Neon signs and LED neon signs are a definite crowd favorite. They've been lighting up the streets of Calgary, Alberta since the mid-20th century, bringing a flair of retro nostalgia to the establishments and shops that display them.
Neon signs have several advantages that make them a tempting investment for any storefront — they've been in demand for decades and hold their appeal remarkably well. Here's a look at ten of the best neon signs in Calgary.
10 Landmark Neon Signs in Calgary
1. King Edward Hotel
Source: Alamy
The King Edward Hotel was demolished to make way for the National Music Centre, but its façade and neon sign were preserved as a tribute to the original building. The sign was reinstalled in 2015 after the Centre's construction was complete.
2. My Favorite Ice Cream Shoppe
Source: Daily Hive
This vintage-themed ice cream shop is a Calgary gem, with its original neon sign still standing at 42nd Avenue and 20th Street SW. Decades later, it remains a favorite hangout for locals.
3. Paradise Lanes
Source: Alberta Venture
Nothing captures 1950s nostalgia quite like an old-school five-pin bowling alley. Paradise Lanes sits along 17th Avenue SE in Forest Lawn, its neon bowling pin sign still intact.
4. Pigeonhole
Source: ANiA B
This newer restaurant put its own spin on the neon trend, repurposing a vintage Calgary sign from an old establishment and adding its own name in neon on top.
5. Pop's Dairy Bar
Source: Calgary Herald
Established in the late 1930s, Pop's Dairy Bar is a true Calgary classic. Its Ramsey neighborhood ice cream shop is known for the neon sign put up in 1957, still lighting up warm summer nights for locals and visitors alike.
6. St. Louis Hotel
Source: Global News
Built in 1914, the St. Louis Hotel once shared its space with a bar, barbershop, café, and cigar stand. Designated a Municipal Historic Resource in 2008, it's since been renovated into a venue for business and commercial tenants.
7. Superior Autobody
Source: Flickr
Built in 1939, this is the city's oldest collision repair company, moving to 17th Avenue in Beltline in 1946. The site is now home to Economy Glass, still run by the same family, with the original neon sign remaining a Calgary landmark.
8. Sweet Home Bakery
Source: Foursquare
Serving bread and pastries to Calgary locals for more than 50 years, Sweet Home Bakery is known for its homemade goods — and its recognizable neon sign.
9. Tigerstedt Block
Source: Squarespace
Once home to Tigerstedt Photo Studios on Centre St. North in Crescent Heights, this building's 1930s-era neon sign has survived years of redevelopment pressure and remains untouched.
10. 4 Seas Restaurant
Source: Calgary Herald
The restaurant itself is long gone, but its neon sign remains along 17th Avenue SE in Forest Lawn, where a new restaurant, the Blue Diamond, now occupies the space beneath it.
Get a LED Neon Sign for Your Business
Neon signs remain a great investment for storefronts — they're unique, long-lasting, and easy to maintain. If you're considering a LED neon sign for your Calgary business, work with a reputable, experienced sign maker. Each sign is handmade, and careful design and planning turn a simple idea into a piece worth putting on display.
Calgary isn't the only Canadian city with a neon scene worth exploring — see the best neon signs in Toronto and the best neon signs in Vancouver for more.
