Christmas holidays: what's open and what's not in Calgary

With Christmas, Boxing Day and New Year's Eve coming up, some city facilities and services will be operating on adjusted hours.

Here's a rundown of what you'll need to know.

Getting around

Dec. 24: Calgary Transit will operate on a Sunday level of service for trains and buses.

Dec. 25: Calgary Transit will offer free service all day with C-Trains running every 15 minutes throughout the day, then every 30 minutes between 10 p.m. and 12:30 a.m.

Dec. 26: Calgary Transit will operate on a Sunday level of service for trains and buses.

Dec. 31: C-Train service will be extended, with the last trains leaving downtown at 3 a.m. Extended evening service will also be offered on bus routes No. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 24, 112, 301 and 302, with buses running every 30 to 45 minutes and the last trips leaving downtown about 3 a.m.

Jan. 1: Calgary Transit will operate on a Sunday level of service for trains and buses. Remember, fares go up to $3.30 for adults and $2.30 for youth ages six to 17 on Jan. 1.

Activities

Skating

Check out the City's list of outdoor rinks or bring your own skates and helmets for free public skating from 1-2:30 p.m. on Dec. 26 at the following arenas:

• Shouldice Arena
• Optimist / George Blundun Arenas
• Rose Kohn / Jimmie Condon Arenas
• Ernie Starr Arena
• Murray Copot Arena

Calgary Zoo Lights

Check out the 1.5 million Christmas lights at the Calgary Zoo and take part in some holiday activities like snow bowling, reindeer stables and snowball alley. The zoo will be closed Dec. 25. Zoo Lights are open nightly from 6-9 p.m. until Jan. 6. Visit the Zoo Lights website for more information. 

Heritage Park

Experience the magic of Christmas past at Heritage Park with wagon rides, live historical theatre, carols and a visit with old Saint Nick and his reindeer. Visit the park's website, www.heritagepark.ca, for more information.

New Year's Eve

Ring in 2018 with a free, family-friendly party at Olympic Plaza from 7 p.m. to midnight. There will be something for everyone, from samba to line dancing, rockabilly to rock 'n' roll, mascots to fireworks and ice carving to ice skating. For more information, visit the city's website.

This year's stage schedule is:

• 8-8:45 p.m.: Amy Hef
• 9:10-9:55 p.m.: Ghostkeeper
• 10:10-10:55 p.m.: Lovebullies
• 11:10-11:15 p.m.: Mocking Shadows
• Midnight: Countdown Ball by Downtown Calgary and ENMAX fireworks

New Year's Eve Family Pool Celebration

Splash in the new year with a family pool celebration at Southland Leisure Centre and Village Square Leisure Centre with a variety of activities like arts and crafts, a bouncy house and a pool party countdown at 5:15 p.m.

Noon Year's Eve at Telus Spark

Welcome 2018 early with the little ones at Telus Spark with a countdown at 11:45 a.m., perfect for Calgarians with early bedtimes.

For more information, please visit the science centre's website.

Around the house

Put your carts out as usual as there are no pickup changes for residential blue, green and black cart pickup this holiday season.

Make it a green holiday by making sure the right things go into the right cart this holiday season.

• Green cart — holiday food waste, real Christmas trees (cut your tree into small pieces and put them directly into your bin or use paper yard waste bags) Trees can also be taken to one of the temporary drop-off locations between Dec. 26 and Jan. 31, 2018.

• Blue cart — wrapping paper, tissue, cardboard boxes, paper gift bags (handles removed), greeting cards, envelopes, bubble wrap, cookie & chocolate tins.

• Black cart — bows, ribbons, string, foil wrapping paper, broken ornaments, tinsel, all foam packaging and artificial trees.

Visit the city's website or check out the what goes where search tool for more information.

City Landfills

All city-operated landfills are closed on Dec. 25 and Jan. 1. Spyhill, East Calgary and Shepard are open on Dec. 26. The full holiday schedule is available online. 

Facility Closures

The following facilities will be closed over the holiday season:

Administrative Offices

• Administrative offices, including City Hall, will close at noon on Dec. 22. The offices are also closed Dec. 25, 26 and Jan 1.

Aquatics and Fitness Centres

• All aquatic and fitness centres are closed on Dec. 25, 26 and Jan. 1.

Leisure Centres

• Both Southland Leisure Centre and Village Square Leisure Centre are closed Dec. 25 and 26 but will be open on Jan. 1 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Hours of operation between Dec. 24 and Jan. 2 will vary.

Arenas

• With the exception of advanced bookings, all arenas are closed on Dec. 25 and Jan. 1. Regular hours apply all other days.

Art Centres

• Wildflower Arts Centre is now closed and will re-open Jan. 2.

The Animal Services Centre

• The Animal Services Centre is closed Dec. 25, 26 and Jan. 1.