Giant Nutcracker Steals the Show

Giant Nutcracker Steals the Show at Spruce Meadows’ New Enchanted Festival

Calgary, Dec 9, 2025 – If you scrolled YouTube this weekend and saw KassDays’ viral Short of a massive, glowing Nutcracker looking like he’s ready to fight the Grinch himself, you’re not alone. That epic soldier is the breakout star of Spruce Meadows’ brand-new walk-through holiday event: The Enchanted Festival.
After years of the beloved Christmas light drive-through, Spruce Meadows switched things up in 2025 for safety and a more magical vibe. Now you park once, bundle up, and wander through millions of lights, fire pits, s’mores stations, and jaw-dropping displays. Opening night (Friday, Dec 5) was packed, and KassDays perfectly captured why: that Nutcracker, decked out in a shiny red coat and boots bigger than most toddlers, lit up against the snowy sky like a scene straight out of the ballet—only ten times bigger and a million times cooler.
Tickets are only $20 for adults, $12 for kids/seniors, and the whole family gets 30% off for groups of four or more. Bonus: every ticket helps the Leg Up Foundation support local food banks and animal rescues.
You’ve still got a few weekends left (Dec 12–14 & 19–24) to see the Nutcracker flex under the stars, get lost in the indoor light maze, grab a spiked hot chocolate, or let the dog run wild in the holiday puppy park.
Grab tickets quick at sprucemeadows.com/enchanted before they sell out, and tell KassDays we said thanks for the perfect 15-second hype video. This is the new Calgary Christmas tradition you don’t want to miss. 

The Enchanting Christmas Tradition: The Nutcracker Ballet

As the winter chill sets in and the holiday spirit fills the air, there is one timeless Christmas tradition that captures the hearts and imaginations of people across the globe - The Nutcracker ballet. This beloved performance has become synonymous with the festive season, enchanting audiences young and old with its magical story, exquisite choreography, and melodic compositions. Let's dive into the captivating world of The Nutcracker and discover why it continues to be celebrated as a cherished holiday classic.

Origin and History:
The Nutcracker ballet, composed by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky and choreographed by Marius Petipa, made its debut in Saint Petersburg, Russia, in 1892. Adapted from German author E.T.A. Hoffmann's fairy tale "The Nutcracker and the Mouse King," the ballet tells the story of a young girl named Clara and her extraordinary Christmas Eve adventure.

Plot and Characters:
The Nutcracker unfolds as Clara's Godfather, Herr Drosselmeyer, presents her with a wooden nutcracker doll that comes to life and engages in a ferocious battle with an army of mice. Subsequently, audiences are transported to the enchanting Land of Sweets, where Clara gets to witness mesmerizing performances by a variety of characters, including the Sugar Plum Fairy, the Nutcracker Prince, and other whimsical residents.