Calgary

City promises 'bigger and better' New Year's Eve celebration to kick off Canada 150

The City of Calgary says its New Year's Eve celebrations will kick off a year-long celebration of Canada's 150th anniversary of confederation.

Funding from Canadian Heritage makes party possible

Mayor Naheed Nenshi and Brisebois the Moose shared the city's plans for New Year's Eve. (CBC)

Calgary will kick off Canada's 150th birthday celebrations with a New Year's Eve's party downtown. 

"We're one of 19 cities to receive funding from Canadian Heritage through the Canada 150 fund to make our New Year's Eve bigger and better than ever," Mayor Naheed Nenshi said Wednesday, speaking in front of a dancing moose mascot.

The City will host evening activities at the municipal building and Olympic Plaza.

Families are invited to a dance party in the municipal building's atrium, with a New Year's Eve countdown taking place at 9 p.m.

Then the party moves outdoors into Olympic Plaza, where singers with the Cowtown Opera will perform on the roof of Arts Commons. There will also be ice sculptures display and fireworks.

"I am so excited about Canada 150, celebrating the sesquicentennial of this country, because in this broken world, now, more than ever, the world needs more Canada," Nenshi said.

"Here is our opportunity to celebrate what makes this country great."   ​​