There’s a lot of real estate in Calgary to cover if you’re thinking of taking a Christmas Light tour. From public places to parks to streets and homes that simply go all out, driving around the city looking at the festive lights is a family tradition. 

The custom of decorating with lights goes back centuries to when Christians would light candles as a symbolic gesture recognizing that Jesus Christ, whose birth is celebrated at Christmas time, is the light of the world.   Candles were placed on trees outside the home, then Germans brought trees indoors and finally in the late 1800s, the invention of electric light made illuminating the trees much safer.  Strings of lights began to adorn the windows of buildings and homes and rooftops.  

Going to see the lights can be so...

You don’t have to be a connoisseur to enjoy a good bottle of wine, but you should know where to shop for the good stuff – where you’ll get good advice on what to bring to a party or to stock in the cellar of your Calgary home. 

There are a few shops I especially appreciate in our city, and a few that others appreciate as noted in several online reviews.   Here are just a few, and if you have any to add to the list, please let me know in the comments section!

Metrovino Fine Wines

I didn’t save the best for last – I put it first because they are an exceptional shop that does so much more than put bottles out on the shelf.  They have wine tastings open to the public – you can check their ...

Are you looking for a night out in SW Calgary and wondering where to go for dinner? It may be difficult considering there are so many great SW Calgary restaurants to choose from. Sometimes, it's helpful to know what others have experienced in order to make your decision. Here are three of the best restaurants in Southwest Calgary according to Yelp users:

Savour the Mouth-watering Flavours of the Himalayan

Known around town as one of the best ethnic food restaurants in Calgary, the Himalayan offers authentic, delicious and nuanced Himalayan and Nepalese dishes for a very reasonable price. In fact, Yelp reviewers regularly say that they would gladly pay double for the quality of food that the restaurant offers. With exceptional flavours combining a complex and nuanced...

The holiday season is a great time for family togetherness and fun for the whole family. Whether you are looking for something simple to do or you are interested in something a bit more extravagant or involved, the City of Calgary offers plenty of activities for families and children to enjoy over the holiday season. Here are a few ideas of things that you might want to consider doing this holiday season.

Activity #1: See the Lights

If you want to see some beautiful holiday lights over the holiday season, there are many opportunities available. From the lights at the Calgary Zoo to the Airdire Festival of Lights, the city has millions of lights on display throughout the Christmas season. You might also want to check out the Lion's Festival of Lights at Confederation Park on 14 Street or simply take a drive through the city and...

For most people, Christmas is the most magical time of the year. For many, this feeling of magic is largely created by the wonderful light displays that they can visit throughout the holiday season. Fortunately for residents of Calgary, there are plenty of opportunities available for seeing beautiful displays and soaking up the sights and sounds of the holidays. Here are just a few Christmas light displays you will find throughout Calgary.

Zoo Lights

Every year, the Calgary Zoo puts 1.5 million lights on display throughout the Christmas season. For Christmas 2012, the lights will be shining from 6 to 9 pm every night from November 23 through January 5. The only exceptions will be Christmas Day, when the zoo is closed, and New Year's Eve, which is the day of the separate Zoo Year's Eve event. Tickets for children between the ages...

Using a Calgary Real Estate Agent and REALTOR  for your House Search in Aspen Woods

When you are looking at buying real estate in Calgary, it is important to know the areas that you are looking at.  For instance, if you are looking at buying real estate in Aspen Woods (SW Calgary, Calgary West End) there is information that you are going to want to know about the area.

The area of Aspen Woods was established in 2001.  It is located near the areas of Strathcona Park (established 1980) and Christie Park (established 1990) and is located in the south west quadrant of Calgary.  ...

The annual Calgary Stampede is the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth.

It's an event where competitors come together and crowds gather to witness some of the most skillful rodeo athletes and the finest stock in rodeo.

The Calgary Stampede Rodeo is action packed and furious and just one display of the skill and grit that goes into this annual event.

It is an experience like no other and it is a rodeo tournament event with enthused and skillful competitors staring in the world's richest rodeo competition with over two million in prize money.

The Stampede began as a way to preserve the values and ideals of western life.

The thrill and skills of the Stampede are fascinating to all generations and an education that opens the doors to animals, agriculture, lifestyles, and skills.

The great day starts with a Stampeded Parade that is two and a half miles that celebrates the World Champion Calgary Stampede Show band, riders, bands, floats, pageantry, culture and celebrities...

If you are looking for something special this year for Christmas you cannot go wrong with a gift certificate purchase from Oasis Spa in Calgary. Oasis Spa has a wonderful reputation in Calgary and it is sure to be a well received gift. The best of all is that Oasis is giving away a trip to Las Vegas with the purchase of selected Holiday Spa Gift Packages, see below for details. You can give the gift of relaxation this year and keep a gift for yourself too. There is no better way to start the New Year off than to start it with a spa treatment and a trip away from the Calgary snow!

** CalgaryListings.com is not affiliated with Oasis Spa, details of the promotion should be confirmed with Oasis Spa directly....

Don't forget this upcoming weekend is the annual Calgary Sun and Salsa festival

Where: Kensington - both Kensington Rd and 10 St will be closed for the day

When: Sunday July 24th from 11am to 5pm

This is annual event held in the heart of beautiful Kensington -  local businesses will serve up over 500 gallons of salsa for you to judge the best salsa after all this is indeed a contest.  You need only supply the chips for your tasting. -Please support local charities by buying the chips on location for $3 or 2 for $5 - water is also for sale.

Seven live entertainment stages will spread Latin flavour through the neighbourhood if you want to...