The Western Wheel’s Datebook is a listing of upcoming events, activities and meetings taking place throughout the Foothills. If you would like to submit a non-commercial listing to be included in the Datebook, please email [email protected].
The Big Rock Singers present Christmas by Candlelight at Okotoks United Church. There are three more performances: Dec. 8 and 9 at 7 p.m. and Dec. 9 at 4 p.m. Okotoks Youth Singers are the special guests. bigrocksingers.com
The Sheep River Health Trust’s 11th annual Avenue of Trees will be lighting up the Best Western Plus Okotoks Inn and Suites until Dec. 17. Avenue of Trees allows members of the public to not only view trees that have been creatively decorated by local businesses and service groups, but also bid on their favourites to take home. sheepriverhealthtrust.ca
The Okotoks Art Gallery’s Gingerbread Station featuring all kinds of structures created by local residents will be on display until Dec. 9. The public is encouraged to visit the gallery and vote for their favourite cavity-inducing creation. okotoks.ca/gingerbread
The Town of Okotoks’ Environmental Education Centre hosts Nature Fridays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. where activities focus on a different theme weekly. Upcoming topics include: Winter Wildlife (Dec. 8) and Eco-Friendly Holiday Season (Dec. 15). okotoks.ca
Diamond Valley Memory Cafe will be holding a Christmas gathering on Friday, Dec. 8 (instead of the usual fourth Friday of the month) at the Griffiths Centre in Black Diamond from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Bring your loved one and enjoy Christmas music and treats. Memory Cafe is an opportunity for caregivers to bring their loved ones with memory loss for connection, compassion and resources. Call Jennifer for more details at 403-969-6040.
Youth Night at the Okotoks Recreation Centre will have an Amazing Race theme on Friday, Dec. 8 from 8 to 10 p.m. This special edition Youth Night is a free, drop-in event for ages 12 to 18 at the pool where teams will compete for small prizes. okotoks.ca
Polish up your boots and venture to the DeWinton Community Hall, 114 Macleod Trail, on Friday, Dec. 8 from 6:30 to 11 p.m. Western 2-step lessons start at 7 p.m. sharp, with dance to follow. Cash bar and snacks available. Email [email protected] or call 403-938-2525 for more info.
The Sheep River Health Trust is hosting its third annual Breakfast with Santa on Saturday, Dec. 9 from 9:30 to 11 a.m. at the Best Western Plus Okotoks Inn and Suites. Tickets are available at sheepriverhealthtrust.ca.
The 2023 Jolly Holiday Youth Market will be held at the Okotoks Public Library on Saturday, Dec. 9 from 1 to 4 p.m. No cost for tables and makers must be 13-19. okotokslibrary.ca
United Church in the Valley (125 Royal Ave., Diamond Valley) is holding a Christmas Market on Saturday, Dec. 9 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The market will feature an assortment of baking, crafts, new to you sales and other vendors. unitedchurchinthevalley.ca
The Okotoks Alliance Church invites the public to its live Christmas Nativity on Saturday, Dec. 9, 3 to 5 p.m. or 6 to 8 p.m. Indoor/outdoor depending on weather. okalliance.ca
The Okotoks Festive Film Festival, which will feature a collection of holiday films to start your holiday season off right, will be held on Saturday, Dec. 9 from 5:30 to 10 p.m. at Okotoks Cinemas. okotoksfilmfestival.ca
The CPKC Holiday Train will make a stop in Okotoks on Monday, Dec. 11. The train will stop at noon on Daggett Street between Northridge Drive and Veterans Way, with performances by Tyler Shaw and Kiesza taking place between 12:15 and 12:45 p.m. After leaving Okotoks, the train will make stops in Blackie (1:35 p.m.) and Vulcan (3:15 p.m.). cpkcr.com/en/community/HolidayTrain
Soul Food 2023, a Christmas concert to benefit the Okotoks Food Bank, will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 12 and Wednesday, Dec. 13 at Okotoks Evangelical Free Church at 7 p.m. Tickets are $25 each and all funds raised will support the food bank, which has been dealing with unprecedented demand. Facebook.com/okotoksfoodbank
The 16th annual Charity Check Stop will be held on Thursday, Dec. 14 from 2 to 5 p.m. on Milligan Drive in front of the Okotoks Recreation Centre. Emergency services members will be accepting monetary or food donations to benefit the Okotoks Food Bank, Foothills Regional Victim Services and Rowan House. okotoks.ca
Drop into the Okotoks Public Library on Friday school PD days for free family-friendly films. The Grinch will be screened on Friday, Dec. 15 from 2 to 4 p.m. okotokslibrary.ca
The Okotoks Museum and Archives will present An Old-Fashioned Christmas exhibit until Dec. 22. Rooms are filled with the sights, sounds and memories of a heritage Christmas. okotoks.ca
The Okotoks Public Library’s Christmas Colouring Contest 2023 is now on for ages one to 12. Drop in to pick up a colouring page or print a copy from the library’s website. All finished creations must be submitted by Monday, Dec. 11. okotokslibrary.ca
The Spirit of Christmas has returned to the Okotoks Art Gallery to offer holiday gift shopping, all crafted by local artisans, until Dec. 23. The market showcases one-of-a-kind holiday ornaments, jewelry, cards and original artwork. Everything is priced under $250. okotoks.ca
Millarville Community Library has teamed up with Spisherbocker Books in Diamond Valley this holiday season to help refresh the library’s collection. Spisherbocker Books customers will be able to round up their total to the next $10 with all proceeds to the library for new books. Tax receipts are available for donations of $20 and over. The promotion runs until Dec. 15. facebook.com/millarvillecommunitylibrary
A special Christmas edition of Acoustic Night at the Rotary Performing Arts Centre will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 19 from 6:30 to 9 p.m. It’s a safe place to learn, play, sing and enjoy. Open to all ages and all levels of performers. Free admission. okotoks.ca
The Okotoks Recreation Centre will help ring in 2024 with free family activities on Sunday, Dec. 31 from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Activities will include: public gym time, swimming, aquafitness, public skating, fitness centre and leisure skating (at Centennial Arenas). okotoks.ca
The Sheep River parkrun, a free weekly five-kilometre run/walk, is held every Saturday at 9 a.m. The loop begins and ends at the picnic shelter in Sheep River Park, and is suitable for all ages and fitness levels. sheepriverparkrun.ca
OM Chanting is held every Saturday at the Okotoks Public Library from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. It is an ancient, dynamic meditation technique which helps us realign with nature and existence. It is free, open to all. No experience required. Bring water to drink and energize. okotokslibrary.ca
The Games We Play – A History of Sport in Okotoks will be on view at the Okotoks Museum until Dec. 22. Opened to coincide with the 2023 Alberta Summer Games co-hosted by Okotoks and Diamond Valley, the exhibit details how sports have always played an integral part in the town’s history. okotoks.ca
Foothills Writers Group (formerly the Indie Author Group Okotoks) meets every third Thursday at the Okotoks Public Library from 6 to 8 p.m. The group is a community of local authors whose goal is to encourage and support writers during their creative journey. The group includes members new to the writing world and published authors. [email protected]
A Memory Cafe will be held on the first Wednesday of the month from 1 to 2:30 p.m. at the Okotoks Seniors Club. It’s an opportunity for people with memory loss and their caregivers to meet for mutual support. Call 403-969-6040 for details.
The Rotary Club of Okotoks meets on the first and third Wednesdays of every month at 6 p.m. at the Crystal Ridge Golf Club. okotoksrotary.ca
An ELL (English Language Learning) class is held every Thursday from 6:15 to 7:30 p.m. at the Okotoks Public Library. Learn vocabulary that will help you in everyday situations in classes facilitated by YMCA LINC instructor Deb Payne. Classes are free and drop-in. okotokslibrary.ca
The Okotoks Chess Club meets every Wednesday from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the Okotoks Public Library. The free club aims to improve chess play and maintains a friendly environment where learning takes priority over winning. Chess sets and clocks are available. All ages welcome, drop in. [email protected]
The LEGO Club meets every Wednesday from 3:30 to 4:45 p.m. at the Okotoks Public Library. Kids aged six to 12 can enjoy playing with LEGO and meeting new friends in the free, drop-in activity. okotokslibrary.ca
A Memory Cafe will be held on the fourth Friday of the month from 1 to 2:30 p.m. at Griffiths Centre in Diamond Valley. It’s an opportunity for people with memory loss and their caregivers to meet for mutual support. Call 403-969-6040 for details.
