Spruce Meadows

Coming to Spruce Meadows is always a treat — whether it be for the world class horse competitions or for their Christmas market.
Parking can be nuts, but they are always well-​staffed to help direct people to spots and lots, making it less hectic than going to the mall at holiday time.
My favourite part about Spruce Meadows is their International Food options. Watching horse jumping and having pierogi or schnitzel is delightful and a nice break from the typical sporting event junk (I’m talking nachos, hot dogs etc.) It is also really fun to head to the on-​site pub afterwards to check out the athletes and grab a pint or mixed drink!
I will continue going to events here to support our city and one of its longstanding businesses.

Definitely a world-​class venue!
I’ve been coming here since I was a wee one, though back then it more of a dragging than a voluntary visit.
Even if you’re not into the competitions you’re sure to find something on the grounds of interest. During the big events in the summer they have a huge market full of everything from local artists to the big corporate sponsorship set-​ups. There’s free samples, food to try from all over the world, areas for kids to play and discover new things, a market full of home décor, garden décor, jams, snacks, you name it.
Late in the year they transform the grounds into a Christmas market. Besides the shopping you can do there they have activities outside and they light up the grounds at night for you to drive or take a walk through with your family.
I’m lucky enough to have a wife that works for a company that has a private booth for the Masters and the National. Its definitely a different way to experience the jumping competitions. The catered food is always delicious which has included things like beef on a bun but also some different things like «pizza shots». You get to watch the competition from private seating which is covered so rain or shine you’ll be pretty comfortable throughout the event.

I have never been to Spruce Meadows. Heck, I’ve hardly even heard if it, even though it’s super renowned and a famous place in Alberta.
The weather couldn’t have been better for our family outing. We sat on a grassy hill near one of the rings where the horses were competing, and it was majestic. It just so happened that the day we went for the Masters was Holland Day. Since my inlaws are Dutch, this was especially exciting for us. We cheered loud for the Canadian and Dutch riders and were super impressed with the presentations of different horses from around the world and their talents.
My husband and I wandered around the different pavilions, taking in the sights, sounds, and smells of the delicious worldly foods and wares that were offered all over the place. I stumbled upon some Cherry Pepsi, something I have never seen before, and I was over the moon! We had also tried some D&B which is British soda.
I would love to come back to this place again!

This is a world class horse venue. They have received award after award saying as such. As a horseback rider myself, I can say that I have seen many competition venues in North America, Europe, Latin America, and parts of North Africa, and I completely agree. Spruce Meadows is one of a kind. The level of quality and care that they take is evident in every part of the Spruce Meadows competition and spectator process. I have loved every second of my time there.
Both the indoor and outdoor competition arenas are absolutely amazing. The winter competitions are a little limited as they take place in the Equiplex, but there is also a tack shop and a small concession to enjoy while you’re there. If you’re looking for a gift for a horsey-​friend you know, then definitely check out the Tack Shop @ Spruce Meadows. It has amazing equipment and gifts and it’s hard to find a similar level of quality (but also, it is high priced.)
The competitions in the summer are definitely way better and much more fun. That is when all of the pavilions are in use and it’s a great place to go for the day, even if you don’t enjoy watching horses and riders go around a course over and over. They have international food, shopping, and other attractions. Also, many of their horses are out in the paddocks, so it’s a great place to bring kids especially if they animals.
I completely understand that if you’re not in to horses then this might not be the place for you. However, I would say that the grounds are so beautiful that you should check it out just for a nice stroll.

X-​mas is alive at Spruce Meadows! The lights anyways — I believe the markets are shut down until the New Year.
Grab some hot chocolate, tune your vehicle radio onto a X-​mas music channel and make the drive to the Meadows to take in the lights. If these lights go up and down each year, what a feat, this has kept someone very busy. The lights were beautiful and a great way to get into the X-​mas spirit with some peace and quiet, away from the Malls.
You can drive through within a few minutes, u-​turn and go through again.
It is free and the lights are lit from 5pm-​10pm daily.
We stayed in the car but some had parked their cars to walk their dogs and go for a stroll.
Kids and adults alike will love them!

A girlfriend and I attended the Pet Expo which was held at Spruce Meadows this year. There was ample parking, and parking coordinators were directing people so it was quite organized.
Once we parked, we made our way to the entrance towards the expo. It was really crowded inside, there were about 100 vendors set up throughout the Equi-​plex building and hoards of people (with strollers). The building itself is quite large, I just think the event coordinators didn’t anticipate the big turnout because it still seemed super cramped.
After an hour of wandering about, we were a bit parched from the overwhelming crowd so we decided to take a break. There was only the one food vendor in the building so we headed over, they had the basics — burgers, hot dogs, fries, etc. It was a bit pricey — $ 4 for small tray of fries and $ 3 for a bottle of Costco Kirkland water. .. there wasn’t anywhere to sit so we had to manœuvre eating fries while walking around — it definitely was not an easy task.
The venue itself (outside and inside) are very well maintained, I know this space is available for events such as weddings and banquets which is great because those would require a known number of people so they can accommodate accordingly but I don’t think it was a good fit for the Pet Expo.
If they do continue to have the Pet Expo here in future years, maybe have some of the YYC food trucks in attendance so people have options for food!