Every November, thousands of white crosses line Memorial Drive in Calgary to honour the Canadian service members who lost their lives defending the country.
The Field of Crosses memorial will return from Nov. 1 to 11, with more than 3,700 crosses, daily ceremonies, and its annual Night of Lights ahead of Remembrance Day.
Here’s everything to know about visiting the memorial.
What to expect at The Field of Crosses
What is The Field of Crosses?
The Field of Crosses is an annual memorial that honours the thousands of Southern Albertans who died while serving in Canada’s military. Each cross bears the name of a fallen service member, creating a large display along Memorial Drive NW.
According to organizers, the Memorial was established in 2009 by Calgary businessman and philanthropist Murray McCann. Alongside more than 3,700 crosses honouring Southern Albertans, another 120 crosses pay tribute to approximately 120,000 Canadian service members who lost their lives in military service.
The display is set up in Sunnyside Bank Park and remains illuminated throughout the night during its 11-day run.
What ceremonies are happening at The Field of Crosses?
The memorial will also host sunrise and sunset ceremonies daily from Nov. 1 to 10, each featuring a different group or theme connected to Canada’s military history.
Here are this year’s daily themes:
- Memorial Cross Families Day
- When: Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026
- Royal Canadian Air Force
- When: Monday, Nov. 2, 2026
- Royal Canadian Navy
- When: Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026
- Canadian Army
- When: Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2026
- 100th anniversary of the Royal Canadian Legion
- When: Thursday, Nov. 5, 2026
- First Responders and Animals in Way
- When: Friday, Nov. 6, 2026
- Youth Day
- When: Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026
- Indigenous Veterans Day
- When: Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026
- Women of War (sunrise)
- Where: Monday, Nov. 9, 2026
- Jewish Fallen (sunset)
- Where: Monday, Nov. 9, 2026
- UN Peacekeepers (sunrise)
- Where: Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2026
What is the Night of Lights?
On Tuesday, Nov. 10, the memorial will host the annual Night of Lights. During the event, lanterns are placed in front of the crosses and will remain lit from sunset until sunrise on Nov. 11.
What happens on Remembrance Day?
On Wednesday, Nov. 11, a Remembrance Day ceremony will take place at the memorial. Members of the public are more than welcome to attend, and if you can’t make it, the ceremony will be televised.
Parking will be very limited on Remembrance Day, and Memorial Drive will be closed from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Organizers recommend parking downtown near Eau Claire and walking across the bridge to the site.
When can you visit The Field of Crosses?
The Field of Crosses will be open to the public from Sunday, Nov. 1 to Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2026, and you can visit the memorial anytime, day or night, for free.
If you’re attending a ceremony, organizers ask that you arrive 10 to 15 minutes early.
If you’re driving past the Field of Crosses this November, take time to visit the memorial and honour those who served.
Lest we forget.
When: Sunday, Nov. 1 to Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2026
Time: Open 24 hours
Where: 200 Memorial Dr. NW, Calgary, Alta.
Cost: Free to visit
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Kaiya Williams
Kaiya is a Calgary-based writer and content creator with a background in marketing and digital storytelling. She has a passion for community-driven stories and covering local experiences that connect people.
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