Calgary Celebrates Holiday Spirit with Vibrant Markets

Calgary embraced the holiday season with a series of bustling markets on Saturday, December 2, 2023. Local vendors showcased their crafts, food, and festive spirit at various locations across the city, providing a festive atmosphere for residents and visitors alike.

At Legion #1 in downtown Calgary, the inaugural Honky Tonk Market featured approximately 20 local vendors. Shoppers explored a range of offerings including western wear, vintage clothing, and handmade crafts. The market also included food options from Tubby Dog and live music performed by the all-female band, Haybells. Organizer Laura Graham shared the vision behind the event, stating, “We created it to give local businesses an opportunity to succeed and showcase their art or curation…and give everybody a space to come down, but also be a really fun place for customers to come.”

Festive Gatherings Across the City

Meanwhile, at Century Downs, the winter market, known as Weihnachtsmarkt, celebrated its tenth edition. Over 130 local artisans transformed two barns behind the racetrack into a festive haven filled with crafts, live entertainment, and a variety of food options. Guests savored traditional Austrian delicacies prepared by Century Downs’ chef, including goulash, pretzels, mulled wine, and special hot chocolate. Marketing coordinator Kaitlin Curran expressed enthusiasm for the event, noting, “We have pretty much everything under the sun – and it is a beautiful sunny day.” The market continues through Sunday, offering more opportunities for holiday shopping.

In the southern part of the city, Under the Stars at Taza Park: A Holiday Story provided a family-friendly holiday market experience. The event featured activities such as photos with Santa, storytelling sessions with Tsuut’ina Elders, and holiday workshops for children. Attendees could also write letters to Santa at a station decorated with artwork by Tsuut’ina artist Keegan Starlight. Senior community experience coordinator Ruby Kaur remarked, “It’s our first holiday event under the stars at Taza Park and we’ve got lots of activities!” This event runs from noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday, with additional festivities planned for the following weekend at Buffalo Run.

Additionally, the Inglewood Night Market made its debut, featuring over 50 businesses. The market opened on Saturday at 16:00, offering a vibrant shopping experience in the area known for its artistic and culinary scene.

As Calgary continues to celebrate the holiday season through these markets, residents are encouraged to support local artisans and enjoy the festive atmosphere that brings the community together. According to CTV’s Tyler Barrow, the markets not only provide a platform for local businesses but also foster a sense of community during this special time of year.