Lions Festival of Lights Calgary: Nov 22 kickoff - Calgary's Best Rated

Calgary’s beloved Lions Festival of Lights flips the switch on Saturday, November 22 at Confederation Park Golf Course, launching the city’s largest free holiday light display with opening‑night festivities starting at 5:00 PM and the lights glowing nightly through January 8. Expect hot chocolate, ice sculptures, music, and fireworks as the countdown begins, with the Mayor invited to “brighten the lights” at the grand opening before the full season runs from 5:30 PM to midnight every evening along 14 Street NW, north of 24 Avenue NW. This is a volunteer‑powered tradition entering its 38th–39th season, featuring 600,000–650,000 bulbs strung across trees and custom displays that have become a Calgary rite of winter.

Opening night at Confederation Park

Date and time: Saturday, November 22; festivities from 5:00 PM, countdown around 6:00 PM, and fireworks close to the switch‑on window, weather permitting. The event is free; donations for the Calgary Food Bank are gratefully accepted on opening night. Dogs on leash are welcome, but be mindful of crowds and fireworks.
Location: Confederation Park Golf Course, best accessed from 24 Avenue NW just west of 14 Street NW. On opening night, plan extra time for parking and consider transit or rideshare to reduce congestion.
What to expect: Hot chocolate and cookies, ice sculptures, live entertainment, the official “brighten the lights” moment, and fireworks that mark the start of Calgary’s holiday season at this iconic NW landmark.

Where to see the lights and when they’re on

The display is designed for both drive‑by viewing and on‑foot exploring along the Confederation Park Golf Course perimeter. Prime drive‑by sightlines run on 14 Street NW, north of 24 Avenue NW, with the full installation shining nightly from 5:30 PM to midnight through January 8. Holiday evenings sometimes extend later, but plan for that standard window throughout the season. Many Calgarians park on nearby streets, then walk the pathways for photos by signature displays and multilingual “Merry Christmas” panels.

What’s new and what returns

Organizers and volunteer crews begin prep in October, testing and rewiring thousands of strings and 13+ feature displays, then installing panels, figures, and tree lighting across the sloped greens of Confederation Park. Expect the beloved snowmen family, prancing reindeer, teepee, giant bear, and a growing number of languages represented in holiday greetings—now nearing two dozen—plus energy‑efficient LEDs across nearly the entire site. The festival aspires to be “99% green,” relying on LED conversions and efficient power layouts to minimize draw.

Calgary context: how this fits your holiday circuit

Pair it with a NW evening: Start at Confederation Park, then warm up with dessert along Kensington Road NW or coffee on Centre Street North before a drive down Memorial Drive to see skyline views.
Add ZOOLIGHTS on a different night: Split your holiday lights plan—Confederation Park’s free festival one night, then ZOOLIGHTS at the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo another, for two distinct Calgary traditions.
Make it a neighborhood tour: From Capitol Hill and Mount Pleasant to Cambrian Heights and Collingwood, nearby streets often put on smaller displays worth a detour before or after the park loop.

Getting there, parking, and transit tips

Best approach: Enter from 24 Avenue NW west of 14 Street NW. Expect slow‑moving vehicles and pedestrians; obey attendants and watch for kids with sleds.
Parking: There is no dedicated lot for the display; residential street parking fills quickly. Arrive before dusk if you plan to walk the site, or choose a later window to cruise by with less congestion. North Hill Centre often serves as overflow on opening night; confirm posted signage before leaving your vehicle.
Transit and active modes: Consider a short bus ride to 14 Street NW stops and walk in on sidewalks. If conditions allow, cross‑country ski tracks often loop the park—bring headlamps and stay clear of lighting cables.

Family‑friendly ideas on site

Sledding: The hills at Confederation Park create one of Calgary’s prettiest sledding backdrops after dark—bring sleds and helmets, and choose slopes with ample run‑out away from crowds.
Plan 90–120 minutes: Families typically spend up to two hours walking the main loops, stopping for photos at the teepee and the big bear, then warming up with cocoa.
Leashed pups welcome: Keep dogs close; opening night fireworks can be loud for sensitive pets.

Accessibility and safety

Surfaces: Pathways can be snowy or icy. Traction cleats and poles help on packed sections; strollers with winter tires fare better than small‑wheel models.
Lighting cables: Stay outside coned areas and avoid tugging on displays. Volunteers and ENMAX crews work for weeks to install safely—help them keep it that way by giving barriers space.
First aid and wayfinding: On opening night, watch for volunteers near main entrances; they can direct you to safer sledding areas, gathering points, and snack stations.

Photography pointers for the perfect Calgary holiday shot

Blue hour: Arrive a bit before 5:30 PM to catch the deep‑blue sky against newly lit displays.
Stabilize: Use a fence post or tree to steady your phone for low‑light shots; avoid flash that flattens color.
People and scale: Include kids or pets in the foreground to show the size of the bear, teepee, and tree canopies—Calgary memories are the point.
Respect lines: Don’t cross ropes or step into landscaped areas; choose angles from the pathways instead.

Community, volunteers, and how you can help

The Lions Festival of Lights Society, in partnership with ENMAX crews and a large volunteer base, installs and maintains the entire display. Work starts in mid‑October with weekend and weeknight “at the Shack” sessions to test strings, repair panels, and stage the features before lift trucks head up the trees. Opening night adds fireworks, food, permitting, and entertainment logistics led by a small team and many hands. If you love the festival, consider a donation at the opening to the Food Bank, or sign up for off‑season repair days when calls go out in the fall.

Make the most of your night in NW Calgary

Pre‑light bites: Try a quick family dinner along 16 Avenue NW or at eateries near SAIT/Jubilee before heading north to 24 Avenue.
Warm‑up cafes: After strolling the lights, grab cocoa along Centre Street North or a late snack near North Hill Centre before heading home.
Keep it flexible: On milder nights, plan to walk; on colder snaps, the drive‑by along 14 Street NW is still magical—and accessible for those who can’t navigate snowy paths.

When the season winds down

Displays remain on nightly through January 8 from 5:30 PM to midnight. If you prefer thin crowds and easy parking, weeknights after New Year’s are calm and photogenic, with snow often adding extra sparkle. Volunteers begin teardown and storage soon after; please give crews space and avoid approaching bucket trucks.

Ready for the switch‑on, Calgary?

Gather your crew, layer up, and be part of the opening‑night countdown on November 22. Whether you walk the hill with cocoa in hand or cruise 14 Street NW to take in the glow, the Lions Festival of Lights is Calgary at its warmest—neighbours volunteering, families smiling, and a city shining bright together all season long. See you at Confederation Park.

Verified Information at a Glance

Event: Lions Festival of Lights — Opening Night and Season Display
Opening Night: Saturday, November 22, festivities at 5:00 PM; countdown around 6:00 PM; fireworks expected; Food Bank donations accepted on site; dogs on leash welcome
Season Hours: Nightly Nov 23–Jan 8 from 5:30 PM to midnight (holiday extensions possible; check postings)
Location: Confederation Park Golf Course; best access from 24 Avenue NW, just west of 14 Street NW; prime drive‑by views on 14 Street NW, north of 24 Avenue
Cost: Free; Food Bank donations welcomed at opening night only
Parking & Access: No dedicated lot; use nearby streets and arrive early; consider transit or rideshare; watch for pedestrians and slow traffic
Volunteer‑Run: Organized by the Lions Festival of Lights Society with ENMAX support and community volunteers starting mid‑October
Scale: 600,000–650,000 bulbs across 25,000 strings; 13+ feature displays; energy‑efficient LED focus
City Context: Confederation Park is a City of Calgary site; address spans 24 Ave & 14 St NW through 30 Ave & 10 St NW; park hours 5 AM–11 PM
More Info: Official site and social updates carry last‑minute weather or schedule notes; check before you go