Here’s how to kick off 2025 in Calgary
Posted Dec 27, 2024 2:14 pm.
Last Updated Dec 27, 2024 2:21 pm.
Farewell 2024, we hardly knew ye.
While Calgarians can cozy in and enjoy the start of the new year at home, those looking to head out on the town can find plenty of ways to help celebrate the start of the quarter century.
The Calgary Zoo, Telus Spark, and the library have events to celebrate with family if staying up late isn’t an option.
If that isn’t your cup of tea, there are various events at different bars and restaurants, along with catching the Calgary Flames-Vancouver Canucks game.
And let’s not forget the fireworks, which will be taking place at Prince’s Island Park.
Here’s a list of what to do on New Year’s Eve in Calgary:
New Year’s Eve at Prince’s Island Park
The finale of 2024 can be enjoyed at Prince’s Island Park at midnight.
Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek will be there to countdown to 2025, along with Indigenous Elder Clarence Wolfleg providing a blessing.
There will be fire pits, food trucks, and games at the ‘Ooooo, Ahhh’ zone at Lot 59 and Memorial Drive between 4A Street and 2 Street NW starting at 8 p.m.
There will be activities and games, including inflatable curling.
Stilt walkers will appear around 8:30 p.m. between Prince’s Island Park and Lot 59, and will stick around until 10 p.m.
And if you want to get some dancing in, Prince’s Island Lagoon will have a DJ Skating/dance party from 9 p.m. right up until midnight. People are encouraged to bring their own skates.
Lastly, the fireworks will launch from 12 a.m. until 12:15: a.m. at Prince’s Island Park. It can be watched live here.
Family-friendly events
Calgary Zoo
The Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo will have its Family Night from 5-9 p.m.
This includes Zoolights. ice carving, and dancing with hula-hoops. There will also be a New Year celebration every 20 minutes.
Telus Spark
Noon Year’s Eve starts up early at 9 a.m., with the ball dropping at 12 p.m.
A dance party will take place right afterwards.
Calgary Public Library
The library will have a New Year’s celebration from 1-4 p.m. at multiple locations, including Central, Crowfoot, Fish Creek, Serton, and Village Square libraries.
The celebration will include a dance party, a special storytime, and a countdown to 2025.
East Village New Year’s celebration
The East Village Neighbourhood Association is inviting residents to decorate their exteriors for the New Year, all for a chance to win some prizes.
Those include $150 gift baskets of local goods, which will be drawn on New Year’s Eve.
Chinese Cultural Centre
The Chinese Cultural Centre will have free kids workshops from 2-10 p.m.
The workshops include pellet drum colouring, a DIY keychain, and cookie decoration.
And at 3:30 p.m., there will be a lion dance.
The city says workshop space is limited and families are encouraged to register here.
Lastly, there will also be an incense dragon parade at the Chinese Cultural Centre from 10:30 p.m. until 11:30 p.m.
Calgary Flames vs Vancouver Canucks
The Flames (16-11-7) face off against the Canucks (17-10-7) at the Saddledome at 7 p.m.
The home team are two points behind the Canucks and are ninth in the Western Conference.
The two teams have gone back and forth this season at 1-1 with two games remaining between them. Calgary won 6-5 in October, while Vancouver got revenge with a 3-1 a month later.
New Year’s Eve night events
Calgary’s nightlife will light up this New Year’s, with dinner, dancing, games, and champagne galore.
Zoo Year’s Eve takes place at 10 p.m., soon after the family event ends.
It will include Zoolights, concessions and hot chocolate, dancing, and a ball drop at midnight.
It is an 18+ event, with tickets being $29.95 and are sold online.
Ranchmen’s will have its Champagne and Spurs 2025 at 5 p.m., and The Attic Bar and Stage will host the Midnight Soiree: A Jazz and Burlesque New Year’s Eve at 6 p.m.
The Mount Royal University Taylor Centre for the Performing Arts will have A Luminous New Year’s Eve at 7:30 p.m., and the Ironwood Stage and Grill will have The Mocking Shadows Annual New Year’s Eve Bash at 9:30 p.m.
Other events include the Masquerade Ball: A NYE Affair at Commonwealth at 9 p.m., New Year’s Countdown at Cowboys nightclub at 8 p.m., Cold Garden’s Malt Ball 2025 at The Palace Theatre at 9 p.m., and the Dueling Piano Kings at King Eddy at 9:30 p.m.
Free skating on New Year’s Day
There is plenty of free public skating to be had on New Year’s Day.
This includes the Rose Kohn/Jimmie Condon Arena, Shouldice Arena, the Frank McCool Arena, Murray Copot Arena, and 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.
The free public skating is from 1-2:15 p.m., though Calgarians should note equipment rentals are not available.
More information from Tourism Calgary and the city can be found here and here.
