fantastic array of gluten-free products and treats, all in one place, designed to cater to both celiac sufferers and those with gluten intolerance.This event promises a gluten-free experience that's inclusive of both lifestyles and needs. Don't miss out on this opportunity to explore some local delicious gluten-free options.Stock Up with baked goods and more to stay warm. Let your friends and family know that they can get all their goodies here.Every table will be labelled as Celiac, non-celiac, or both depending on the business model.
Creative Critters
📍Wheatland Society Of Arts (115 3 Avenue Strathmore, Alberta)
📆 December 12, 2024 from 10:00am - 11:00am
A free art session for children aged 3 to 5 years old with the parent/caregiver participation.
Chocolate, Coffee and Tea Lovers Market
📍Marda Loop Communities Association (3130 16 Street SW, Calgary, Alberta)
📆 December 14, 2024 from 10:00am - 3:00pm
Welcome to the Chocolate, Coffee and Tea Lovers Market! Indulge in a variety of delicious treats and beverages at this in-person event held at the Marda Loop Communities Association. Whether you're a fan of rich chocolate, aromatic coffee, or soothing tea, this market has something for every taste bud. Join us for a day filled with tasty samples, unique products, and maybe even discover a new favorite blend. Don't miss out on this opportunity to satisfy your cravings and support local vendors. See you there!
Winter Wonder-Shop Market
📍Brentwood Community Association (1520 Northmount Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta)
📆 December 11, 2024 from 11:00am - 4:00pm
Join us on December 14 at the Brentwood Community Association (Upper Level) for our Winter Wonder-Shop Market, where holiday cheer meets the magic of local creativity! This festive market is a celebration of unique, handcrafted treasures that make perfect gifts and joyful discoveries. From artisanal foods to one-of-a-kind crafts, jewelry, and more, each piece is crafted by talented local makers who bring a touch of warmth and wonder to the season.
BigDeal Vegan Holiday Market by Lokal
📍The Rooftop YYC (414 3 Street SW, Calgary, Alberta)
📆 December 15, 2024 from 10:00am - 3:00pm
Make your holiday shopping more affordable! Join us at the Always 10% OFF Holiday Vegan Market, where every vendor offers a minimum of 10% off all their products.
Shop from a variety of amazing vendors and enjoy great savings on your favorite vegan goods. Whether you buy more or simply take advantage of the discounts, this market is designed to help both vendors and shoppers finish the holiday season with more money in their pockets.
No tickets are required, but we encourage you to RSVP on our Eventbrite page. This will notify you a few days before the event, ensuring you don’t miss out!
Flash Mob – Yuletide Performance
📍Calgary City Hall (800 Macleod Trail SE, Calgary, Alberta)
📆 December 17, 2024 from 10:45am - 12:30pm
Flash Mob – Yuletide Performance
Come join us for a festive Flash Mob Yuletide Performance at Calgary City Hall! Get ready to be amazed by our talented dancers as they spread holiday cheer through their energetic and joyful performance. This is an in-person event that you won't want to miss! Bring your friends and family along to experience the magic of the holiday season with us.
Calgary Nativity Pageant
📍Bow Valley Building (2526 – 24 Ave NW., Calgary Alberta)
📆 December 20 - 22, 2024 from 6:00pm - 8:30pm (every 30 minutes)
A traditional Christmas Nativity pageant with live actors, live animals, outdoor lighting and sound.
Made possible thanks to volunteers from the Calgary interfaith community, the Pageant combines a cast of 15-20 fully costumed adults and children, moving narration, full sound and lighting production, a staged set and live animals to create a beautiful presentation of the Christmas story.
A little bit of Bethlehem on the corner of Crowchild Trail and 24th Avenue NW.
The narration for the Pageant comes from Luke 2:1-20 and Matthew 2:1-12 in the New Testament.
2025 New Year’s Eve Fireworks Calgary
📍Prince's Island Park (698 Eau Claire Ave SW, Calgary, Alberta)
📆 December 31, 2024
Ring in 2025 with midnight fireworks launched from Prince’s Island Park.
Enjoy skating, food trucks, and more at Prince’s Island Park and Lot 59.
December is bursting with incredible free events across Calgary, making it the perfect month to celebrate the season without breaking the bank!
Whether you’re ready to dive into holiday cheer, explore festive markets, or enjoy Calgary’s winter wonderland vibes, there’s something magical happening every weekend this month.
Know of any AMAZING free events we might’ve missed? Share them in the comments or send us a note at info@wanderinginyyc.ca—we’d love to include your favourites!
Don’t miss a thing—subscribe for all the latest events, activities, food, and experiences to make your December in Calgary unforgettable, one festive adventure at a time!
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