Hey there, thanks for not immediately slamming the spam/unsubscribe button!  

This is Randomly Validating, a free newsletter about living, laughing, loving and money-ing in Calgary. We’ll be sending you issues on a regular basis. If you’re curious about your city, your neighbours and life in the sprawl, welcome. We’re happy to be in your inbox.

Photo by Sarah Comber Photography

Zoolights, by Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo, creates a magical world for Calgarians to enjoy while many of the animals sleep. On now until January 4th.

Stay in the loop. Win at trivia. Wow at parties.

By Kristy Archibald

Words by Stephanie Bauer     
Illustrations by Amber Solberg

Winter in Calgary can sneak up fast. One week you’re enjoying a crisp fall patio beverage, and the next you’re digging mitts out of the closet. With the holiday season approaching, it’s easy to feel like celebrating abundantly comes with a hefty price tag. But abundance doesn’t have to mean overspending.

☐ Glide Across the Ice

Calgary is full of ways to soak up the holiday spirit without draining your wallet. Ice skating at Prince’s Island Park Lagoon or Barb Scott Park is free. Community rinks across the city are maintained by volunteers who pour in hours to keep the ice smooth. Just make sure to wait out a couple of weeks of below 0°C temperatures for the water to freeze, and check the City of Calgary’s outdoor skating rink page to make sure your local spot is open before you bundle up and head out.

☐ Cozy Indoor Experiences

“Winter can be long and expensive for families,” says Kendra, a mom of two in Bowness. “The free library programs save us every year. The kids get crafts or storytime, and I get a break without spending a dime.” The Calgary Public Library offers dozens of free programs for all ages, from toddler music circles to adult book clubs; it’s all warm, welcoming, and wallet-friendly.

Looking for something a bit more social? Calgary’s holiday pop-ups offer festive cheer without breaking the bank. This year, Proof Cocktail Bar is hosting their annual holiday pop-up, Miracle on 1st Street, running through December. Decorated in Christmas lights and serving holiday-themed drinks, like the Candy Cane Lane cocktail in a ceramic unicorn mug, Miracle is a chance to enjoy a little magic for the price of a cocktail. We know cocktail bars aren’t exactly cheap, but Proof’s full Christmas transformation and whimsical glassware gives you a memorable experience (or date night) without needing to host a lavish party at home. And you deserve a little holiday treat.

☐ Make Something Personal

For those who love a creative gift idea that doesn’t require splurging on expensive décor, consider something personal and handmade. Angiels Art’s Moraine Lake First Snow DIY Embroidery Kit ($59 CAN) comes with everything you need—hoop, needle, thread, and step-by-step instructions—to craft your own winter mountain masterpiece at home. It’s a thoughtful gift that feels abundant without being extravagant.

☐ Explore Free Seasonal Experiences

Don’t forget the free seasonal experiences Calgary offers. Stroll through Confederation Park for the Lions Festival of Lights, explore the Legacy or Mahogany neighbourhood lights display, or head northwest to Nose Hill or southeast to Fish Creek Park for a winter hike. Bundle up, and enjoy the fresh air and rosy cheeks—simple pleasures that cost nothing but feel priceless.

Intentional, Memorable Experiences

Rich memories don’t require rich spending. Craft a few intentional experiences: a visit to a local market, a festive cocktail‑night out, a walk under the lights, and create some handmade gifts. Kendra put it simply: “Some of the best winter memories happen…laughing at library crafts, skating on a community rink, or just enjoying snow under your boots.”

Step outside your comfort zone

By Catrina Bowles

Though flowers aren’t blooming, the holidays are the perfect time for a little subscription spring cleaning. Saving $10 here and there on your subscription softens the monetary blow of gift-giving and grand dinners. Whether it’s streaming, shopping, or gaming services, there are always pennies to pinch. 

CHECK YOUR HISTORY

According to a 2024 survey, 66% of Canadians have paid for a subscription that they’d forgotten about. Check your past month’s credit card statements and be clear what you’re paying for—you may catch an expired free trial or subscriptions you just don’t use enough. 

CANCEL AWAY

The cancel button is your friend. Auto-renew is your enemy. After cancelling, most monthly services will let you access them for the rest of the month. Cancel early to avoid the auto-renewal and finish bingeing that workplace thriller you’re loving. 

For services that you use often, see what happens when you click the cancel button – many companies will offer you a free month or a reduced price to keep you around. 

BEWARE THE BUNDLE

After you’ve cancelled your subscriptions, a deal from your cell phone or internet provider may tempt you with a streaming service bundle.  

“When you’re bundling, it’s a cheaper overall price,” said Crescent Heights resident Larisa Wydra. “The minute you start customizing, it’s not worth it.”

You can end up spending on a bunch of services you don’t want, while paying for the services you wanted on top of that. And cancelling becomes a much bigger headache. 

“[Cancelling] affects everything, because it affects our cell phones, it affects the regular TV, so we just end up stuck with the bundle,” said Wydra.

Photo by Sarah Comber Photography

A little boy crouches down to look at the “Santa’s Workshop” display at the Zoolights event at the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo.

The Random Acts team is taking a pause over the holidays, but we’ve got lots of delightful surprises lined up for 2026. In the spirit of getting closer to friends and family over the holidays, we want to hear from you!

Got a question about Calgary or your relationship with money? Is there a cool local event we should know about? Want to invite us to throw a Random Act in your neighbourhood? Email us at randomacts@atb.com! We’ll draw names from the responders and send the lucky winner a gift card. Contest terms and conditions can be found here.

What is this, anyway?

Thanks for reading Randomly Validating, a new email…thing, part of Random Acts by ATB. This issue, and every one to come, is written by real people who explore Calgary to find stories and events happening in your community. 

Want to learn more about Random Acts? Have some friends who need a little Random Validation? Click that button right there.

P.S. Random Acts is by ATB, but there’s no catch. We won’t suddenly flood your inbox with promos, though we may occasionally send you things we think you’ll like.