If you are looking for places to travel in the exciting days leading up to the holidays, the Christmas Markets in Calgary, Alberta, should be high on your list. The Cowtown of Canada embraces the season with wonderful Christmas fairs and markets.
While bracing the cold in snug warm jackets, you and your family can enjoy festive music and lights (and many other activities) while sipping cider-toddies and hot chocolate. You can buy handicrafts and artworks created by local artisans, and feel good about getting someone a gift while supporting local businesses as well as the community.
While holiday markets may have come from Europe originally, Calgary has embraced them fully, mixing local colour and flavours with tradition.
Because of the popularity of Christmas markets in Calgary, it’s a good idea to book your trip well ahead if you are travelling from afar. Skyscanner can help you find the best flights at the best prices during this festive time, as well as reserve hotel rooms and car rentals, as needed.
Read on to find out about the variety of Christmas markets available today in Calgary.
Popular Christmas markets in Calgary and the surrounding area
As the largest city in Alberta—and the province’s business and cultural hub—Calgary offers a wide range of holiday craft fairs. The xmas markets in the Calgary area include ones in the metropolitan centre, others in the suburbs and yet others within striking distance of the city by car.
Granary Road Christmas Market
The Granary Road Christmas Market runs on weekends from November 25 to December 17, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Located in a scenic learning park and market just 30 minutes south of Calgary, it offers stunning Rocky Mountain views. Guests can savour holiday sweets, meet Santa and his elves, snap photos with alpacas, roast s’mores, marvel at festive lights, and shop for unique crafts from local artisans.
Saskatoon Farm Christmas Mover 270
The Saskatoon Farm Market is a collective of more than 270 vendors, dedicated to celebrating community and “the gifts of each season.” Running December 1 to 3 and 8 to 10 (9 a.m. to 5 p.m.) in its South Foothills location, the seventh annual Saskatoon Farm Christmas Market promises to be its usual mix of great crafts, holiday carols, and tasty food.
In the past, the mix has also included ice sculpting, fire pits, dancing entertainment, appearances from Santa and the Abominable Snowman, and much more. Lots and lots of great arts and goods made by local artisans and crafters are always part of the allure.
Market Collective Holiday
The Market Collective (MC) is dedicated to presenting the work of local artists, artisans, designers, and musicians, and developing community spirit as it does so. The MC ensures that the artists they represent keep 100% of sales as a sustainable support for their practices and small businesses.
The collective offers two holiday events at the BMO Centre: (BMO Centre hall b & c) December 8 to 10 and 15 to 17 (Fridays, 4 to 9 p.m., and Saturdays and Sundays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.). Admission is $7 and free for kids 12 and under. Guests in its curated and inclusive exhibit space will love to see the incredible talent this city has to offer, purchase gifts for themselves or others, and feel good about spending with local creative small businesses.
Available crafts and unique gifts created by local artists and small-business entrepreneurs at this Calgary Christmas market range from bath and body products, ceramics and pottery to vintage and consignment products, and woodworking. Live music, interactive workshops, galleries, drinks, and food are also part of the attraction.
Little Modern Market Holiday Market
Little Modern Market is running two holiday markets this year at the FAC Deerfoot Campus in Calgary: November 25 and December 2. Admission is $5 or free if you donate to a specified charity (Mamas for Mamas and the Calgary Food Bank) or are under 17.
The first 100 shoppers receive a free Little Modern tote bag. Kids can get free painted faces and glitter tattoos. Adults and children can also participate in a cookie-decorating workshop (November 25) and a sweater embroidery workshop (December 2).
After buying unique gifts from local businesses, you can choose from several cafes to take a tasty break. You can also take advantage of photo ops in the market’s holiday setting, which includes a gingerbread house.
Authentically Indigenous Holiday Market
Authentically Indigenous offers a curated craft marketplace that features the work of different First Nations artists, creators, and makers. This includes handmade goods, crafts, art, jewellery, beadwork, beauty and wellness products, and delicious food.
The group will run its holiday market on November 25 and 26 (Saturday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.) at the Kerby Centre Gym in Calgary. Entry is $5 for one day or $8 for two days. Kids under 12 are free.
Visits to Santa and the Grinch are also on the menu, depending on which way you lean. And of course, many great, unique gifts will be available for sale by talented indigenous artists.
Spruce Meadows International Christmas Market
This Christmas market sponsored by Telus has been open since 2001 and has become a Calgary holiday shopping staple. The Spruce Meadows International Christmas Market, on Spruce Meadows Way, runs over three weekends: November 17 to 19, November 24 to 26, and December 1 to 3. General admission is $15, and kids and seniors pay $10.
Friday nights here are advertised as “date nights,” where couples enjoy roaring fires and twinkling lights. The Winter Wonderland is designed for kids and the young at heart, offering Christmas crafts and a petting zoo. Over 300 vendors will be selling their goods here, thus providing you with lots of choices for unique gifts while letting you support local businesses.
Millarville Christmas Market
Hosted by the Millarville Racing & Agricultural Society, 35 minutes southwest of Calgary, this Christmas market runs November 9 to 12, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Attractions include food trucks, live music, reindeer viewing, sleigh rides, photos with Santa, and unique gifts sold by a wide range of local vendors.
A Christmas tradition since 1988, the Millarville Christmas Market offers a Kids Only Shoppe. All items are priced at $15 or less and mostly donated by local vendors of the Millarville Farmers’ Market. All the money raised at the shop helps to support six local schools’ hot lunch programs.
History of Christmas markets in Calgary
Calgary’s holiday craft markets owe their origin to the European Christmas markets, which trace their roots back to Vienna in 1296, when Duke Albrecht I permitted two-week fairs to operate during December. A strong holiday craft fair tradition developed in neighbouring Germany and this history is what has influenced Christmas markets in many Canadian locations, including Calgary, Canmore, and Banff.
Over the years, Calgary’s Christmas markets have evolved, growing from charming farmers’ markets and community centre events to great spectacles that might involve professional entertainers, night markets, a vast number of high-quality local vendors, and fine food & drink.
Other holiday events in Calgary
Besides its holiday markets, Calgary embraces the winter and the cold with various Christmas activities for all ages and tastes. These include:
- Elf in Concert: Running at the Calgary Theatre, an orchestra plays a “live-to-film concert” that presents a musical version of the movie Elf, which starred Will Ferrell.
- Christmas light shows: For free family fun, visit one of the city’s many holiday light displays, including those at the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo (Zoolights). Also, check out Lighten UP Calgary for a guide to some of the best community displays.
- The Nutcracker: The Alberta Ballet presents a multi-million-dollar version of the Christmas class tale about a wooden toy that comes alive and battles the Mouse King. This version of the Nutcracker is scored by both the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra and Edmonton Symphony Orchestra.
- Go downhill: If you’re feeling more outdoorsy and adventurous, try holiday skiing at one of many great ski mountains within driving distance of Calgary, including Lake Louise, Banff Sunshine Village, and Castle Mountain.
Whether you want a Christmas market, a seasonal concert, fun outdoors, or great food and drink, Calgary has many great holiday season activities for visitors, especially families with children.
By indulging in both thrilling outdoor adventures and cosy indoor comforts, you can craft a holiday experience that feels like a present to yourself even before you unwrap gifts beneath the tree.
Tips for visiting 2023 Christmas markets in Calgary
Calgary can be cold and sometimes snowy in the winter. So, to enjoy your visit to Christmas markets in Calgary (often involving lots of time outside), it’s necessary to dress warmly. This means having an insulated jacket, hat, gloves/mitts, and winter boots.
Also, bring cash. While more small vendors at markets take bank cards and electronic payment methods these days, some still do not. And out of appreciation for not paying card fees, some vendors might be willing to negotiate a lower price for items you want to buy.
Whatever you pay for a local hand made item, you can appreciate getting unique gifts and pieces for your home as you support local businesses and talent at the same time.
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