The City of Calgary is celebrating the 2025 Support Local campaign with a year-end visit by Mayor Jeromy Farkas to International Avenue, one of Calgary’s most diverse and vibrant business districts. Now in its seventh year, the campaign encourages Calgarians to explore neighbourhoods across the city, discover locally owned shops and restaurants and help small businesses thrive during the holiday season.
“I started my career working with small business owners and families who showed me how much heart and hard work go into keeping a community thriving,” says Mayor Farkas. “As we head into the holiday season, it’s our local businesses and the people behind them who keep our neighbourhoods lively, connected and full of celebration. I hope Calgarians take a moment to support the people who make our city feel warm and welcoming. Choosing local helps build a stronger, more connected Calgary for everyone.”
Throughout 2025, City teams collaborated on initiatives that made it easier for Calgarians to explore neighbourhoods, access fresh food, enjoy cultural events and return to areas impacted by construction. Highlights include:
-
Refreshed public spaces welcoming Calgarians: As the 2025 construction season wraps up, major projects including Marda Loop Main Street, the Eau Claire Plaza redesign, Mission Bridge rehabilitation, and the 14 & 15 Avenue mobility improvements are substantially completed. These refreshed public spaces are welcoming Calgarians to rediscover their favourite local shops, restaurants and services this holiday season.
-
Seasonal guides and experiences activating the downtown core: Seasonal guides and activations made it easier for Calgarians to explore the core and discover local shops throughout the year. A spring Support Local Downtown push encouraged visitors to construction-impacted areas, followed by the Summer Festivals & Events campaign, which showcased hundreds of activities from June to September. River Hall, a lively pop-up space, brought local vendors and entertainment to the riverfront in late summer, and Chill Downtown this Winter launched in November with monthly itineraries to inspire winter fun in the heart of our city.
-
Connecting Calgarians to local growers: This year, the Farm Stand Program expanded access to fresh, locally grown food through 38 farm stands, operated by nine vendors, with more than 500 scheduled selling days across Calgary in 2025. New locations opened in Discovery Ridge, Valley Ridge, Tuscany, Northern Hills and downtown at Harley Hotchkiss Gardens and River Hall, helping Calgarians meet local growers, enjoy seasonal produce and support the local food economy.
-
Winter Parking contest encouraging local shopping: From Nov.4-Dec. 23, Calgary Parking is offering Calgarians a chance to win $150 parking credits, which can be redeemed and shared with family and friends through the MyParking App (available on the Apple App Store and Google Play). Participants will also have opportunities to receive a $100 gift card as a thank you for supporting local businesses.
-
Winter City Strategy bringing culture and connection to colder months: Calgary’s Winter City Strategy continues to strengthen the winter economy and arts and culture scene. Events such as Chinook Blast (Jan. 30–Feb. 16, 2026) and The City’s New Year’s Eve celebrations contribute to a more active, inclusive and creative winter season, supporting local artists, performers and businesses.
“Support Local isn’t just a holiday message, it’s about showing up for the people who help our neighbourhoods thrive all year long,” says Erin Chrusch, Leader of The City’s Business & Local Economy team. “Especially in an uncertain economy, every visit, every meal, every purchase helps a small business keep its doors open and its team employed. We’re grateful for the many City teams who come together each year to make this campaign possible. Their collaboration reflects our shared commitment to helping small businesses succeed, not just during the holidays, but every day of the year.”
“International Avenue is where global is local,” says Alison Karim, Executive Director of International Avenue Business Revitalization Zone (BRZ). ” We have over 400 businesses within the 17 Avenue S.E. area with a great many food-related but also a multitude of truly unique shops with items from around the world you just can’t find anywhere else.”
As we move into a new year, Calgarians are invited to keep discovering local shops, experiences and neighbourhoods across the city. Learn more about the Support Local campaign at calgary.ca/supportlocal. For tools and resources to support business, visit Business and local economy.