Donate a winter coat in support of a good cause
When: On now until December 15
Have a new or gently used winter coat you can part with? Consider donating it to a good cause this month. Rosso Coffee Roasters is collecting winter coats and accessories for its Coats for Coffee campaign in support of Project Warmth. Now until December 15, those who donate coats/accessories at one of the five Rosso cafés will get a free drink.
Rosso Coffee Roasters, five Calgary locations, rossocoffeeroasters.com
See a holiday comedy about two beginner tap dancers
When: November 25 to December 21
Get in the holiday spirit on your lunch break by catching a performance of Lunchbox Theatre’s delightfully named production, How Patty and Joanne Won High Gold at the Grand Christmas Cup Winter Dance Competition. The comedy, which also has some afternoon and evening performances, follows beginner tap dancers Patty and Joanne as they overcome obstacles to compete in the Grand Christmas Cup Winter Dance Competition. Bonus: There will be a tap class or open tap jam after the 4 p.m. performances on November 29, December 6 and December 13.
161, 115 9 Ave. S.E., lunchboxtheatre.com
Go see Theatre Calgary’s festive production of A Christmas Carol
When: November 28 to December 31
Theatre Calgary’s iconic production of A Christmas Carol returns with actor Doug McKeag taking on the role of Ebenezer Scrooge again. From the three ghosts to Tiny Tim, this show is full of beloved characters exploring themes of family, love and redemption.
Max Bell Theatre, theatrecalgary.com
Grab a drink at a new brewery making historical beers
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When: Opens December 4
Calgary’s newest brewery has a unique concept. At Good Cheer Brewing, the team makes historical beers that span from the High Middle Ages to the present day. Guests can pair their brews with bites like roast beef sandwiches, stews and meat pies.
1220 20 Ave. S.E., goodcheer.beer
Purchase some tasty cookies at Avenue‘s first Cookie Market
When: December 4
Who doesn’t love cookies? Swing by Avenue‘s first Cookie Market in Eau Claire Tower’s lobby to pick some up for yourself and your loved ones. From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., there will be more than 20 local cookie vendors to shop from.
Read more: All the Vendors Coming to Avenue’s 2025 Cookie Market
Eau Claire Tower lobby, 600 3 Ave. S.W.
Buy local art that costs less than $100
When: December 4 to 7 and 11 to 14
Anyone who says great art is always expensive hasn’t been to this event. At the annual Under $100 Art Show, every piece of art is, you guessed it, less than $100, and there are plenty of gems to be found by almost 100 artists. Peruse their work over two weekends and you might just find the perfect piece for your home.
1111 9 Ave. S.W., under100artshow.com
Order some waffles at Calgary’s new all-day breakfast spot
Jasper restaurant Wafflato has expanded with a new Calgary location in Donna Mac’s former space, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. As the name suggests, Belgian waffles are front and centre at Wafflato, with 26 sweet and savoury options. But the expansive menu also includes omelettes, eggs Benedict, sandwiches, bowls and mains like cider-brined chicken or pan-seared salmon.
1002 9 St. S.W., 403-930-7917, wafflato.ca
Check out a new Contemporary Calgary exhibit about trees
When: Exhibit opening on December 4; Exhibit runs from December 5, 2025 to April 19, 2026
Explore your relationship and connection with trees in a new Contemporary Calgary exhibit by Montreal artist Nelly-Eve Rajotte. The exhibit uses “moving image, generative sound, and technological devices that listen through a modular synthesizer connected to a live tree.” Catch the free exhibit opening of Trees communicate with each other at 220 hertz (as well as the new Entwined exhibit) on December 4, or visit from December 5 to April 19.
701 11 St. S.W., 403-770-1350, contemporarycalgary.com
Shop for skincare products at Calgary’s new Om Organics store
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Up your skincare game with a visit to Om Organics, which just launched a new retail storefront in Calgary’s Marda Loop area. Based in Invermere, the beauty brand offers a wide variety of face and body products ranging from face oils and elixirs to body scrubs and roll-on perfumes.
1942 33 Ave. S.W., omskin.com
Catch a movie or two at a Francophone film festival
When: December 5 to 7
Head to Globe Cinema to see eight films during a Francophone film festival called Coup de Projecteur this month. Many screenings will have the directors or actors in attendance for Q&A sessions, and there will be a free awards ceremony on the last day. All the films will offer English subtitles.
Globe Cinema, 617 8 Ave. S.W., festivalcoupdeprojecteur.com
Get your shopping done with the help of Avenue’s handy holiday gift guide
Looking for a cool stocking stuffer or a tasty food gift? We’ve got you covered. Avenue‘s holiday gift guide has 48 suggestions to help you find just the right presents for your friends and family this year.
Read more: Avenue‘s Holiday Gift Guide 2025
Go see some spectacular holiday light displays around the city
When: Multiple dates
This month, get ready to be dazzled by holiday light displays all around the city. There are several indoor and outdoor displays to experience, including Zoolights at the Calgary Zoo (November 14 to January 4), the Lions Festival of Lights (November 22 to January 8) and Holiday Wonder at the BMO Centre (November 27 to January 3).
Grab a spooky read at the first horror-themed bookstore in Calgary
Calgary has a few romance-focused bookstores to its name already, but now, those who love horror and dark fiction have a new go-to spot for books, too. Located in Marda Loop, Nocturne Books is the city’s newest bookstore, and it’s full of books that fall into genres like horror, fantasy, sci-fi and more. The shop also offers a consignment program featuring Alberta-based authors with self-published books.
15, 1934 34 Ave. S.W., 587-443-3336, nocturnebooks.ca
Sip on some Shipnog at Ship & Anchor
Getting a glass of house-made eggnog (a.k.a. Shipnog) at Ship & Anchor pub is a classic holiday tradition for many Calgarians. Guests can sip on a glass in person or pick up a bottle to enjoy at home. Not only is it delicious, but part of the drink sales support local charities and organizations, including the Calgary Drop-In Centre, Calgary Homeless Foundation, Women’s Centre of Calgary and Central Outreach Hub.
534 17 Ave. S.W., 403-245-3333, shipandanchor.com
Ride the new Heritage Holiday Train at Heritage Park
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When: December 6, 7, 13, 14, 20, 21, 22 and 23
A restored 1951 diesel-electric train has joined Heritage Park’s fleet, and Calgarians can experience it for the first time during the park’s Once Upon a Christmas experience. The Heritage Holiday Train can be ridden during Once Upon a Christmas for an added fee and will feature entertainment once you’re onboard. The train runs several times per day during the experience.
Heritage Park, 1800 Heritage Dr. S.W., 403-268-8500, heritagepark.ca
Toss a teddy bear on the ice at a Calgary Hitmen hockey game
When: December 7
Imagine a hockey arena where thousands and thousands of teddy bears blanket the ice. You’ll see exactly that at the Calgary Hitmen Teddy Bear Toss, an annual event where guests are encouraged to bring a teddy bear and throw it on the ice after the Hitmen’s first goal. In the end, the bears are collected for local organizations to give to children. This year’s Teddy Bear Toss game takes place on December 7 at 4 p.m. when the Hitmen take on the Wenatchee Wild.
Scotiabank Saddledome, 555 Saddledome Rise S.E., chl.ca
Grab a festive drink at a holiday-themed pop-up bar
Calgary restaurants, bars and breweries are getting in the holiday spirit with festive pop-up bars inside their spaces this month. Experience Miracle on First Street at Proof, a Home Alone-inspired activation at Eighty-Eight Brewing Company, an elf-themed experience at Limericks Traditional Public House and more.
Read more: Holiday Pop-Up Bars in Calgary
Check out a new Telus Spark exhibit that’s all about extreme sports
When: December 11, 2025 to April 12, 2026
Telus Spark’s newest exhibit is all about the role that science plays in extreme sports. Launching on December 11, the Extreme Sports exhibit offers everything from a virtual reality experience about the backcountry to a flying simulator activity. Admission to the exhibit comes with general admission/memberships.
220 St. George’s Dr. N.E., 403-817-6800, sparkscience.ca