Remembrance Day 2017

Remembrance Day was first observed in 1919 throughout the British Commonwealth and was originally known as Armistice Day to commemorate the agreement that ended the First World War. Every year since then, Canadians take a moment of silence to honour and remember the many men and women who have served and continue to serve Canada through time of war, conflict and peace.

This year, Remembrance Day falls on Saturday, November 11. There will be various ceremonies held around the downtown core and throughout the city to observe all that the day represents. 

Remembrance Day services and programming

Royal Canadian Legion Branch No. 1 - 116 7 Ave SE
Legion members in Branches from coast to coast to coast are proud to organize Remembrance Day Ceremonies in over 1400 communities across Canada. Through their Branches, the Legion perpetuates the traditions of Remembrance and ensures Canada ‘never forgets’.

Come celebrate Remembrance Day at the Legion No. 1. The doors open at 10:15am with the traditional ceremony starting at 11am, followed by various activities afterwards.

Field of Crosses - Memorial Drive between 3 St NW and Centre St
Each year, park area is reserved along Memorial Drive for 3,000 white crosses, which are displayed from November 1 through 11 for Eleven Days of Remembrance. Members of the public are welcome to attend any of the daily sunrise and sunset ceremonies or to visit the site at any time to walk among the crosses. The ceremony on Remembrance Day will begin at 10:30am.

Kerby Centre - 1133 7th Ave SW
The Kerby Centre welcomes everyone to join in for their annual Remembrance Day Ceremony. Music will be provided by Johnny Summers and Egon Ukuloff. Refreshments will be served following the ceremony. Doors open at 10am with service beginning at 10:40am.

Central Memorial Park - Central Memorial Park Cenotaph,  1221 2 St SW
The Calgary Highlanders will hold their annual military parade using 4th St SW between 12th and 13th Ave SW. It will be held at the Memorial Park area around the Cenotaph. Activities to start at 10:30am and go until 12:30pm.

Afghanistan: Requiem for a Generation - Jack Singer Concert Hall - 205 8 Ave SE
Jeffrey Ryan’s powerful and haunting work, Afghanistan: Requiem for a Generation returns to Calgary for the first time since its highly acclaimed 2012 premiere, commemorating the end of Canada’s combat mission in Afghanistan. With texts by Suzanne Steele, Canada’s first War Poet, the work chronicles and pays tribute to the lives torn apart and brought together by war. There will be two shows running November 10 and 11 starting at 8pm, with a pre-concert chat at 7:05pm. Tickets here.

*Military members, veterans and first responders attend for free. Call the Box Office at 403-571-0849 to reserve your ticket. 

Flight Risk - Lunchbox Theatre, 160 - 115 9 Ave SE
Hank Dunfield is on the verge of his 100th birthday, Sarah, the new nurse at his care facility is determined to help him celebrate this milestone, even though Hank doesn’t want anything to do with it. As their relationship unfolds, Hank reveal his past as a tail gunner during the Second World War. When Sarah finally gets to the heart of Hank’s pain and sorrow he opens up to her and is finally able to find the peace he has desperately been seeking. Inspired by the true story of Calgary WWII Veteran.

Lunchbox Theatre will be running shows through November 11, with the final show at 12:00pm on November 11. Donations for the Veterans’ Food Bank at every performance and donations for the Poppy Fund are accepted. Tickets here.

Transporation

Calgary Transit has made riding transit free for all veterans and accompanying family members on Remembrance Day. Veterans wearing uniforms or bearing veteran identification cards are eligible. They will be running their Saturday level of service and it is recommended that you check their schedule page to find out when your bus is running.

No payment is required for on-street parking on Remembrance Day, November 11, 2017. Holiday rates will be in effect at Calgary Parking Authority parkades and select surface lots. Parking in CPA surface lots and parkades will be free for Veterans displaying a Veterans licence plate on November 11.

Tagged as: November 11, remembrance day, Veterans