Dec 21

Guide to New Years Eve 2010 in Downtown Calgary

With most of the holiday season planning complete or almost complete the next question on everyone’s mind is, “What will we do for New Year’s?” I have compiled a sampling of all the different events occurring in downtown Calgary ranging from a nice dinner, dinner and dancing, nightclub party or coming down with the family. Feel free to add anything you think I missed.

Lets start off with the family crowd

The City of Calgary is putting on a FREE family celebration, called Fire and Ice, at Olympic Plaza from 5pm to 9pm. The festivities are largely centered on the ice skating surface and include a crafts area, fire spinners, ice sculpture demonstrations, roving performers and warming zones. At 9pm the evening will end with low level kids fireworks and a special New Year’s Eve countdown.

Pre-Party Dinner

Belgo Burlesque NYE - Three course dinner including gourmet appetizers, live entertainment, party favors and midnight balloon drop. It is set up to have 2 rooms with 2 very different sounds. Tickets are $30 to $65. 501 8th Ave SW.

Bookers Crab BBQ - grab a later seating, which includes music by Sonny Rhodes for only $10.00. 100 8th Ave SE.

Q Haute Cuisine - Chef”s course dinner complete with Champagne, party favors and entertainment by Blueswalk. Tickets are $89.00. 100 LaCaille Place.

River Cafe - Located in the middle of Prince’s Island Park, on the lagoon where the Bow River passes though downtown Calgary, River Café features ‘Seasonal Canadian Cuisine’. In this upscale fishing lodge type ambiance, enjoy a five-course tasting Menu with optional wine pairing. Tickets $95.00

Rush NYE - Enjoy dinner from a set New Year’s Eve menu before relaxing in the lounge with house DJ. Tickets range from $75.00 to $125.00

Dinner and Dancing

WEST Passport to the World New Year’s Eve Celebration - Enjoy an interactive Dinner package that includes a reserved table for the evening, a tasting passport that includes access to 6 Chef inspired action stations form around the world and a party that is sure to be second to none. Tickets are $75.00 for the dinner package or $25.00 for just the celebration. Located in Scotia Centre on Stephen Avenue Walk.

For the Sports Fan

Flames Central - Start off the evening with the annual Calgary Flames New Year’s Eve game and then kick the party into high gear with local party band sensation URBAN DIVIDE followed by DJ FLEXX. Tickets are only $19.99 . 219 8th Ave SW.

Dancing

Beatmatrix New Year’s Eve Gala - Party down this NYE at the Beatmatrix New Year’s Eve Gala hosted at the Metropolitan Conference Centre in Calgary. New Year’s at The Metropolitan Conference Centre will feature two rooms of music mixing all the best hits from the 80’s & 90’s as will as Hip-Hop, R&B, Dance and more. The Beatmatrix NYE Gala at The Metropolitan Conference Centre Calgary is the perfect venue to ring in the New Year! Tickets are $50.00. 333 4th Ave SW.

The Circus New Year’s Eve at THE BANK - “COME ONE, COME ALL! STEP RIGHT UP! TO THE GREATEST SPECTACLE YOU’VE EVER SEEN! Join us as we transform Calgary’s most elite Friday Night destination into an indoor CIRCUS! Tickets start at $39.99. 125 8th Ave SW.

Please remember to stay safe this New Year’s Eve and leave your car at home. Calgary Transit is offering FREE fare after 6pm with the last trains leaving for NW/SW 1:14am and NE at 1:20am. You can also take full advantage of the NEW Safe Ride Home Taxi Stands located downtown on 1st ST SW by Murrietta’s West Coast Grill, on 2nd St SW by WEST and Bankers Hall. Click here for a map of all the locations within the Centre City.