Peril in the Alps
Until December 14 | Vertigo Theatre | vertigotheatre.com
Don’t miss your chance to catch this mystery with legendary moustachioed detective Hercule Poirot in an original play by Steven Dietz, based in part on Agatha Christie’s Poirot Investigations. Set in a cabin in the Alps, Poirot tries to solve the case of the missing Bella Duveen. For mystery fans who like to laugh through the intrigue, it’s a must-see.
Nostalgic Pairing Dinner
December 3 | Eighty-Eight Brewing Co. | eightyeightbrewing.ca
Beer and pizza are a match made in heaven, which Eighty-Eight Brewing capitalized on in ‘22 when they opened up Portland Street Pizza. They’re ready to propose some new perfect matches with the reenvisioned holiday pairing dinner, now the nostalgic pairing dinner. In the spirit of dino nuggies and pizza rolls prepped by Chef Mic after school, this five-course dinner will have you feeling all kinds of warm fuzzies (and not just from the beer).
Wint-Her Market
December 4 | YW Calgary Hub, 1715 – 17 Ave S.E. | ywcalgary.ca
Is there anything that screams “holidays” quite like a winter market? Get into the festive spirit and support women entrepreneurs with this cozy market. Sip a warm drink, browse handmade goods and tasty treats, or soak in the holiday vibes as you decorate a Christmas ornament while enjoying live entertainment.
Under $100 Art Show
December 4 to 7, December 11 to 14 | 1111 9 Ave S.W. | under100artshow.com
If those posters you bought in college are starting to look a little shabby, you’ll get to spruce up your space on the cheap this month. For $15 (or $12 if you pre-book a ticket), you’ll get into a wicked, fast-paced art sale featuring local artists’ creations spanning paintings, ceramics, and jewelry, all for less than $100! And if you want something more permanent, there’ll even be tattoo artists on-site offering tats for this price, too. If you can, bring cash; while there’s no tax on the art, there is a service fee for card purchases.
Trees communicate with each other at 220 hertz
Starting December 5 | Contemporary Calgary | contemporarycalgary.com
With the trees turning brown outside, step inside Contemporary Calgary and catch Montreal-based artist Nelly-Eve Rajotte’s multi-media installation, all about trees. The installation is inspired by the boreal forest and highlights our relationship to nature. Rajotte demonstrates this relationship through images and sound: a synthesizer connected to a live tree lets you literally hear the sound of nature. And when the weather makes it harder to connect with the outdoors, the installation becomes a reminder of the beauty that still surrounds us.
The Boar’s Head
December 5 and 6 | Eau Claire Distillery | shakespearecompany.com
The Shakespeare Company has a great reason for you to take a drive out of town this month, and it’s to watch Shakespeare scenes while getting sloshed. Eau Claire Distillery serves up its signature spirits while you enjoy Calgary’s best Shakespeare actors playing out moments that, fittingly, take place in a tavern. Everybody knows that the drunks in Shakespeare plays are the funniest characters, so expect lots of laughing and lots of good booze.
Coup de Projecteur
December 5 to 7 | Globe Cinema | festivalcoupdeprojecteur.com
This December is the second year of Coup de Projecteur, Calgary’s Francophone Film Festival. Catch seven films from across the French-speaking world, including Quebec, Senegal, and Guadeloupe – all with English subtitles. Plus, you’ll get the chance to sit in on Q&As with filmmakers and actors, and check out a live Radio-Canada broadcast. Each film costs $10, but you can get a seven-film pass for $45. If money’s tight but you still want to check out the fest, then reserve a free ticket for Hola Frida, a charming animated biography of artist Frida Kahlo’s youth.
Spark After Dark: Greatest Hits
December 12 | Telus Spark Science Centre | sparkscience.ca
Telus Spark should have called this event, Now That’s What I Call Spark After Dark!, because this evening packs in all the best moments of the past year’s adults-only events. From April’s “Foodology” night exploring the science of flavour, to June’s “Beyond the Rainbow” pride night, there’s a huge range of fun to be had. And if all the holiday cheer is starting to turn you into a Grinch, pay a little extra for a more macabre experience with the scorpion pinning and mounting workshop or the frog dissection workshop. In the latter, you’ll get to take home a preserved organ in a Christmas tree ornament (ew).
Girl Pop VS Air Guitar Silent Disco
December 12 | Commonwealth Bar & Stage | eventbrite.ca
Sometimes you just want to go out and dance, but the DJ is not playing your vibe. But with two DJs playing at the same time, your odds go way up. Check out the silent disco, don the provided light-up wireless headphones, and choose whether you want to revel in your emo kid nostalgia and thrash to My Chemical Romance, or sing your heart out to a Taylor Swift anthem. You can flick between the two channels throughout the night, so you don’t have to feel tied down. At some point, you’ll definitely want to take your headphones off to enjoy the cacophony of chaos all around you.
Walk the Plank: Myths and Truths About Pirates
December 17 | Limber Hollow | taptalks.ca
Ahoy! Have you ever wanted to drink a beer in a college lecture? Good news: TapTalks is bringing professors and other experts into bars and breweries to chat about their specialty while you sip on a fine brew. Listen to University of Calgary professor Dr. Beau Cleland chat about pirates and how reality might differ from what you’ve seen in the movies.
A New Year with the Calgary Hitmen
January 10, 11, 14 | Saddledome | chl.ca/whl-hitmen
Hitting a hockey game doesn’t have to break the bank. The Calgary Hitmen always put on a rowdy show, and hey, they happen to be doing *a lot* better this season than a certain fiery NHL team in town. Kick off 2026 and catch them taking on the Seattle Thunderbirds, the Tri-City Americans, and bonafide prairie rivals the Lethbridge Hurricanes.
