20 things to do in Calgary this long weekend: August 3 to 6

Aug 3 2018, 1:35 am

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

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

August 3

@cleavercalgary/Instagram

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

CostOnline, $55 to $200

Blues Music Festival

august 3

Image: Timothy Nguyen Photography

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

august 3

Chasing Summer Music Festival/Facebook

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

CostOnline, $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

August 3

Artistic rendering of the Kananaskis Nordic Spa (Delta Hotels by Marriott Kananaskis Lodge/Facebook)

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.

WhereLazy Day Raft RentalsSports RentThe 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

august 3

Heritage Park Historical Village (Bernard Spragg. NZ/flickr)

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

See also
DH Calgary StaffDH Calgary Staff

+ Listed
ADVERTISEMENT