The holidays are busy so you want to see and experience as much as you can with your limited time. And you want to get a serious taste of Christmas. In other words, you need to find good food, good fun and tons of beautiful memories. And what better way than a weekend spent at Kensington Riverside Inn.
Whether you’re a local seeking some R&R on a staycation, or a first-time visitor to the city, you’ll find plenty to see and do in Calgary in December. Especially in Kensington Village, home to Christmas in Kensington, a series of weekends in December filled with fun and festive activities, great local shopping and delicious eats.
First on the list: Check in to Kensington Riverside Inn for an evening of luxurious slumber. Booking directly with the Inn gets you a 20-dollar culinary credit to use at the award-winning onsite restaurant, Oxbox. And lovely Skoah® bath products, a massive big-screen TV in each room and a slew of other amenities mean you’ll enjoy a night of comfort before your big adventure.
Then, the next morning, hit the ground and explore. From early morning to late night, pick and choose to create your own personal holiday-themed itinerary:
9 am — Enjoy breakfast at Oxbox. You’ll find top-quality fuel for your morning, including plenty of good coffee and a focus on local ingredients. One favourite: the chicken confit hash with black kale, apple, marinated sweet potato, a poached egg and brown butter hollandaise. It’s good. Very good.
Noon — Christmas in Kensington kicked off Nov. 26, with festive events (including horse and wagon rides), continuing each Saturday and Sunday up to and including Dec. 24. You can also get a selfie with Santa on Saturdays, and enjoy free hot chocolate and coffee, plus music from carolers, too.
With over 271 retail shops, there’s something for everyone on your list. Stop in to buy books at Pages on Kensington. Custom graphic t-shirts for the kids at The Rocket. Then find a snack at Higher Ground. Buy handbags and jewelry at InGear, or pick out a pretty dress from Kismet Clothing or Purr Clothing. Or check out Brooklyn clothing for a man in your life with suave style. Discover cool and unique toys for the little ones on your list at Livingstone & Cavell.
Saturdays, 3:30 pm — Only a short walk from Kensington Riverside Inn, the Plaza Theatre features classic Christmas movies on the big screen. Check out Miracle on 34th Street on Dec. 3, Elf on Dec. 10, The Holiday on Dec. 17 and Home Alone on Dec. 24.
Sundays, 1 to 3 pm — Roam Kensington Road for opportunities to take a selfie with Santa Claus and do some Christmas shopping, too.
4 pm. — Head back to your room at Kensington Riverside Inn for a Flights & Bites in the fireside lounge. Enjoy a flight of three hand-selected wines alongside a selection of charcuterie for only $20. Put your feet up and relax, knowing you won’t have to cook or clean tonight.
6 pm — Time for dinner at Oxbox. This intimate inner-city restaurant only seats 40 people, so you’ll never have to shout over the crowds to hear your date.
Check out Chef de Cuisine Sean Cutler’s tasting menu; sweet potato gnocchi and Alberta beef carpaccio are just two of the dishes, beautifully paired with international wines. Or order à la carte, the smoked North Pacific Sablefish, perhaps, or espresso-braised short ribs. Just remember to save room for dessert: fried mini doughnuts, an apple-maple cake or cheese are always popular.
9 pm — You still have time for a late movie at the Plaza Theatre. Or wander over to the Oak Tree Tavern for live music and hipster-watching. PRLR is also a great option for those seeking innovative hand-crafted cocktails.
Or, of course, you can just curl up in your bed at Kensington Riverside Inn. Then get up tomorrow and start all over again.
