Are there any public events available for newcomers during the holidays?

Calgary offers a rich array of community events and support for newcomers during the holiday season, creating an inclusive environment where immigrants can feel part of the Canadian community while maintaining ties to their cultural heritage. The city works hard to ensure that no family is left without support during the holidays, organizing numerous programs ranging from free holiday dinners to cultural festivals that celebrate the diversity of Canadian society. These initiatives are especially important for those experiencing the holidays in a new country for the first time, as they help overcome language barriers, find a new community, and create new traditions by combining Canadian customs with elements of their native cultures.

Holiday events for newcomers in Calgary are not limited to Christmas and New Year's, but include a wide range of multicultural celebrations, including Chinese New Year, Diwali, Eid al-Fitr, Vesak, and many other religious and cultural events. Organizations such as the Centre for Newcomers, the Calgary Immigrant Women's Association, and Immigrant Services Calgary coordinate their efforts with local authorities, churches, schools, and volunteer groups to create a comprehensive support network that provides access to holiday events regardless of economic status, language skills, or length of stay in Canada.

A distinctive feature of holiday programs for newcomers in Calgary is their practical focus and cultural sensitivity. This is evident in the combination of entertainment activities with educational opportunities: learning about Canadian traditions, practicing language skills in an informal setting, and forming social connections with other immigrants and Canadians. Programs often include free transportation, children's activities, translation into several languages, and culturally appropriate food, making them accessible to all members of immigrant families. The result is a vibrant mosaic of celebrations: traditions from around the world blend with the Canadian spirit of hospitality to create a unique experience that enriches both newcomers and native Canadians.

Specialized organizations and their holiday programs

The Centre for Newcomers (CFN) organizes an annual Holiday Season Food Security Campaign, delivering culturally appropriate food directly to the homes of vulnerable newcomer families, taking into account halal, kosher, vegetarian, and other dietary restrictions, and providing information on where to find needed food items in Calgary.

Calgary Catholic Immigration Society (CCIS) hosts Christmas dinners for over 120 clients of the Refugee Claimant Transitioning into Community program, in collaboration with LifeConnection Church and Meno Simons Christian School. In addition to food, a clothing “store” is organized where everyone can choose up to four new items, supporting the dignity of the recipients.

Calgary Immigrant Women’s Association (CIWA) focuses on the needs of immigrant women, offering over 50 programs, including New Friends and Neighbourhood Groups, which take place in person and online during the holidays, helping women practice English and build social connections.

Immigrant Services Calgary coordinates holiday activities for over 10,000 clients each year, including information sessions and workshops, one-on-one counseling, resource referrals, and coordination with volunteer programs for comprehensive support.

Educational programs and language support

The Immigrant Education Society (TIES) hosts annual Christmas parties for over 1,200 students, featuring a visit from Santa, caroling, and gingerbread house workshops. There is also a Multicultural Festival with a cultural parade, workshops, and food tasting, free for everyone.

The Calgary Welcome Centre, run by the LDS Church, holds sessions every Thursday from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. During the holidays, it includes programs on Canadian traditions, group and individual language classes, both online and offline.

The Agapé Language Centre and other language schools adapt their courses during the holidays, introducing vocabulary and cultural practices so that students can improve their English and learn about Canadian traditions at the same time.

Free city and community events

The city of Calgary offers free holiday programs for newcomers and families:

  • Olympic Plaza: late November–December, free concerts, games, crafts, ice sculptures, light installations, skating rink, hot drinks, music.
  • Calgary Public Library: family Christmas parties, storytelling, craft workshops, multicultural programs, no registration required.
  • Heritage Park “Once Upon a Christmas”: wagon rides, carolers, maze, photo ops, skating rink, workshops, visit with Santa.
  • Neighborhood community centers: potlucks, kids' parties, family games, meet your neighbors.

Multicultural festivals

  • Culture Days (September): Fiesta Filipino, Taste of Italy, Chinatown Lantern Festival, Franco Festival, Culture Connect, Orange Shirt Day.
  • Heritage Day Festival (August): Métis fiddle, ud, Blackfoot drumming, Chinese dancing; free performances, artisans, food.
  • CultureFest Canada (Genesis Centre): music, dancing, food, goods from different ethnic groups; showcases seven Canadian values.
  • Ethnic events: Chinese New Year with parades and banquets in Chinatown; Diwali with light installations; Vesak in Buddhist temples; Eid in mosques.

Food assistance and gifts

  • Magic of Christmas: a volunteer organization that turns buses into “reindeer” and delivers hundreds of gifts to families referred by social services.
  • Women’s Centre: Holiday Toy Program and Dinner of Hope for women and children with registration and advance sign-ups.
  • Salvation Army: Christmas Toy Program with registration on December 2, toys for children ages 0–14; distribution December 18–21.
  • Calgary Drop-In Centre: $1 million fundraising campaign, volunteer opportunities in the dining room and Donation Centre.
  • Made by Momma: Adopt-a-Momma, Santa’s Workshop, Food Hampers, 12 CANS till Christmas; families “buy” gifts and food.

Programs for children and youth

  • Every Kid Can Play (Bridges for Newcomers): cultural and family activities at the Genesis Centre, inclusive games to overcome cultural isolation.
  • Calgary Public Library: story time in different languages, craft workshops, multicultural language development programs.
  • Schools: immigrant parents as cultural ambassadors; Meno Simons Christian School collaborates with CCIS.
  • Calgary Soccer Centre: free soccer clinics, games, and tournaments as a means of overcoming language barriers.

Religious and spiritual programs

  • Calgary Welcome Centre (LDS): spiritual events and holiday discussions about cultural differences, open regardless of faith.
  • LifeConnection Church & CCIS: joint Christmas dinners without proselytizing, friendly atmosphere.
  • Sikh gurdwaras: langars during Vaisakhi; Muslim communities: Eid meals; Hindu temples: Diwali.
  • Knox United Church: Calgary Carol Festival — four evenings of caroling, donation drive, and food distribution.

Practical support and social services

  • 211 Alberta: 24/7 multilingual information about all holiday programs: food assistance, gifts, housing.
  • Calgary Food Bank: baskets with traditional foods, information about preparing Christmas meals.
  • Enviros Social Services: 13 family “adoption” programs or programs, charitable receipts.
  • Made by Momma: dignity shopping by “buying gifts” instead of passive distribution.

Community events for newcomers to Calgary demonstrate the spirit of Canadian multiculturalism and inclusivity by ensuring that no newcomer is left isolated during the holiday season. These initiatives provide immediate assistance, build long-term connections, and lay the foundation for successful integration, creating a truly inclusive society.

Future program development promises even more digital and hybrid formats, expanded language support, and personalized approaches to cultural integration. However, hospitality, respect for diversity, and community support remain constant, making Calgary a special place for newcomers during the holiday season and throughout the year.