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- A guide to Remembrance Day: Virtual and in-person ceremonies happening around the city
A guide to Remembrance Day: Virtual and in-person ceremonies happening around the city
Once again, Remembrance Day ceremonies won’t look the same as prior to the pandemic. Some events are cancelled or held privately to limit capacity, and others will be held virtually to reach a wider audience.
Regardless, there will be plenty of opportunities to pay your respects and honour those who have and continue to sacrifice their lives to make our country what it is today.
Did you know…
In 1918, on the 11th day of the 11th month at 11 a.m. the Armistice Agreement was signed by the allies and Germany and World War 1 was officially declared over.
“Armistice Day” was then created to commemorate this moment in history and honour those who fell in WW1. This was first observed on Monday, Nov. 11, 1918, and continued to be held on the Monday of the week that Nov. 11 fell until 1931. A bill was then passed to change the name to ‘Remembrance Day’ and the official ceremonies were to be held solely on Nov. 11. The first official Remembrance Day was observed on Nov. 11, 1931.
Ever since we have marked this day to pay tribute to the 118,000+ men and women who have fallen in service for our country — not forgetting those who still continue to serve till this day. Over 2,300,000 Canadians have served throughout our nation’s history.
What to expect this year
At 11 a.m. a moment of silence will take place across our nation as we remember those who fought, served, and lost their lives fighting for our freedom.
All flags on Government and Municipal buildings will be lowered to half-mast from sunrise to sunset on Nov. 11.
The Calgary Tower will be lit up in red in honour of Remembrance Day.
Veterans and accompanying family members are able to ride the C-Train for free on Nov. 11. Veterans must be wearing uniforms or have their veteran identification cards available to be eligible. Veterans with a Veterans license plate can park for free in all CPA surface lots and parkades.
Calgary Transit will be following a Saturday service schedule and parking is free for all on-street parking. Holiday rates will apply to all paid lots. See this page for all additional facility hours, closures, and adjusted city service schedules.
Services taking place:
This will be held virtually and live-streamed by Global Calgary starting at 10:30 a.m.
This annual service will be broadcast virtually online and on CTV Calgary starting at 10:30 a.m.
They will be holding a public service this year. All attendees must show proof of double vaccination. For those unable to attend they will be live streaming the event on their Facebook page starting at 10:20 a.m. They will not be accepting donations for the Food Bank this year.
Where: 4520 Crowchild Trail SW
CP pays tribute to all veterans who served for our country and honours the 33,000+ CP employees who have answered the call of duty. They will be hosting a private ceremony and live-streaming the event starting at 10:45 a.m. The ceremony will commence its moment of silence with the CP locomotive whistle sounding at 11:01 a.m.
This service will be held at the Rocky Ridge Retirement Community at 10:45 to 11:15 a.m.
Where: 10715 Rocky Ridge Boulevard NW
Additional spots to pay your respects in-person
The museum will be open to the public after the service. Explore their unique immersive collection of stories and artifacts that are told by serving Canadian soldiers, veterans, and members of their families. There will be a momento donated by each storyteller to further represent and tell their story. This gallery showcases the challenges and rewards of military life, along with the trauma of combat and how war forever changes the human perspective. They will not be accepting donations for the Food Bank this year, but admission to the museum will be by donation.
Where: 4520 Crowchild Trail SW
Ever wonder what those numbers stand for beaming down on Westhillls? Battalion Park was built to commemorate World War 1 and opened on Nov. 3, 1991. Before that, it was originally known as Camp Sarcee in 1915. Over 16,000 stones were hauled onto the hill to form the numbers 137,113,151, and 51 which represent the regiment numbers of the Battalions in Calgary, Lethbridge, Central Alberta, and Edmonton. This site has been officially declared a historic site.
Where: 3001 Signal Hill Drive SW
Here you can find the cenotaph, the Boer War Memorial Equestrian Statue, the World War 1 soldier statue in front of the library, and a memorial honouring Rt. Hon. Richard Bedford Bennett.
Where: 1221 2 Street SW
This tour will focus on the military history of our city as it takes you on a journey to discover the people who fought for our country and where they lay.
Where: Spiller Road and Cemetery Road SE
This memorial will be closed to the public from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Nov. 11. Calgarians are free to pay their respects in person after this time.
Where: Sunnyside Bank Park – 200 Memorial Drive NW
The museum will be open to the public after the virtual service from 1 to 5 p.m. Admission is by donation and must be purchased in advance.
Where: 4629 McCall Way NE
Please be aware of the COVID-19 guidelines, restrictions, and exemptions set in place. Visit the website of the event you wish to attend to learn more about the requirements prior to the day.
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