In partnership with

Good morning, Calgary! The warm streak keeps going. Today is forecast to hit 18°, about 15 degrees above the mid-November normal, and then the sun takes over from Friday to Sunday with highs between 11° and 13°.

It's Grey Cup weekend, and the whole city is in on it. The free Suncor Street Festival runs at Stampede Park through Saturday, and on Sunday the Edmonton Elks and Montreal Alouettes meet at McMahon Stadium for the 113th Grey Cup. On Friday, ZOOLIGHTS turns 30 and the Spruce Meadows International Christmas Market opens with Santa lighting the tree. Plus a deli built by former Stampeders, a river-view Inglewood condo, and three pets (including a Lab who never stops smiling) looking for homes.

Grab a coffee and let's get into it.

🗼 City Spotlight: The Calgary Tower

Every visitor goes up it, and plenty of Calgarians haven't been since a school field trip. The Calgary Tower at 101 9 Ave SW was built between February 1967 and June 1968 for $3.5 million, opened as the Husky Tower, and was renamed the Calgary Tower on Nov 1, 1971 as a tribute to Calgarians. For the 1988 Winter Olympics, a natural gas cauldron on top served as an official Olympic Flame, and in 2005 a glass floor was added to the observation deck as a gift to Alberta for its centennial.

Up top, you get a 360° view of downtown and the Rockies, the glass floor for a bird's-eye look at the street below, and SKY 360, the revolving restaurant at 155 metres. From September to May it's open daily from 10 AM to 9 PM (last ride up at 8:30 PM). Admission prices vary by date, so book ahead online for the best rate.

Pro tip: this season the Calgary Zoo and the Tower are selling a Lights & Heights Pass that covers both the Tower and ZOOLIGHTS on the same day: $39.95 for adults, $37.95 for seniors and $21.95 for kids 3 to 15 (plus GST). And after dark, look up: the Tower's 132 exterior LED lights run light shows nightly from dusk to midnight, often to cheer on local and national teams.

Top 3 Stories

🏈 Elks vs. Alouettes: Grey Cup Sunday at McMahon

The 113th Grey Cup is set, and it's a classic. The Edmonton Elks finished their worst-to-first season by beating the BC Lions 28-16 in the West Final, earning their first trip to the Grey Cup since 2015. The CFL-best Montreal Alouettes (14-4) beat Winnipeg 33-23 in the East Final to reach their third Grey Cup in four seasons. The subplot writes itself: Elks quarterback Cody Fajardo led Montreal to the 2023 Grey Cup, and now he faces the team that let him go, led by this year's Most Outstanding Player, Davis Alexander. It's the 12th Grey Cup meeting between the two franchises and the first since 2005. Sunday at McMahon Stadium, gates open at 3 PM and kickoff is at 5 PM, with James Barker Band on the Kick-Off Show, a special pregame performance from Blue Rodeo's Jim Cuddy and Greg Keelor, Sarah McLachlan singing the national anthem, and Riley Green at halftime. No ticket? The FREE FanDuel Game Day Tailgate runs 1 to 5 PM in McMahon's east lot with lawn games, a CFL Combine area, face painters and inflatables. It's first come, first served, and organizers ask you to leave the car at home. Before then, the free Suncor Street Festival runs 11 AM to 9 PM Thursday to Saturday at Stampede Park, with a drone show each night at 8:45 PM. Full schedule: greycupfestival.ca.

CFL Grey Cup Tickets - Sun, Nov 15, 2026 at 5:00 PM
Lower Zone X, Row 9 (2 or 4 tickets) - Text 403-975-5515 for price

✨ ZOOLIGHTS Turns 30 on Friday

Calgary's favourite holiday walk is back for its 30th season. ZOOLIGHTS opens Friday, Nov 13 and runs to Jan 3, nightly from 5:30 to 9:30 PM (last admission 9 PM), with more than 1 million lights across the zoo. New and returning this year: an illuminated "30" display in the North Pole for your anniversary photo, the Find Your Wild Maze, Tales from the Prairie starring burrowing owls, the Merry & Bright Light Show with singing trees outside Kitamba Café, Gumdrop Grove, and new walk-through gingerbread houses in the Adventure Zone, where you'll also find winter games, free axe-throwing and firepits. Santa's Polar Palace is open nightly until Dec 23, and the Wildlife Carousel is free (last ride loads at 9:15 PM). On Thursdays, add the new Taste of ZOOLIGHTS food and drink pass. Tickets use Plan-Ahead Pricing, so buying online early generally saves the most, and Wonder Wednesdays (Nov 18 to Dec 16) take 20% off. Parking at the North Gate is $14 through ParkPlus. Warm nights can get busy, so go early and dress warm.

🎄 Spruce Meadows Christmas Market Opens Friday

The Spruce Meadows International Christmas Market kicks off the season this weekend with more than 325 vendors and a new Riding Hall Circle Pavilion. On Friday, Nov 13 at 4 PM, Santa flips the switch at the Official Tree Lighting Ceremony, with festive music, holiday characters and giveaways. You can grab a photo with him at Santa's Cozy Corner in the Upper Plaza for a minimum $10 donation to Habitat for Humanity, and reindeer visit every Sunday. New this year: Fridays now open at noon, and Friday nights from 6 to 9 PM are adults-only (18+).
Hours are:
- Fridays 12 to 6 PM
- Saturdays 10 AM to 7 PM
- Sundays 10 AM to 6 PM.
The market runs Nov 13-15, 20-22, 27-29 and Dec 4-6. Tickets are $20 for adults and $12 for kids (3 to 12) and seniors (65+), plus GST, and kids 2 and under are free. Parking is complimentary. Heads up: Early Bird pricing for Saturday and Sunday tickets ends today, Nov 12.

A quick word from today's sponsor that helps keep the From Calgary Newsletter FREE!

I’ve banked at almost all the Canadian banks, and right now, my favourite banking option is Wealthsimple. Their app is incredible, there are no fees when investing, you can change your eTransfer limit to be a lot higher than the other banks, and they give away $1M per month!

Click here and sign up, and you’ll be automatically entered into their monthly millionaire giveaway each and every month.

FRIENDLY REMINDER: To earn your $25.00 sign up bonus, you need to:

1. Join Wealthsimple

2. Create at least one account (chequing, savings, TFSA, investing, RESP, etc.)

3. Fund the account with $100

4. Get your $25.00 sign up bonus!

🥪 Featured Restaurant: Spolumbo's

Location: 1308 9 Ave SE (Inglewood)
Vibe: Bustling Italian deli with a sausage showcase and walls of sports memorabilia

It's Grey Cup week, so let's go to the deli that football built. Spolumbo's was started by former Calgary Stampeders who went back to their families' kitchens after their CFL careers, with Mamma Spoletini at the helm making the sauces, meatballs and meatloaf. Its sausages are still made in a federally inspected facility right behind the Inglewood dining room, and they've been gluten-free from day one. On the deli menu, the Spolumbo's Special stacks mortadella, genoa salami, capocollo and prosciutto on a crusty Vienna bun ($14.25), sausage on a bun is $11.50, and the fan-favourite Cutlet Parmigiana (weekdays only) is $14.00. Breakfast runs until 10 AM, and every breakfast comes with coffee.

Pro Tip: Saturday is the only day for the Porchetta Panini ($13.00), red wine and honey roasted pork with homemade olive tapenade, and the menu says to get there early. Spolumbo's is open Monday to Saturday from 8 AM to 4 PM and closed Sundays, so stock up on sausages for your Grey Cup party on Saturday.

A quick word from today's sponsor that helps keep the From Calgary Newsletter FREE!

The AI Work Handbook That Cuts Your Workday in Half

The 8-hour workday is becoming a 4-hour workday for people who know how to use AI.

Everyone else is still catching up.

This AI work playbook shows you exactly how to cut your work hours in half using AI.

Sign up for Superhuman AI and get:

• 50+ step-by-step AI tutorials to cut your workload in half — covering every part of your workday, from emails to strategy, used by 1M+ professionals at Google, Microsoft, and NASA

• Superhuman AI newsletter (4 min daily) so you keep discovering new AI tools and skills to stay ahead in your career — the playbook is just the start

Claim your AI playbook

REPORT

4-Day Weather Forecast

Heads up: Thursday is the warm one: mainly cloudy with a high of 18°, about 15 degrees above the mid-November normal (high 3°, low -9°), with southwest gusts to 40 km/h easing in the afternoon. Then it's sunshine from Friday to Sunday, with highs of 12°, 13° and 11° and overnight lows staying above freezing. Grey Cup Sunday is forecast sunny and 11°.

PROPERTY: A third-floor SoBow condo in Inglewood with Bow River, Pearce Estate Park and downtown skyline views from a covered balcony, a chef-inspired kitchen with a big quartz island and gas range, central A/C, a spa-like ensuite, underground parking, and a building gym and party room with pool tables.

PETS: Meet Baxter the 2-year-old Labrador mix who is always smiling, Ike the 9-year-old gentleman who loves sniff breaks and car rides, and Miss Molly the 13-year-old senior cat looking for a peaceful retirement home full of sunbeams.

🍕 Hosting a Grey Cup party? Get $3 off your first SkipTheDishes order. [#ad]

CALGARY FLAMES

Sunday was a comeback. The Flames trailed the Philadelphia Flyers three separate times and still won 4-3 in overtime on Matt Coronato's goal at 4:08 of OT. Zayne Parekh, Zach Whitecloud (his first of the season) and Joel Farabee scored in regulation, with Farabee's short-handed breakaway making it six straight home games with a goal for him. Devin Cooley made 32 saves in his first start since Oct 28. That moved Calgary to 8-9-1 heading into Wednesday's home game against the New York Rangers. Next up is a California road trip: Saturday at Los Angeles (9 PM), Sunday at Anaheim (7 PM, right after the Grey Cup kicks off) and Tuesday at San Jose (9 PM), before the Minnesota Wild visit the Saddledome on Thursday, Nov 19.

Upcoming Calgary Flames Games - Call / text 403-975-5515

Nov 19 vs Minnesota Wild at 7:00 PM - SOLD OUT
Nov 21 vs Chicago Blackhawks at 2:30 PM - SOLD OUT
Dec 3 vs Buffalo Sabres at 7:00 PM - SOLD OUT
Dec 5 vs Washington Capitals at 2:30 PM - SOLD OUT
Let me know how many you need, and I can source them for you!

Dec 8 vs Nashville Predators at 7:00 PM
Sec 206, Row 18 (2 or 4 tickets) - $124/pair

Dec 8 vs Nashville Predators at 7:00 PM
Sec 206, Row 18 (2 or 4 tickets) – $124/pair

Dec 26 vs Vancouver Canucks at 9:00 PM
Sec 206, Row 18 (2 or 4 tickets) – $269/pair

Dec 29 vs San Jose Sharks at 7:00 PM - SOLD OUT
Let me know how many you need, and I can source them for you!

HAPPENINGS

(Feature YOUR Event Here)

🎟️ Get $30.00 Cash Back & up to 3% OFF at Ticketmaster by clicking here. [#ad]

• THURSDAY | Stampede Park - Suncor Street Festival, 11 AM to 9 PM (through Saturday). FREE, no ticket needed. Thursday's Outdoor Community Stage lineup includes High Steppin Daddy at 11 AM, Grey Cup theme song artist Lewis Cardinal at 1:30 PM and Martina Dawn at 5:30 PM, with free pancake breakfasts from 11 AM to 1 PM and a drone show at 8:45 PM.

• THURSDAY | BMO Centre - TELUS Family Zone, 11 AM to 9 PM (through Saturday). FREE inflatables, a toddler play zone, an indoor turf, the CFL Hall of Fame, alumni autographs and a sensory-friendly space in Halls A1 and A2.

• THURSDAY | Shelf Life Books - Single Onion #224 at 7 PM. The poetry series wraps its fall season with Miranda Krogstad, Kathryn Lennon, Josephine LoRe and Nisha Patel at 1302 4 St SW.

• FRIDAY | Escape Ops - Dynamic Duo, a 60-minute escape room built for exactly two players. Calgary's only two-person room makes an easy date night at 3-700 33 St NE, across from Marlborough Mall, with free parking out front.

• FRIDAY | Gibson Fine Art - Sheila Kernan: Peek-a-Boo opening, 6 to 9 PM. A new collection built around discovery and surprise. FREE with registration at 523 Cleveland Cres SE.

• SATURDAY | The Confluence - Nature & Culture International Poetry Film Festival, 10 AM to 5 PM. FREE admission to four curated poetry film programs from around the world, each introduced by a live poet, at 750 9 Ave SE.

• SATURDAY | Nutrien Western Event Centre - Grey Cup Matinee Rodeo at noon (doors 11 AM). Bull riding, wild pony racing, saddle bronc and bareback, plus a live set from Alberta's Drew Gregory. All ages, GA $50 (before taxes and fees). An Evening Rodeo follows at 4:30 PM.

• SUNDAY | McMahon Stadium - FanDuel Game Day Tailgate, 1 to 5 PM. FREE in the east lot before the 5 PM Grey Cup kickoff. First come, first served, so leave the car at home.

LIVE MUSIC

• THURSDAY | Big Four Roadhouse - Alan Doyle with The Strumbellas, doors at 6:30 PM. The Strumbellas start at 7:30 PM and Alan Doyle goes on around 9 PM. 18+, GA $75 (before taxes and fees).

• FRIDAY | The Blues Can - Mojo Philter at 9 PM. $10 presale or $15 day of show at 2002 16 Ave NW.

• FRIDAY | The Palace Theatre - Whethan, doors at 9 PM. The WAREHOUSE.WAVS tour hits Stephen Avenue. 18+ with valid ID.

• SATURDAY | Big Four Roadhouse - James Barker Band and Jade Eagleson, doors at 6:30 PM, show at 7:30 PM. The Bud Light Buckle Up Tour brings a night of country hits to Grey Cup weekend. 18+, GA $85 (before taxes and fees).

• SATURDAY | The Palace Theatre - Tempo: A Symphony of EDM, doors at 9 PM. Electronic Symphonia returns with a live orchestral take on dance music. 18+ with valid ID.

• SUNDAY | Shelf Life Books - Classical Guitar Society of Calgary: Preview Concert, 2 to 4 PM. FREE admission to an afternoon of beautiful and unusual pieces with stories behind them.

COMING UP

• NOV 26 | Theatre Calgary - A Christmas Carol, Nov 26 to Dec 27. Calgary's holiday tradition returns with Christopher Hunt as Scrooge in Geoffrey Simon Brown's adaptation. Opening night is Nov 27. Recommended for ages 6+.

• DEC 5 | Heritage Park - Once Upon a Christmas, weekends Dec 5 to 6, 12 to 13 and 19 to 20, 10 AM to 4 PM. Santa at the North Pole, farm animals, historic holiday traditions and Holiday Train rides (timed and capacity limited, so book ahead). Admission is $24.95 for adults and $14.95 for kids 3 to 15.

• DEC 11 | Alberta Ballet - The Nutcracker, Dec 11 to 24 in Calgary. Francesco Ventriglia's production returns after its 2025 debut, with Tchaikovsky's score played live by the Calgary Phil and Edmonton Symphony. December weekends go fast.

😀 Contribute to From Calgary to show your support. Thank you!

THANK YOU!

Thank you for reading From Calgary today. If you enjoyed this edition, found something useful, or learned something new, please share it with someone who lives in Calgary.

Chat soon,

Brent 
Publisher - From Calgary

P.s. BUSINESS OWNERS: Want to advertise to smart Calgary locals? Email [email protected] (or reply to this email) and let me know!

P.p.s. Open a New Wealthsimple account and get a $25.00 Bonus!

Who doesn’t like FREE money?!? Click here and set up a new Wealthsiple account, and you can earn a $25.00 bonus (for a limited time)! Wealthsimple has become by favorite banking option in Canada and you have a chance to win a million each month!

Powered by beehiiv - Click here to start your newsletter

Copyright © 2026 FromCalgary.com. All Rights Reserved. The information presented here is for general educational purposes only. Please consult with your professional (doctor, lawyer, accountant, etc.) before doing anything new. This email is subject to our Terms of Service.

MATERIAL CONNECTION DISCLOSURE: You should assume that the sender of this email has an affiliate relationship and/or another material connection to the persons or businesses mentioned in this message and may receive commissions from purchases you make on subsequent web sites. You should not rely solely on information contained in this email to evaluate the product or service being endorsed. Always exercise due diligence before purchasing any product or service.