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!

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