Free Family Activities in Calgary this December
- Events & Family Fun
- Friday, December 28, 2018
With the holidays soon approaching, it’s a great time to take advantage of the many free events around the city and spend time with family and friends. Below are some of our favourite free family-friendly events in Calgary and the surrounding area.
Calgary
Winter Ice Skating at Olympic Plaza
- Free ice skating, offers skate rentals
- Mid-November to March, from 10 am to 9 pm
Ricky Leong, The Gauntlet
Christmas in Kensington
- Every Saturday in December from 12 pm to 4 pm
- Pictures with Santa, a petting zoo, and more activities
- Local holiday shopping
- Christmas movies by donation at 3:30 pm at the Plaza Theatre
Lions’ Festival of Lights
- 450,000 LED lights on 16,000 strings on 14th St. SE
- The festival is 99% green
- December 1st to January 8th, from 6 pm to midnight
City of Calgary New Year’s Eve Celebrations
- Events at the new Central Library, Olympic Plaza, and the Municipal Atrium Rumpus Room at City Hall
- December 31st
- For information on activities, times, and locations, please see the City of Calgary website
Banff
Wagon Rides
- Weekends from November 17th to January 1st, from noon to 4 pm
- At the Whyte Museum at 111 Bear Street, Banff
Airdrie
Airdrie Festival of Lights
- Over 1 million Christmas lights displayed in Nose Creek Park, at 1701 Main Street S, Airdrie
- Entrance is by donation
- December 1st to 31st, from 6 pm to 9 pm
New Year’s Eve Fireworks
- Ed Eggerer Athletic Park at 800 East Lake Blvd NE, Airdrie
- December 31st at 6:30 pm
Cochrane
Cochrane Festival of Trees
- Storytime, crafts, photos, public skating with Santa, and more
- Donations taken at Spray Lake Sawmills Family Sports Centre at 800 Griffin Road, Cochrane
- December 2nd to 28th, from 10 am to 3 pm
Martin Parnell’s Annual Run/Walk
- Spray Lake Sawmills Family Sports Centre at 800 Griffin Road, Cochrane
- December 31st from 9 am to 3 pm, registration starts at 8 am
- Marathon, half marathon, 10km, 5km, or 2km all along the Bow River
Okotoks
Kids New Year’s Eve Party
- Afternoon New Year’s Eve party for families
- Okotoks Recreation Centre at 99 Okotoks Drive, Okotoks
- December 31st from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm
- Free swim and skating, gym activities, and other entertainment
- Fireworks start at 7 pm at Lineham Park
We hope you’ll have a fun time with your family and friends this holiday season! If you know of any other family-friendly activities in Calgary and the surrounding area, let us know on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Happy holidays!