City hosting wide variety of festivities to ring in 2026

Calgary's mayor says despite another water-main break, the city's New Year's Eve celebrations are going ahead as originally planned.

As 2025 ticks down to its final curtain call, the City of Calgary is hosting a day and night full of fun festivities to bring in 2026.

There are many kids’ friendly celebrations as well, that will not keep you up until midnight, either.

Head down to Eau Claire Plaza for food trucks, fire pits and family friendly games starting from 8.p.m to midnight.

Between 8:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. there will be stilt walkers weaving their way through the crowds at Eau Claire Plaza and Prince’s Island Park.

If you want to dance into the new year, between 9 p.m. and midnight a DJ will be spinning tunes at Prince’s Island Lagoon.

And the fire dragon parade begins at 10:30 p.m. from the Sheraton Eau Claire hotel.

To cap the night off, the midnight fireworks spectacular will be the pinnacle of the evening. The fireworks display will set off from Prince’s Island Park and be visible throughout downtown, including Eau Claire, and Prince’s Island Park.

For families who prefer an earlier countdown, there is Noon Year’s Eve at TELUS Spark. A countdown will take place with a ball drop at 12 p.m. today and a family dance party.

The Zoo and Calgary Public Libraries are also offering celebrations.

The Calgary Flames are also in action at the Scotiabank Saddledome against the visiting Philadelphia Flyers with a 7:30 p.m. puck drop.

Getting Home Safely

The City of Calgary is encouraging all residents to find a safe ride home, including the use of public transit.

Calgary Transit will offer extended service hours, with the CTrain running until 4 a.m. on New Year’s Day.

Additionally, free shuttle buses will operate between 9 p.m. and 1:30 a.m. on established routes such as the Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium and Max Bell Centre to help Calgarians travel to and from the downtown celebrations.

However, Calgary Transit will not be free this year. The city did not land a corporate sponsorship so fare prices will remain in place for New Year’s Eve.

The CTrain will run until 4 a.m. on New Year’s Day.

Memorial Drive will see road closures after 9 p.m. while access to Crescent Heights and Rosedale will be resident access only starting at 9 p.m. with roads closed to the public.

Wednesday morning at a media update on the Bowness-area water-main break, Mayor Jeromy Farkas said the break shouldn’t derail New Year’s Eve celebrations.

“Calgarians should know we can still engage in New Year’s Eve plans,” Farkas said.