During the holiday season Calgary shines beautifully. There is a beautiful display of Christmas lights all over the city. Be it parks, neighbourhoods, drive through lights shows, or Christmas markets holiday lights are everywhere. There are plenty of ways to enjoy the Christmas season in Calgary. If you are looking for the best places to see the Christmas lights in Calgary, we have compiled the wonderful locations.
Here are the best places to see Christmas lights in Calgary…
Calgary Zoo – Zoolights
You can experience the wonder of twinkling lights and dazzling displays on chilly nights at Calgary Zoo. Every season Calgary Zoo lights up with the warm glow of shimmering lights. This is the 29th season for the display of Zoolights to bring you closer to family, friends, and the heart of the community.
Along with the jaw-dropping display of lights, there are other things to enjoy such as axe throwing, skating, delicious treats, snow globe dinners and much more. Undoubtedly, it’s a magical experience for all ages. ZOOLIGHTS will run from November 14, 2025 -January 4, 2026. As the tickets sell out fast, thus, it is advisable to purchase tickets in advance.
Downtown to enjoy the Christmas Lights in Calgary
During the holiday season, downtown Calgary sparkles especially along Stephen Avenue and Olympic Plaza. You will be amazed by the street decorations, lit trees, and window displays that add an extra charm. Additionally, there are a lot of live events and fun activities for all age groups. If you are a skating enthusiast, then Olympic Plaza happens to have a refrigerated outdoor ice rink.
Don’t worry about buying the skates, as skate rentals are available here. If the time allows, pair your walk with a warm drink from a nearby cafe and head over to Prince’s Island and then to the Jaipur Bridge for that perfect holiday picture.
CP Holiday Train
The Holiday Train ran from Nov. 19 to Dec. 21/2025 for its 27th year of spreading holiday cheer. Certainly, it’s an amazing way to enjoy the holidays in the snow covered city. Calgarians join together to greet Canadian Pacific Railway’s Holiday Train as it rolls through Calgary. The holiday train stops at the Anderson C-Train Station (South C-train parking lot) from 6:30 to 7:15 pm. Once the train stops here, there are some performances which add extra magic. And as always, donations collected are to support food banks across the country.
Continue reading best places to see Christmas lights in Calgary…
Lions Festival of Lights at Confederation Park
Lions Festival of Lights is another festive gem within Confederation Park. The Festival has been organized by the Lions Festival of Lights Society for 39 years now. This event is held every year and is free to attend. For this reason it becomes an inclusive option for the Calgarians. This year’s light display will run from Nov 23, 2025 – Jan 8, 2026 from 5:30pm to Midnight. This event features themed light displays and decorated trees making it a cheerful holiday.
Spruce Meadows Christmas Light Drive Through
Another popular location to see the Christmas lights in Calgary is Spruce Meadows where you can enjoy these beautiful lights from the warmth of your car. This massive drive through is a must-visit during the holiday season. Moreover, this event allows free admission to the visitors and is open every weekend in December. This massive drive-through event features over a million bulbs, festive music, and beautifully decorated pathways. The celebration offers seasonal market vendors, indoor activities and much more. Â
Cochrane Light Up
Cochrane Light Up has long been a cherished event in Cochrane that offers an excellent opportunity to engage with the community. This event has evolved over the years to feature a captivating light show. You can enjoy the illuminated lights each night until early January 2026. This family-friendly event holds the capacity to accommodate over 10,000 people. Furthermore, events here suit the whole family sponsored by local businesses. From hot dogs and hot chocolate, to toasty fire-pits and twinkling Christmas lights, this magical event has it all.
Airdrie Festival of Lights
Situated in the heart of Nose Creek Park in Airdrie, you can enjoy the Western Canada’s largest, free, outdoor walk-through Christmas Light Display. This free Christmas light display runs all through December. Apart from the lights, there are other events like the Santa Clause Parade, and other special events hosted by members of the community. Additionally, Santa’s Gift Shop is open 6pm – 9pm (excluding Christmas Day) for all your holiday purchases! Pets on leashes are also welcome at the Airdrie Festival of Lights.
Conclusion
To conclude, Christmas lights in Calgary, Alberta offer something for everyone. From world-class light festivals to cozy seasonal markets, these magical spots will fill your winter nights with warmth and cheer. To make your Christmas more festive, add these locations to your bucket list.
