October 31 to November 3; Festival of Crafts. Calgary’s favorite craft sale is just around the corner. Sip on drinks and shop handmade treasures from more than 130 Canadian artists, makers, and designers – all under one roof at BMO Centre. Find quality goods that will last a lifetime: from curated textiles, jewelry, skincare and candles, to ceramics, wall art, home decor, and gourmet foods. Learn more at festivalofcrafts.com.

November 1; Ravel's Piano Concerto. Get cozy with your Calgary Phil as acclaimed pianist and conductor Jeffrey Kahane does double duty in Maurice Ravel’s sparkling Piano Concerto in G Major at Jack Singer Concert Hall. Learn more at calgaryphil.com.

November 1; Pumphouse Theatre Presents: Into the Woods. The Brothers Grimm hit the stage with an epic fairytale about wishes, family, and the choices we make. Learn more at pumphousetheatre.ca.

November 1; Amazon Future Engineer Day. TELUS Spark is thrilled to host Amazon Future Engineer Day. The free event will feature special activities that will introduce visitors of all ages to disciplines including robotics and computer science. Learn more at sparkscience.ca/amazon-day.

November 1, 4:30 to 6pm; Free Soccer Fridays. Free Soccer Fridays invites kids to a free, unstructured, drop-in soccer opportunity. This is a chance for youth of all ages and abilities to play and enjoy the sport. Learn more at calgaryminorsoccer.com.

November 1 to 11; Field of Crosses. The public is welcome to walk amongst the crosses at Sunnyside Bank Park. The crosses are illuminated throughout the night. Visitors are encouraged to stop in front of each cross that moves them to pay respect to that soldier by quietly calling their name out loud while holding their hand over their heart and expressing whatever sentiment they are feeling. Learn more at fieldofcrosses.com.

Until November 2; Storybook Theatre Presents: Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Musical. Jeff Kinney’s popular character takes centre stage as Greg’s cartoon diary becomes a hilarious and heartfelt musical. Grab a hall pass and don’t be late for an adventure familiar to anyone who actually survived middle school. Learn more at storybooktheatre.org.

Until November 2; Casa Mexico Presents: Day of the Dead. Join Southcentre Mall for an unforgettable celebration of Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), a vibrant Mexican holiday that brings families together to honour and remember loved ones who have passed. Experience a special display in Southcentre's Centre Court, including a Dia de los Muertos altar, special info walls, and artwork from local artists. Learn more at southcentremall.com.

Until November 2; Calgary Young People’s Theatre Presents: The Frozen Deep. Devised from the Wilkie Collins melodrama The Frozen Deep, this new CYPT adaptation will dive into the icy past to find a solution to a mystery fraught with betrayal, hope, murder and worse. Using songs, true accounts and the wishful thinking of Franklin’s contemporaries, we seek to tell a tale of what may have happened before Sir John Franklin’s expedition vanished on the ice. Learn more at cypt.ca.

November 2, 10am to 3pm; Calgary Rock & Lapidary Club Christmas Artisan Fair. Gifting season is here and so is the chance to check out the talented and varied artistry of CRLC members. Check out jewelry, objects d’art, metalwork, minerals, crystals and more at Thorncliffe Greenview Community Centre. Learn more at crlc.ca.

November 2, 10am to 4pm; Brentwood Community Association Christmas Craft Market. This market is perfect for families and anyone looking for holiday decorations and gifts. You can win prizes, enjoy delicious baked goods, and help those in need by donating food to The Food Library. Learn more at brentwoodcommunity.com.

November 2, 11am; Cineplex Family Favourites: Coraline 3D. Visit participating Cineplex theatres near you and watch a favorite family film each week for only $3.99. Learn more at cineplex.com.

November 2; 1 to 3pm; WP Puppet Theatre’s Puppet Pop-Up Studio. WP Puppet Theatre’s Puppet Pop-Up Studio is a puppet-making and performing workshop at various times at different locations in Calgary. The workshops actively encourage all family members, youngsters and elders, to create art and drama together and they accommodate all skills and ages at Huntington Hills Community Association. Learn more at wppuppet.com.

November 2, 6:30pm to 12:30am; Dia de los Muertos Celebration at The Saskatoon Farm. A celebration of ancestors who have passed that helps people remember the deceased. The greenhouse will be glowing with Mexican décor, lights, towering tropical plants and. great music. Learn more at saskatoonfarm.com.

November 2 to 24; Loose Moose Theatre Presents: Rapunzel. The Loose Moose Theatre Company makes going to the theatre an experience that is truly magical for children four to ten years old, as well as fun and entertaining for parents. Learn more at loosemoose.com.

Saturdays, November 2 to 30; Guided Exhibit Tour of The Confluence. Delve into the complex and rich histories rooted in the lands at The Confluence in this one hour guided tour of the cultural centre. Through stories, photographs and a tour through our permanent exhibition space, uncover the layered past of the confluence on this indoor tour, which includes a presentation in the beautiful Burnswest Theatre and a guided walk through the cultural centre. Learn more at theconfluence.ca.

Until November 3; Banff Centre Mountain Film and Book Festival. The 49th annual festival features over 70 events, bringing films and stories of adventure and exploration from around the world to Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity. Mountains of free events include talks, exhibitions, and the Festival Marketplace. The festival also features events and screenings at Lux Cinema Banff, artsPlace Canmore, and other partner venues in downtown Banff. Learn more at banffcentre.ca/film-fest.

November 3, 10am to 4pm; Mount Pleasant Potters’ Guild Fall Pottery Market. A pottery, art and craft sale at Triwood Community Association. Learn more at calgarypottery.com.

November 3, 2 to 3:30pm; Bert Church Live Theatre Presents: Snow White with Dufflebag Theatre. Expect interactive fun in this humorous retelling of a classic. The Queen has always been the fairest in the land - her magic mirror tells her so! But when the Queen hears that Snow White has surpassed her, she’s willing to do whatever it takes to get rid of her… forever! Fortunately, Snow White escapes into the deep dark woods, where she chances on a tiny cottage. Little does she know that the Seven Dwarfs living there will help save her! Learn more at airdrie.ca.

Remembrance Day Service

Monday, 11 November 2024

Please join The Military Museums this November 11th for their Remembrance Day ceremony. The Military Museums

The museum will open its doors to the public after the Remembrance Day service at 12:00 pm and will close at 6:00 pm. We will not be accepting food bank donations this year.

• 10:25 AM Arrival of VIPs and Guests of Honour
• 10:30 AM Ceremony begins
• 10:59 AM Last Post is performed, flags lowered
• 11:00 AM Act of Remembrance, 2 Mins of Silence
• 11:05 AM Ceremonial wreaths are laid
• 11:45 AM - 6:00 PM Museum is open to the public.

Laying of wreaths: After the ceremony the public are welcomed to lay a wreath at the Eternal Flame monument. Staff will be on hand to provide an escort to and from the monument. Real poppies will be permitted to be laid. Plastic poppies are not recommended.

CPKC - Calgarians are invited to a ceremony honouring veterans at CPKC’s Memorial Square, located at CPKC’s head office at 7550 Ogden Dale Rd. SE, beginning at 10:45 a.m. MT on November 11, 2024. This Remembrance Day, CPKC will remember those who have served on both sides of the border with a moment of silence at 11 a.m. MT, followed by a train whistle at 11:02 a.m. local time where it’s safe to do so. Flags on CPKC property in Canada will be lowered to half-mast in honour of their service.

Remembrance Day Ceremony - Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium, Monday, November 11, 2024 10:30 to 11:30am. All are invited to join the community in Honouring and Remembering Canada's Veteran's. Doors open at 9am with general seating.

Studio Bell - November 11, observe Remembrance Day at Studio Bell, home of the National Music Centre, from 10am to 5pm. Join us for a special service commencing at 10:40 am featuring Central Alberta Chamber Players, world-class bagpiper Bill Hawes, and singer-songwriter Tim Isberg. Veterans and active service members will receive free Studio Bell admission on Remembrance Day. Admission must be purchased in-person at the Visitor Experience desk only.

Hangar Flight Museum - Annual Remembrance Day Service - Each year on Remembrance Day we gather to ensure we never forget. The helicopter landing area behind The Hangar Flight Museum was once a parade square during the Second World War as part of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan. Our wonderful neighbours Eagle Copters and Alpine Helicopters have been kind enough to partner with us to host the service in this space for the past few years. Snow or shine we find a way to remember. Admission by cash donation.  

In person service is outdoors, please dress for the weather. Doors open at 9:30AM, and we request that everyone is seated by 10:15AM for a 10:30AM start time. The museum will be open for admissions by donation from noon-4PM.  We are a drop-off location for donations to the Veterans Association Food Bank as well.

FIELD OF CROSSES - The Field of Crosses Memorial is on display between November 1 – 11 each year. The public is welcome to walk amongst the crosses 24/7. The crosses are illuminated throughout the night. Visitors are encouraged to stop in front of each cross that moves them to pay respect to that soldier by quietly calling their name out loud while holding their hand over their heart and expressing whatever sentiment they are feeling.

Sunrise and Sunset ceremonies are held each day from November 1 until November 10 and the public is always welcome. Please arrive 15 minutes prior to sunrise or sunset.

November 5 to 11; Cherry Tree Lane’s 1st Bridgeland Birthday. Join Cherry Tree Lane Toys in celebrating their first year in Bridgeland! There will be games, crafts, and daily discounts, with a grand celebration on November 9th, featuring treats and face painting (from 1 to 3pm). Learn more at cherrytreelane.ca.

November 6, 5 to 7pm; Staples Kids’ Events: KidzLabs Crystal Mining. Be a geologist! Dig away the plaster rock to discover beautiful crystals and start your own crystal collection. Visit the website of the Staples location nearest you to learn more and register.

Thursday to Sunday, November 7 to 17; Millarville Christmas Market. This market is one of the premier craft shows in Alberta. You’ll enjoy food trucks, music, reindeer viewing, photos with Santa and more at Millarville Racetrack. Learn more at millarvilleracetrack.com.

November 8, 10:30 to 11am; Calgary YouthLink Police Story Hour. A Calgary Police Service uniformed officer will read a story during Police Story Hour and there will be a craft that matches the theme of the book. This program is best suited for ages eight and under and admission is by donation. Learn more at youthlinkcalgary.com.

November 8, 7 to 11pm; Diwali Dinner and Dance. SPARQ’s formal, elegant, and classy event promises mesmerizing traditional entertainment, Henna artistry, a photobooth and more at The Empire Banquet Hall. Learn more at sparqproductions.com.

November 8 to 9; Quest Theatre Presents: Snow White by Greg Banks. When the rest of the cast fails to appear, two performers are left to tell the classic tale at cSPACE Marda Loop Studio Theatre. Creative staging, music and imagination are woven together to present this innovative storytelling adventure proving that anyone can tell any story. Learn more at questtheatre.org.

November 8 to 9; Ronald McDonald House Christmas Extravaganza. Whether you're planning a girls’ night out or a family outing, this event has something for everyone, including a tattoo artist at the Big Four Roadhouse. Learn more at allevents.in.

November 8 to 10; Okotoks Christmas Market. Kick off your Christmas shopping at the annual Okotoks Christmas Market at the Foothills Centennial Centre. Learn more at themarketsquare.ca.

November 8 to December 15; Countryside Holiday Market. Shop local vendors in a unique retail space throughout the holiday season at Countryside Tree Farms & Landscaping. Learn more at eventbrite.com.

November 8 to December 22; Rosebud Dinner Theatre Presents: Christmas on the Air. A 1940s family-run radio station is moments from going live with their annual Christmas Eve broadcast full of familiar holiday carols and yuletide stories. Learn more at rosebudtheatre.com.

November 9; Pop Bangers: Harry Styles, Billie Eilish + More! Revel in the smash hits that have defined the last two decades of pop music — from early noughties favorites including Coldplay’s Clocks and Outkast’s Hey Ya, to soul-baring chart-toppers by Adele, Sia, and Billie Eilish, to the funk stylings of Bruno Mars and Harry Styles’s dreamy synth-mix — all performed with heart and soul by Jeans 'n Classics and your Calgary Phil! Learn more at calgaryphil.com.

November 9; Home Depot Kids’ Workshop: Build a Pumpkin Tic-Tac-Toe. If you are looking for a fun activity to do with the family, Home Depot has a great workshop for kids that will teach them about building. Learn more at homedepot.ca.

November 9, 10am to 4pm; Calgary’s Largest Garage Sale. This is an indoor garage sale with 25,000 square feet filled with garage sale vendors at Thorncliffe Greenview Community Centre.

Select dates from November 9 to December 15; Kirks Alpaca Farm Photos with Santa. Looking for unique Santa photos this year? Why not include an alpaca? Cost is $30/person and includes access to the farm, the opportunity to feed the animals, hot chocolate and one digital photo. Learn more at kirksalpacafarm.ca.

November 9 to December 20; Festive Foothills Art Sale at Leighton Art Centre. Fine craft and artworks by local artists will be featured in the galleries of the historic Leighton home. Learn more at leightoncentre.org.

Until November 10; Stagewest Dinner Theatre Presents: Death Trap. Sidney Bruhl is a successful writer of Broadway mystery plays. Unfortunately, Bruhl is now struggling to live up to his own reputation, suffering through a series of consecutive flops. Learn more at stagewestcalgary.com.

Until November 10; Alberta Theatre Projects Presents: The Seafarer. It’s Christmas Eve and Sharky has returned to Dublin to look after his irascible, ageing brother who’s recently gone blind. Old drinking buddies Ivan and Nicky are holed up at the house too, hoping to play some cards. But with the arrival of a stranger from the distant past, the stakes are raised ever higher. In fact, Sharky may be playing for his very soul. Learn more at albertatheatreprojects.com.

November 10, 10:30am to 3pm; Scandinavian Christmas Bazaar & Craft Sale. Check out a wide variety of unique homemade baking; handmade crafts, toys, woodworking, knitting, painting, dolls, cards, jewellery, pottery and much more at Scan Centre. Learn more at scancentre.ca.

Ongoing

Mondays all fall and winter, 6 to 8pm; Olympic Oval Monday Night Toonie Skates. Skate on the fastest ice in the world every Monday this season for only a toonie. Learn more at oval.ucalgary.ca.

Thursdays, 4 to 4:30pm; Storytime at Mastermind Toys. Mastermind Toys often has special events at their Calgary stores, including storytime. Check with your store to confirm details. Learn more at mastermindtoys.com.

Until November 17; Lunchbox Theatre: Jake's Gift. On the shores of Juno Beach, a precocious 10-year-old helps a WWII veteran confront ghosts from his past at Vertigo Theatre. Learn more at lunchboxtheatre.com.

Until January 11; Jubilations Dinner Theatre: All Those Rolling Stones. Step into the tumultuous world of All Those Rolling Stones, where the rhythms of an iconic rock band, the ink-stained pages of a revolutionary magazine, and the pulse of a generation converge. Learn more at jubilations.ca.

Mondays until December 9; Sylvia's Toddler Tune Time. Children's performer, Sylvia Chave is offering free music sessions for littles and their caregivers. Come out to enjoy great songs, actions rhymes and stories that will engage young ones and have them moving and grooving at Village Square Library. Learn more at singingwithsylvia.com.

Monday and Wednesday from 10 to 11:30 am. The Beach YYC Drop-In Children’s Playtime. On Monday and Wednesday mornings take part in children’s play time at the beach. Bring your child to spend a few hours digging and playing in the sand. They supply all the beach toys including shovels, buckets and more. Learn more at thebeachyyc.ca.

Monday to Thursday, 9am; Parent Tot Drop-In at Cavalry FC Regional Field House. Cavalry offers a variety of drop-in programs for parents to participate in with their children ages 18 months to three years old. Learn more at cavsfcregionalfieldhouse.com.

Drop-In Programs at City of Calgary Recreation Centres. Don’t miss out on Active Play where you can bring your kiddo’s energy to an indoor play space. Roll, jump, throw, and balance while being creative with various active play equipment. Kinder Room Drop-in allows you to play with your child on an incredible indoor play structure. Race through tunnels, over a suspension bridge and slide down slides. Learn more at liveandplay.calgary.ca.

Storytime at Calgary Public Library. Drop into various Calgary Public Library locations to enjoy stories, songs, and finger plays for the whole family at Family Storytime. Learn more at calgarylibrary.ca.

• A nature wander through Silver Springs and Bowmont Park
• A family biking guide to Haskayne Park, Glenbow Ranch & Cochrane
• Calgary fall color picnic walks
• 20 fun things to do in Calgary this autumn with your kids

by Jennifer Benstead

There’s an autumn chill in the air, we’ve settled back into our regular routines, and summer BBQ’s are now fond memories. We take solace in the things that make us warm on the inside and put a smile on our face. Those things are best found in pastas, pizzas, meatloaves, southern BBQ, pot pies, and decadent desserts, collectively known as comfort food. They are foods that sometimes remind us of childhood, and stir up happy thoughts and positive emotions. That’s what fall is for, and there is plenty of comfort food to be thankful for here in Calgary! The following is a small sample of what this city has to offer if you are looking to warm up your belly!

• LEMON LIGHT UP - The Westley Hotel proudly presents the 3rd Annual Lemon Light Up, an inspiring evening dedicated to raising funds for the Love for Lewiston Foundation. Taking place on Thursday, November 14, 2024, from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., the event promises to bring together food, drink, joy, and a generous community—all with the goal of making a tangible difference.
• BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF CALGARY AND AREA - Become a mentor in-school or in the community, find out more here.
• FLYING SQUIRREL - Save 25% off jump time with discount code: Calchild25 Calgary North tickets Calgary South tickets 
• STORYBOOK THEATRE presents Beauty & the Beast, November 22 to December 29. Step into the enchanted world of Broadway's classic, Disney's Beauty and the Beast.
• ATP presents Charlotte's Web, November 26 to December 29. One of the most popular productions in ATP’s history, E.B. White’s heartwarming classic about the unlikely friendship between a pig named Wilbur and a spider called Charlotte is returning to the Martha Cohen stage this holiday season.
• KIRK'S ALPACA FARM, 4th annual Santa & Alpacas. $30 per person. Each child who attends the event will leave with a High Resolution digital photo with Santa, a gift bag and two crafts to make at home!
• GRANARY ROAD - Festive Fun, December 1 & 7, 10am to 5pm. Christmas Market, Smores, Wagon Rides & Festive Fun await!
• HOSPICE CALGARY - How Do I Talk With A Child About Advanced Illness? Caregiver & Parent Info Session, November 6.
• TRASHY TV AND MOVIE MARATHON NIGHT - Thursday, November 28, 7 to 8:30pm, Lougheed House. Join us for the last trivia night of 2024! Our resident quizmaster will be present to test you all on your favorite reality tv shows and cheesy movies. This is a free event, no registration required!

by Lisa Salem

The holidays always seem to sneak up quickly, which in turn can leave many of us feeling stressed and unprepared for the upcoming season. Get ahead of the game this year and leave the last-minute decorating and planning behind, so you can enjoy the season to the fullest! Use the five steps below as a guide on how to create and keep your Christmas decor storage space looking organized, clutter-free, and easy to access, so your home can be holiday-ready in a flash!

Get Ready for Fall Fun! Join us as we dive into the season of cozy moments, Halloween thrills, holiday plans, and more! Our Autumn issue is packed with everything you need to enjoy this vibrant time of year – from our Guide to the Holidays Part 1 to our 2024 Family Wellness Directory.

Our new edition is available on stands all across the city and online now! Be the first to know! Subscribe here for free to have it delivered to your inbox!

Our Winter Edition is packed with cozy indoor activities and exciting outdoor adventures, so there's something for everyone. Whether you prefer snuggling up by the fire with a cup of hot cocoa or finding cool things to do outdoors, our Winter Edition has got you covered. So don't let the cold weather get you down, join us in discovering the magic of winter!

Don't miss our Guide to the Holidays, our Winter/Spring Class & Program Directory, our Annual Education Directory (from preschool to post-secondary), tons of family winter fun ideas, plus events, news, contests and much more

Plus - of course! - we have our usual tips, advice, contests, news, and more from local writers, businesses and experts.

• OutIn Nano Portable Espresso Machine 
• Playmobil NHL Arena
• Moose Toys Pack
• Nostalgia Pack (Mega Blocks and Hot Wheels)
• Indigo Wonder Co. Backpack Pack
• Ubbi Foam Changing Pad