Attention Citizens of Calgary and Readers of Youth Are Awesome:
This is a little bit late, but stay tuned for next year!!!
While Calgary students are on their winter break, they should think twice about travelling overseas and find the magic locally! Here are some activities that are worth a shot in between resting and binging.
Zoolights – Nov. 14, 2025 – Jan. 4, 2026
Personally, I love everything related to lights, making trips downtown to see the city shine. The Calgary Zoo will be hosting a Winter Wonderland show full of glittering and glowing sights with interactive activities such as axe-throwing (might be worth a try) and delicious holiday treats. But I believe that you should stay for the show of LEDs instead, who knows, maybe upgrading your lights game to your neighbours might just be what you need! Book your tickets online linked down below or in-store from 1 pm to 5 pm, although pretty much everything digital saves you money now.
Heritage Park: Once Upon a Christmas – December. 20, 2025 – December 23rd, 2025 – GO NOW!!!!!
I recently volunteered at the gift store where you were able to help kids pick gifts under appropriate budgets set by their guardians, and it was very intriguing, to say the least! While this may be the shortest event out of the two, it’s easily accessible, and there are many things to do. I’m talking about wagon rides, carolers (whom I happened to stop by right before ending my shift), and absolutely every stereotypical thing that comes to mind when you hear Christmas. Sometimes you need that familiar (yet a bit more expensive than the last few years) vibe, and I believe HP is the right place to find it. Staff would love to see new faces, so no matter where you’re coming from or still wondering why you even came, there is much to enjoy and stick with. Make sure to purchase tickets here (link down below)
Polar Express – Train Ride at Aspen Crossing: Nov. 21, 2025 – Dec. 23, 2025
This will be a fabulous ride to take. I might have to check this one out. If you have or haven’t watched the movie, train rides are still in it for the aesthetic, and this one comes with perks. You get hot chocolate in a special mug, a cookie, and a silver bell. I do think this may be more suitable for families/ groups, but in the end is what you make of it. Book tickets in the link below.
Holiday Wonder – Nov. 27, 2025 – Jan. 3, 2026
The BMO Centre will also be accompanied by Christmas lights with a house made out of actual gingerbread, a zone for snowball fights, and an enchanting twinkling snowflake forest. You can book tickets down below. I have plans to visit this one soon, so I am hoping the lighting is up to expectations.
Final message
I feel that Christmas has gotten way too expensive. So even if you might not feel in the mood, go for it if you can afford it. Gas and Christmas presents rock bank accounts, so it’s fine to do yourself a favour and drink hot chocolate at home. Make yourself some side quests to get fresh air: go to Tim Hortons and order a Candy Cane Hot Chocolate, go grocery shopping to make dinner and dessert for the holidays. Start by searching up a recipe and gathering the necessary ingredients; just do anything that can spark a light bulb in your brain. Wherever you are, the spirit of joy and community awaits us every year, so before you scramble or crash out, really just look for the simplest reasons to be happy.
As for me, I will be procrastinating, watching the films I really need to watch (classics and acclaimed masterpieces, continuing in a match against seasonal depression, and screaming at big, bolded news. Or playing Wordle. I am also reading! I also got a lot of shows I need to watch. I may also attempt poetry or painting since candle-making is off the budget.
Thank you for reading my posts this year, and I hope to post a variety of them next year and continue to improve as a writer and reader to support everyone here at Youth Are Awesome. May you never forget the things that kept you going, stay strong, indulge in movies and snacks for a bit, and ensure you wake up with a fresh mind.
Tickets for Zoolights: https://www.calgaryzoo.com/zoolights/
Tickets for Polar Express: https://aspencrossing.com/railway/polar-express-train-ride/
Tickets for Holiday Wonder: https://www.showpass.com/holiday-wonder-calgary-ab/
Sources:
https://dailyhive.com/calgary/things-to-do-calgary-dec-22-26