What’s open and closed this holiday in Calgary

With Christmas and Boxing days just around the corner, several facilities will be closed during this time.

City pools, recreation centres, and leisure centres will be closed on both days but will be open on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve. Sports and art centres, and aquatic facilities will be closed until the new year.

All major malls will be closed on Christmas Day, but movie theatres will remain open.

Transit services are also adjusted for the holidays, but are still running 7 days a week.

Here is what’s open and closed in Calgary.

Calgary Transit

Public transit and On Demand service on Christmas and Boxing Day will be running on Sunday service.

School trips will also be cancelled starting on Dec. 23 and will start up again on Jan. 3, 2025.

The call and customer service centres will be closed on Christmas Day.

Road closures and parking

Parking is free in on-street ParkPlus zones on Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and New Year’s Day.

However, the Calgary Parking Contact Centre and Impound Lot will be closed on Dec. 25. More information can be found on the city’s parking websiteCalgary Parking.

The 4 Avenue flyover remains reduced to a single lane, while Mission Bridge is closed completely for repairs.

Government, bank, and postal services

All are closed from Dec. 25-26.

Calgary malls

Major shopping centres in Calgary will be closed on Christmas Day but will reopen on Boxing Day.

If you need to get some last-minute shopping done, it can be had at these malls on Christmas Eve.

  • Core Shopping Centre: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • CrossIron Mills: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • CF Market Mall: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • CF Chinook Centre: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Sunridge Mall: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
  • Marlborough Mall: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Ice skating

Several arenas will be open for free skating on Boxing Day, and those are the Ernie Starr Arena, the Frank McCool Arena, and the Optimist/Blunden Arenas.

The city asks guests under 17 to bring a helmet per public skating requirements and recommends one for those over 18.

Skates or ice cleats/grippers are required while on ice, and long-sleeved clothing is recommended. Chairs and skating aids are not permitted.

In addition, the city says children under eight must be with a person who is at least 14 years of age.

Lastly, figure skating, hockey drills, sticks, pucks/rings, and other games are not permitted.

Amenities and attractions

There are several events to help get into the holiday spirit, along with movie theatres being open to catch that holiday flick.

While the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo will be closed for day admission on Dec. 25, Calgarians can still go later for the 28th annual Zoolights.

It runs until Jan. 5 and features ice skating, axe throwing, treats, and of course — animals and lights.

Movie theatres in Calgary, namely Landmark and Cineplex ones, will be open on Christmas Day.

Christmas Eve hours are in place at the Telus Science Center from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. and will be closed the next day.

The Hanger Flight Museum and the Military Museums will be closed on Christmas Day and Boxing. Heritage Park will also be closed.

Liquor and grocery stores are closed on Christmas Day.

City facilities

The following facilities will be closed from Dec. 23 until Jan. 1.

  • Acadia Aquatic & Fitness Centre (9009 Fairmount Dr. S.E.)
  • Foothills Aquatic Centre (2915 24 Ave. N.W.)
  • Glenmore Aquatic Centre (5330 19 St. S.W.)
  • Inglewood Aquatic Centre (1527 17 Ave. S.E.)
  • Shouldice Aquatic Centre (5303 Bowness Rd. N.W.)

However, the following facilities will be open on Christmas Eve from 7:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. and again on New Year’s Eve from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. They will be closed on Dec. 25, 26, and Jan. 1.

Calgary’s Southland Leisure Centre and Village Square Leisure Centre will be open on Dec. 24 from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Dec. 31 from 7 a.m. – 6 p.m, all while being closed on Dec. 25, 26, and Jan. 1. The city says the pool opens at 10 a.m. on both days.

Calgary Soccer Centre, and North Mount Pleasant and Wildflower Art centres will be closed until Jan. 1 and Jan. 2 respectively.

Lastly, landfill and Eco Centre locations will be closed on Dec. 25 and on New Year’s Day.

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