Sparkling, shining, and festive: Christmas lights are one of the best parts of the holiday season. When it gets dark so early, Christmas lights help lift your spirits. Plus, whether you want to be outside in that invigorating December air, or just drive by in the warmth and comfort of your car, it gives you a fun reason to get the whole family up and out the door!
You’ll find our Guide to Parades and Light Up Events here, and our Christmas Event Guide here. Then, keep reading for some of the best and brightest Christmas light displays in Calgary and the surrounding areas!
FEATURED: Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo ZOOLIGHTS | November 15, 2024 – January 5, 2025
Sparkling, festive, and magical! For many Calgarians, the holiday season is simply not complete without a visit to ZOOLIGHTS, presented by Olympia Trust Company. Calgary’s award-winning holiday tradition will be glowing for seven weeks of festive, family-friendly fun, lighting up the nights between November 15, 2024 – January 5, 2025.
Airdrie Festival of Lights | December 1 – 31, 2024
Head out to Airdrie for the city’s annual festival of lights. The event features beautiful Christmas lights, miniature train rides, hot chocolate, bonfires, and much more. Santa will visit on selected dates and there will be other special events, too. Nose Creek Pond is located within the festival area and is a great place to skate outdoors when conditions permit.
Banff: In Search of Christmas Spirit | Select Days, November 14 – December 31, 2024
Head to the mountains this winter In Search of Christmas Spirit. Banff is bringing you an outdoor lighting experience from November 14 – December 31, 2024. Be sure to get your free tickets before you head out for this 45-minute walking story journey told by the illuminated wildlife of Banff National Park. This event fills up quickly.
Legacy Christmas Light Parade | December 1, 2024 – January 14, 2025
This holiday, Legacy will light up their 10th annual Christmas light display with more than a million Christmas lights for Christmas cheer and one of Calgary’s largest free light displays. Parks, playgrounds, trees, the Legacy clock tower, and more will be adorned with dazzling lights, alongside hundreds of beautifully decorated private homes throughout the community. Weather permitting, you can also skate on the community rink.
Lions’ Festival of Lights | November 23, 2024 – January 6, 2025
The Lions’ Festival of Lights is normally the largest free drive-by Christmas light showcase in Calgary. For over three decades, Calgarians have enjoyed this spectacular light display at the SE corner of Confederation Park. Whether you drive by it every day or only occasionally, it’s a Calgary Christmas tradition that never fails to delight. The lights are on beginning November 23, 2024, until January 6, 2025.
Spruce Meadows Christmas Lights | Fridays – Sundays, December 6 – 29, 2024
Bring the whole family down to Spruce Meadows, for their amazing Christmas light display. Don’t worry if it’s cold out, or the kids are getting a little drowsy, as you will stay in your vehicle for the drive through the Spruce Meadows grounds. The grounds are beautifully decked out with over a quarter of a million sparkling holiday lights. It’s truly magical.
More Lights!
Lighten Up Calgary
Do you have the most spectacular light display in your neighbourhood? If you want the whole city to know about it, add it to this website: www.lightenupcalgary.ca. It has a map showing the locations of some of the best private light displays in the city (and some public ones), or you can see the information in list form. More sites get added over the season.
Canmore Rotary Festival of Trees
The Rotary Festival of Trees is a magical event happening all December in Canmore for the whole family. Imagine an indoor forest of Christmas trees decorated and twinkling all in one place, all created and donated by local businesses. There will be extra events and activities happening, too, like a FREE Kids’ Holiday Extravaganza.
Downtown Calgary
We have a beautiful downtown, and the office towers definitely do it up right with lots of lights! Head downtown and go for a wander. Don’t miss Stephen Avenue, Olympic Plaza, the McDougall Centre and the CORE.
Merry Christmas and happy holidays to all our Family Fun Calgary readers!
