Many Calgarians are gathering to celebrate Easter this long weekend, meaning some services and businesses may be closed or have reduced hours from Friday to Monday.
The City of Calgary is adjusting its hours over the weekend, while offering free recreation activities like skating and swimming on Sunday, in addition to other events taking place around the city.
Here’s a roundup of what’s open and closed this long weekend, and some of the events and activities on offer.
Getting around
Calgary Transit services, including buses, CTrains and On Demand will run on a Sunday service schedule on Friday.
The Red Line will be closed between Lions Park and Dalhousie Stations for maintenance work from Friday to Sunday. Full service is expected to resume on Monday.
Calgary Transit services will run on its Sunday service schedule on Friday. (Ose Irete/CBC)
On-street parking is available for free on Friday and Monday, with weekend rates applying at Calgary Parking parkades and surface lots. Regular rates will be in effect at the Calgary Stampede, Calgary Zoo, Telus Spark and Heritage Park.
There are also several road closures happening at various locations throughout the city, along with some delays along Memorial Drive N.W. as work on the Sunnyside Flood Barrier is ongoing.
Detours related to repair work on the Bearspaw feeder main along Sarcee Trail and 16th Avenue N.W. will be removed throughout the weekend, the city said Thursday.
Events and activities
City recreation
The city is offering free ice skating from 1 to 2:15 p.m. on Sunday at the Rose Kohn and Jimmie Condon arenas in the southwest, as well as free swimming at the following locations from 1 to 2:30 p.m. and 3 to 4:30 p.m.:
Sir Winston Churchill Aquatic & Recreation Centre.
Inglewood Aquatic Centre.
Paid family skating is also available at the Joseph Kryczka Arena from 1 to 2:15 p.m. on Friday and Sunday, with paid sticks, pucks and rings available from 2:30 to 3:35 p.m.
Paid swimming will also be available from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Southland and Village Square leisure centres on Friday and Sunday.
The Southland Leisure Centre is one of the recreation facilities open for swimming on Friday and Sunday. (CBC News)
Calgary Zoo
The Calgary Zoo is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. from Friday to Monday during its Easter Eggstravaganza, featuring spring-themed candy bag decorating, treats and photo opportunities. Admission is included with the regular ticket price.
Butterfield Acres
The petting farm just northwest of the city is holding a meet-and-greet with its new baby animals, including opportunities to see the Easter bunny, participate in tractor-pulled wagon rides and toast s’mores. Two-hour pre-booked time slots are available from Friday to Sunday.
Telus Spark
Calgary’s science centre is holding an indoor easter egg hunt Friday through Sunday. Participants who find one of the colourful eggs hidden throughout the building can bring it to the centre’s gift shop for a prize.
Marda Eggfest
Forty businesses in Marda Loop will be handing out chocolate eggs on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event includes photos with the Easter bunny, and a scavenger hunt with the chance to win a giant chocolate Easter bunny.
Calaway Park
On Friday, Calaway Park is hosting an Easter egg hunt for dogs in support of National Service Dogs. Pups and their families can hunt for eggs at the amusement park from 10 a.m. to noon.
Heritage Park
To celebrate the long weekend, Heritage Park is hosting an Easter tea and an Easter brunch. Tea is happening on Friday and Saturday with various seating times between 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., with brunch taking place Sunday between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. Tickets also include admission to Gasoline Alley.
City closures
City administrative buildings, including City Hall, will be closed from Friday through Monday.
Calgary City Hall and city administrative buildings will be closed throughout the long weekend. (Nick Brizuela/CBC)
The following facilities will also be closed on Friday and Sunday:
Arenas (unless participating in free or paid skating).
Indoor pools and fitness centres (unless participating in free or paid swimming).
North Mount Pleasant and Wildflower arts centres.