New Years in the Calgary Area

Whether you live in Calgary or you are visiting for the holidays, New Year’s Eve 2013 will certainly be an event worth celebrating. There is a wide range of things to do in Calgary at New Years, from family friendly events to lively late night parties, and below you will find a few ideas for ways to spend a fun and exciting New Years in Calgary Alberta.

Need a Hotel Room?

If you are coming to the city from out of town and need a Calgary hotel for New Years, click here and enter your dates to check availability and compare rates.

The Carriage House Inn is offering a special Mystique New Year’s Eve experience which features a selection of different venues to celebrate, including the option of a gourmet 6 course dinner with wine pairing. Tickets for the different events can be purchased alone or combined in a package with a hotel room.

If you want to go further afield, then a trip to the mountains can be a popular New Years excursion. Spending New Years Eve in Banff is always a fun and lively option, and there are several Banff new years packages offered by hotels there to see you into 2014.

Parties, Dinners & Celebrations

For an old fashioned traditional New Years experience, why not try a visit to Heritage Park? On New Years Eve the Selkirk Grille will be hosting a seven course dinner in a historical setting where you will be able to see in 2014 in style while reminiscing about the past.

At City Hall in downtown Calgary there will be a New Year’s Eve Family Dance Party on December 31 2013 from 7-9pm, with the kids’ countdown at 9pm. Another fun option for families takes place at Village Square Leisure Centre where there will be a lively pool party to bring in 2014 from 4.30-6.30pm.

Also close to downtown, an annual event which is sure to please the kids is Zoo Year’s Eve on December 31st 2013 at Calgary Zoo, complete with fireworks and a colourful light display.

If you are looking for a lively night out in the bars and nightclubs of Calgary, there is no shortage of New Year Parties on offer on December 31 2013, and a visit to ClubZone will keep you informed of what’s available.

Some hotels may offer special New Years packages which we will feature here as and when they become available.

Hotels near Stampede Park & the Saddledome

Stampede Park is probably best known as the venue for the annual Calgary Stampede, one of the world’s biggest rodeo events which takes place for 10 action packed days each July. Known as the “Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth”, the 2013 Calgary Stampede will take place from July 5 to 14, and the fun extends well beyond the boundaries of Stampede Park with cowboy inspired events taking place throughout the city of Calgary. Of course, throughout the year there are many other events taking place at Stampede Park, not least the Calgary Flames hockey games plus live concerts which regularly take place at the Scotiabank Saddledome (formerly the Pengrowth Saddledome).

If you are visiting from out of town and need a Calgary hotel for an event at Stampede Park or at the Scotiabank Saddledome, the hotels listed below will put you within very easy reach of both venues:

Hotel Arts is perhaps the closest hotel to both Stampede Park and the Scotiabank Saddledome (formerly Pengrowth Saddledome), being located on 12th Ave SW, less than 1km away from both venues. The hotel is classy and contemporary, offers two award winning restaurants, and is also conveniently situated for downtown Calgary.

While most hotels in downtown Calgary are reasonably well located for visiting the Calgary Stampede or the Saddledome, the following 3 Calgary hotels on 9th Ave SE are particularly convenient for the Stampede Grounds (just over 1km away) while offering all the benefits of a central downtown location;
The Calgary Marriott Hotel is a luxury hotel with large guest accommodations, impressive city views, and a wide range of hotel amenities.
Hotel Le Germain Calgary is an architecturally stunning new hotel whose chic guest rooms, restaurants and facilities are sure to impress.
Finally, the historic Fairmont Palliser exudes tradition and charm, with elegantly appointed guest rooms and dining and hotel amenities that have stood the test of time.

Less than 5 minutes drive south of Stampede Park, on busy Macleod Trail, you can find motel style accommodation, often at a cheaper rate than downtown Calgary hotels;
For instance, Days Inn Calgary South offers comfortable and economical accommodation less than 2km from the Calgary Stampede and the Scotiabank Saddledome. Also located on Macleod Trail, the Holiday Inn Macleod Trail South and the Comfort Inn & Suites South are other good affordable options, just minutes from Stampede Park.

Find a Hotel near the University of Calgary

The University of Calgary lies approximately 6 km north west of downtown Calgary and whatever your reason might be for visiting the U of C, there is a good selection of motels & hotels near the University of Calgary ranging from a chic hotel on the campus itself to affordable motels in Motel Village to a wide a selection of accommodations in downtown Calgary.

On Campus
If you need to find a hotel as close as possible to the University of Calgary then you simply cannot beat the location of Hotel Alma, which is situated on the university campus itself! This contemporary hotel offers Eurostyle Rooms which are compact and functional, as well as One Bedroom Suites for those who like a little more space. Both rooms include a free continental breakfast.

Motel Village
Calgary’s Motel Village is conveniently located for the University of Calgary, offering a wide range of relatively cheap motel style accommodations just around 1.5 km from U of C. Super 8 Motel Village and Best Western Village Park Inn are both located at the north end of Motel Village, making them closer to Calgary University than others, however anywhere in Motel Village is an easy drive from the University, meaning hotels such as Ramada Limited Calgary, Comfort Inn & Suites University, Travelodge Calgary University, Hampton Inn & Suites Calgary University, and Econo Lodge Motel Village are all reasonable options.

Kensington
If you would rather stay in a trendy, bustling area of the city but still be on the right side of town for the University, the Kensington Riverside Inn is a boutique luxury hotel with an enviable location in the lively village of Kensington, just across the river from downtown and around 4 km from the University of Calgary.

Downtown Calgary
If you don’t mind staying a bit further away from the university, you may wish to consider hotels in downtown Calgary, which would of course have the advantage of being close to the vibrant core of the city, around 6 km from the University of Calgary. There is of course a wide range of hotels in the downtown area, however those situated towards the north and west of the city centre would put you slightly closer to U of C, such as Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites, Sandman Hotel Calgary City Centre, Ramada Hotel Downtown Calgary, Sheraton Suites Calgary Eau Claire, and the Westin Calgary.

Calgary Wellness Festival

The Calgary Wellness Festival is the first family outdoor Eco, Health and Wellness Festival and is being held at North Glenmore Park in Calgary on August 21st 2011.
Included in the festival are two performance stages, guest speakers, a meditation tent, as well as a healthy food court area. Kid’s Fun Zone with crafts, interactive activities, entertainment and a “Bubble Zone” will also be part of the festival.

There are vendors selling their merchandise, services and food samples including local restaurants and merchants.
The Swag Bag is a bag full of goodies from vendors, sponsors and people who were unable to make it to the event. Filled with everything from samples, coupons, information, pamphlets this bag will make everyone smile and the organization is taking all donations of any type and amount to add into the bags, so if you are interested in donating to the Swag Bag please let them know! All proceeds from the Swag Bags go to the Vitamin Angels.

The event lasts one day only August 21st, from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM and all the proceeds from the festival will be donated to the “Vitamin Angels” charity.

Find out more by visiting the Calgary Wellness Festival Facebook page.

Calgary Reggae Festival

Whether you are a fan of reggae music, or just appreciate a fun event for the whole family, you will be happy to hear that the Calgary International Reggae Festival will once again be providing a weekend of entertainment and activities from August 18-20 2011. You can be sure there will be a high calibre of reggae musicians performing throughout the festival, and the list of artists includes Chino, Dahlia, Fenom, Freddie McGregor, Ibadan, Kae Sun, Laden and many more.
At the main event on Saturday 20th, as well as the fantastic music, you can expect to find a beer garden, a separate youth area, interesting arts & crafts, and food vendors where you will be able to sample a taste of authentic Caribbean cuisine.
We will be adding new information about the festival as it becomes available, so stay tuned! In the meantime, be sure to make a note of the dates in your summer entertainment calendar!
For further information about the festival, visit the official website at www.calgaryreggaefestival.com
Tickets for the festival are already on sale at www.ticketweb.ca

BBQ On The Bow Festival

   

September 4 2011 sees the 19th Annual BBQ on the Bow Festival, a popular and entertaining event for adults and kids alike taking place at Eau Claire Market in downtown Calgary.
To give you an idea of the fun activities taking place at the Festival, please see the official press release below:

19TH ANNUAL BBQ ON THE BOW FESTIVAL – SEPTEMBER 4 at EAU CLAIRE MARKET
CALGARY, ALBERTA……… BBQ On The Bow Society will host the 19th Annual BBQ On The Bow Festival 2011 on Sunday, Sep 04 from 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM at Eau Claire Festival Market. We are Canada’s Oldest BBQ Competition and home of the Alberta BBQ Championship.

Join us for SMOKING HOT SUNDAY. It’s a free, fun, family event with live Main Stage Performances running all day featuring WestWinds Concert Band, Stampede Talent Search winners, Alex Boisselle Trio and the Mike Clark Band with very special guests Steve Pineo and Tim Williams. Bring a chair and enjoy a day of blues and entertainment.

Other activities on SMOKING HOT SUNDAY include the Alberta BBQ Championship & Awards Ceremony, Children’s Craft Tent with Pippi and Freddy, Street Zone displays and vendors, Kicking Horse Coffee Tent and the General Store featuring Alberta fresh corn & Paradise Hills tomatoes, Canadian Club bbq sauces, Highwood Crossing oils and cookbooks by local authors for sale to the public.

Enjoy great bbq food from Holy Smoke BBQ and Big T’s BBQ Smokehouse. BBQ concessions are located along Street Zone across from Majestic Patio’s, public seating area.

Debra Wong, Executive Producer states, “In an effort to support our local Alberta Producers, Celebrity Chefs will be grilling up their favorite recipes in the BBQ On The Bow Kitchen from 10:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Some of the dishes are simply amazing and it’s a great way to promote tasty, healthy and nutritious cuts of meat to the public”. Sponsored by AB Pork, AB Beef, AB Chicken, AB Turkey, AB Livestock & Meat Agency.

Saturday afternoon hosts pre-festival competitions, teams will compete in the Big Rock Beer BBQ Sauce Competition and BBQ’s Galore Chef’s Challenge. A panel of 24 Celebrity Judges will pick the winning entries. Anything goes, so come cheer them on 3:00 PM & 4:00 PM.

So join us for a fun filled day at the 19th Annual BBQ On The Bow Festival 2011.
Sunday, September 04 at Eau Claire Festival Market in the heart of downtown Calgary.

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC – FREE OF CHARGE.

For info go to www.bbqonthebow.com

4th Street Lilac Festival May 29 2011

Each year in early summer the wonderful scent of lilac bushes pervades the streets of Mission, Cliff Bungalow and the 4th St area of SW Calgary, and to celebrate this first sign of summer, the 22nd annual 4th Street Lilac Festival will bring together artisan craft makers, local restauranteurs and seven lively music stages to create one of the best street parties in Calgary Alberta.
The 2011 Festival takes place Sunday May 29 on 4th St SW Calgary from 13th Ave to Elbow Drive, an area already renowned for its excellent variety of restaurants.
Starting off with a parade at 10am, the Festival runs through to 6pm, and it is sure to be popular with approx 125,000 people in attendance in previous years, who enjoyed dancing in the streets to the lively music, watching street performers, browsing the stalls of over 500 vendors, sampling the cuisine from the local restaurants, or soaking in the atmosphere from a sunny terrace.

The Lilac Festival is lots of fun for party lovers of all ages, so if you are in the Calgary area during the last weekend in May, be sure to check it out.
For further information visit www.lilacfestival.net.

Visiting Banff National Park from Calgary

Calgary is sometimes known as the gateway to the Canadian Rockies, and for good reason, with the town of Banff located less than 1.5 hours from downtown Calgary, and Lake Louise only 35 minutes further west on the Trans Canada Highway, you’ll find the stunning mountain landscape of Banff National Park is within very easy reach.
We recommend an overnight stay to fully appreciate everything the Lake Louise and Banff areas have to offer, and to allow you to better experience the amazing hospitality that these mountain towns have long been famous for. If you are looking for more traditional Canadian mountain lodging, Lake Louise cabins can offer a rustic experience with a stunning Canadian Rockies backdrop, while both moderate and luxury hotels are also in good supply in Lake Louise (see www.lakelouisehotels.org for several options).
After a day of sightseeing or hiking, you may wish to unwind with a swim or a soak and there are plenty of Banff hotels with pools which will allow you to do just that, with amenities ranging from full sized swimming pools to outdoor hot tubs with incredible views. For another way to take a dip with impressive mountain views why not pay a visit to the Upper Hot Springs which Banff is famous for.
If you are in Calgary for a just a short visit and you find yourself with a spare day, Banff National Park makes a wonderful day trip, and it would be well worthwhile making the easy drive to Banff or Lake Louise for a complete change of scenery and pace. If you don’t have a car with you, or you would like to have the benefit of a guide, there are several companies which offer guided tours to the Canadian Rockies from Calgary.
Once in Banff National Park there are many ways to spend your time, from strolling down Banff Avenue with its abundant shopping and excellent selection of restaurants, to breathtaking sightseeing gondola rides in both Banff and Lake Louise. The selection of tours & activities in Banff is endless, and of course if you come during the winter, there are 3 world class ski and snowboard resorts to choose from.

Royal Honeymoon comes to Calgary ?

As anyone who takes an interest in the British Royal Family will know, Prince William and Kate Middleton will be getting married on April 29, an event which the whole world is sure to be watching. Perhaps even more exciting than the Royal Wedding for Albertans is the possibility of the newlyweds visiting Calgary as part of their Canadian honeymoon, which will take them across the country, starting June 30 and ending July 8 in Alberta, which is coincidentally the first day of the Calgary Stampede. Although their schedule has not been finalized, it seems likely that they would take advantage of the opportunity to attend the Calgary Stampede, a world class rodeo event, which would be the perfect Albertan send-off from what is sure to be a wonderful honeymoon experience throughout Canada, which will also include visits to Ottawa, the North West Territories, PEI and Quebec.
The trip will be paid for by the Canadian taxpayer, which will most likely cause a few grumbles, but whether you are a fan of the monarchy or not, there is no doubt that the publicity and resulting tourist dollars generated by a visit from the future King and his new bride will more than make up for the cost of the honeymoon.

Kensington Sun and Salsa Festival July 25 2010

Put it in your calendar – July 25th, 2010 marks the date for the 17th annual Sun & Salsa Festival in Calgary. Come join the merchants of Kensington Village as we close down the streets to cars and open them up to the people of Calgary. Tantalize your taste buds with over 40 of the most unique salsas you’ve ever experienced prepared by Kensington restaurants, and vote for your favorite. Get swept up in the music as you dance to one of the many live bands. Learn a new move with Salsa dance demonstrations, or practice an old one on the beach volleyball courts. Make it a family event and let the kids run at the Kid Carnival, and make sure Fido gets taken care of too at our dog-watering station. Enjoy the shopping as many merchants celebrate the day with sales, or find that hard-to-find gift from one of the local vendors who set up for the day. Help support local charities too, as the proceeds from chip and water sales go directly to the Brenda Strafford Center and Brown Bagging for Calgary’s Kids.

The Kensington Village 2010 Sun & Salsa Festival, an experience that will not soon be forgotten.
More details at www.visitkensington.com

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