Salt Horse
Want to get to know some of Calgary’s newest and brightest bands? Hit the punk rock coffee shop and check out the jagged pop distortion of Salt Horse, They Say Stories, and Soft Pet.
December 6, 8 p.m. at Loophole Coffee Bar, loophole-coffee-bar.com.
FONTINE x Zoon
FONTINE channels her Nêhiyaw heritage into mushy pop-rock anthems, while Anishinaabe musician Daniel Monkman creates shoegaze magic as Zoon. Sounds like a great night to us!
December 8, 7 p.m. at Modern Love, modern-love.ca.
A Charlie Brown Christmas
The Claire Butler Trio are bringing the jazzy tunes of Vince Guaraldi to life in Calgary. Butler leads on piano, with Kodi Hutchinson on the standup and Jim Johnston on the skins!
December 10 and 11 at Engineered Air Theatre, werklundcentre.ca.
Jungle Cakes Takeover 2025
One of Calgary’s wildest drum and bass parties is turning the heat up this year, with Deekline, Benny Page, and Ed Solo leading a huge lineup of EDM hitmakers.
December 12, 9 p.m. at Dickens, dickensyyc.com.
HYMMmelodies
Celebrate Yalda with live music and a calligraphy exhibition by Sahar Sajjadi, acclaimed artist and Master of the Iranian Calligraphers Association.
December 12, 8 p.m. at Congress Coffee, congresscoffeeshop.com.
Calgary Opera Holiday Cabaret
Featuring opera performers “let off their leash,” singers from the McPhee Artist Development Program are poised to serenade you with drinks in hand all night long.
December 12 and 13 at the Mamdani Opera Centre, calgaryopera.com.
Sax in the City
CK Sax blends live saxophone with electronic beats, combining retro and contemporary sounds in a smooth, sax-driven harmony.
Fridays at the Fleetwood Lounge, fleetwoodlounge.com.
SUN KIL MOON
Started as a continuation of the band Red House Painters, inspired by classical guitar compositions, Sun Kil Moon crafts a unique and vulnerable style of folk rock.
December 13, 7 p.m. at Commonwealth, commonwealthbar.ca.
Mac DeMarco
Edmonton’s favourite slacker rocker is playing in Calgary, and the show is nearly sold out, so don’t wait to get tickets! Mac DeMarco at Mac Hall, how perfect is that?
December 17, 8 p.m. at MacEwan Hall, machallconcerts.com.
Mike Rude CD Release Party
Juno-winning guitarist Mike Rud is dropping a new album of smoking hot jazz tracks, with two sets taking us late into the night.
December 18, 7:30 p.m. at The Attic, theatticyyc.ca.
Markus Schulz
This trance maestro returns to Calgary, lighting up one of the city’s newest venues. And if you download a ticket online and get there before 10:30 p.m., it’s free!
December 20, 10 p.m. at the Arrowhead, thearrowheadcalgary.com.
Perfectly Frank Christmas
This festive shindig celebrates the season with Sinatra’s classic holiday tunes, offering a nostalgic evening to ring in the holidays. Let’s just hope they play “White Christmas.”
December 21, 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. at the Bella Concert Hall, tickets.mru.ca.
Palomino Sock Hop
Every year, tons of local bands assemble on both floors of the BBQ palace to raise some money for the Alpha House. So grab your earplugs and throw down one last time while the turkey leftovers are still good in the fridge.
December 27, 8 p.m. at the Palomino, thepalomino.ca.
April Wine
Ring in the new year with Canadian dad rock royalty, and give them an R all night long. Feel free to hit the casino afterwards; it’s open late.
December 31, 8 p.m. at the Grey Eagle Event Centre, greyeagleresortandcasino.ca.
Salute to Vienna New Year’s Concert
Celebrating the 200th anniversary of Johann Strauss Jr.’s birthday, this concert features a selection of overtures and duets from Vienna’s Golden Age, accompanied by live dancers.
January 1, 2:30 p.m. at the Jack Singer Concert Hall, calgaryphil.com.
Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring – In Concert
The FILMharmonique Orchestra and Choir bring Howard Shore’s iconic music to life, and you get to watch Peter Jackson’s classic movie at the same time. Lucky you!
January 2 and 3 at the Jubilee, jubileeauditorium.com.
Moulin Rouge! The Musical
Broadway Across Canada is kicking off 2026 with the classic love story of Christian and Satine, as told through the jukebox cabaret that recounts their flirty tale.
January 6 to 11 at the Jubilee, calgary.broadway.com.
