Christmas is one of my favorite times of the year. It is a time for ...
Christmas is one of our favourite times of year in Calgary — and one of the best parts is the city's light displays. Grab the hot chocolate and the people you love, and get out there before the hustle of the season takes over. Here's where the glow is, and how to make an evening of it.
First, a Little Light History
Electric lights first appeared on a Christmas tree back in 1882, but they were so expensive that candles dominated tree decorating into the 1930s — coloured lights only became a true fixture of Christmas tradition in the 1950s. For the cost-conscious of today, energy-saving LED lights are the way to go: soft, cozy illumination that's far easier on the power bill, which matters when your display runs every December evening.
The Zoo's Winter Glow
The Calgary Zoo's annual light festival has been a long-running favourite of ours — imagine well over a million lights transforming the zoo grounds into a walkable wonderland. It's the city's signature display, and it draws crowds accordingly. Our advice from experience: buy your tickets online ahead of time so you're not standing in a line-up in minus-twenty while the lights twinkle just out of reach.
Worth the Drive: Airdrie's Festival of Lights
Looking for a small adventure? Head north to Airdrie for its annual festival of lights, a community-run tradition that's been delighting visitors for years. It's an easy drive from anywhere in Calgary, and it makes a perfect evening loop: lights, a warm drink, and carols on the car stereo the whole way home. You will not be disappointed — it's well worth the trip.
The Neighbourhood Displays
Some of the best light displays in Calgary aren't ticketed at all — they're on residential streets, built by neighbours who take December very seriously. Community-run websites and maps pop up each season cataloguing the standout homes, so you can plan a driving route through the most decked-out areas. Or just wander: nearly every one of Calgary's communities has a street or two that goes all out, and stumbling onto one is half the magic. (Professional confession: we notice pride of ownership in every season — the house with the best lights in December is usually the best-kept house in July, too.)
Making a Night of It
A few tips from years of lights-touring with our own family: go early in the season before the holiday rush crowds in; dress for standing still in the cold, not walking; bring a thermos, because every display is better with hot chocolate; and let the kids pick the route home so you catch the surprise displays no map knows about. It's simple, it's mostly free, and it's some of the best quality time the season offers — one more reason we love calling this city home. If you're thinking about doing the same, our moving to Calgary guide is a good place to start.
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