Alberta offers free winter fun at heritage sites

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Good morning !

The holidays are almost upon us! Whether you're looking for ways to stay busy during the Christmas break or need dining options if you don't have plans for the 24th or 25th, we've got some ideas below. From chamber music to sleigh rides and festive brunches, here's what's happening around Calgary.

👀 In today's edition:

• Woman's charges dropped after spoofed emails come to light

• Police watchdog investigates officer-involved shooting at LRT station

• Calgary fire crews battle downtown business blaze

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Alberta offers free winter fun at heritage sites

With the Christmas break almost upon us, the province is reminding Albertans that general admission to provincial museums and historic sites will be free for children and teens aged 17 and under, and half-price for young adults aged 18 to 24.

Alberta is once again participating in the Canada Strong Pass program running until January 15, making it easier for families and youth to explore the province's rich history and vibrant culture through engaging, hands-on experiences.

"Our government is proud to make our incredible museums and historic sites more accessible to Albertans," said Tanya Fir, Minister of Arts, Culture and Status of Women. "These experiences spark curiosity, support learning and help share Alberta's unique story while boosting visitation and strengthening local economies across the province."

The eight sites offering free general admission include the Royal Alberta Museum in Edmonton, Royal Tyrrell Museum in Drumheller, Reynolds Museum in Wetaskiwin, Remington Carriage Museum in Cardston, Oil Sands Discovery Centre in Fort McMurray, Rutherford House in Edmonton, Frank Slide Interpretive Centre in Crowsnest Pass, and Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump in Fort MacLeod.

A family of four with children under 17 can save up to $20 per visit, with no limit to the number of times visitors can take advantage of the offer.

"As we wrap up our 40th anniversary year with record-breaking attendance, we're excited to participate in the Canada Strong Pass this holiday season," said Lisa Making, executive director of the Royal Tyrrell Museum. "More Albertans will have the opportunity to visit the Royal Tyrrell Museum, explore our Breakthroughs exhibit, and connect with the fossils that shape our province's unique prehistoric past."

The Canada Strong Pass is not a physical or digital pass—benefits are automatically applied to all eligible guests during the program period. Several provincial sites including the Provincial Archives of Alberta, Leitch Collieries Historic Site, Okotoks Erratic, and Brooks Aqueduct are always free.

Need to know

🎭 Eleven-year-old Cecilia Currie is balancing school, dance, and her professional acting career while performing in Theatre Calgary's A Christmas Carol through New Year's Eve, having already appeared in productions including the international premiere of Beaches, A New Musical.

🔫 A Calgary woman accused of threatening former Alberta justice minister Jonathan Denis and others saw charges dropped after evidence revealed one email was sent through a Czech Republic spoofing website and police determined four other emails were "not authentic," raising questions about digital evidence handling.

🚨 Alberta's police watchdog is investigating after a Calgary police officer shot a man carrying a knife and acting erratically at Dalhousie LRT station Tuesday morning, leaving the man in serious but stable condition with no other injuries reported.

🚇 Calgary Transit's newly expanded Haysboro garage will allow for more four-car train capacity starting January 2026, but the transit service says it will only increase four-car trains during peak periods when ridership data shows it's necessary.

🔥 Calgary fire crews responded to a blaze at a downtown business near 10 Avenue and 2 Street SW early Wednesday morning, battling flames and high smoke volumes in difficult-to-access spaces with no occupants inside at the time.

💊 Alberta Law Enforcement Response Team arrested two men and seized over $250,000 worth of drugs and cash from a southeast Calgary home in Erin Woods on December 3, including more than two kilograms of cocaine and hundreds of grams of methamphetamine and MDMA.

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Interactive New Year's Eve guide for Calgary partygoers

With New Year's Eve approaching quickly, Concorde Group has released an interactive guide to help Calgarians plan their celebrations, complete with a quiz to match people with their perfect NYE plans.

The lineup features something for everyone across the restaurant group's venues. Barbarella is offering half-off pitchers and pizzas all day on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day, plus $12 espresso martinis, while Bridgette will serve a wood-grilled 40oz Tomahawk for two with smoked pomme aligot and chocolate s'more mille-feuille.

Lonely Mouth is hosting a Robot Karaoke Party with neon and metallic décor alongside Japanese-inspired snacks like Dungeness crab hand rolls and furikake fries. Model Citizen's speakeasy party runs until 2 AM with DJ sets and Chinese-inspired fare.

National 10th is offering one ticket for entrance to two parties—The Disco Ball upstairs with DJ Dillon and Neon NYE in the bowling alley with DJ 4Low—while Pigeonhole Downtown features a four-course family-style prix fixe menu with wine pairings and luxe supplements like truffle and caviar.

Where to eat and drink

🍴 Yellow Door Bistro: Celebrate Christmas morning with an elevated brunch buffet on December 25 starting with continental offerings at 6:30 AM and expanded holiday selections at 8 AM, featuring confit house smoked ham Benedict, seasonal seafood, roast beef sliders, New York style cheesecake pancakes, and house-brewed eggnog, with pricing at $60 per person ($20 for kids 12 and under, free for ages three and under) and complimentary parking at Hotel Arts.

🍴 Flower and Wolf: Gather for a four-course Christmas feast on December 24 or 25 from 4-10 PM featuring shared festive appetizers, roasted chestnut and apple bisque, winter greens salad, mains like apricot-cranberry stuffed turkey medallion or house smoked Brant Lake Wagyu brisket, and a dessert buffet station, with pricing at $98 per adult ($118 with cocktail pairing, $42 for children ages 6-12).

Have a food or drink suggestion? Message us and we might share it!

Things to do

🎟️ Chamber Music for a Winter Night: Mountain View Festival presents an evening of chamber music on December 19-20 at 7:30 PM at the Southern Alberta Pioneers Memorial Building (3625 4 St SW), with tickets at $20 for an intimate winter concert experience.

🎟️ Horsin Around 12 Days of Christmas: Dash through the snow on a two-horse open sleigh holding up to 10 riders for 30-minute rides from December 20 through January 1 at various times , followed by campfire warmup at this outdoor event.

Have an event suggestion? Message us and we might share it!

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