Events in Calgary celebrating New Year’s 2023
Posted Dec 29, 2022 12:10 pm.
Last Updated Dec 29, 2022 2:07 pm.
News Year’s Eve is on Saturday, and there are plenty of events in Calgary to help kick off the start of 2023.
But before the nighttime festivities start, there are several events around the city the family can enjoy together.
The City of Calgary has family activities at Heritage Park with Holiday Tea at the Famous 5 Centre of Canadian Women from 11:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.
Calgary’s Zoolights will also continue with “Zoo Year’s Eve,” starting at 5 p.m. until 9 p.m.
And to lead into the late night celebrations of the new year, the Zoo also has Zoo Year’s Late Night for those 18 and up, starting at 10 a.m. until midnight.
The lights will stay on into the night, with a ball drop and countdown at midnight. Zoo concessions are open, and drinks are available for purchase.
Tickets for the News Year’s event at the zoo can be found on their website.
Calgary Flames vs Vancouver Canucks
Calgary Flames center Jonathan Huberdeau, center, celebrates his goal against the Seattle Kraken with Nikita Zadorov (16) and Milan Lucic, right, during the third period of an NHL hockey game Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2022, in Seattle. (Lindsey Wasson/AP)
The old rivalry extending from the Flame’s Stanley Cup run in 2003-04 continues on New Year’s eve when the Vancouver Canucks visit the Flames at the Saddledome at 8 p.m.
The Canucks have a 16-15-3 record as of Thursday, while the Flames had a rocky start but have a 17-13-7 record.
Meanwhile, the Flames currently have a 4-2-4 record, while the Canucks are 7-3-0 with a three-game win streak in their last 10 games.
With this upcoming outing, the Flames hope to exact revenge after the Canucks handed them a shootout loss on Dec. 14, which gave them a 4th straight loss at the time.
King Eddy has a zero-cover Hockey Happy Hour starting at 4 p.m. for the Flames game.
Dining out for New Year’s
Milestones restaurant shot from Stephen Avenue and Centre Street in Calgary on Thursday, Dec. 29, 2022. (Nick Blakeney, CityNews photo)
Many restaurants around the city have menus set up for the day to help pique a person’s palette before braving the cold and watching the fireworks.
The city has a few restaurants to recommend, including Oxbow at Hotel Arts in Kensington, The Lake House, Calcutta Cricket Club, and Yellow Door Bistro, which is also within the Hotel Arts in downtown Calgary.
The Attic has Carly’s Angel NYE 2023 Dinner & Drag Show at 7 p.m., which includes a four-course meal and champagne.
Jubilations Theatre has “The Office: A Pop Rock Parody,” and Craft Beer Market has “Let’s Get Fizzy: New Years’ Eve 2023,” it also includes a four-course dinner, drinks, a dance party, and a live DJ.
A pop-up restaurant, The Dark Arts Restaurant and Drink, is closing its doors and moving to a new location after a New Years’ dinner celebration, which marks its final appearance at the building on the corner of 11 Avenue SW and 8 Street.
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Visit Calgary has a number of options available on its website.
New Years’ Fireworks
Fireworks behind the Calgary Tower. (Photo Credit: Calgary.ca)
Calgarians can hop atop the Calgary Tower to enjoy the spectacle with a soundtrack from CJSW 90.9 FM. Artists on the soundtrack include Canadian artists DJ Shub, The Corey Hotline, Sureshock & Miss Fudge, Arkells, Coer de Pirate, Aly & AJ, and Caity Gyorgy.
Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek will be on deck to initiate the countdown.
The fireworks start at 11:55 p.m., and many spots around the city make for a good spot to watch the show.
The city says Olympic Plaza is a good spot to watch the fireworks, but there are no plans for any festivities. The rink will be open from 10 a.m. until midnight, and skates are available for rental.
People skate at the rink at the Olympic Plaza in Calgary on Thursday, Dec. 29, 2022. (Nick Blakeney, CityNews photo)
Roads are going to be closed for Centre Street SE from 6 and 9 avenues SE, 9 Avenue SW from 1 Street SW to 1 Street SE, and for the sidewalk along the front of the Calgary Tower.
Those wanting to stay home can watch the fireworks in their living room through the city’s livestream.
Parties, masquerades, hot spots
FILE – People hold glasses up at a party. (Photo by Yutacar, Unsplash photo)
There are a few galas and parties around the city that people can attend before the ball drops.
Individual tickets are still available for the 11th annual Club Mystique Ball over at the Carriage House Inn on Macleod Trail. The Rec Room NYE Bash starts at 9 p.m. at the large indoor playground and games room, and tickets are still available for purchase.
The Palace Theatre on Stephen Avenue has a New Years Bash at 9 p.m. presented by 90.3 AMP Radio. Early bird tickets are still available.
Cowboys Dancehall has its NYE Countdown: Midnight Lights which starts at 7 p.m.
Black tie is optional, and it recommends people arrive early.
Arts Commons has The Old School New Years’ Eve Masquerade Gala that starts at 9 p.m. inside the Jack Singer Concert Hall lobby. The dress code is “formal masquerade.”
Waking up to 2023
The Calgary Tower shot from Stephen Avenue and Centre Street in Calgary on Thursday, Dec. 29, 2022. (Nick Blakeney, CityNews photo)
For those choosing to go to bed early or waking up after a long night out, the city has some events throughout the first day of the new year.
The Calgary Hitmen face the Red Deer Rebels at the Scotiabank Saddledome at 1 p.m., with doors opening two hours earlier. People can also skate on the ice after the game, and autographs can be signed on Section 212.
After its own New Years’ bash, Jack Singer Concert Hall is hosting the Strauss Symphony of Canada, which features the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, for the Salute to Vienna New Year’s Concert.
The concert is at 2:30 p.m., and tickets are available on the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra website.
The Gasoline Alley Museum at Heritage Park has a New Year’s Brunch, which has various times available on its website. As of writing, 11:30 a.m. is sold out.
Calgary Transit CTrains run until 4 a.m. on Jan. 1, while bus routes 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 22, 301, 302, and the MAX Orange, Yellow, Teal, and Purple lines will run until 3 a.m.
