By Shane Flug
Do you see what I see? A gift-wrapped bundle of opportunities to get out and enjoy the best of the holiday season in Calgary. From a night at the theatre with the family to a brighty-lit walk with that special someone, here are 10 ways to spend a holiday night out this month. [Photo credit: Alberta Ballet]
A regular staple of Theatre Calgary for 50 years, this local adaptation of Charles Dickens’ timeless classic has been a local holiday tradition for many theatre-loving families. Warm your heart with Tiny Tim, the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future, and, of course, watch longtime Ebenezer Scrooge actor Stephen Hair never get bored of saying, “Bah! Humbug!”
Shining brighter than ever in its 20th year with 1.5 million Christmas lights to dazzle the eyes, Zoolights at the Calgary Zoo is a local holiday staple sure to warm the heart. Bring the kids to play games that help them learn about animal conservation and behaviors or take a special date out on an ice skate and enjoy a hot chocolate by the fire pit afterwards.
Hard to avoid any blasts from the past with Home Alone on TV, so you may as well enjoy some radical dinner theatre at Stage West with this gnarly throwback to all things ‘90s. With dancers onstage performing tributes to your favourite artists of the decade of flannel shirts, frosted tips and Leo-mania, you and your group will be leaving the theatre shiny happy people.
Spread some holiday cheer for your loved ones, as well as some local creatives’ pocketbooks, shopping at Market Collective’s #mccheer2017 holiday market weekends. See what’s in store in Inglewood while enjoying a warm food truck meal and soaking in some live music.
Angelic voices will fill the halls of Knox United Church with the blissful harmonies of Christmas carols. Local choirs from churches, schools and multicultural groups both young and old will be onstage to help churchgoers start off December on a peaceful note. Bring the family and help those in need with a food donation to the Calgary Food Bank.
As the shopping season gets into full swing, it’s good to know that there are great one-stop-shops for great handmade goods besides Etsy. One of Canada’s largest holiday craft markets is one such opportunity, where nearly 200 artisans will be selling their wares. From jewelry to home décor, you’ll be sure to cross off everyone on your list.
Get warmed up with Klara and the Nutcracker Prince as Alberta Ballet, with music from the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, takes you on a journey to a Kingdom of Sweets in their telling of this holiday classic. With 70 dancers bringing this tale to life, this local ballet tradition is a sugar plum treat for the eyes and ears.
For local rock fans, Christmas just isn’t Christmas without The Dudes. This holiday season, two of them, Danny Vacon and Matt Doherty, will get warmed up for a live performance of their bass-and-drums side project. In partnership with the Major Minor Music Project, the Calgary Folk Music Festival presents the third year of the HighKicks’ annual all-ages rock show. Young rockers Flashback and X’s and dream girls Lashes will be opening.
Calgary indie rock mainstays The Dudes (and guests) are getting ready to tear it up at the Palace Theatre for their annual holiday show. With Christmas weekend stress on the brain, give yourself some small mercies and go rock out with hits such as “Pretty Lies” and “Everybody Dies Too Soon.”
Four bands, 2,000 cups of free Good Earth hot chocolate and 2,018 spins around the sun on the A.D. calendar! This free, family-friendly City of Calgary event is your last chance in 2017 to take in some Canada 150 with Canadiana ice statues lining Stephen Avenue. Watch for other characters roaming Olympic Plaza and catch local artists Mocking Shadows, Lovebullies, Ghostkeeper and Amy Hef before the midnight fireworks.
Do you hear what I hear? It's Calgarians having year-end fun as they take in the best of what’s happening in their city this month. Happy Holidays!
