‘Tis the season to enjoy the festivities with friends and family, and where better to do so than the magical City of Airdrie? There is something to do every single day of the holiday season in Airdrie; from a nationally recognized park of festive light displays, to community Christmas dinners, decoration workshops, Christmas markets, and even a performance from the CP Holiday Train. Located just 20 minutes outside of Calgary, Airdrie is a holiday hub for those from surrounding areas as well. Airdrie locals are lucky to live where on any day of the week, you can turn a corner and find some sort of holiday event for whenever you are wanting to enjoy the season. To start off, let’s take a look at the Airdrie Festival of Lights!
Airdrie Festival of Lights
December 1st to 31st, from 6pm – 9pm. Including Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and New Year’s Eve.
There is nothing like walking through a real-life winter wonderland to get you in the Christmas spirit. If you are not from Airdrie, you must consider coming out to this magical little town for this nationally recognized event. For the past 23 years, the Airdrie Festival of Lights Society has worked hard to create the perfect holiday event for the entire family with great success. With over 60,000 people coming to Nose Creek Park every season, this event has grown incredibly with new displays being added every year, with currently over 13 light display sections of this massive festival!
Looking at the magical displays of lights isn’t the only thing to do at the Airdrie Festival of Lights! Some of the other sights to see during your visit to the Airdrie Festival of Lights are:
❄ Ice skating on Nose Creek Pond
❄ Miniature train rides throughout the park for the little ones
❄ Pictures with Saint Nick in Santa’s workshop
❄ Fire pits to keep you warm as you make your rounds
❄ Food trucks, a concession, and warm drinks
❄ Santa’s gift shop for holiday shopping
Consider kicking off your festivities at the Airdrie Festival of Lights, any day of the week (including Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and Boxing Day!).
This upcoming weekend is a busy one! There are over 10 holiday events happening Friday December 7th through to Sunday the 9th in Airdrie. We will kick it off with the festivities that are happening this upcoming weekend:
Saturday, December 8th
Rustic Ranch 7th Annual Christmas Market
Saturday December 8th from 9:00am – 5:00pm & Sunday December 9th from 11:00am – 4:00pm.
Find those special Christmas gift finds at the festive Rustic Ranch Christmas Market. Turn shopping into a fun and enjoyable event at Rustic Ranch Furniture with over 35 vendors attending for two days! This event is free and welcome to the entire family.
Sunday, December 9th
Brunch with Santa from 10:00am – 2:00pm (Recurring event: also on Sunday December 16th!)
The man himself will be making an appearance not once, but twice over the next two weekends in Airdrie. Come by the Orchard Restaurant at Applecreek to enjoy an all you can eat buffet as well as photos with Santa all included for $23.95 per person. This is a very popular event in Airdrie for many families so make your reservation now by emailing mlarson@applecreekgolfcourse.com or call 403-912-2191 ext.2.
The Mayor’s Magical Holiday Ride from 11:30 am – 2:00 pm
Come down to Push Cycling Studio for an extra special spin class with Mayor Brown. If cycling isn’t for you, pop by to enjoy hot soup and buns, as well as photos (by donation) with Santa! The entire event is focused around collecting hamper items and donations for the Airdrie Lioness to Adopt-A-Family. Click the link below for more information and on how to register for this incredible fundraiser!
Holiday Decoration Workshops
The Blue Grass Ltd. Nursery, Sod, Garden Centre has a wonderful line-up of workshops planned for those of you looking for some do-it-yourself options for Christmas gifts and ornaments for your home! You can register for any of these events by calling 403-226-0468. All events run from 1:00pm – 4:00pm, with a registration fee is $15. The first workshop starts on today, December 9th:
Sunday, December 9th
Holiday Tillandsia Terrarium Workshop: Create your very own Terrarium, learn how to care for it, and change up your seasonal decor! This hands-on event is great for children, or for those looking for a different way to decorate or a thoughtful gift. The Tillandsia Terrarium price starts at $25.
Saturday, December 15th
Kissing Ball Workshop: Here you will have the chance to create your very own unique mistletoe decor from live herbs. Please bring your own pruners and gloves! Kissing Ball starts at $30.
Holiday Yule Log Workshop: Create a classic log for your mantle or dining table. Here you will be taught how to make a beautiful arrangement of plants and decorations. Please bring your own pruners and gloves! Yule Log starting price starts at $25.
Sunday, December 16th
Holiday Centrepiece Workshop: Learn how to create the perfect centrepiece for your home according to your very own colour scheme, using fresh plants, berries, pinecones and other decor. Please bring your own pruners and gloves! Holiday Centrepiece starting price starts at $25.
Explore Children’s Christmas Market from 2:00pm – 7:00pm
This event hosted by the Living Springs Fellowship Church for families with children aged two and up who are struggling financially. This event to gives children the opportunity to get free presents for their parents. Kids will be able to pick a free gift option for their parents, and while volunteers wrap their gift they can make a card as well. That’s not all! Kiddos will also have the chance to take pictures with Mr. and Mrs. Claus if they’d like as well. Register now by contacting Kimberly Ann Rose at (403) 671-6554 for an evening full of worry-free holiday fun for your child.
Vegetarian Christmas Dinner from 5:00pm – 9:00pm
The Vegetarian Dinner Club is hosting this potluck event at the Airdrie Town & Country Centre. Just bring a vegetarian food serving and enjoy an evening filled with festive entertainment and community spirit. For more information you can reach Ida at (403) 948-5067 or via email at idaunruh69@gmail.com.
Monday, December 10th
Children’s Christmas Party from 4:00pm – 6:00pm
Come by the Airdrie Boston Pizza with the little ones for a free night of crafts, cookie and ornament decorating, and a lot of fun!
Christmas Book Exchange & Dinner from 6:00pm – 8:30pm
An evening of social fun, turkey dinner, drinks and books will be happening Monday December 10th at Suzanna’s Cafe in Airdrie, hosted by the Ladies Out Loud group. Bring your new or used books and $25 cash for a great night. Find more information on how to RVSP online now:
Airdrie Community Choir and the Christmas Carol Service from 7:30pm – 9:30pm
Get into the holiday spirit at the King’s Court Church where they will be hosting the Airdrie Community Choir for a night of festive fun and song. The church will also be accepting non-perishable food donations for the Airdrie Food Bank.
Tuesday, December 11th
CP Holiday Train from 5:00pm – 7:00pm
For its 20th year, the CP holiday train will be rolling through Airdrie’s Nose Creek Park for a completely free holiday performance, featuring award winning artists Terri Clark, Kelly Prescott, and Sierra Noble. This incredible fundraiser will be collecting food and monetary donations for the Airdrie Food Bank, with the mission of feeding every family across Canada. For more information, visit the Airdrie Festival of Lights’ Facebook event page here!
Wednesday, December 12th
Airdrie Chamber of Commerce Christmas Luncheon from 11:00am – 2:00pm
Enjoy an afternoon of socialization, a Christmas buffet, and inspirational speakers at the Woodside Golf Course for their biggest event of the year. This year’s keynote speaker is former captain of the Canadian Women’s Hockey Team, Cassie Campbell-Pascall. This event should be on the calendar of anyone interested in spending time with their community and having some holiday fun! Check out their Facebook event page for more information on how you can get your $75 ticket for this great event.
Friday, December 14th
Cut-Throat Christmas: A Comic Murder Mystery from 6:00pm – 9:00pm
Get your tickets now for the must-see performance hosted by Pegasus Productions at the Century Downs Racetrack and Casino, the perfect night out for anyone looking for an unconventional holiday event. For more information on how to get your $70 ticket (which not only includes the performance but a buffet too!), check out their Facebook page below!
Winter Wonderland at Genesis Place from 6:30pm – 9:30pm
Are you wanting to get in on the festivities but are nervous about the cold? The City of Airdrie has got you covered! Come by Genesis Place for an evening of family fun, only $10 per family and free for family pass holders. The gym and pool will be open for you to bring your little ones to burn off some steam, and rumour has it that a special guest from the North Pole may be coming for a visit! For more information on this event, click the link below:
Saturday, December 15th
Last Day to Donate to the Airdrie Toy Drive from 9:00am – 7:00pm
December 15th is the last day to bring in your new, unwrapped toy donation to the Airdrie Toy Drive at the CPUMedix, and help support the Salvation Army and kids in need this holiday season. Find more information on how you can help a child this Christmas.
HOTC Christmas Pop Up Market from 10:00am – 4:00pm
The Heart of the Community Airdrie Markets group is hosting a pop up Christmas Market just in time for you to complete your last minute shopping! Come by the Hampton Inn for an assortment of up to 30 incredible local vendors. Learn more about this event from the HOTC Facebook event page!
Sunday, December 16th
SingFest 2018 from 5:30pm – 8:30pm
Enjoy an evening of holiday cheer of a variety of local entertainers, hosted by the Airdrie Community Choir at the Lutheran Church of the Master. Support the Airdrie Lioness Christmas Hamper Program by bringing a cash or food donation for admission. Find more information about this festive fundraiser here!
Friday, December 21st
How Cindy-Lou Saved Christmas from 6:30pm – 9:00pm
Recurring event: also on Saturday December 22nd with various showtimes.
The Nose Creek Players have planned a wonderful holiday production with a spin on the classic story of How the Grinch Stole Christmas, hosted for two days at the Airdrie Town & Country Centre. With all the kiddos officially on their holiday school breaks, this is a great way for you and your family to dive into the festive spirit.
Midnight Magick Holiday Expo from 11:00am – midnight!
The Spirit Within and Forever Keepsakes will be hosting a magical market featuring a variety of vendors for you to complete your shopping list for your friends part of the spiritual community. To add to your day the shoppe will be hosting a number of spiritual practitioners, card readers, energy workers, and more! Bring an item for the Airdrie Food bank and receive 10% off your in shoppe purchase, or a Grocery Store Gift Card for the Airdrie Food Bank and receive 20% off your in shoppe purchase!
Monday, December 24th
Christmas Eve at Victory Church from 5:00pm – 6:00pm
Come by Airdrie Victory Church for a festive Christmas Eve service, celebrating with Christmas carols, a holiday message, and a candle lighting.
Family PJ Christmas Eve Service from 6:00pm – 7:00pm
The Airdrie United Church will be hosting a family fun Christmas Eve service… to be enjoyed in your pyjamas!
December 24th, 25th, and 26th
Airdrie Festival of Lights from 6:00pm – 9:00pm
It’s worth mentioning once more that the Airdrie Festival of Lights at Nose Creek Park is open Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, AND Boxing Day! The incredible volunteer support and donations from visitors allows the park to be open everyday of the holiday season, for families to enjoy as long as possible. Check out their website for more information on the event and how you can support!
As you can see, Airdrie has an extraordinary line-up of events that are always bursting with holiday spirit. All of these events are kid-friendly and rally around a sense of giving and love. Remember that as your local Airdrie REALTOR ®, Tara is always ready to help you with any real estate needs!
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