The weekend has finally arrived, and it has come in full force.
It’s no surprise that the first weekend of August would be jam-packed full of great activities to check out — most of which are outdoors — but now there are too many things for one person to enjoy!
Prove us wrong by checking out as many of these great events as you can over the next four days — we’re sure you won’t regret it.
See also
- Check out this FREE travelling circus show in Calgary next week
- City Council approves motion that might see voting age lowered to 16
- Treats you need to try in Calgary before the summer’s over
Friday, August 3
Take a ride in Handsome Andy with Moose Trail Overland
What: Join local experts and firefighters Mike and Ryan as they show you all their favourite spots in the area and take you on a thrilling adventure in Handsome Andy, a 4×4 Ford E350. Don’t expect your typical cookie cutter tour, as these two are keen to take you off the beaten path and bring your dream of adventure to life.
Price: Varies per tour – book online
Take advantage of Calgary’s bumping patio scene
What: Take a break from the heat and have an ice-cold bevy on one of Calgary’s best patios. From rooftops to hidden gardens, there are plenty of spots to choose from that will have the vibe and ambiance you’re looking for. Check out some of Calgary’s best rooftop patios here.
East Village Junction Pop-Up Retail Park
What: In only one year, this colourful container lot has turned into a popular Calgary mainstay. Located behind the King Edward Hotel, this is a unique destination that features local retail shops, workshops, music, art, and, of course, YYC Food Trucks. You won’t want to miss out on the fun summer festivities that they have planned at this hip community gathering space this summer.
When: May 18 to September 3
Where: 430 8th Avenue SE
Admission: Free
Calgary Fringe Festival
What: A plethora of uncensored, non-juried theatre performances happening all around the city. This iconic festival was started in Scotland in 1947 and has grown to become one of the most popular art festivals in the world. Anything goes at this one.
When: August 3 to 11
Time: Various times
Where: Various theatres around the city
Cost: Online, $55 to $200
Blues Music Festival
What: Check out one full week of live outdoor blues performances and end each day off with a Twilight Blues Dance Party. Experience the art market, beer tents, food trucks, and more. Don’t forget to pick yourself up a festival souvenir. See the full list of performers here.
When: July 30 to August 5
Time: Varies per day
Where: Shaw Millennium Park – 1220 9th Avenue SW
Tickets: Online, $50 to $500
Saturday, August 4
Tour de Bowness
What: Get a taste of what the Tour de France is like at the 17th Annual Tour de Bowness. For three days you will have the opportunity to watch cyclists from various viewpoints throughout the city as they compete for a variety of titles and prizes. This event started in 2001 and is now the largest amateur bike race in the province.
Where: Various locations
When: August 4 to 6
Cost: Free to watch
Inglewood Sunfest
What: Celebrate the best of summer in #yyc at this day-long street festival featuring over 200 vendors, food trucks, live entertainment, an old classic car show and so much more. It’ll be an affair to bring the entire family down for.
When: August 4
Time: 11 am to 6 pm
Where: Mainstreet Inglewood – 9th Avenue SE
Admission: FREE
Floating Lantern Peace Ceremony
What: Celebrate Calgarian’s collective desire for peace as you set sail to your lantern in the Olympic Plaza pool. This event is an annual international affair that aims to remember and commemorate the 200,000 people who lost their lives in the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Calgary’s even will be held in tandem with 7,500 other cities who have banded together to promote peace.
When: Saturday, August 4
Time: 8:20 to 10 pm
Where: Olympic Plaza – 228 8th Avenue SE
Cost: Free or donate $20 online to receive a custom lantern
Chasing Summer Music Festival
What: Celebrate the passion of Calgarians’ love for summer in this huge two-day EDM festival. Festival attendees can expect to see big names such as Kaskade, DJ Snake, Dillon Francis, Cash Cash, Mar+In Garrix, and more.
When: August 4 to 5
Time: 1 to 11 pm
Where: Max Bell Centre Festival Ground – 1001 Barlow Trail SE
Tickets: Online, $100 to $170
Canmore Folk Fest
What: Alberta’s longest running folk music festival is back. Set to the backdrop to the majestic Canadian Rockies you can look forward to headliners such as Buffy Sainte-Marie, Carlos Del Junco and the Blue Mongrels, Cassie and Maggie, Jon Brooks, and many more performers throughout the weekend.
When: August 4 to 6
Time:
Saturday: 3:30 to 9:30 pm
Sunday and Monday: 9:30 am to 9:30 pm
Where: Centennial Park – 5th Avenue, Canmore
Cost: Online, $45 to $130
Sunday, August 5
Music in the Plaza
What: From folk to funk to Country to Celtic, enjoy weekly live entertainment in the Heritage Town Square every Wednesday. Each performance begins with an up-and-coming star from the Stampede Talent Search, followed by some of the best performers in the city. Come for the music, stay for dinner. See full artist lineup here.
When Wednesday evenings from July 4 to August 29
Time: 6 to 8 pm
Where: Heritage Town Square, Heritage Park – 1900 Heritage Drive NE
Admission: Free with park admission
Check out one of the many exhibitions happening at the Glenbow
What: Come out to see some seriously awesome works of art at one of Calgary’s favourite cultural centres.
Alex Janvier: Modern Indigenous Master – June 16 to September 9
One New Work Gwenessa Lam: Who Magic – June 16 to September 9
Recent Acquisitions 2018 – June 30 to December 9
The Artist’s Mirror: Self Portraits – March 10 to January 2019
Where: Glenbow Museum – 130 9tth Avenue SE
Cost: Regular admission to the museum
Check out Phase Two of the Kananaskis Nordic Spa
What: Looking for a quick escape from the everyday grind? This brand new spa combines the tranquil rejuvenation of a traditional Nordic Spa and the Alpine stillness of the Canadian Rockies. Opened in March, the spa has taken the last month off to add some new exciting additions to its facilities for summer. Come out for a relaxing experience and the opportunity to discover clarity in the midst of the mountains.
Where: 1 Centennial Drive, Kananaskis
Head out of town for a mountain adventure
What: Adventure Hub is a bonafide collective that has joined forces to give you unforgettable adventures in the Rocky Mountains. From horseback riding to cave tours to river rafting and much more. In the mood for adventure? Take your pick.
Hit up the King Eddy
What: The highly-anticipated King Eddy is finally (and permanently) re-opened. The revitalized King Edward Hotel was built way back in 1905, so to say this spot is legendary would be an understatement. Patrons can expect a regular lineup of talented musicians at this spot, along with a menu of killer grub and drinks. Don’t forget about their incredible rooftop.
When:
Monday to Wednesday: 11 am to 10 pm
Thursday and Friday: 11 am to 2 am
Saturday: 9 am to 2 am
Sunday: 9 am to 10 pm
Where: 438 9th Avenue SE
Where: In and around Banff and Canmore
Monday, August 6
Go Hiking in the Rockies
What: The view is worth the climb.
Where: Here are some of the most picturesque hiking spots in and around Banff to check out this summer.
Take a float down the Bow River
What: This is a tradition most of us Calgarians look forward to doing at least once during the summer. Plus, it’s the ultimate refresher when stuck in a prairie heat wave.
Tips: Make sure that you have enough life jackets for your entire group, book your raft ahead of time, park a vehicle at the beginning and the end of your route, and check weather advisories before heading out.
Where: Lazy Day Raft Rentals, Sports Rent, The Paddle Station and the Outdoor Centre at the University of Calgary
Hang out with the Pandas
What: The Calgary Zoo has officially welcomed four pandas (two adults and two cubs), into their newly built habitat, The Panda Passage. These furry black and white friends are charming and have a ton to teach us in the five years that they will be with us before returning to China.
Where: The Calgary Zoo — 210 St. Georges Drive NE
Admission: Regular admission to the zoo
Heritage Day at Fort Calgary
What: Celebrate the best of Calgary’s multicultural heritage at the confluence of the Bow and Elbow rivers. Enjoy kids crafts, a Backfoot Ecology Session, Free Museum tours, and more at this free, family-friendly event.
When: Monday, August 6
Time: 10 am to 4 pm
Where: Fort Calgary – 750 9th Avenue SE
Admission: FREE
Heritage Day at Heritage Park
What: This is a great excuse to load up the entire family and head down to Heritage Park. There will be interactive activities, live music, a delicious BBQ, a scavenger hunt, wagon rides, a traditional First Nations encampment, and more! There will also be a citizenship ceremony where 100 people officially become Canadian citizens. That is a moment you won’t want to miss.
When: Monday, August 6
Time: 10 am to 5 pm
Where: Heritage Park – 1900 Heritage Drive SW
Admission: Regular admission to the park