Attend the Lion’s Festival of Lights
One of the largest free lighting displays in Calgary, the Lion’s Festival of Lights is among the few installations open on Christmas Day. Set up at Confederation Park Golf Course, the lights will be turned on longer than usual around Christmas, with special extended holiday hours from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. from December 24 to 26.
Confederation Park Golf Course, lionsfestivaloflights.ca
Go Out to Eat
Whether you’re celebrating or not, you may not feel like cooking on the 25th. If that’s the case, you have options.
Many Asian and South Asian restaurants are open, including Gyu-Kaku Japanese Restaurant, Brother’s Taste of Asia, Bill’s Peking House and Clay Oven Indian Restaurant.
Hotel restaurants are also generally open on Christmas Day for buffet dinners and festive feasts. A few of these include Flower & Wolf, serving Christmas Day brunch and dinner menus, Sage & Co., which has a Christmas Day dinner, and Grey Eagle Resort & Casino, which has Christmas dinner and lunch menus available. Reservations are strongly recommended, as these meals can fill up in advance.
Hit the Slopes for Charity at Sunshine Village Ski Resort
Ski bunnies, rejoice! Sunshine Village Ski Resort will be open on Christmas Day with its annual Santa Skis for Charity event. The resort will have lifts running, along with some holiday surprises planned throughout the day. Skiers and riders who dress up in Christmas character attire (such as Santa, Mrs. Claus, Rudolph or the Grinch) can purchase a lift ticket for $82.50, with money from the tickets sold going to The Alberta Children’s Hospital Foundation. Meet at the Strawberry Chair at 1 p.m. for the official start of the annual Santa Run.
Play Arcade Games at The Rec Room
If you’re looking for a fun activity you can do with the whole family, The Rec Room is offering special Christmas hours from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. Load up a bracelet and play the many arcade games, virtual reality games, pool, shuffleboard and more. Grab a snack or drink from one of the two restaurants located onsite, too.
1180, 901 64 Ave. N.E., 587-535-6077, therecroom.com
See a Holiday Blockbuster
Swap gingerbread and Christmas specials on TV for buttered popcorn and a big screen. Since 1947, when Road to Rio starring Bob Hope and Bing Crosby hit theatres on Christmas Day, the holiday typically sees at least one big Hollywood release. Both Cineplex Theatres and Landmark Cinemas will have Christmas Day screenings. This year, check out blockbuster hits like Wonka, The Iron Claw, The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, or Aquaman and The Lost Kingdom, among others. Check your closest theatre for showtimes.
Multiple theatres and showtimes, cineplex.com; landmarkcinemas.com