Calgary knows how to turn the cold into something worth bundling up for. Once the lights go up downtown and the first snow sticks, the city fills with Christmas shows and holiday events that make the whole season feel like an occasion. This year the lineup is strong: Candlelight: Christmas Carols on Strings brings string arrangements of holiday classics to the Calgary Central Library, the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra presents Holiday Bells and Winter Dreams at Jack Singer Concert Hall, and Alberta Ballet's The Nutcracker returns to the Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium for anyone who wants their Christmas with a little tradition and a lot of tulle.
If concerts and ballet aren't quite your speed, Calgary has plenty of other things to do at Christmas too. Walk the Inglewood Night Market on a guided storytelling tour, chase clues through downtown with the Holly Jolly Hunt, or catch Matt Dusk channeling Sinatra at Bella Concert Hall. These are the kinds of nights that get talked about at family dinners for years, and they book up fast for good reason.
Here's the practical part: December dates, especially the weekends closest to Christmas, go first. If you've got your eye on a specific night, don't wait until the tree is up to grab tickets. We've pulled together seven of the best Christmas shows and holiday events happening across Calgary, AB this season. Scroll down and start planning your December.
Calgary Central Library · Calgary, AB
A Candlelight Christmas concert by the glow of hundreds of candles inside Calgary Central Library, the striking East Village landmark. A string ensemble performs holiday standards: Jingle Bells, Silent Night, Carol of…
Jack Singer Concert Hall · Calgary, AB
The Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra brings its holiday programme, Holiday Bells and Winter Dreams, to the Jack Singer Concert Hall in Calgary. The evening is part of the Classics series in the 2026/27 season and is built…
Calgary Central Library · Calgary, AB
Candlelight concert at the Calgary Central Library on 3rd Street Southeast, devoted to Christmas classics. A string quartet performs All I Want for Christmas Is You, Last Christmas, Jingle Bells, White Christmas and…
Bella Concert Hall - Mount Royal University · Calgary, AB
Matt Dusk presents "A Very Sinatra Christmas" at the Bella Concert Hall, Mount Royal University, in Calgary. A Platinum-selling Canadian jazz singer from Toronto with five Juno nominations, he brings Frank Sinatra's…
Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium · Calgary, AB
Alberta Ballet presents "The Nutcracker" at the Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium in Calgary. Set to Tchaikovsky's score, the holiday classic follows Clara on her dreamlike journey to the Land of Sweets, a year-end…
611 4 St SW · Calgary, AB
Celebrate the magic of the holiday season this year with Holly Jolly Hunt. It's an app-based scavenger hunt you can play anywhere you choose. Roam the city in search of holiday-themed items, both the traditional ones…
Inglewood Night Market · Calgary, AB
Skip the crowds: this tour is reserved for your group alone! Let yourself be charmed by the enchanting sights of Calgary throughout our route. Soak up the festive atmosphere at the Inglewood Night Market, where the air…
