New Year's Eve Celebrations
New Year's Eve
Enjoy family-friendly activities, live entertainment, local food trucks, an outdoor skating/dance party, fireworks and more at Eau Claire Plaza and Prince’s Island Park starting at 8 p.m.
All night long, you'll have chances to win great prizes, including a one-night stay at the Sheraton Suites Calgary Eau Claire with breakfast for two at Flower & Wolf, and Downtown Calgary gift cards.
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Help us ring in 2026 with joy and community spirit! Volunteers will assist with setup, support activities and help create a fun atmosphere for all. Apply by Dec. 24, 2025.
Schedule of events
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Food trucks, fire pits, family-friendly games
8 p.m. to midnight | Eau Claire PlazaFood trucks will be serving delicious eats, fire pits will keep you warm and family-friendly activities and games will keep everyone entertained.
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Stilt walkers
8:30 to 10:30 p.m. | Eau Claire Plaza and Prince's Island ParkGet ready to be amazed by stellar stilt walkers roaming between Eau Claire Plaza and Prince’s Island Park. These glowing performers will add a touch of magic to the festivities.
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DJ skating/dance party
9 p.m. to midnight | Prince's Island LagoonLet loose with a DJ skating/dance party by Prince’s Island Lagoon. The music will keep you moving all night long. Skate or dance your way into 2026 with your friends or family! Skate rentals will be available until midnight.
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Fire dragon parade
10:30 to 11:30 p.m. | Sheraton hotel to Prince’s Island ParkImmerse yourself in the stunning incense dragon parade! Starting at the Sheraton hotel, this beautiful cultural tradition will be a moment you won’t want to miss.
Fireworks show
Midnight to 12:15 a.m. | Prince's Island ParkRing in 2026 with midnight fireworks launched from Prince’s Island Park. This dazzling show will be perfectly timed to music on CJSW 90.9 FM.
Watch the fireworks in person from Eau Claire Plaza and Prince’s Island Park or at home by watching our livestream starting at 11:55 p.m. for a blessing by Elder Bryan Little Chief, followed by a countdown to midnight with Mayor Jeromy Farkas.
Getting around on New Year’s Eve
Shuttle buses
Free shuttle buses will run from 9 p.m. on Dec. 31, 2025 to 1:30 a.m. on Jan. 1, 2026, with buses arriving at each stop approximately every 45 minutes.
Northwest Route: Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium North Surface Lot (1415 14th Ave. N.W.) to and from Lot 59.
Northeast Route: Max Bell Centre (1001 Barlow Tr. S.E.) to and from Lot 59.
The shuttles are made possible through support provided by The City's Winter City Strategy.
Calgary Transit
On New Year’s Eve, Calgary Transit will be regular fare with extended service hours to help everyone get home safely.
- CTrain will run until 4 a.m. on Jan. 1, 2026.
- Bus routes 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 22, 301, 302, MAX Orange, MAX Yellow, MAX Teal and MAX Purple will run until 3 a.m. on Jan. 1, 2026.
Memorial Drive road closure
For pedestrian and traffic safety, the following closures and restrictions will be in effect from 9 p.m. on Dec. 31, 2025 to 1 a.m. on Jan. 1, 2026:
Memorial Dr. N.W.: Closed in both directions (eastbound and westbound) from 10th St. N.W. to 4 St. N.E.
After midnight on Jan. 1, 2026, any vehicles parked in Sunnyside will be able to exit westbound onto Memorial Dr. N.W.
Crescent Heights and Rosedale – Resident access only
For pedestrian and traffic safety, the Crescent Heights and Rosedale community will be closed to the public with resident access only from 9 p.m. on Dec. 31, 2025 to 1 a.m. on Jan. 1, 2026.
- Residents can access their homes via the vehicle access points.
- Proof of residence in Crescent Heights or Rosedale is required for vehicle access.
- If you have guests arriving to your home during the closure, please meet them at a vehicle access point with proof of your residence so they can access the area.
- To avoid delays, consider asking your guests to arrive before 9 p.m.
Vehicle access points
- From Centre St. N.
- 10th Ave. N.W.
- 12th Ave. N.W.
- From 16th Ave. N.W.
- 4 St. N.W.
- From 10th St. N.W.
- 13th Ave. N.W.
Crescent Heights traffic restrictions
- No parking zone: 8 Ave. N.E. from Centre St. N. to Edmonton Tr.
- Right turn only exits
- From 6, 7, 9, 11, 13 and 15 Ave. N.E. right turn only onto Edmonton Tr. N.E. (southbound)
- From 7, 8 and 9 Ave. N.E. right turn only onto Centre St. N. (northbound).
Parking
On Dec. 31, 2025 regular rates will be in effect in on-street ParkPlus zones and in all Calgary Parking parkades and surface lots. Parking will be free after 6 p.m. in all on-street ParkPlus zones.
The best locations to park close to the New Year’s Eve celebration are:
- Harmony Parkade (Lot 40) - 112 5 Avenue S.W. (Accessible parking)
- $3 max rate after 6 p.m.
- Lot 71 (Downtown) - 603 3 Avenue S.W.
- $3 max rate after 6 p.m.
- Lot 888 (Chinatown) - 109 Riverfront Avenue S.E. (Accessible parking)
- $4 max rate after 6 p.m.
- Lot 26 (Chinatown) - 307 1 Street S.E.
- $4 max rate after 6 p.m.
Note: The Municipal Impound Lot will be closed on Jan. 1, 2025
Other ways to celebrate New Year’s Eve
Outdoor winter activities
Take part in family-friendly events such as:
Support local this winter
Support local this season by exploring local shops, purchasing local products and enjoying a meal with your family and friends at a local restaurant.
Grab your mittens and get ready to Chill Downtown this winter! Whether you're a longtime local or a first-time visitor, there's no better place to embrace the season than in the heart of Calgary.
Help out fellow Calgarians
- Donate to the food bank or charity that is important to you.
- Donate your extra clothes and home items.
- Be a snow angel and shovel snow for your neighbours.
Additional support
If you or someone you know is struggling and needs emotional, mental or social support over the holidays, help is available. Call 211 or text INFO to 211.
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