5 Christmas outdoor activities for the whole family in Calgary

December 12, 2017

By Shane Flug

It’s beginning to look a lot like April! Although no snow on rooftops means safer working conditions for Santa on his big delivery night, it can also make many Calgarians into Scrooges while dreaming of a white Christmas. Though we might not be setting records for snowfall this year, here are five ways to make the most of a (sometimes brown) December outside. [Photo credit: flickr.com/photos/davebloggs007]

5 Christmas outdoor activities for the whole family in Calgary

Lace up

While the tobogganing may have to wait until the first good snowfall, at least we still have our outdoor rinks.

Taking a special someone for an evening skate at Olympic Plaza’s refrigerated rink is a romantic way to mark the holidays despite the warmer temperatures. DJ CLAUZ will be playing all your favourite hits and holiday tunes for two more Saturday Skate Nights scheduled Dec. 16 and 23.

Elsewhere, six more city rinks open in mid-December. Also check out how the ice is looking at your nearby Adopt-a-Rink location or community centre.

See the lights

While the snow may be a bit lacking so far, Calgary at night is just as festive and bright as ever with an endless displays of holiday lights.

One such famous display – the 450,000 LED bulbs shining at Confederation Park for the Lions Festival of Lights, which draws in approximately 57,000 visitors each evening. The Lions Festival display is open now until Jan. 8, 2018, from 6 p.m. to midnight.

See Jonathan Lawrence’s Smart Tip for 10 more dazzling feasts for the eyes throughout town.

Look up

The holiday season brings with it a chance to make a wish upon a shooting star, because our galaxy has an annual holiday light show of its own in store.

From the evening of Dec. 13 until dawn Dec. 14, a dark sky with little light from the waning slender crescent moon will make 2017 a great year to look up to the east and catch the Geminids, one of the most active meteor showers of the year. The shower will be peaking on Dec. 13, producing up to 100 meteors per hour.

Grab some warm clothes, hot drinks and lawn chairs and safely head to the darkest area near you away from any streetlights. Even here in town, you should still catch some of the brightest shooting stars, despite the light pollution.

Fire up the grill

With Chinooks like these, who needs July? Go grab some propane or charcoal, pick up some quality spices from the Silk Road Spice Merchant and warm up the barbecue for dinner.

Grab a light jacket and toque to stay warm while out in the backyard or patio and, if needed during the long winter nights, shine a flashlight on your meats as you watch and flip. According to Crown Verity grills, ideal winter grilling meats that cook in a matter of minutes include thin steaks or pork loins.

While your barbecue may need a few extra minutes to warm up in cooler temperatures, your guests will appreciate your extra effort bringing them tastes of summer.

Picnic in the park

With temperatures above seasonal, why not bust out the picnic basket instead of hibernating? The spring-like weather makes for a great chance to take the family out for lunch at the many picnic sites at our municipal and provincial parks.

Admire the sights of white spruce forest in Fish Creek Park’s Bebo Grove day use area or discover the wonders of the Weaselhead Flats bordering North and South Glenmore Parks.

Wherever you go, whether the elements are too hot or too cold, you can be certain that the temperature of your sandwiches will be just right.

Calgary’s Chinook winds can be a Grinch for those who dream of a white Christmas this holiday season. Old Man Winter, on the other hand, can sometimes overstay his welcome – so let’s enjoy the gift of his absence while we can.

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