Calgary has an unusually packed few days ahead, and with November staying snow-free so far, it's a good window to get out before winter properly arrives. The weekend of Nov. 6-8, 2026, brings holiday markets, a country show, an orchestra screening and even a hands-on craft session — here's what's on.
Holiday shopping starts early with two Christmas markets. The biggest is the Millarville Christmas Market, about 45 minutes southwest of the city, where more than 300 vendors take over the Millarville Racing and Agricultural Society grounds from Friday to Sunday (10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily). Expect handmade gifts, food trucks, music and a Santa with reindeer in tow. Entry is $8 for anyone 12 and up; younger kids go free. Closer to home, the Bowness Christmas Market runs Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Bowness Community Association, with 80-plus vendors and free entry.
Science centre TELUS Spark hosts Petri Dish by Beakerhead across all three days. Friday night is the adults-only Beakernight — think digital raving and medieval combat — at $39 for non-members ($20 for members). Saturday is completely free from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Sunday runs 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. with $10 adult and $5 kid tickets.
Culture and sport also share the bill. Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas screens Friday at 7:30 p.m. at the Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium with Danny Elfman's score performed live by the FILMharmonique Orchestra; tickets start at $74.99. Hockey fans can catch the Flames against the Anaheim Ducks at the Scotiabank Saddledome Friday at 7 p.m. from $60.50, and country fans get Dean Brody and The Reklaws (with Nate Haller) at the WinSport Event Centre Saturday at 7 p.m., from $100.60.
A few quirkier options round things out. The Taboo Show marks its 25th anniversary at the BMO Centre with burlesque, drag, aerial acts and contests — day passes from $24.99 to $37.99, weekend passes $54.99, VIP $149.99. Supermarché de l'art turns cSPACE Marda Loop into a supermarket of paintings on Saturday, with 1,500 original works from 50-plus local artists browsable like grocery shelves; admission is free. Families can catch Santa Claus is Coming to Town at Jubilations Dinner Theatre Saturday (adults $46.95, kids $43.95), where elves scramble to save Christmas after Santa vanishes. And on Sunday, The Confluence hosts a beginner-friendly beaded poppy pin workshop with Métis artist Janis Laboucane from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at $100 plus fees.
For visitors, this is a decent excuse for a shoulder-season city break: flights and hotels are cheaper than ski-season peak, and the city feels busy but not overrun. Book the pricier tickets — the concert and country show especially — in advance, and note the Millarville market needs a car. Story via Curiocity.
