Bundle up and stroll the stretch from Mission to Cliff Bungalow and Beltline for hot drinks, shopping, and holiday cheer (and maybe a little glitter).
As fun as it can be to visit your local festive haunt and grab a few beverages - alcoholic or otherwise - during the winter season, there are some truly beautiful and innovative liquor stores which can bring a whole cabinet of strange and scrumptious beverages right to your home, skipping the hustle and bustle of Calgary’s festive bar scene for something a little more intimate. Bin 905 Wine & Spirits, J&J Liquor or Mission Wine & Liquor Merchants house innovative, strange, seasonal and spectacular drinks to bring a fun and fantastical element to your family or friend-based catchup, without necessarily breaking the bank (unless you really want to go all-out this year).
Since we’re on the topic of beverages, Fourth Street is home to a small coffee-crawl worth of establishments which truly embody the festive spirit. While Abbey’s Creations has top-tier coffee and too many festive flavours of ice cream to count, Paris Baguette, Purple Perk, Starbucks Coffee, Royaltea and I Love You Coffee Shop are bound to keep you warm and cosy as you make your way through the streets of Cowtown.
A Gift to Remember
Ever been to Chinook right before the holidays? That’s exactly why supporting local businesses will make everyone feel better as we move towards the end of another year. Get rid of the unnecessary stress and turmoil with a trip to your favourite thrift shops and give your friends a gift they’ll never find anywhere else. From Article Apparels to Kept Clothing Collective, you’re sure to find a one-of-a-kind piece which will fill the hearts of your friends and family and show them how well you really know them.
Spots including DUER, Fieldstudy, Without Co, Maude Kids Decor and Knix have more artisanal pieces which anyone would be happy to receive from their nearest and dearest, while Shelf Life Books has everything from merch and poetry to local history and home-sourced literature to strengthen a connection to Calgary… even if you’re buying for folks from out of town. K&W Audio is also a dream for anyone who cares about music, frequencies or just having a crisp tone on their television as they watch a semi-regrettable Hallmark movie.
Flowers for Winter
What’s a holiday without a little flora and fauna? Check out Marlow Floralworks or Sofiori Flowers for some truly beautiful bouquets, natural beauty bound to brighten up your home or even for a great gift card to gift your loved ones.
New Year, New You
Whether it's a gift for a loved one or just a gift for yourself as we embark on another year, there’s no shortage of places to step-up your fitness journey on Fourth Street. If you are hoping to hop on the reformer Pilates bandwagon, Club Pilates offers eight different types of classes alongside a free intro class to get yourself familiar with the reformer.
Likewise, Junction 9 has a wide variety of Pilates and yoga-based offerings, while Yoga Santosha is the perfect spot to find your zen through a blend of meditation and workshops.
Looking to get your body moving? Dance Life Calgary is all about holistic wellness, with a focus on Brazilian Zouk and Bachata dance classes. Barry’s Boot Camp, on the other hand, offers high intensity interval training (otherwise known as ‘HIIT’) designed to build muscle while maximising fat loss.
Sealed in Ink
Just like a puppy, tattoos are not just for the holiday season.
Whether you want to gift a friend an experience they’ll literally never forget (as long as their tattoo is on a visible spot) or you just want to practice a little bit of self love this festive season, you can find the tattoo artist to match your vibe at Altar Tattoo, Atelier 17, INKBYKM or Mission Tattoo Parlour.
That being said, sometimes the best gift is the gift of saying goodbye to a regretful tattoo. Ego Tattoo & Tattoo Removal is a great spot to bid farewell to those quarter-life crises, as well as a top-tier tattoo studio to shoulder some more art if you’re feeling frisky.
Spa Day
Sometimes, we all need a little time to regroup and embrace some tender loving care… especially as the weather gets colder and the festive stress grows bigger that Ol’ Saint Nick’s stomach. Aura Spa, Clear Float Spa and Sarah Thompson Spa are all ideal places to unwind - or invite a friend to unwind - and shed the seasonal stress of the holidays, while if you’re looking for a male-exclusive spot to practice a little self-care you can always stop by Renovations the Spa for Men.
Festive on Fourth
‘Tis the season to be jolly, and here on Fourth Street we have everything you need to get in the festive spirit!
Whether you’re on the hunt for decorations, gifts, self-care or just somewhere to bring in good tidings, we’ve got you covered.
So, unless your heart is two sizes too small, now’s the time to start scrawling your holiday gift ideas for a fun and festive season on Fourth Street.
Decorations
What’s the fun in the holidays without some fun gadgets and gizmos to add to the excitement? If you’re on the hunt for some decorations Safeway, Shoppers Drug Mart and Dollarama are sure to bring your home to Whoseville-levels of festive cheer, with sweet treats, gifts and anything else you may need to make the holidays just a little less hectic this year.
Festive Food
If you want to add a little spice to your holiday season, Anejo has tacos and cocktails that’ll help you brave the harsh Calgary weather as we enter winter, while Radjoot and Saigon Maxim have Indian and Vietnamese cuisine respectively to warm your cockles and soothe the soul while you spend quality time with the people nearest and dearest to you.
Spots including Kinton Ramen, JINYA Ramen Bar, Hana Sushi, Jara Cafe, Shokunin and Narikatsu are also here to serve some comfort food during the colder season, whereas restaurants such as South Block BBQ and Class Clown Hamburgers are serving some of the best meat in the city.
Big hitters including Bodega, Carino, Mercato, My Little Italia and Vin Room promise a high-end and welcoming space while you catch up with loved ones, while local mainstays such as Earls Kitchen & Bar are are sure to bring comfort to any long-lost friend group, company event or family catch-up during the festive season.
Another fun element of the holidays, of course, is the snacks. Want to avoid the awkwardness of waiting for your turkey to rest while your friends wait less-than-patiently for the best meal of the year? That’s where Urban Butcher and Peasant Cheese come into play - grab some quick bites and create your own charcuterie board before the party turns to disrepair. After all, it's hard to go wrong with meat and cheese, but you can also get your mitts on different accoutrements including crackers, spreads and just about anything you’d like to get the flavours flowing before your holiday meal.
A Glass for Good Tidings
Of course, not every holiday event focuses on food; sometimes, it’s about one or ten beverages to celebrate another year of being together. A trip to Blowers & Grafton, Elephant & Castle, Joyce on 4 and Unicorn on 4th are sure-fire ways to bring your festive gettogether to a beautiful combination of fun and flavour. When was a holiday party ever steered wrong with a pickleback, huh?
In the same jest, a trip to Ducky’s Pub & Restaurant is bound to bring the festive cheer from even the most disenchanted of Grinches, with karaoke and booze flowing to make just about anyone fall in love with the holidays (unless they are a bad singer, of course).
Missy’s This That is also an incredible place to try some festive cheer in an ambient and cozy space, perfect for a first date under the mistletoe or to regroup with friends without the impending fear of the night turning to disarray.
Nothing says de-stressing quite like a massage.
If you’re on the hunt for somewhere to decompress post-holiday season (or preparing for a stressful festive season) check out Baan Thai Massage, Mission Chiropractic Clinic or Why Knot! Massage and Wellness.
Coven Health Collective also offers physiotherapy alongside its massage services, allowing you to tackle any pesky pains or recurring injuries which may flair up as the weather gets colder; while JRAD Skin and Natology - Integrative Skin Therapy Inc. provide facial treatments and more designed to rejuvenate your skin as you brave the hash Calgary cold.
Looking for something a little more specific to chronic health conditions? Neuravana Naturopathic Medicine adopts an integrative approach to mental health and advanced care, with a top-tier team of specialist doctors determined to uncover and effectively treat whatever may ail you.
Treat Yourself
A new year is fast approaching, and if the prospect of another birthday has you feeling older than ever (since unfortunately that is the case), check out Bardot Beauty Boutique for botox, lip fillers, collagen stimulators and more to have you looking better than ever. Coco’s Esthetics offers skin care treatments
Winter in Calgary is nothing short of brutal, so fight off the seasonal dread with a little sunshine at Bronze Baxx Luxury Tanning & Wellness’ sunbeds or spray-tan services.
Hoping to revamp your makeup rotation? Vanity Vault has everything from brush holders and travel cases, to other makeup organisers perfect for keeping your makeup clean and pristine without causing a mess.
Care for your Hair
The festive season brings an onslaught of holiday parties, corporate gatherings or unexpected opportunities to reconnect with your nearest and dearest - that’s why now’s the time to find the perfect hairdresser and get your figurative ducks in a row before their books get too full.
Citizen Salon Studios, Etch Hair Design, FM Hair & Esthetics, M Salon and Salon Bowie host some of the best hairdressers in the city, allowing you to rebrand, revamp or completely reinvent your vibe, just in time for the holidays.
However, if a barbershop is more your speed, book in with Beltline Barbers, Executive Men’s Hairstyling or Mission Barbershop are sure to take care of you, from tapers and fades to scissor-trims and buzzcuts.
Hair-based beauty doesn’t begin and end with head-hair. Check out The Brow Studio for tailor-made eyebrows, hand-crafted by their team of talented brow artists, or stop by Butter Beauty Parlour for everything from brow lamination and tinting to classic lash extensions and lifts.
Nailed It
Frilly Lilly also has lashes and brow services, alongside nail services to keep your hands looking festive, whether you prefer a classy French tip or something a little more outlandish. Exquisite Nails & Spa and Uptown Nail Boutique & Spa have also got your back for any nail-based needs ahead of your next corporate party or festive hangout.
Finishing Touches
Looking to get rid of hair in unwanted places, or just want to do a little reshaping? The ‘vagicians’ at Foxy Box Wax Bar carry out both wax and laser hair removal services, with a hair removal style guide to help you find the perfect option for you… and your first wax removal is completely free!
Of course, no outfit is complete without a smile. That’s why UltraWhite Clinic offers a relaxing and enjoyable teeth-whitening experience, where you can get comfortable in a private room or bring friends to unwind in a suite.
Happy Holidays, from all of us on Fourth Street!
