December 31, 2025
RED FM News Desk
As 2025 comes to a close, Calgarians have plenty of opportunities to reflect on the past year and celebrate the start of 2026 with a wide range of New Year’s Eve events across the city.
A recent poll suggests many Canadians are heading into the new year with mixed emotions, citing economic pressures, global conflict, and climate-related disasters as defining themes of 2025. Those concerns have left some feeling uncertain about what lies ahead in 2026.
Despite that uncertainty, the same poll also revealed a sense of optimism, echoed by several Calgary residents who spoke with CityNews. For many, New Year’s Eve offers a chance to reset and look ahead with hope as the second half of the 2020s begins.
Among the city’s largest celebrations is the City of Calgary’s official New Year’s Eve event at Eau Claire Plaza and Prince’s Island Park. With Olympic Plaza closed for renovations, this year’s festivities will run from 8 p.m. onward in the downtown area.
The family-friendly event will feature live entertainment, food trucks, and warming fire pits throughout the evening. Stilt walkers will roam the site between 8:30 and 10:30 p.m., adding a touch of spectacle for attendees of all ages.
A DJ-led skating and dance party will take place on the Prince’s Island Lagoon from 9 p.m. until midnight. Guests are encouraged to bring their own skates, though rentals will be available until midnight.
The celebration will also include a fire dragon parade, scheduled to run from 10:30 to 11:30 p.m., beginning at the Sheraton Suites Calgary Eau Claire Hotel, adding a dramatic highlight to Calgary’s countdown to 2026.
Loading ...
