Buy local art that costs less than $200
When: Under $200 Art Show runs from November 28 to December 1; Under $100 Art Show runs December 5 to 8 and December 12 to 15
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 more than 100 artists. Peruse their work over two weekends (December 5 to 8 and December 12 to 15) and you might just find the perfect piece for your home. And if you’re willing to spend a little more, this year also marks the launch of the Under $200 Art Show (November 28 to December 1), which features 50 artists selling bigger art pieces for less than $200.
315 Manitou Rd. S.E., under100artshow.com
Donate a winter coat in support of a good cause
Have a new or gently used winter coat you can part with? Consider donating it for a good cause this month.
Rick Rack Textiles’ annual Coat Rack campaign is on now until December 2. The campaign collects coats for The Doorway and local charities, and those who donate will get the chance to win prizes.
Rosso Coffee Roasters is also collecting winter coats and accessories for its Coats for Coffee campaign in support of Project Warmth. Now until December 11, those who donate a coat at one of the five Rosso cafés will get a free drink.
Rick Rack Textiles, 4704 Manhattan Rd. S.E., 403-263-8088, rickracktextiles.com; Rosso Coffee Roasters, five Calgary locations, rossocoffeeroasters.com
See Vertigo Theatre’s latest murder-mystery production
When: On now until December 21
In Vertigo Theatre’s latest production, six actors take on 30-plus roles to bring an Agatha Christie murder-mystery to life. Murder on the Links sees detective Hercule Poirot set out with his associate Hastings to uncover who killed his client in a French village.
The Playhouse, 115 9 Ave. S.E., vertigotheatre.com
Visit neon polar bears sculptures at Contemporary Calgary
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When: Come check it out by Paola Pivi is on now until March 2, 2025
If you haven’t visited the new Contemporary Calgary exhibit by Italian artist Paola Pivi yet, make it a priority to do so this month. Called Come check it out, the exhibit is full of eye-catching sculptures ranging from neon polar bears to a wall of shoes, with the goal of examining the relationship connecting natural and manufactured worlds, as well as the responsibility of our own choices.
Contemporary Calgary, 701 11 St. S.W., 403-770-1350, contemporarycalgary.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 40 suggestions to help you find just the right presents for your friends and family this year.
Read more: Avenue‘s Holiday Gift Guide 2024
Go see Theatre Calgary’s production of A Christmas Carol
When: November 29 to December 29
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, Arts Commons, 205 8 Ave. S.E., theatrecalgary.com
Sip a cocktail in an electrical substation turned restaurant and distillery
It’s not every day that a new distillery and restaurant opens in what was once a 1911 electrical substation, but that’s just what you’ll find at True Wild Distilling. This new dining destination features a restored heritage building, the tallest copper pot alembic still in Canada, a menu of fire-grilled fare and plenty of delicious cocktails.
3115 11 St. S.E., truewilddistilling.com
Go see some spectacular holiday light displays
When: Multiple dates
This month, get ready to be dazzled by holiday light displays all around the city. There are several displays you can drive by and/or walk through in Calgary, including Zoolights at the Calgary Zoo (November 15 to January 5), the Lions Festival of Lights (November 23 to January 8) and the Legacy Lights display in the Legacy community (December 1 to January 14).
Shop for luxury fashion at a new consignment store in Kensington
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Looking for a holiday outfit? Love luxury fashion? Check out Joyce’s Closet, a luxury consignment store that recently opened a storefront in Kensington. Whether you’re looking for a dress, jewellery or a new bag, the shop offers tons of stylish options.
102, 1240 Kensington Rd. N.W., joycescloset.ca
Toss a teddy bear on the ice at a Calgary Hitmen game
When: December 1
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 and go to local organizations to give to children. This year’s Teddy Bear Toss game takes place on December 1 at 4 p.m. when the Hitmen take on the Moose Jaw Warriors.
Scotiabank Saddledome, 555 Saddledome Rise S.E., chl.ca
Treat yourself to an afternoon tea service with some friends
A cup of hot tea, dainty pastries, fun finger sandwiches — what’s not to love about afternoon tea? Thankfully, there are many places in Calgary where you can enjoy a lovely afternoon tea service.
Read more: Where to Go for Afternoon Tea in Calgary
Get in the holiday spirit at Southcentre Mall
When: Dates for specific activities vary
Southcentre Mall is a hub for family-friendly holiday activities. Explore the Enchanted Forest and visit Santa, decorate cookies at The Cookie Kitchen (with donation to Made By Momma), peruse the books in Santa’s Reading Nook and more.
100 Anderson Rd. S.E., southcentremall.com
Experience Egypt through the new virtual reality experience Horizon of Khufu
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When: Opens December 12
A new virtual reality experience that transports you to ancient Egypt is coming to Calgary. Horizon of Khufu is a 45-minute experience where guests don virtual reality headgear to go back more than 4,500 years and see the Great Pyramid of Giza come to life around them. Snag tickets to visit at CF Chinook Centre starting December 12.
CF Chinook Centre, 6455 Macleod Tr., horizonkheopexperience.com
Dance the night away at a special after-hours holiday party at Studio Bell
When: December 14
This month, Studio Bell is staying open late for a special adults-only holiday party complete with themed cocktails, live performances, beer gardens, DJs and more. After Hours: Holiday Edition is your chance to dress in your holiday best and see Canada’s Drag Race star Tynomi Banks perform, take part in photo-ops, see Cirque de la Nuit performers and more.
Studio Bell, 850 4 St. S.E., 403-543-5115, studiobell.ca
Wear an ugly Christmas sweater and watch two classic holiday movies
When: December 17
Home Alone and Home Alone 2 might be some of the most beloved Christmas movies around, and you can see them both at The Grand’s Flanagan Theatre this month. The night features a staged photo op, holiday music, tasty drinks and eats from Eighty-Eight Brewing Co. and Portland Street Pizza, popcorn and more. Tickets are available to see just one of the movies or both.
The Grand, 608 1 St. S.W., thegrandyyc.ca
Grab a festive drink at a holiday-themed pop-up bar
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Calgary restaurants 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 Co. and more.
Read more: Holiday Pop-Up Bars in Calgary
Read a new book by a local author
As the weather gets colder, we don’t blame you if you want to hunker down inside with a good read. If you need a new book to peruse, there are several new ones by Calgary authors covering everything from quirky horoscopes to vegan recipes that are out now.
Read more: 5 New Books by Calgary Authors
Sip on some Shipnog at Ship & Anchor
When: Available starting November 22
Enjoying a glass of eggnog (aka Shipnog) at Ship & Anchor pub is a classic holiday tradition for many Calgarians. Enjoy a glass in-person or pick up a bottle to sip on at home. Not only is it delicious, but part of the drink sales support local charities and organizations, too.
534 17 Ave. S.W., 403-245-3333, shipandanchor.com
Watch a musical about iconic girl groups
When: On now until February 2, 2025
Whether you stan the Spice Girls, The Supremes or The Bangles, you won’t want to miss Stage West’s latest production about some of the greatest girl groups around. Girls Just Wanna Have Fun promises a nostalgic night looking back on some of the bands that many of us grew up loving and their irresistibly catchy hits.
727 42 Ave. S.E., 403-243-6642, stagewestcalgary.com
Enjoy a beer at the newly opened Brewsmith Brewing
When: Opens November 23
There’s a new microbrewery in town, and you’ll find it in Bowness. Brewsmith Brewing is the latest addition to Calgary’s beer scene, offering brews like the BrewHaus Kölsch and the Signature Pub Ale. Along with beer, there will be tasty bites to snack on, like gourmet hot dogs and beer cheese.
110, 6311 Bowness Rd. N.W., brewsmithbrewing.ca
