Happy New Year, Calgary parents! The holiday rush is over, but the fun definitely isn't. This weekend, Jan 3rd & 4th, we can finally hit up the last days of ZOOLIGHTS for some magical sparkle or catch the epic Lord of the Rings concert before it packs up. Don't forget to check out the free skating lessons at Prince's Island Park!
Quick Picks
City of Calgary Free Skating Lessons
Prince's Island Park Lagoon
Score free lessons and skate rentals to get those winter skills sharp at a beautiful central spot.
Kids Celebrate! Exhibition at Heritage Park
Heritage Park Historical Village
An indoor, hands-on exhibition exploring how Canadians celebrate—perfect for escaping the potential chill.
IndigoKids Winter Play Days
Participating Indigo stores
A short, free storytime and activity session at your local Indigo, great for the littlest ones.
Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring – In Concert
If your teen loves LOTR, this is massive—the full movie playing while a live orchestra performs Howard Shore’s score. It’s an incredible way to experience a classic film score, way beyond just watching it at home.
Why we picked it: This is the last chance to see this massive, high-production concert event, running only until Jan 3rd.
Calgary Flames Home Game
If your kid is into hockey, catching a Flames game is always a blast—the energy in the Saddledome is unmatched. Check the schedule as they play at home on Saturday.
Why we picked it: It’s a quintessential Calgary winter outing, and they have a home game on Saturday to kick off the weekend right.
Kids Celebrate! Exhibition at Heritage Park
If the weather turns, this hands-on exhibition inside Heritage Park is a great indoor option for younger kids. It explores Canadian celebrations, so it feels relevant post-holidays.
Why we picked it: It’s an interactive indoor exhibit that runs all winter, giving us a reliable spot to escape the cold.
IndigoKids Winter Play Days
Head to your local Indigo for a free, short storytime and some easy activities. It’s a quick, low-commitment way to get out of the house for an hour.
Why we picked it: It's a guaranteed free, indoor activity designed specifically for the under-five crowd.
Free Admission to Participating Alberta Museums
The Canada Strong Pass means free entry to places like Lougheed House this weekend—a gorgeous historic home that tourists usually miss. It’s a calmer, indoor option for a cold day.
Why we picked it: This offer is time-limited (until Jan 15th) and lets you explore a beautiful local historic house for free.
Lions Festival of Lights (Last Few Days)
This massive, free light display is one of Calgary's oldest traditions, and it’s wrapping up soon. Drive by or take a quick walk through the park to see the 500,000 lights.
Why we picked it: It's totally free and one of the last chances to see this iconic, large-scale light display before it goes dark (until Nov 2026).
New Year's Eve at the Library (Check for Carryover/Related Programming)
While the main NYE countdown was Jan 1st, sometimes libraries host related early-week programming like special story times or craft days. Worth a quick check on the CPL site for post-holiday specials.
Why we picked it: Libraries often have great, unadvertised free drop-in fun right after the holidays when everyone is looking for something low-key.
ZOOLIGHTS (Last Weekend!)
The zoo transforms into a massive winter light display—it’s worth going for the themed areas and fire pits. They also have axe throwing on Saturday nights, which is a fun slightly quirky parent activity!
Why we picked it: It's the absolute last weekend (until Jan 4th) for this massive, beloved Calgary winter tradition.
City of Calgary Free Skating Lessons
The city is offering free skating lessons with free skate/helmet rentals (first-come, first-served) at the lagoon. It’s a perfect, low-pressure way to get the kids moving outdoors.
Why we picked it: It's genuinely free, including rentals, which is a huge win for parents trying out a new winter activity.
Servus Tube Park at WinSport
Tubing is always a blast, and WinSport's park has eight lanes and a magic carpet so you don't have to walk back up. Check the weekend session times as they are usually afternoon-focused.
Why we picked it: It’s peak winter fun, and Sunday is a great day to get outside before the Monday morning rush.
Merry & Matter Exhibition
This exhibit explores the science behind the season—think the physics of light and the chemistry of warmth. It’s a great way to keep those New Year’s science resolutions going.
Why we picked it: It’s a last chance to see this seasonal science exhibit, running until Jan 4th.
Calgary Flames Home Game
Catch the Flames again on Sunday if Saturday was a bust or you just need more hockey energy this weekend. Sunday games are often great for families.
Why we picked it: They have another home game on Sunday, giving families flexibility if Saturday is booked.
Twilight in Concert
If your teens love the *Twilight* movies, they get to see the first movie played while a live orchestra performs the score. Super dramatic and cool if you're into that vibe.
Why we picked it: It’s a highly specific, limited-run event for fans of the book/movie series happening Sunday only.
Frequently Asked Questions
What free kids events are on in Calgary this weekend?
This weekend (Jan 03-04) there are several genuinely free options: City of Calgary Free Skating Lessons at Prince's Island Park Lagoon (including free rentals!), the massive Lions Festival of Lights drive/walk-through at Confederation Park, and the IndigoKids Winter Play Days storytime at local Indigo stores.
Are there any last-chance holiday light events this weekend?
Yes! This is the very last weekend for ZOOLIGHTS at the Calgary Zoo (runs until Jan 4th) and also the final days for the free Lions Festival of Lights at Confederation Park.
What's a good indoor activity for toddlers on Sunday?
The City of Calgary Free Skating Lessons at Prince's Island Park Lagoon (from 2:00 PM) offers a nice outdoor option if it’s not too cold, or check for the IndigoKids Winter Play Days for a guaranteed short storytime indoors. The Kids Celebrate! exhibition at Heritage Park is also a solid indoor bet.