Calgarians looking for a way to ring in the new year can head downtown New Year’s Eve as the city prepares to welcome 2026 with music, skating and a midnight fireworks show.
New Year’s Eve at Eau Claire Plaza and Prince’s Island Park will begin at 8 p.m. on Dec. 31 and will feature live entertainment, interactive activities, a DJ-led skating and dance area, and a selection of local food trucks.
The evening will end with a fireworks display launched from Prince’s Island Park right at midnight. The show will be timed to a broadcast to CJSW 90.9FM and will also be available to watch online through a livestream.
Residents attending will be able to view the display from the river pathway areas surrounding the park.
Mayor Jeromy Farkas said the night is an opportunity for residents to gather and mark the beginning of a new year together.
Shuttle buses and transit
To help people get to and from the celebrations, the city will offer free shuttle buses running from 9 p.m. on Dec. 31 until 1:30 a.m. on Jan.1. Buses will arrive at stops every 45 minutes and will connect back to Lot 59 on Memorial Drive, located across the bridge from both event sites.
One shuttle route will travel between Lot 59 and the Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium parking lot in the northwest. Another will run between Lot 59 and Max Bell Centre in the southeast. The temporary service is being offered to make it easier for residents to travel in cold weather and avoid crowded parking areas downtown.
Calgary Transit will also offer extended service.
CTrains with regular fees will run until 4 a.m. on Jan. 1, and several major bus routes, including routes 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 22, 301, 302 and the MAX routes, will operate until 3 a.m.
Several road closures will be in effect near the event sites. Memorial Drive N.W. will be closed in both directions between 10th Street N.W. and 4th Street N.E. from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Access to Crescent Heights and Rosedale will be restricted to residents. Vehicles parked in Sunnyside will be permitted to exit westbound after midnight.
More information about the events and transportation options can be found on the city’s website.